Rockville Centre Herald 07-16-2026

ROCKVILLE CENTRE

Lighting up the night with music and fireworks

By BRIAN KACHARABA

bkacharaba@liherald.com

The sound of music and an atmosphere of community and remembrance filled Barasch Field as Rockville Centre residents and visitors gathered for the village’s traditional “Fireworks and Music” celebration.

The South Shore Symphony provided the soundtrack to a summer night capped by a spectacular display in the sky created by the famed Grucci family.

The July 11 event kicked off with Jody Siegel singing the national anthem as the Rockville Centre Volunteer Fire Department presented the colors, setting the stage for a night that celebrated tradition and the people who helped build it.

South Shore Symphony violinist Greg Krajci served as the evening’s master of ceremonies, taking over a role previously held by longtime orchestra leader Wayne Lipton, who died in February.

Before introducing the symphony, Mayor Francis X.

Continued on page 10

A medal replaced, a father’s legacy still preserved

By BRIAN KACHARABA bkacharaba@liherald.com

For years, it was simply another piece of paper tucked away among old family records.

But while sorting through his late father’s military documents during a spring-cleaning project, Rockville Centre resident Robert Schildkraut discovered something he never expected: His father, Marvin Schildkraut, had been awarded the National Defense Service Medal when he was honorably discharged from the U.S. Army in June 1955.

The medal itself, however, had long since disappeared.

“I saw that he had won this medal, and obviously we no longer had the medal,” Robert said.

The National Defense Service Medal was awarded to members of the armed forces who served honorably during designated periods of national emergency. Like many keepsakes collected over a lifetime, Marvin Schildkraut’s medal had likely been lost during one of several family moves. After finding his father’s discharge papers, Robert became determined to recover a piece of the family’s history.

He researched the medalreplacement process, but wor-

S he followed through a little more quickly than I expected.

RoBeR t SCHIldKRAut RVC resident, on Rep. Laura Gillen

ried that a request could sit for months or years before being processed. Hoping to speed up the process, he reached out to U.S. Rep. Laura Gillen’s office for assistance.

Robert explained that recovering the medal would mean a great deal to his family.

“It really was just reaching

out, making sure we get the right person on the phone,” Gillen explained.

After contacting the National Archives and Records Administration, Gillen’s staff identified the appropriate officials, and gathered documentation from the Schildkraut family. Although the office was initially told that replacing the

medal could take up to a year, staff members stayed in contact throughout the process.

And as it happened, the medal was ready in less than two weeks. “From the time they sent the email to the time I got the medal was about 11 business days,” Robert said.

On July 7, Gillen presented

Continued on page 16

South Side grad honored for perseverance

By BRIAN KACHARABA bkacharaba@liherald.com

For Anthony Silecchia III, receiving the RVC Blue Speaks scholarship was about much more than the $1,000 award. It was validation of years of perseverance and a chance to inspire others on the autism spectrum.

The South Side High School graduate was selected as the Rockville Centre School District’s 2026 RVC Blue Speaks scholarship recipient, one of 11 students from school districts across Long Island recognized for their determination, character and plans to pursue higher education or trade school.

“It was such an amazing moment,” Silecchia said. “My whole life I’ve been trying to find a way to support other people on the spectrum or with any other disability. It made me feel like what I’ve done made a difference in people’s lives.”

Diagnosed with autism at age 2, Silecchia attended Wilson Elementary School before progressing through the Rockville Centre school district in inclusion classes with one-to-one support. This fall, he will begin studying hospitality management at the University of Mississippi, where his older sister, Julia, is already a student.

His parents credit the district’s teachers, aides and support staff for helping him reach a milestone that once seemed

uncertain.

“He has come a very long way because of the district and all the people we’ve met along the way,” his mother,

Regina, said. “He’s graduating with a Regents diploma and now he’s going to college.”

ment opportunities for people with disabilities.

His father, Anthony Jr., said his son’s ambitions challenge many common misconceptions about autism.

Silecchia’s growth extended well beyond the classroom. During high school, he played four years of football, earning the team’s Scout Team Player of the Year award, competed in track, bowling and tennis, and volunteered as a referee and commentator for basketball programs serving athletes with disabilities.

“It’s not just about what you can do physically,” Silecchia said. “It’s what you can do for the team and the people around you.”

Among the educators who made the biggest impact were his one-to-one aide, Carolyn Dunster, and math teacher Marisa Buckley, whom he credits with helping him succeed academically and personally.

“I think a lot of the expectations early on were that people with autism tend to withdraw from larger social scenes,” he said. “Anthony wants to go to a big school. He’s not withdrawing. He’s engaging in everything, and he’s doing it at levels that even typical people sometimes can’t do.”

Since its founding in 2017, RVC Blue Speaks has awarded 54 scholarships to graduating seniors on the autism spectrum for qualities that are not always reflected by grades alone.

“For them to be acknowledged for their hard work and their kindness means an awful lot,” said co-chair Mary Lou Cancellieri. “Some tell us they’ve never received an award before.”

Silecchia hopes his journey encourages younger students facing similar challenges.

Silecchia hopes to one day manage a hotel, possibly at Walt Disney World, or lead a business that creates employ -

•

•

•

•

“Don’t let what other people say judge you,” he said. “Make every moment count and never give up.”

Covert turns the page with summer reading

William S. Covert Elementary School brought families together under the summer sky on July 8 for the district’s first Summer Reading Night on the Lawn, a community-focused event designed to celebrate books, encourage literacy and help students keep their love of reading alive during the summer months.

Families gathered on the school lawn with blankets and chairs for an evening of stories, connection and summer fun. Students, parents, teachers and school staff shared the joy of reading together in a relaxed outdoor setting, creating an opportunity for children to reconnect with classmates while continuing to build important literacy skills.

Covert staff members joined students and families in celebrating the importance of books and storytelling, helping make the evening a memorable way to strengthen the school community. The Summer Reading Night on the Lawn series gives elementary school families a chance to enjoy a shared experience while preparing students for a successful return to the classroom in September.

The series will continue throughout the summer at the district’s other elementary schools. Riverside Elementary School will host its event on July 15, followed by Jennie E. Hewitt Elementary School on July 22. Floyd B. Watson Elementary School will hold its event on Aug. 5, and Francis F. Wilson Elementary School will conclude the series on Aug. 12.

–Brian Kacharaba

GLYNN FUNERAL HOME

Taxation of The Medicaid Asset Protection Trust (MAPT)

Your writer has often stated that, in elder law, there is more misinformation than information. For example, one of the most pernicious myths about MAPTs is that they lose the stepped-up basis at death. Indeed, a syndicated columnist under the byline “Ask the Expert” recently wrote “...the IRS has determined that assets in an irrevocable trust don’t qualify for a step-up in tax basis at your death.”

For those unfamiliar with the step-up in basis, it works this way. Let’s say you bought your house many years ago for $200,000 and when you pass away it is worth $850,000. The basis gets stepped-up from what you paid to what it was worth on the date of your death. If the heirs sell it shortly after inheriting, they pay no capital gain tax. Savings would be about $200,000 in taxes!

In 2023, the IRS issued a widely misunderstood Revenue Ruling stating that a certain type of irrevocable trust did not get the stepped-up basis. In tax law, it is well understood that (1) if assets pass at death they are includible in the estate and get the stepped-up basis, and (2) if the assets are given away during your lifetime, they keep your original basis. You either get the tax break of the

stepped-up basis and inclusion in the estate OR you get the exclusion from the estate but no stepup. Some aggressive tax lawyers tried to write a trust that purported to get both -- inclusion for capital gains tax purposes but exclusion for estate tax purposes. The 2023 IRS ruling simply stated that you cannot have your cake and eat it too. If the taxpayer claims the irrevocable trust is excluded from the estate for estate tax purposes, then no step-up in basis will be allowed.

Seeing as the estate tax exemption for New York is $7.35 million, most clients are not concerned about inclusion for estate-tax purposes, they want the step-up! Every elder law attorney worth their salt knows this and drafts the MAPT as a “Grantor Trust” keeping the trust assets in the estate.

A very common way of doing this is to provide a “power of appointment” giving the grantor (creator of the trust) the right to change who they leave it to. This way the gift is “incomplete” until death, as which time the grantor can no longer change it. Since the gift is only “completed” at death, it is included in the estate and gets the stepup.

ETTINGER LAW FIRM

Crime watCh

homiCide (natural)

On July 7, a 99-year-old Glenwood Road resident was discovered deceased in her home.

Criminal misChief

On July 7, a commuter on N. Village Avenue reported that she was involved in a road rage incident during which an unknown male punched and shattered her passenger-side window.

unusual inCidents

On July 8, a Marlborough Court resident reported that an unknown person or persons opened bank accounts in his name without his authority or permission to do so.

On July 8, a Lenox Road resident reported being the victim of a gift card scam, resulting in an approximate loss of $5,000.

Pedestrian s truCk

On July 8, a pedestrian was struck by a vehicle while crossing Lakeview Ave. on foot.

arrest

On July 9, Anthony C. Torres, 37, of Arverne, Queens, was arrested and charged with public lewdness after allegedly exposing and touching himself inside of The Dollar Tree while following a female customer.

People named in Crime Watch items as having been arrested and charged with violations or crimes are only suspected of committing those acts of which they are accused. They are all presumed to be innocent of those charges until and unless found guilty in a court of law.

fire watCh

The Rockville Centre Fire Department is always looking for help in serving our community. If you live here or in any one of the adjacent communities and are interested in joining or just

July 5 – July 12

General Alarms – 9 Still Alarms – 7 Rescue – 2

Aided Cases (Ambulance) – 48

Mutual Aid Fire – 1

Mutual Aid Rescue – 0

Mutual Aid Ambulance – 0

Total – 67

have questions, please visit any firehouse on Sunday mornings and speak with one of the officers or call (516) 6789320. For emergencies dial 911 or (516) 766-0400.

Year To Date

General Alarms – 288 Still Alarms – 174

Rescue – 115

Aided Cases (Ambulance) – 1,375

Mutual Aid Fire – 40

Mutual Aid Rescue – 0

Mutual Aid Ambulance – 6

Total – 1,998

E-mail: rglickman@liherald.com Fax: (516) 569-4643 ■ PUBlIC NOTICES: Ext. 232 E-mail: legalnotices@liherald.com

Taste of Rockville Centre returns for cause

By BRIAN KACHARABA bkacharaba@liherald.com

Three months after the Rockville Centre community came together to raise money for Madeline Norton’s battle with a rare genetic disorder, organizers are preparing for another major fundraiser aimed at helping move research toward a potential treatment.

