Kelsie Radziski/Herald
Margarita grasing, standing, founded the Hispanic Brotherhood 41 years ago, and even though she just retired from the executive director position, she still visits from time to time to see attendees, like Sylvia Martinez, left, and altragracie estevez.
By KElSIE RADZISKI kradziski@liherald.com
After more than four decades of dedicated service to Rockville Centre’s Hispanic community, Margarita Grasing has retired as executive director of the Hispanic Brotherhood, leaving behind a legacy of advocacy, resilience and compassion.
Grasing, who began her work as a Hispanic outreach coordinator for the village in 1979, helped establish the Hispanic Brotherhood in 1984 in response to the growing needs of Dominican and Latino immigrants settling in the area.
“There was a large community moving in
the area, very Dominican, and they needed help with housing, employment,” Grasing said. “The kids in the school were a whole new crowd in there that they didn’t understand because they didn’t speak English.” What began as a grassroots initiative has evolved into a comprehensive social service organization, supporting seniors, families and youth across the area. From helping families navigate housing laws to feeding hundreds of seniors each year, she said that the organization became a cornerstone of support in Rockville Centre — thanks in large part to Grasing’s leadership. Today, she said the Brotherhood, located at 59 Clinton
Continued on page 9
By AlYSSA R. GRIFFIN agriffin@liherald.com
After months of neighborhood chatter about litter, tired planters and faded facades, Rockville Centre has a new path forward: a Beautification Council, uniting residents and businesses as village partners to “bring the charm back.”
“If we start with that, it’ll get the buzz going and get the other people talking about it throughout town,” Keely Collins, the council’s board head chair said.
WFocused on improving the community, the council is made up of concerned citizens and representatives of the Rockville Centre Civic Association, the Chamber of Commerce and the village board. It is part of the Rockville Centre Conservancy, a nonprofit organization that collects donations to fund beautification projects.
e want to bring the charm back.
KEElY
Its approach will be to blend small projects that can be completed quickly, like the planters and banners, with longer-term “corridor pride” work led by “street captains” who will spearhead larger projects.
CollINS Board Chair, Rockville Centre Beautification Council
The council is accepting donations, and also received a grant from the village to kick-start its efforts. It currently has $20,000, and has already begun working with business owners on ways to make the streets more vibrant and inviting.
The council’s creation was announced at the Sept. 8 village board meeting, with the intention of coordinating projects around the village, starting along Village Avenue and Long Beach Road. The plan is to improve streetscapes with planters, banners and flags as well as block-by-block cleanups.
“We know everybody’s like, ‘Well, the village should pressure-wash every corner’” Collins said. “That’s not the village’s job. It’s your storefront. It’s just like your home — clean the front of your home, take care of that. Get out there on a daily basis.”
Council leaders emphasized
Continued on page 11
By KELSIE RADZISKI kradziski@liherald.com
The Rockville Centre Historical Society hosted its 15th annual Antiques Appraisal Day in the fall this year, drawing residents and collectors from Rockville Centre and beyond to the Phillips House Museum for a day of community connection and historical discovery.
“Every year we have been so lucky to have Phil Weiss volunteer his services here at the