The Taste of Rockville Centre fundraiser, scheduled for July 25 at Nick’s Pizza on Sunrise Highway, will feature unlimited food and drinks for a $100 admission. All ticket purchases and donations will be matched dollar for dollar by an anonymous donor, increasing the impact of every contribution.

The event follows April’s Madeline’s Mission Spring Fest, which brought together residents, local businesses and supporters for an afternoon of food, drinks and entertainment. The fundraiser raised more than $28,000 to support efforts connected to Pantothenate Kinase-Associated Neurodegeneration research.

“That $100 donation becomes $200, just like that,” Gerard Norton, Madeline’s father, said. “This is one of our final pushes that we’re doing for Madeline’s campaign.”

Madeline was diagnosed with PKAN about a year ago. Norton said researchers have already created the gene thera-

OPEN

py vector and are now working toward the testing needed before seeking approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. He said approximately $1 million to $1.5 million remains to fully fund the project.

“This is like our last-ditch fundraising effort for the year for Madeline,”

Summer Special Summer Special

Norton said. “We’re excited about it and it’s going to be matched.”

The fundraiser was originally planned for the St. Agnes Parish Center, but the Nortons moved it to Nick’s Pizza last week.

“I reached out to Sal over at Nick’s and I was like, ‘Why don’t we just do it

at the restaurant?’ Because there’s tons of people that want to donate, but not that many people that actually want to show up,” Norton said.

Nick’s Pizza owner Sal Buglione said the restaurant setting will allow supporters to participate while keeping the focus on raising money for Madeline’s Mission.

“Everybody donate that day, whatever it is, whatever they could donate, to raise money for this,” Buglione said.

Buglione became involved with Madeline’s Mission after meeting Madeline at an earlier fundraiser and said the experience left a lasting impression.

“When she came in, she just knocked on my heart,” Buglione said. “She stole my heart, that little girl.”

Buglione, whose restaurant has supported community fundraisers in the past, said helping the Norton family is a way to give back.

“For us, it’s easy to donate some food or do a fundraiser,” he said. “The superstars here are the people like the Nortons, having to deal with what they’re dealing with.”

Norton encouraged residents who are able to attend to come out and support the effort, while those unable to attend can still make a donation.

“If you’re on the fence, please come,” Norton said. “It’s not every day that you get to double your donation somewhere.”

HERALD SPORTS

First rounders shine at Isles development camp

By TONY BELLISSIMO

tbellissimo@liherald.com

Unlike 2025 when the New York Islanders selected three players within the first 17 picks of the NHL Draft, including eventual unanimous Calder Trophy winning defenseman Matthew Schaefer No. 1 overall, they had only one pick in the first three rounds this year.

That came at No. 13 overall when Schaefer, in Buffalo for draft weekend June 26-27, stepped to the podium to announce the selection of 6-foot-4, 203-pound left-shot defenseman Malte Gustafsson.

“I’m a big two-way defender, I like to contribute all over the ice,” said the 18-year-old Gustafsson, who played 27 games in the Swedish Hockey League with HV71. “I like to use my size, my length and I play physical. Being annoying is part of my game,” he added.

Gustafsson was one of 37 players at Islanders Development Camp June 29-July 2 and impressed in the Blue & White Scrimmage played before an overflow crowd July 1 at Northwell Health Ice Center in East Meadow.

Gustafsson signed a one-year contract to remain with HV71 for the 2026-27 season, but perhaps one day he’ll be teammates with fellow Swedes Simon Holmstrom, Emil Heineman and Victor Eklund.

The latter two became Islanders property during the early stages of the 2025 Draft when General Manager Mathieu Darche dealt defenseman Noah Dobson to Montreal. Heineman scored 22 goals in his debut season on Long Island, while Eklund, drafted 16th, and defenseman Kashawn Aitcheson, 17th, were nothing short of dynamic in the SHL and Ontario Hockey League, respectively.

Eklund is very much looking forward to playing a full season in North America, either with the Islanders or recently relocated Hamilton Hammers of the American Hockey League. The 19-year-old winger registered 6 goals and 18 assists in 43 games for Djurgardens IF in the SHL and made his way to the Bridgeport Islanders (10 points in nine games) and ultimately Long Island for his NHL debut April 14. He recorded his first NHL point, an assist, against Carolina.

“I think I made the right decision at the end of last season to come to North America and adapt as fast as I can,” Eklund said after the Blue & White Scrimmage. “Being here with the boys and playing in front of the fans is a lot of fun. Now I’m looking to get stronger, gain weight and be ready for camp in September.”

Aitcheson, who brings a rare combination of physicality and offensive sizzle, is ready for the next step as well after the 19-year-old earned the OHL’s Most Outstanding Defenseman award after posting 70 points (28 goals, 34 assists) during the regular season and 27 in the playoffs (8, 19) for the Barrie Colts, helping them to the finals.

“Just putting my head down and putting the work in,” Aitcheson said. “This is another step to get ready for training camp. It’s been fun so far.”

Nobody had more fun at the Blue & White Scrimmage than Gleb Veremyev, an undrafted 23-year-old 6-5, 218pound forward born in Brooklyn. He had a hat trick to lead Team Blue to a 6-3 victory and also scored the winner in a shootout that followed the 40-minute game.

“I’m trying to take everything in this summer, and I feel like I have something to prove for the rest of my career,” Veremyev said.

Centenarian’s paper art still inspires visitors

By STACY DRIKS sdriks@liherald.com

Months before Jack Banham turns 101 on Dec. 14, he is still doing what has occupied him for the past 16 years: cutting pieces of paper, fitting them together and creating worlds.

The Rockville Centre resident has brought his exhibit, “My World of Paper Art,” to the Uniondale Public Library, where it will remain on display through Aug. 31. The collection features landscapes, houses, flowers, and figures built from pieces of paper layered and glued together.

For Banham, seeing his art displayed remains difficult to believe.

“I love it,” he said about the Uniondale exhibit. “I can’t believe it — I never thought anything like this would occur.”

Banham began creating paper art in 2010, after experimenting with mediums. He worked with clay, wood and stained glass, carved chess pieces, and made furniture before turning it into a challenge.

“I started with clay,” Banham said. “I worked my way to wood, stained glass, you name it — I worked on it.”

His earliest pieces were made with construction paper, but as the paper faded, Banham experimented with ways to preserve it before switching to materials.

“People often ask me, ‘How do you get this to stick?’ and I surprise everybody,” he said. “I give them a look and say, ‘You don’t understand? You never heard of Elmer’s Glue?’”

His interest in creativity began in childhood. Banham recalled his mother giving him a mixture of flour and water while she baked bread or cake. He

would shape the dough-like material.

“My mother would put dough and water, mix it and put it on the floor,” Banham said. “I would pick it up, and that’s how it all began.”

Banham’s creations remain a mystery until he begins working. He does not trace images or use references but instead relies on memory and imagination.

“He has some sort of vision,” said his daughter, Eva, while examining a tree he created using a branch for the trunk and green paper outlined in white for the leaves. The piece was completed this month.

Banham often finds materials in nature, particularly in his daughter Susan’s backyard, where he spots branches or rocks and asks his children to save them for pieces. Those natural elements add quality to his artwork.

“This is all my imagination — every bit of it,” Banham said. “I make up my own leaves, but I make them to look like leaves.”

The time required to complete each piece depends on its size, with some taking as long as two months.

For the Uniondale exhibit, Eva arranged pieces partly by color while working around the space in the library’s basement and meeting room.

Banham keeps guest books filled with visitors’ comments from his exhibitions. Some describe the artwork as “amazing” or “fascinating,” while others express surprise that the scenes are made from paper.

“Being a guy that’s over 100, still alive and involved in this type of business, it’s great,” he said. “People who visit the libraries left their remarks, and they’re all pleasant and wonderful. I’m flattered by their words and how much they care for me.”

FREE community event focused on health, wellness, and lifestyle

Meet trusted local exhibitors and service providers

Take advantage of on-site health screenings

Enjoy lively entertainment, fitness demonstrations and interactive experiences

Hear from experts during a panel discussion with Q&A

Win raffles, prizes, and giveaways

Snack station for all

*Boxed lunches for first 150 attendees

All designed to help you stay active, informed, and engaged at every stage of life.

MAE CAIME FOUNDER, AMAEZING MIDLIFE & BEYOND AGENDA:

Register for this FREE event: Merrick.eventbrite.com or email rbamgbose@liherald.com or call 516.569.4000 x273

ClearVote system set for November election

By MELISSA BERMAN mberman@liherald.com

The new voting machines Nassau County residents will use in November are designed to make casting a ballot faster while keeping the voting experience largely unchanged, according to election officials and the machines’ manufacturer.

Voters heading to the polls this fall will use an allnew voting system, after the county Board of Elections selected Clear Ballot’s ClearVote system following a competitive procurement process.

The system will replace the county’s traditional voting equipment, and Nassau will join more than a dozen New York counties that have already adopted ClearVote’s paper-ballot technology.

Although the machines are new, election officials said that voters should notice very little difference in how they cast their ballots. “To the public it will be pretty much the same as they’re used to,” Republican Elections Commissioner James V. Moriarty wrote in a news release. “These machines will be smaller, more efficient and new. New and better equipment.”

The ClearVote system uses full-sized paper ballots that voters fill out by hand or, for those requiring accessibility accommodations, through an ADA-compliant ballot-marking device that prints a full-sized ballot. Every voter ultimately casts the same type of paper ballot, regardless of how it is marked.

The biggest improvements, Democratic Elections Commissioner James Scheuerman explained, will take place behind the scenes, allowing election workers to administer elections more efficiently while preserving the familiar voting experience.

“It’s easier for us to build and run the election and it’s going to be the exact same for the voter, which is

what you’re looking for when you’re bringing on a new voting system,” Scheuerman wrote in a news release.

Once a ballot is filled out, it is inserted into a scanner that reads and records the vote while securely storing the ballot for auditing and recount purposes. Unlike some voting systems that rely on barcodes or summary cards, ClearVote records votes directly from the paper ballots, giving voters the chance to visually verify every selection before casting it.

According to Clear Ballot CEO Bob Hoyt, that transparency is central to the company’s philosophy.

“We believe the best way to establish voter trust is through paper ballots,” Hoyt said. “It allows people to verify their own vote before it’s cast so they know that it counted.”

The new scanners also process ballots significantly faster than older equipment. A ballot, Hoyt said, is scanned and accepted almost immediately after it is inserted — about one second — compared with four to five seconds on many older voting systems.

As soon as the ballot is processed, the screen confirms that the vote has been successfully cast and displays a running ballot count. “It processes the ballot almost immediately,” Hoyt said. “You get a message on the screen that your ballot has been cast, and you can actually see the ballot count increase.”

Clear Ballot first came to New York in 2017, providing high-speed scanners for absentee and mail-in ballots and conducting independent post-election audits.

The company introduced its first in-person voting system in the state in 2023. Nationally, its election technology is used in 14 states, serving more than 46 million registered voters.

Preparing Nassau County for the transition has been a months-long process. Roughly 500 voting machines have already been delivered for testing and poll worker training, with the remaining equipment — roughly 12 trailer loads — scheduled to arrive beginning later this month.

The company is also implementing a learning-management system that will help Nassau comply with New York’s mandatory poll worker training requirements by documenting training and providing ondemand instructional materials.

“If you train the election workers really well, and you have good equipment and good people servicing it,” Hoyt said, “you’ll probably have a really good election.”

Beloved summer tradition shines again

Murray addressed the crowd and paid tribute to Lipton, whose passion for music and community helped make the annual event a cherished village tradition.

“Each year, Wayne Lipton proudly led the South Shore Symphony, bringing music and meaning to this evening for so many families,” Murray said. “While he is not here with us physically, we know he is looking down and continuing to lead the spirit.”

Lipton’s widow, Karen, and their two children attended the celebration, with his son performing as a cellist with the orchestra — continuing the musical legacy that Lipton helped establish.

“Because of him, nights like this became cherished traditions where neighbors gathered, music filled the air and memories were made,” Murray said.

Krajci said that stepping into the emcee’s role had special meaning. “Wayne used to emcee this, so this meant a lot,” Krajci said after the show. “It was really nice to be able to host everybody and do what we all love doing, which is coming and supporting the orchestra.”

As the sun set, the outfield grass on both baseball fields at Barasch began filling with families, friends and neighbors from Rockville Centre and beyond. By the time the fireworks began, the crowd had grown so large that little open grass remained.

The symphony, under the direction of Eileen Murphy, performed for just over an hour, offering a wide-ranging program that showcased the orchestra’s versatility. The set included patriotic favorites, Broadway selections, movie themes and classical works.

Among the highlights were John Philip Sousa’s “Washington Post March,” an Armed Forces Salute honoring veterans, a medley from “Hamilton” including “You’ll Be Back,” “Helpless,” “My Shot,” “Dear Theodosia,” “It’s Quiet Uptown” and “One Last Time,” as well as selections from “Moana 2,” “Apollo 13,” “An American in Paris,” Irving Berlin’s “America,” “Variations on a Shaker Melody,” “The Syncopated Clock” and music from “A Chorus Line.”

The performance also featured a tribute to veterans, with audience members standing as each branch of the military was recognized during the Armed Forces Salute.

For Lynbrook resident Valerie DursiBarbuti, who lives just blocks from Barasch Field, the evening represented a tradition that has been passed down through generations.

Dursi-Barbuti grew up playing violin, and said that watching the symphony perform helped inspire her own musical journey. Now she shares the experience with her children.

“I grew up playing the violin, and I was a competitive violinist,” she said. “I started with watching this orchestra here. And then it’s always been just running in the field. And now my kids do this.”

Dursi-Barbuti said that her 5-year-old

daughter had already embraced the annual celebration. “Since last year, she’s been asking, ‘When is the fire -

works party?’” she said. “She has all her friends and our neighbors. It’s amazing.”

Following the symphony’s perfor -

mance, the crowd turned its attention to the sky as the Grucci family presented a nearly 20-minute fireworks spectacular featuring booming shells and bursts of color that illuminated the field.

One special moment, Krajci said, came during the fireworks display when “Over the Rainbow” — Lipton’s favorite song — was played.

“It was really nice to hear that in the tribute,” he said. “It’s nice that we’re still doing all these great things and honoring Wayne and still being able to play together.”

After the fireworks, the symphony returned to the stage for four additional songs, closing the night in patriotic fashion with Sousa’s “Stars and Stripes Forever.”

News briefs

Retired Dunn to be honored by U.S. team

Rockville Centre native Crystal Dunn will be recognized for her extraordinary career during a pregame ceremony before the United States faces Spain on Oct. 10 at Audi Field in Washington, D.C., according to U.S. Soccer.

The ceremony will celebrate Dunn’s retirement from international soccer and honor one of the most accomplished and versatile players in U.S. women’s soccer history. The first 2,000 fans entering the stadium also will receive a commemorative Crystal Dunn bobblehead.

Dunn’s journey began on the fields of South Side High School, where she helped lead the Cyclones to three New York State championships and became one of the nation’s top high school players. She continued her success at the University of North Carolina, winning the 2012 NCAA championship and the Hermann Trophy as the country’s top collegiate player.

Dunn announced her retirement from professional soccer in February after a career that included stints with the Washington Spirit, North Carolina Courage, Portland Thorns, Gotham FC, Chelsea and Paris Saint-Germain. In 2015, she was named the National Women’s Soccer League’s Most Valuable Player and Golden Boot winner.

The Oct. 10 match against Spain, the

Herald file photo

Rockville Centre native and South Side graduate Crystal Dunn will be honored before the U.S. Women’s National Team’s Oct. 10 game.

reigning world champion, will be the first of two October friendlies between the teams, with the second scheduled for Oct. 13 in Chester, Pennsylvania.

–Brian Kacharaba

Village resident joins Girl Scouts’ board

The Girl Scouts of Nassau County has elected Rockville Centre resident Onika Shepard-Bernabe to serve on its Board Development Committee through 2028.

Shepard-Bernabe was officially sworn in during the organization’s 61st Annual Meeting, held at Nassau Community College in Garden City.

The Board Development Committee is made up of lifelong Girl Scouts, community leaders and nonprofit and corporate executives who provide leadership and strategic guidance to the council while helping advance its mission. The committee is responsible for identifying, recruiting and supporting future board and committee members, as well as fostering opportunities for girls across Nassau County to develop courage, confidence and character.

“Each year, Girl Scouts of Nassau County is strengthened by leaders who bring new perspective, deep community commitment and a shared belief in what girls can achieve,” Rande Bynum, chief executive officer of Girl Scouts of Nassau County, said in a statement. “These board and committee members will help guide our council as we continue creating opportunities for girls to lead with courage, confidence and character across Nassau County.”

Shepard-Bernabe has worked in the labor movement for more than two

decades with 1199SEIU United Healthcare Workers East, where she has served as political director for Long Island for the past six years.

In that role, she has led member engagement initiatives, community outreach programs and political campaigns aligned with the organization’s goals.

–Brian Kacharaba

Library staff share summer reading picks

By BRIAN KACHARABA bkacharaba@liherald.com

Whether you’re relaxing by the pool, soaking up the sun at the beach, or simply looking for an escape on a quiet summer afternoon, the Rockville Centre Public Library staff has a few pageturners ready to add to your reading list.

From swoon-worthy romances and royal dramas to time-traveling satire and epic fantasy adventures, library staff members are sharing some of their favorite picks to help readers find their perfect summer companion — no matter what genre keeps them turning the pages.

Library Assistant Director Alana Mutum is recommending “Common Goal” by Rachel Reid, a charming sports romance that follows Kyle, a recently retired hockey player, and Eric, a younger academic who runs a queer hockey fan club. As the two form an unexpected connection, they must overcome their own fears and stubbornness before realizing that the happily-ever-after they both want may have been right in front of them all along.

Mutum said the book delivers exactly what she looks for in a summer romance.

Staff member Emilie Doleshel recommends “The Heir Apparent” by Rebecca Armitage, a modern royal drama she says is perfect for readers looking for romance.

She added that the book is “an easy read to pick up and get lost in.”

For readers who enjoy royal intrigue and a little fairy-tale flair, staff member Emilie Doleshel selected “The Heir

“It’s my favorite kind of romance for the summer,” Mutum said. “Sweet, fluffy and just the right amount of yearning. As I’m getting hyped for the next season of Heated Rivalry, I’m turning to the Game Changers series for more sports romances of unlikely pairings.”

Apparent” by Rebecca Armitage, a modern-day royal drama about a British princess caught between the expectations of her family and the pull of her own heart.

The story explores what someone might be willing to sacrifice for love — a career, a home, or even the crown itself. With themes of duty, identity and romance, the novel offers a contemporary twist on classic royal stories and is a natural fit for fans of shows like The Crown or anyone who enjoys the drama behind palace walls.

“It’s perfect for a beach or pool read when you want your book to have a little emotional weight alongside the glitz and froth of a royal read,” Doleshel said.

Staff member Lauren Fowler chose “Yesteryear” by Caro Claire Burke, a clever and thought-provoking summer read that puts a fresh spin on the modern “tradwife influencer” trend. The novel follows Natalie, a woman who wakes up unexpectedly in 1855 and is forced to experience the very lifestyle she had once romanticized online.

As Natalie confronts the realities behind the idealized image of the past, the book offers a sharp — and often darkly humorous — look at nostalgia, social media and the ways people construct their own versions of happiness.

recommends “Common Goal” by Rachel Reid, calling the sports romance a sweet, fluffy summer read.

“It’s darkly funny, a bit unsettling, and impossible to put down,” Fowler said.

For fantasy lovers looking for an adventure, “The Legend of Drizzt, Book 1” by R.A. Salvatore offers an immersive journey into the world of the Forgotten Realms. The novel introduces Drizzt Do’Urden, a skilled drow warrior who rejects the cruelty of his underground society and searches for a place where he can live by his own values. Filled with action, friendship and epic battles, the book launches one of fantasy’s most beloved character journeys.

Those looking for a heartfelt comedy can pick up “The Guncle” by Steven Rowley, which follows Patrick O’Hara, a

Staff member Lauren Fowler recommends “Yesteryear” by Caro Claire Burke, a darkly funny and thoughtprovoking book.

former television star who steps away from his glamorous Hollywood lifestyle to care for his young niece and nephew after a family tragedy. What begins as an unexpected responsibility becomes a journey of healing, family and rediscovering what truly matters.

And for readers ready to tackle a classic, “War and Peace” by Leo Tolstoy remains one of literature’s most celebrated novels. Set during the Napoleonic Wars, the sweeping story follows several Russian families as they navigate love, loss, ambition and the changing world around them.

STEPPING OUT

Wild Child

Jazz is in the air

By Karen Bloom

Tilles Jazz Fest is going strong in its third season. The festival returns to the historic LIU Post campus, on Saturday, offering a full day of world-class jazz, family-friendly fun and community celebration across four stages.

Presented in collaboration with Jazz at Lincoln Center, this year’s edition again brings together legendary artists and rising stars. This is an immersive indoor/outdoor experience — from lawn picnics and second line parades during the day to headliner The Buena Vista Orchestra performing in the evening.

The day’s lineup includes the Bobby Sanabria Octet, the Grammy-nominated percussionist blends Afro-Cuban jazz with big band flair; Bluesy Beats and Jazzy Treats with Dan and Claudia Zanes, with a lively, family-friendly set of jazz rhythms; young vocalist Ruby Laks, a fresh, expressive voice in contemporary jazz; along with a swinging Second-Line Parade, led by Hot Jazz All-Stars, including up-and-coming trumpeter Bria Skonberg, when all artists and the audience are invited to join in.

As Tom Dunn, Tilles Center’s executive and artistic director puts it: “This festival captures the spirit of jazz, where iconic voices and emerging artists share the stage. It’s an energizing celebration of artistry, innovation, and community, set in a place that inspires creativity at every turn.”

The LIU Jazz Combo (current LIU students) and Long Island Rising Stars (LIU alumni and regional talent) welcome guests at festival entrances from 12:15 p.m. Members of the LIU Marching Band add energy to the New Orleans-style Second Line parade, closing the daytime festivities at 5:45 p.m.

The young superstars of tomorrow are certainly given their due, alongside the jazz greats. Of course, headliner, The Buena Vista Orchestra, surely deserves the spotlight. The orchestra (sometimes referred to as The Buena Vista Social Orchestra, Orquesta Buena Vista) is acclaimed as the world’s foremost Cuban music repertory ensemble — featuring a revolving lineup. Virtuoso Cuban violinist Rolando Morejón Reyes leads an exciting set of musicians pulled from The Buena Vista Social Club, AfroCuban All Stars, the bands of Celia Cruz, Omara Portuondo, Chucho Valdés, Willie Colón, and others.

To date, The Buena Vista Orchestra and related projects have toured the world and garnered global accolades, making it one of the biggest-selling and best known Cuban music projects in history.

On a more intimate scale are Dan and Claudia

Feel that beat

Zanes, who are delighted to bring what Dan Zanes described as their “community music” to this year’s festival audience.

“It was an exiting call to get,” he says, of the invite. He notes that while they’ve performed at Tilles before, their festival appearance allows the Zanes to show a different side of their musicianship.

• July 18, starting at noon

• Tickets available at ticketmaster.com or tillescenter.org or (516) 299-3100

• LIU Post campus, 720 Northern Blvd., Brookville

This is not a typical tribute or pretend concert act. Wild Child relies on recapturing the original: sound, feel, mood, dynamics and delivery of the Doors music. It’s about the music and its delivery. Wild Child lead singer Dave Brock’s Doors concert tribute debuted with a triple sellout at the Whisky a-Go-Go. Since then the act has been touring and playing at sold out national act venues and festivals around the world. Wild Child became the mold that “tribute bands” aspired to become, as they flooded the market with good and bad impersonations of famous artists. In 2010 Ray Manzarek and Robby Krieger of The Doors, invited Dave to tour with them as their vocalist on their concert engagements: a hug honorl Wild Child performances are praised as the closest thing to a real live Doors experience.

Friday, July 17, 8 p.m. Tickets available at ticketmaster.com or paramountny. com.

“I come from the folk and rock ‘n roll world, but Claudia, my wife and partner in all this, is a jazz singer. She was performing and touring as a jazz vocalist before I met her. And Tyree Austin who’s also going to be singing with us is also a jazz vocalist. He sings jazz and gospel. So the spirit of jazz is really in what we do.”

partner in performing and

Zanes, a Grammy-winner, occupies a unique place in American music — where sea shanties, English Music hall, play party songs, the spirit of early rock ‘n roll, soul, North American and West Indian folk music collide. For the past 20 years, he has toured the world with his band, Dan Zanes and Friends, sharing 21st century social music with enthusiastic crowds of all ages.

In the 1980s Zanes was a member of The Del Fuegos, the roots rock band that released several albums and toured heavily before spontaneously combusting in 1989. In 1994 he became a father and began trying to create music that he and his daughter could enjoy together as a shared experience — an updated version of the Folkways records he grew up on. In 2000, he released Rocket Ship Beach, which became an immediate hit with families in America. NPR called him “The Gold Standard in kid’s music.”

And while their music does have a certain kid-friendly appeal, Zanes is quick to point out that there’s much more to it than that. The Zanes prefer not to be categorized as “children’s entertainers.”

“Our music is social music. It’s very participatory. We come out of a lot of different folk traditions: North American folk traditions, blues, as well as Haitian folk traditions {influenced by Claudia who is Haitian-American). It’s for all ages, including young folks but also older.

“At our concerts there’s quite a bit of singing along. It’s a social experiment. Even though we’re a modern group we work with ancient traditions and one of those traditions is galvanizing people with song. There’s movement, there’s dancing. Three voices and a 12 string guitar is the foundation of what we do, with addition of trombone, horn and some percussion.”

He describes their sound as “joyful music.”

“These are hard times for a lot of people and music reminds us that there is so much beauty in the world and so much that we get from being with each other. There’s something about singing together that gives all a sense of life’s best possibilities. Behind it all is joy always.”

Guests are encouraged to come with lawn chairs and blankets for a day of relaxed listening and discovery. Youngsters will also enjoy the Kids Zone, with an instrument “petting zoo,” crafts and face painting. When everyone is ready for a bite, check out the food trucks and artisan purveyors with their tempting wares. Or bring your own picnic!

Derek Hough Symphony of Dance: Encore

Following sold-out successes of his previous tours, Derek Hough is back. The Emmy-winning dancerchoreographer-entertainer — known for his dazzling performances on “Dancing With The Stars” — takes his audience on an exhilarating journey through dance with breathtaking choreography, vibrant visuals and his signature stage presence. The high-energy production celebrates the artistry and emotion of movement while showcasing the versatility that has made Hough one of today’s most celebrated performers. Experience a thrilling fusion of dance and music; the fan-favorite dancer explores styles ranging from ballroom, tap, salsa, hip-hop and everything in between.

Sunday, July 19, 8 p.m. Tickets available at ticketmaster.com or tillescenter. org or (516) 299-3100. Tilles Center, LIU Post campus, 720 Northern Blvd., Brookville.

Your Neighborhood CALENDAR

jul 17

‘Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat’

The Madison Theatre’s production of “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat” brings the beloved Andrew Lloyd Webber musical to the stage, retelling the biblical story of Joseph, his colorful coat and his rise from slavery to Pharaoh’s trusted advisor. Told entirely through song, the family-friendly production features memorable numbers including “Any Dream Will Do,” “Close Every Door” and “One More Angel in Heaven,” blending musical styles from calypso to country-western. Suitable for audiences of all ages, the show continues to be one of the world’s most frequently performed musicals.

• Where: Madison Theatre, Molloy University, 1000 Hempstead Ave., Rockville Centre

• Time: Various dates and times, through Aug. 2

• Contact: madisontheatreny.org or (516) 323-4444

Community service program

Tweens/teens in grades 7-12 can participate in community service toy cleaning at Rockville Centre Public Library. Help refresh library toys as part of an in-person service project. Registration is required.

• Where: 221 N. Village Ave., Rockville Centre

• Time: 4:30-5:30 p.m.

• Contact: rvclibrary.org or (516) 766-6257

Happy Birthday, Franklin!

Long Island Children’s Museum invites families to celebrate the Eastern Box Turtle’s 50th Birthday! Make him a one-of-a-kind cake craft inspired by all his favorite things! Come help honor 50 turtletastic years at the drop-in program. For ages 3+.

• Where: 11 Davis Ave., Garden City

• Time: 1-3 p.m.

• Contact: licm.org or call (516) 224-5800

jul

18

Magic in the Making

Old Westbury Gardens welcomes young witches, wizards, and magical makers to special after-hours evening in the gardens. Families are invited enjoy an evening of creativity and a little bit of magic. Activities include Sean Kenney’s Nature Connects exhibit, I LUG NY Challenge Zone, LEGO-

A Celebration of the Mighty Zep

• Contact: Julie E. Sargeant at (516) 323-4707 or jsargeant@ molloy.edu

jul

23

Comedy showcase

“Moms’ Night Out,” billed as “The Mother of All Comedy Shows,” brings an evening of laughs to the Madison Theatre. The stand-up comedy showcase features comedians Ellen Karis, Maria Walsh, Kerri Louise and Patty Rosborough, with performances geared toward moms and anyone looking for a fun night out.

• Where: Madison Theatre, Molloy University, 1000 Hempstead Ave., Rockville Centre

• Time: 8 p.m.

• Contact: madisontheatreny.org or (516) 323-4444

Summer grooves

• Where: The Paramount, 370 New York Ave., Huntington

• Time: 8 p.m.; also July 25

Led Zeppelin fans, rejoice! Get The Led Out returns to the Paramount with “A Celebration of the Mighty Zep,” two electrifying nights of classic rock, running through June 28. From the bombastic and epic, to the folky and mystical, GTLO has captured the essence of Led Zeppelin and brought their music to the concert stage. The Philadelphia-based group consists of six veteran musicians, intent on delivering Led Zeppelin live, like you’ve never heard before! Utilizing the multi-instrumentalists at their disposal, GTLO re-creates songs, in all their depth and glory, with the studio overdubs that Zeppelin themselves never performed. Hailed for their powerful tribute to what many consider the greatest rock band of all time, the band delivers a faithful and highoctane recreation of Zeppelin’s iconic sound. From thunderous anthems to mystical acoustic ballads, GTLO captures the full range of Led Zeppelin’s brilliance — complete with the layered instrumentation and soaring dynamics that the band rarely performed live. With no wigs or phony accents, just pure musical passion. When an album calls for three guitars, GTLO brings three guitarists to the stage — no shortcuts, no gimmicks. GTLO focuses on the legendary band’s early years and dives deep into beloved hits and rare cuts alike. Their approach is reverent and precise, more like a classical concert than a cover band — a true celebration of timeless rock.

free-play area, “My Own Creation” build contest, craft stations and spell-bound sports. Dress as your favorite wizard, witch or whimsical character! $34 general admission, $24 child, with member discounts. Registration required.

• Where: 71 Old Westbury Road, Old Westbury

• Time: 5-8 p.m.

• Contact: oldwestburygardens. org or call (516) 333-0048

Country sounds

Eisenhower Park’s Summer Concert Series welcomes Simply Stapleton for a Chris Stapleton tribute.

• Where: Harry Chapin Lakeside Theatre, East Meadow

• Time: 6 p.m.

• Contact: nassaucountyny.gov or (516) 572-0200

Summertime vibes

Cover City Soundtrack takes over the Jones Beach Bandshell for a free, all-ages night of pop-punk anthems, emo nostalgia, and shoreline summer energy. Parents can relive their Warped Tour days while kids discover why this music still hits hard. Expect jump-worthy pop-punk, heart-tugging emo classics, and the kind of electric beach-night vibe only Jones Beach delivers. From toddlers to teens to full-grown elder emos, everyone can dance, laugh, and sing

along. Bring your crew, your kids, your nostalgia, and your energy.

• Where: Jones Beach Boardwalk Bandshell, Field 4, 2400 Ocean Parkway, Wantagh

• Time: 8-10 p.m.

• Contact: CoverCitySoundtrack. com

Rockin’ tunes

jul

19

Eisenhower Park’s Summer Concert Series continues with a double bill of Last Exit with a Pearl Jam tribute and Foo For All with Foo Fighters tunes.

• Where: Harry Chapin Lakeside Theatre, East Meadow

• Time: 6 p.m.

• Contact: nassaucountyny.gov or (516) 572-0200

Family theater

Lance the Eagle welcomes families to “A Semi-Quincenten-EAGLE Birthday” on the Long Island Children’s Museum stage. In this original production, families are invited to celebrate his birthday. His message: As the national bird, this party will be happening throughout the whole month of July. Come to think of it, I did hear something about a birthday for the United States of America as well. Hmm...

• Contact: ticketmaster.com or paramountny.com

must be a coincidence! I’ll be throwing a parade through LICM’s galleries and a celebratory spectacle in the Theater. Come ready to party!” Keep an eye out 30 minutes before each show for a special interactive pre-show! For ages 3+. $5 with museum admission ($4 members), $10 theater only.

• Where: 11 Davis Ave., Garden City

• Time: 11 a.m. and 1 p.m.; also July 22

• Contact: licm.org or call (516) 224-5800

Molloy Golf Classic

Molloy University hosts its annual Golf Classic at both The Seawane Club and Rockaway Hunting Club, raising funds for student scholarships through sponsorships, golf, pickleball, dinner participation and auction opportunities. The corporate honoree this year is Chris Vene of The Rock Golf Club and Baiting Hollow Golf Club, and the alumni honoree is Cynthia Costanzo Metzger.

• Where: 1300 Club Dr., Hewlett (The Seawane Club); 615 Ocean Ave, Lawrence (Rockaway Hunting Club)

• Time: Registration and breakfast begin at 9:30 a.m.; shotgun starts at 11:00 a.m. and 11:30 a.m.

Eisenhower Park’s Summer Concert Series welcomes rising country and rock singer-songwriter Lanie Gardner, best known for her viral cover of Fleetwood Mac’s “Dreams” and her sophomore album, Faded Polaroids. Country sensation Brooke Moriber also performs.

• Where: Harry Chapin Lakeside Theatre, East Meadow

• Time: 7 p.m.

• Contact: nassaucountyny.gov or (516) 572-0200

‘The American Revolution: Episode 6’ Ken Burns’ The American Revolution Episode 6, “The Most Sacred Thing” will be screened as part of the Friday Flicks series. This 131-minute episode follows events from May 1780 onward, as British Gen. Cornwallis struggles to maintain control of the Southern colonies while American forces, aided by the French, move toward the decisive victory at Yorktown that secures independence.

• Where: 221 N. Village Ave., Rockville Centre

• Time: 2 p.m.

• Contact: rvclibrary.org or (516) 766-6257 jul

Having an event?

Items on the Calendar page are listed free of charge. The Herald welcomes listings of upcoming events, community meetings and items of public interest. All submissions should include date, time and location of the event, cost, and a contact name and phone number. Submissions can be emailed to kbloom@ liherald.com.

Public Notices

LEGAL NOTICE

NOTICE OF SALE OF COOPERATIVE APARTMENT SECURITY BY VIRTUE OF A DEFAULT

PLEASE TAKE NOTICE:

By virtue of a default under a Security Agreement dated January 10, 2005, executed by ROBERT ROMANO A/K/A

ROBERT S. ROMANO (“Debtor”), as assigned to STATE OF NEW YORK MORTGAGE

AGENCY (“Secured Party”), said Secured Party, by Auctioneer(s): Richie Schultz, John Roman, Michael Campbell or Stephan G. Marcelin, will conduct a public sale of the security consisting of 373 shares of stock of JEFFERSON AVENUE OWNER’S CORP. (“Corporation”), and all right, title, and interest in and to a Proprietary Lease between said Corporation and Debtor for the apartment known as 1 JEFFERSON AVENUE, APT/UNIT G11, ROCKVILLE CENTRE, NY 11570, together with all fixtures and articles of personal property now or hereafter affixed to or used in connection with said apartment on July 30, 2026 at 1:00 PM, on the North Side Steps of the Nassau County Supreme Court at 100 Supreme Court Drive, Mineola, NY 11501, in satisfaction of an indebtedness in the unpaid principal amount of $62,262.23 plus interest, late fees, attorney fees, maintenance in arrears, and all other advanced charges. The apartment is sold “AS IS” AND POSSESSION TO BE OBTAINED BY THE PURCHASER. Said sale is subject to residency requirements of the Corporation, payment of all sums due, if any, JEFFERSON AVENUE OWNER’S CORP., and the consent if necessary, of said Corporation; any existing tenancy; payment of all expenses and fees of the secured party with respect thereto; terms of sale and auctioneer’s fees; flip-tax; State, City, and County transfer tax. The Secured Party reserves the right to bid. Terms: an official bank or certified check made payable to Stern & Eisenberg, P.C., as attorneys for the Secured Party for ten (10%) percent of price bid. No cash accepted.

Balance shall be due within thirty (30) days.

ATTORNEYS FOR SECURED PARTY:

Stern & Eisenberg, P.C. 20 Commerce Drive, Suite 230, Cranford, NJ 07016, and 1131 Route 55, Suite 1, Lagrangeville, NY 12540

P. 516-630-0288 F. 732-726-8719

Dated: June 18, 2026 Firm File No. NY202600000035-2 161105

LEGAL NOTICE

NOTICE OF FORMATION of Rooted Motherhood LLC. Arts of Org filed with Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 4/23/2026. Office location: Nassau County. SSNY designated as agent upon whom process may be served and shall mail copy of process against LLC to 147 Cleveland Avenue, Rockville Centre NY 11570. Purpose: any lawful act. 161115

LEGAL NOTICE

Public Notice to Bidders

Sealed Bids will be received by the Purchasing Department of the Village of Rockville Centre, One College Place, Rockville Centre, New York for the matter stated below until 11:00 am prevailing time on JULY 30, 2026 at which time they will be publicly opened and read aloud. The contract will be awarded as soon thereafter as practicable for:

OLD POLICE DEPARTMENT

BUILDING DEMOLITION

Bid No. 2607CP2(1198)

The contract documents, specifications and plans can be examined on the Village’s website at www.rvcny.gov. Follow the link to the Purchasing Department. Each bid must be accompanied by a certified check, bank check or bid bond payable to the Incorporated Village of Rockville Centre in the amount of five (5%) percent of the gross amount of the bid. All Potential bidders on this contract are required to visit the site at 34 Maple Avenue, Rockville Centre, NY prior to. Please call Mario Bento at 516-852-0859 to schedule an appointment. All questions should be directed to the

Purchasing Department. Please contact Lisa Strazzeri via email only at Lstrazzeri@rvcny.us. Questions must be submitted no later than JULY 23, 2026. All contractors and subcontractors submitting bids or performing construction work on public work projects or private projects covered by Article 8 of the Labor Law are required to register with the New York State Department of Labor (NYSDOL) under Labor Law Section 220i and must include a copy of the registration with their bid response. Award of Contract will be made to the lowest responsible bidder in accordance with applicable provisions of the law. The Village reserves the right to reject all bids or make such determination as in the best interests of the Village, as provided by law.

Purchasing Department Lisa Strazzeri Purchasing Agent 516-678-9213 161243

LEGAL NOTICE

NOTICE OF REQUEST FOR BIDS (RFB)

Date: July 6, 2026

Re: Notice of Request for Bids (RFB) No. 26 – SLMSv1Legal Advertising Online Student Learning Management System

Notice is hereby given that EAGER TO SERVE INC., (ETS) a 501 (C) 3 not-for-profit organization established in 1990, is soliciting bids from qualified developers (companies or individuals) to assist with the development of a Student Online Learning Management System (SLMS) for “The Company Play Store”. TM

Prospective Vendors must sign and submit three copies of the bid no later than 3pm on August 14, 2026

All bids submitted in response to the RFB must use the bid format as specified in the bid request along with a non-refundable administrative fee of $500. Sealed bids must be mailed to the above address. Electronically submitted bids will not be accepted. Bids shall be submitted in a sealed envelope clearly addressed as follows: EAGER TO SERVE INC ATTN: RFB No. 26 –SLMSv1 PO Box 215

Freeport, NY 11520

All submitted bids will become the property of EAGER TO SERVE INC. The selected proposal Awardee(s) will become public record.

A completed bid package can be downloaded from the organization’s website at https:// www.eagertoserve.org/ purchasing during the period of July 6August 14, 2026. Questions or comments concerning this RFB #26-SLMSv1 may be submitted via e-mail to EAGER TO SERVE INC –PURCHASING at purchasing@eagertoser ve.org no later than July 20, 2026

Any questions or comments after the questions submission deadline date will be disregarded. Email concerning this RFB should state the following in the subject line: “RFB No. 26 –SLMSv1”. Any communication regarding or relating to this with any official other than purchasing@eagertoser ve.org is prohibited. A summary of questions from prospective vendors and ETS’ responses will be posted on the website at https://www.eagertoser ve.org/purchase by 3p July 27, 2026

Each bid shall be in accordance with specifications, instructions and information contained in the RFB. ETS reserves the right to reject any or all bids for reason it deems necessary, to waive defects or irregularities in any bid, and to accept the bids deemed the most advantageous for “The Company Play Store”TM This RFB does not commit ETS to award a contract or to pay any cost incurred in the preparation of a response to this request.

Sincerely, Levada Felder Executive Director 161033

PUBLIC AND LEGAL NOTICES…

To place a notice here call us us at 516-569-4000 x232 or send an email to: legalnotices@liherald.com

PUBLIC AND LEGAL NOTICES…

To place a notice here call us us at 516-569-4000 x232 or send an email to: legalnotices@liherald.com

recover the lost medal.

Long-lost honor restored for Korean War veteran

Continued from page

the replacement medal to Schildkraut at her Garden City office.

After his Army service, Marvin Schildkraut built a career spanning more than five decades as a mechanical designer in Long Island’s avionics and defense industry, according to Robert. He worked for a number of defense contractors before spending about 20 years with Aeroflex Labs in Plainview, producing detailed mechanical drawings by hand for military and aviation equipment.

Because much of the work involved defense projects, Robert said his father rarely spoke about the specifics of what he designed. He simply went to work each day and supported his family by working in an industry that helped define Long Island’s economy for much of the second half of the 20th century.

“My father really never sought recognition, but he did a lot of hard work,” Robert said.

Although Marvin seldom discussed his military service, one story stayed with his son. Drafted into the Army during the Korean War, Marvin was stationed at Camp Gordon, in Georgia, where he served alongside soldiers from different backgrounds. On one trip off base, Marvin and several fellow servicemen walked into a restaurant in Augusta, Ga., with a young Black soldier from their unit. The restaurant owner refused to serve the group unless the Black soldier left.

Rather than accept that condition, the group walked away.

“I was proud of my father for doing that,” Robert said.

Away from work, Marvin was an avid newspaper reader who shared a love of baseball with his son. Robert remembers watching Mets games with him on a black-and-white television before his father took him to his first game at Shea

About the Korean War

■ The Korean War was fought from 1950 to 1953 between North Korea, supported by China and the Soviet Union, and South Korea, backed by United Nations forces led primarily by the United States.

■ The war began on June 25, 1950, when North Korean forces crossed the 38th parallel and invaded South Korea. After three years of fighting, an armistice was signed on July 27, 1953, ending active combat but leaving the Korean Peninsula divided near the original border.

■ More than 36,000 U.S. service men were killed during the conflict.

Stadium. Seeing the bright green field in person was a childhood memory he never forgot.

Marvin died in 2009, at age 80.

The experience inspired Robert’s relatives to revisit their own family military records, with one cousin searching her late father’s discharge papers for possible replacement medals.

For Robert, 63, recovering the medal wasn’t just about replacing something that had been lost. For Gillen, helping military families carries personal meaning.

“My father was a Marine,” she said. “We owe such a debt of gratitude to the people who served our country in the military. And I feel humbled and privileged to be able to help any military family.”

EMPLOYMENT

Help Wanted

ASSISTANT F/T NEEDED For Kidz Being Kidz Daycare In Oceanside Must Be Reliable And Love Children Call 516-608-2575

DRIVERS WANTED

Full Time and Part Time Positions Available!

Busy Print Shop in Garden City is Hiring Immediately for Full Time and Part Time Drivers.

Must Have a Clean License and BoxTruck Driving Experience.

Hours Vary, Salary Ranges from $17 per hour to $21 per hour Night Availability is a Must. Please Email Resume to careers@liherald.com or Call (516)569-4000 x239

EDITOR/REPORTER

Part Time & Full Time. The award-winning Herald Community Newspapers group, covering Nassau County's North and South Shores with hard-hitting news stories and gracefully written features, seeks a motivated, energetic and creative editor/reporter to join our dynamic (and awesome) team! This education and general assignment reporting position offers a unique experience to learn from some of the best in the business. Historically, reporters who have launched their careers with us have gone on to The New York Times, Newsweek, Newsday, the New York Daily News, New York Post, CNN, BBC, NBC News and The Daily Mail, among many others. We look for excellent writers who are eager to learn, enhance their skills, and become well-established and respected journalists in our industry. Salary range is from $20K to $45K To apply: Send a brief summary in the form of a cover letter describing your career goals and what strengths you can bring to our newsroom, along with a resume and three writing samples to jbessen@liherald.com

MAILROOM/ WAREHOUSE HELP

Long Island Herald has IMMEDIATE openings for a FULL-TIME & PART-TIME mailroom/warehouse helper in Garden City. We are a busy print shop looking for motivated and reliable individuals to assist in various duties in the shop. Forklift experience is a plus and heavy lifting is required. Hours vary, so flexibility is key. Salary Ranges from $17 per hour to $20 per hour. Email resumes or contact info to careers@liherald.com

MULTI MEDIA

ACCOUNT DEVELOPMENT

Inside Sales

Looking for an aggressive self starter who is great at making and maintaining relationships and loves to help businesses grow by marketing them on many different advertising platforms. You will source new sales opportunities through inbound lead follow-up and outbound cold calls. Must have the ability to understand customer needs and requirements and turn them in to positive advertising solutions. We are looking for a talented and competitive Inside Sales Representative that thrives in a quick sales cycle environment. Compensation ranges from $35,360 + commissions and bonuses to over $100,000 including commission and bonuses. We also offer health benefits, 401K and paid time off. Please send cover letter and resume with salary requirements to ereynolds@liherald.com Call 516-569-4000 X286

Operations/ Office Coordinator

Full-Time. Cedarhurst. $25–$30/hour. Seeking person with strong communication, organizational, computer skills. Resume: info@purebitessnacks.com

OUTSIDE SALES

Richner Communications, One of the Fastest Growing Media, Event and Communications Companies on Long Island is Seeking a Sales/Marketing Candidate to Sell our Print Media Products and our Digital, Events, Sponsorships. Earning potential ranges from $35,360 plus commission and bonuses to over $100,000 including commissions and bonuses. Compensation is based on Full Time hours

Eligible for Health Benefits, 401k and Paid Time Off. Please Send Cover Letter and Resume with Salary Requirements to rglickman@liherald.com or Call 516-569-4000 X250

PRINTING PRESS OPERATORS FT & PT. Long Island Herald has IMMEDIATE openings for Printing Press Operators in Garden City. We are a busy print shop looking for motivated and reliable individuals to assist in various duties in the shop. Hours vary, so

or contact info to careers@liherald.com

HomesHERALD

Waterfront Dream Home

Spectacular 8,100-square-foot stately brick Colonial offering seven bedrooms, seven full and two half baths on 215 feet of prime waterfront property. Beautifully renovated throughout, this exceptional home features a dramatic two-story entry foyer that opens to a second-floor balcony. Walls of windows flood the home with natural light while showcasing magnificent water views. Designed for both comfortable living and elegant entertaining, the home offers an exceptional flow and generously proportioned rooms throughout. The main-level primary suite overlooks the water and features two enormous walk-in closets and a luxurious radiant-heated bath with double vanities, separate water closets, a steam shower, and a Jacuzzi tub. The 2,100-square-foot finished basement, renovated just 10 years ago, includes a theater, recreation room, gym, wine cellar, bonus room, and full bath. The resortstyle backyard features a heated Gunite pool and spa, outdoor kitchen, expansive patio, and a newly renovated 215-foot raised vinyl bulkhead with a private dock for your boat. Additional highlights include a grand circular driveway and an attached three-car garage. Every luxury amenity has been thoughtfully included. Located in the Hewlett-Woodmere School District #14, this remarkable waterfront estate is conveniently close to the LIRR, shopping, and houses of worship. Asking $5,570,000. Call today to arrange your private viewing of this exceptional waterfront residence.

CEDARHURST NO FEE Private Entrance, Modern 1BR, 2BR, 3BR, CAC, W/D, Storage, Wall To Wall Carpeting, Indoor Parking Space When Available. For Details Call 516-860-6889/ 516-852-5135/ 516-582-9978

BURIAL PLOTS FOR SALE. New Montifiore Cemetery. Desirable location. $5,500 per grave (below current pricing). Please email or call: Nechul333@gmail.com 516-316-0497

What to do about cracking concrete, Part 2

Q. We have large cracks in our concrete driveway and garage floor, and want to make sure they are repaired correctly, since they appear to be recently done, possibly within a year before we purchased the house. In particular, there is a nearly round hole that turned to gravel, kind of, and we want to know why it happened and avoid having it happen again. What can you tell us?

A. As I previously explained, concrete reacts to extreme weather changes, and isn’t as stable as people think. Nature moves mountains, so your driveway was no challenge to the forces of nature. Extreme cold causes concrete to contract — push in on itself — while heat has the effect of stretching rigid concrete to the point of literally ripping apart.

As with any material, water and movement are the most critical factors to work with. You’ll never win over nature. The hole is basically like a zit, a buildup of pressure in a weaker place across the surface. Concrete develops strength as a chemical reaction to the specific combination of materials it is made from. With too much water in the mix, it will be weaker, especially in a particular spot. With not enough water to support the chemical reaction of Portland cement, sand and stone, the concrete will be weak. It’s important to follow the directions on the package(s) to get the correct mix.

Like any successful repair or construction project, analysis and planning are extremely important. You should have a professional take a look at the problem before you repair it, to decide if a repair is even worth it. A short consult more than pays for itself if it turns out you’d be wasting money on something that isn’t worth a quick fix. If that round hole reveals that there’s no steel reinforcement, for example, then the rest of the driveway is on its way to needing more serious work in the near future. If the hole reveals that the mix was too wet or too dry, or was poured in weather that was too cold, or that admixtures were the wrong combination, you’ll just be throwing good money after bad.

When I see concrete work being done in extreme cold or excessive heat, as I’m driving by, I make a mental note to double back, over time, to see how the experiment worked or didn’t work. You can only shake your head when you understand the possible outcome. There are concrete repair mixtures that include epoxy adhesives, but, again, follow the directions to the letter if you’re making the less expensive, quick repair.

It was invaluable for me to work with a mason, carpenter and painter during summers off from architecture school. The mason taught me to wet the area before continuing after our lunch break, not adding wet next to dry mortar. The dry area was already curing. The fresh mortar would have the moisture sucked right into the drier surface, weakening both, and the work in general. Good luck!

2026 Monte Leeper Readers are encouraged to send questions to yourhousedr@aol.com, with “Herald question” in the subject line, or to Herald Homes, 2 Endo Blvd., Garden City, NY 11530, Attn: Monte Leeper, architect.

SAVE ON YOUR TRAVEL PLANS! Up to 75% More than 500 AIRLINES and 300,000 HOTELS across the world. Let us do the research for you for FREE! Call: 877 988 7277

Antiques/Collectibles

We Buy Antiques, Fine Art, Coins & Jewelry Same Day Service, Free In-Home Evaluations, 45 Year Family Business. Licensed and Bonded, Immediate Cash Paid. SYL-LEE ANTIQUES www.syl-leeantiques.com 516-671-6464

Finds Under $100

BOAT OARS, ALUMINUM. 8.5' $50. Extra large and medium life vests $20 each. Text 516-647-1999.

EXERCISE SEAT/ CHAIR, "Body By Jake/ Ab & Back Plus. VG condition, $15. Lido (516)705-8398".

SERVICES

Appliance Srvc./Repair

APPLIANCE DOCTOR FOR ALL YOUR APPLIANCE REPAIRS! Prompt, Reasonable, Reliable. All Repairs Guaranteed. Lic/Ins. Serving Community 45 Years. $10 OFF Repairs. Seniors $12 OFF. 516-764-7011

THE APPLIANCE KING: Washers, Dryers, Dishwashers, Microwaves, Stoves, Refrigerators. WE RULE REPAIR ! $10 Off Repair With Ad. Senior Discount. Lic/Ins #201025, Call 516.640.8593

Cable/TV/Wiring

Get DISH Satellite TV + Internet! Free Install, Free HD-DVR Upgrade, 80,000 OnDemand Movies, Plus Limited Time Up To $600 In Gift Cards. Call Today! 1-866-782-4069

Cleaning Services

WENDY'S CLEANING SERVICES INC. Commercial/Residential. We Specialize In Houses, Apartments, Offices, Airbnb & More. Good References. Free Estimates. Call/Text Wendy 516-406-5375 Or Email wencruzpa@gmail.com

Electricians

E-Z ELECTRIC SERVICES, INC. All Types Residential/Commercial Wiring, Generators, Telephone/Data, Home Entertainment, Service Upgrades, Pools, Spas. Services/Repairs. Violations Removed. Free Estimates Low Rates. 516-785-0646 Lic/Ins.

Home Improvement

AGING ROOF? NEW HOMEOWNER?

STORM DAMAGE? You need a local expert provider that proudly stands behind their work. Fast, free estimate. Financing available. Call 1-877-318-7982

CJM GENERAL CONTRACTING

Expert Leak Repairs *Dormers/ Extensions *Fire, Flood, Mold Remediation*Basements *Carpentry*Roofing/Flat Shingle *Attics All Masonry *Waterproofing *Power washing *Plumbing * Electric *Licensed/ Insured 516-428-5777

DO YOU KNOW what's in your water?

Leaf Home Water Solutions offers FREE water testing and whole home water treatment systems that can be installed in as little one day. 15% off your entire purchase. Plus 10% senior & military discounts. Restrictions apply. Schedule your FREE test today. Call 1-866-247-5728

PREPARE FOR POWER outages today with a Generac Home Standby Generator. Act now to receive a FREE 5-Year warranty with qualifying purchase. Call 1-877-516-1160 today to schedule a free quote. It's not just a generator. It's a power move.

PREPARE FOR POWER outages with Briggs & Stratton® PowerProtect(TM) standby generators - the most powerful home standby generators available. Industry-leading comprehensive warranty - 7 years ($849 value.) Proudly made in the U.S.A. Call Briggs & Stratton 1-888-605-1496

SAFE STEP. NORTH America's #1 WalkIn Tub. Comprehensive lifetime warranty. Top-of-the-line installation and service. Now featuring our FREE shower package and $1600 Off for a limited time! Call today! Financing available. Call Safe Step 1-855-916-5473

Miscellaneous

GET BOOST INFINITE! Unlimited Talk, Text and Data For Just $25/mo! The Power Of 3 5G Networks, One Low Price! Call Today and Get The Latest iPhone Every Year On Us! 844-329-9391

Power Washing

POWERWASHING ALL SURFACES: Houses, Fences, Concrete/ Brick, Decks/Sealing. ANTHONY & J HOME IMPROVEMENT, INC. 516-678-6641

Services

INJURED IN AN ACCIDENT? Don't Accept the insurance company's first offer. Many injured parties are entitled to major cash settlements. Get a free evaluation to see what your case is really worth. 100% Free Evaluation. Call Now: 1-833-323-0318. Be ready with your zip code to connect with the closest provider.

PEST CONTROL: PROTECT YOUR HOME from pests safely and affordably. Roaches, Bed Bugs, Rodent, Termite, Spiders and other pests. Locally owned and affordable. Call for service or an inspection today! 1-877-290-0023 Have zip code of property ready when calling!

Telephone Services

CONSUMER CELLULAR - the same reliable, nationwide coverage as the largest carriers. No long-term contract, no hidden fees and activation is free. All plans feature unlimited talk and text, starting at just $20/month. For more information, call 1-844-919-1682

Tree Services

T&M GREENCARE TREE SERVICE *TREE REMOVAL *STUMP GRINDING *PRUNING. FREE ESTIMATES. 516-223-4525, 631-586-3800 www.tmgreencare.com

Satellite/TV Equipment

DIRECTV- All your entertainment. Nothing on your roof! Sign up for Directv and get your first three months of Max, Paramount+, Showtime, Starz, MGM+ and Cinemax included. Choice package $84.99/mo. Some restrictions apply. Call DIRECTV 1-888-534-6918

PROFESSIONAL SERVICES

Accounting & Tax

END YOUR TAX worries today. Let us make your tax problem our priority. Scared, stuck with high tax amounts? Our A+ tax professionals can help. Call for a FREE consultation. Call Priority Tax now 1877-663-7719

Health & Fitness

ATTENTION OXYGEN THERAPY USERS! Discover Oxygen Therapy That Moves with You with Inogen Portable Oxygen Concentrators. FREE information kit. Call 1-877-536-0251

ATTENTION: VIAGRA AND CIALIS USERS! A cheaper alternative to high drugstore prices! 50 Pill Special - Only $99! 100% guaranteed. CALL NOW: 1-877-468-3979

Internet Services

AFFORDABLE TV & INTERNET. If you are overpaying for your service, call now for a free quote and see how much you can save! 1-877-461-0663

Medical

AUDIEN HEARING. THE world's first hearing aid with touchscreen controls. No tiny buttons, apps or prescriptions. 45-day risk free trial. Free shipping. Lifetime support. More than 1.5 million happy customers. Call Audien 1-855-484-2093

Tutoring

TUTOR AVAILABLE: Build skills, confidence, and academic success! Certified K-12 ENL teacher offering personalized ENL or general tutoring for elementary students. Contact me: 516-404-6785

opinions America must not abdicate its leadership

Almost 60 years ago, former Secretary of State Dean Acheson wrote a memoir, “Present At the Creation,” which focused on the reality that the United States had to remake the world — or at least Europe — in the years after World War II. That required a rejection and repudiation of the isolationist “America First” policy that had predominated after World War I until Pearl Harbor.

In 1945, Hitler and Nazi Germany had been destroyed, and postwar Germany was in ruins. Though England and France had been victors, the war left them seriously weakened. The British economy was in shambles, and France, which had largely surrendered to Nazi collaborators during the war, was economically damaged and politically unstable.

Most ominously, it soon became apparent that Stalin’s Russia was intent on expanding Soviet rule in Europe, with no regard for treaties or territorial boundaries. Agreements such as Yalta and Potsdam were ignored as Soviet communist rule was imposed on

Poland, Czechoslovakia, Hungary, East Germany and most of Eastern Europe, creating what Winston Churchill so accurately labeled the Iron Curtain.

Fortunately, the United States would not repeat the tragic errors it made after World War I, which led to the inexorable rise of Hitler and World War II. The first world war had left Germany impoverished, creating fertile ground for Hitler and the growth of Naziism. The U.S. had basically demobilized its armed forces after the “war to end all wars.”

UAs Hitler rebuilt the German war machine in the 1930s and Europe appeased Hitler at Munich, the U.S. was slow to respond, and then the America First movement opposed helping Churchill when England was under siege.

Ultimately, the Soviet empire would implode.

kraine needs American support, and in Iran we need NATO’s support.

Today, our world is in need of another act of creation. Russian President Vladimir Putin envisions a new Russian empire, beginning with the invasion of Ukraine. This was the first invasion of one sovereign European nation by another in the almost eight decades since World War II. This continuing attack threatens European stability and, as we should have learned from the two 20th-century conflagrations, America’s security is imperiled. The concept of Fortress America, with oceans protecting us, is outmoded, and potentially suicidal.

In the aftermath of World War II, however, the U.S. assumed the leadership of the free world. Unlike Germany under Hitler, Stalin’s Russian expansion would be halted. America First would be no more. The Marshall Plan was enacted to rebuild West Germany and Western Europe.

To prevent a replay of Munich and appeasement, NATO was created so that an attack on one would be an attack on all. Isolationism was over.

While Europe has stepped forward and provided Ukraine with needed weaponry, the Trump administration has cut off arms sales to Ukraine, instead selling them to Europe, which will provide them to Ukraine. This is unnecessarily convoluted, and is causing Ukrainian lives to be lost. The administration somehow sees a moral equivalence between Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, which isn’t that different from equating Hitler with Churchill.

Our lead negotiator, Steve Witcoff, is a real estate guy from New York with

no diplomatic experience, and he hasn’t met with the parties in months. Ukraine is fighting valiantly, and actually beating Russia on the battlefield. But being outnumbered and outgunned, Ukraine can’t survive without American support. Echoes of Munich! Similarly, we will not prevail in our struggle against Iran by announcing that we will never use ground troops or by pretending we are winning when we are stalemated by the Iranians, who have the ability to shut down the Strait of Hormuz. To succeed we will need the support of NATO nations to use their minesweeper expertise to clear the strait. That would have been easier if we had informed NATO of our intention to attack Iran in the first place. Every effort must be made to obtain congressional support, and to level with the American people that no war is easy, especially a war against religious fanatics. And every war has risks. Telling the enemy we won’t ever use ground troops only increases the risk of having to use them.

These are perilous times, and we cannot afford to repeat the mistakes of the past. America must show firm leadership. America First cannot be America alone!

Peter King is a former congressman, and a former chair of the House Committee on Homeland Security. Comments? pking@ liherald.com.

No need for Democrats to panic about Mamdani & Co.

These past few weeks have been difficult for middle-of the-road Democrats. Candidates aligned with the Democratic Socialists of America have won roughly half of 70 or so contested primary contests nationwide. The Wall Street Journal called the DSA successes “the political story of 2026.”

But will the DSA drag the Democratic Party permanently to the left, or will it fade away, as the Tea Party did on the Republican side in the mid-2010s?

Over the past 50 years, I have seen the Democratic Party tugged left and center by a number of forces, but in the end the moderates have always won the tug of war. The first big DSA win was in New York City, when Zohran Mamdani was elected mayor. He has now been in office just over six months, and the political jury is still out on whether he will be able to hold on to his job for more than one term. To date, Mamdani has won some major victories, and kept his pledges to

the voters who supported him. He has gotten lots of money from Albany for pre-K and child care programs, and his promised rent freeze has been approved. He has not delivered yet on his promise of free buses, because that’s a cost that would hurt all New Yorkers who use mass transit, and can’t afford to subsidize bus riders.

GMamdani got elected by virtue of the fact that his only primary opponent was former Gov. Andrew Cuomo, who turned out to be a weak candidate. Mamdani’s success can also attributed to the so-called socialists’ mastery of social media. Moderate Democrats have failed to use that medium as effectively, giving the DSA a gift that other candidates around the country have benefited from as well. Can the DSA become a major force in American politics? I personally doubt its long-term ability to survive, but I may be proven wrong. An August 2025 Gallup poll found that 39 percent of Americans had a positive view of socialism, while 57 percent had a negative view. Socialist positions like defunding the police, eliminating rent and solidarity with the Palestinian cause may ener-

overning in the modern era is a big challenge for a fledgling movement.

gize the base, but they remain liabilities in swing districts and national races. A recent article in the Atlantic reported that the DSA’s sectarian wing has refused to endorse a Democratic presidential nominee. That will undercut its political influence.

The recent DSA wins have been concentrated in cities such as New York, Seattle, Denver and Washington, where progressive voters dominate. The organization has no U.S. senators and only a handful of House members, and no member of the DSA has never won a statewide race. And the Mamdani victory is instructive. He won because he softened his image, distancing himself from defunding the police, and stuck to breadand-butter issues.

The socialist movement has an internal contradiction. Its ideologically pure wing alienates voters it needs to build majority coalitions, while its more electable candidates drift toward positions that look a lot like those of typical progressives. In the early 1970s, the New Democratic Coalition made a run at taking over the moderate wing of the Democratic Party, but failed because it

lacked a strong party structure. Electoral success in blue cities does not equal long-term political viability. For socialist candidates to establish durable legitimacy, they will need to demonstrate competence at governing. Mamdani is being watched closely to see if he can hold on to his base. To do so he will have to relax some of his stated positions, which has already unnerved some of his DSA supporters. One example, that went beyond his campaign pledges, was his decision to keep the city police commissioner, Jessica Tisch, in her position.

Some of my Democratic friends in high party positions have reached for the panic button, but I’ve urged them to hold their fire. The DSA and its base have yet to capture the Democratic centrists and hold them hostage. They may notch a few more wins, but governing in the modern era is a big challenge for a small, fledgling movement. History informs me that the moderates in the Democratic Party are still in charge, and, while threatened, are very much alive and well.

Jerry Kremer was a state assemblyman for 23 years, and chaired the Assembly’s Ways and Means Committee for 12 years. He currently chairs the Capitol Insight Group, a government relations firm.

Sports still bring us together

Sports have always been about more than wins and losses. At their best, they remind us that we have far more in common than the headlines, social media feeds and political arguments would have us believe.

Over the past several weeks, Long Islanders saw two remarkable examples.

The New York Knicks’ championship run transformed Long Island and New York City into one giant community gathering. Bars overflowed with fans wearing blue and orange. Families planned evenings around playoff game tipoffs. Friends who hadn’t watched a game together in years reunited.

Even people who only casually followed basketball found themselves caught up in the excitement. Whether you watched from a crowded sports bar, a watch party or your living room, you became part of something bigger than yourself.

The FIFA World Cup offered a different, but equally meaningful, lesson.

U.S. forward Folarin Balogun’s red card sparked spirited debate among soccer fans. Many questioned the referee’s decision, others defended it, and nearly everyone had an opinion. Yet those conversations, like so many others about the competition, remained focused on the pitch. Fans dissected tactics, coach-

MatterS

Your opinion Matters

The strength of our community comes from open dialogue. We invite residents to submit letters to the editor on issues affecting our neighborhoods, schools, businesses and local government.

name and contact information for verification. Send them to execeditor@liherald.com.

Letters must include your name and contact information for verification. Send lettters to execeditor@liherald.com

Be heard. Be part of the conversation.

ing decisions and player performances not as ideological opponents, but as people who simply loved the game.

That distinction matters.

In too many corners of public life today, disagreement quickly turns into hostility. Every issue seems destined to become another battle in an endless culture war. Sports remind us that there is another way. You can passionately disagree with someone’s opinion, make your case, and then sit beside that same person to watch the next match.

Even after Belgium eliminated the United States, American supporters found themselves tipping their caps to a talented Belgian squad. There was disappointment, certainly, but also respect. Some fans even joked that Belgium had earned a little good karma along the way for not making Balogun’s controversial reinstatement an issue. That’s the beauty of sports. Defeat doesn’t have to produce bitterness. Sometimes it simply produces appreciation for excellence.

The same spirit carried Knicks fans through every dramatic moment of their championship run. Complete strangers celebrated together after clutch baskets. Subway rides morphed into rolling pep rallies. Neighborhood restaurants and bars became gathering places where age, politics, profession and background mattered far less than

the logo on a jersey.

For a few hours at a time, everyone was simply a fan. Those shared experiences strengthen communities in ways that statistics never can. They create memories between parents and children, lifelong friends and even strangers who may never meet again.

Years from now, many people won’t remember every score or every lineup change. But they will remember where they were, whom they were with and how it felt when an entire room erupted in celebration.

Our communities need more moments like that.

Sports won’t solve our political differences or erase the challenges we face. They shouldn’t have to. Their value lies elsewhere. They remind us that healthy competition doesn’t require contempt, that spirited debate doesn’t have to become personal, and that people with different backgrounds and viewpoints can still cheer, groan and celebrate together.

The Knicks gave New Yorkers a championship to remember. The World Cup is giving the world another reminder of soccer’s unmatched ability to unite people across borders and cultures. Long after the trophies are lifted and the final whistles blow, that is the real victory worth celebrating.

opinions

Community, safety and progress this summer

summer is officially in full swing. Our neighborhoods are alive with the sights and sounds that make this season so special: children riding bikes, families gathering outdoors, and friends reconnecting in parks and backyards. With school out and longer days upon us, our community takes on a renewed energy that is both welcome and worth protecting. With that in mind, I want to remind motorists to be especially mindful while driving on our streets. Children are outside more frequently during the summer, often playing, biking or crossing roads in ways that may be unpredictable. A few extra seconds of caution — slowing down, staying alert and eliminating distractions — can make all the difference in keeping our community safe. We all share responsibility for ensuring that our roads remain safe for everyone, especially our youngest residents.

The village’s annual Fireworks Celebration, featuring the South Shore Symphony, was once again a memorable evening. As we marked America’s 250th birthday, the event served as a wonderful reminder of the pride, unity and sense of community that make Rock-

ville Centre so special. The spectacular Grucci fireworks, paired with the outstanding performance by the symphony, made for another unforgettable celebration that so many families look forward to each year.

We also paid tribute to the late Wayne Lipton, whose dedication to both the village and the symphony left a lasting impact on our community. A respected community leader and the symphony’s longtime principal cellist, Lipton’s legacy continues to inspire all who knew him.

Acritical water main replacements designed to strengthen the reliability of our water system.

Drainage improvements initiated in 2025 will also continue throughout the summer, focusing on the replacement and repair of drainage structures at a number of locations. These improvements are addressing ongoing drainage concerns and are helping to reduce the impact of heavy rainfall.

nd we got off to a roaring start with the fireworks and the symphony.

While many of us are enjoying the season, our Department of Public Works crews have been hard at work throughout the village. Their efforts often take place behind the scenes, but they are essential to maintaining the quality of life we all value. This administration remains firmly committed to maintaining and improving our infrastructure, ensuring that our roads, parks and public spaces meet the needs of today while preparing for the future.

This summer’s work includes the 2026 Road Program, which began in late June and has continued this month. This project involves comprehensive drainage improvements, curb and concrete apron replacements, and fulldepth asphalt placement. In addition, construction is already underway for the 2026 Water Program, which includes

FrAmework by Tim Baker

Our parks and recreational spaces are also receiving significant attention. At Reverend Days Park, construction is underway on the basketball court rehabilitation, which includes new curbing, fencing, full-depth asphalt restoration and updated line work with color coating. Plans are also in place for the playground rehabilitation project, scheduled for late summer into early fall, which will replace existing equipment and install a new play surface for children to enjoy.

The Donald Browne Pathway, along Hempstead Lake State Park, has undergone a complete restoration, including new steel edging, ensuring a safer and more accessible experience for pedestrians. Additionally, asphalt repairs are underway throughout the village as part of our ongoing maintenance efforts.

Several parking fields are also seeing major upgrades. Work is underway on

electric infrastructure improvements at Parking Fields 9 and 19, behind the Taproom, including new lighting systems and the installation of an underground electric duct bank connecting Sunrise Highway to Front Street. Rehabilitation of these parking fields will begin in August, and will include full restoration, new sidewalks, curbing and asphalt.

Similarly, Parking Field 5, behind Sportset Health and Fitness Club, is undergoing lighting infrastructure upgrades, with full rehabilitation scheduled for the fall. Lister Baseball Field will also see significant improvements, including electrical and water infrastructure upgrades in late summer, followed by parking field rehabilitation in late fall. Parking Field 6, behind Glynne’s Funeral Home, will receive lighting upgrades this fall, with full rehabilitation planned for spring 2027. These projects represent a significant investment in our community’s future. While construction can bring temporary inconveniences, the longterm benefits — improved safety, functionality and aesthetics — are well worth it.

As we enjoy all that summer has to offer, I encourage everyone to take pride in our community, look out for one another, and stay engaged in the progress around us. Together, we can ensure that our village remains a safe, vibrant, and welcoming place for all.

Francis X. Murray is the mayor of Rockville Centre.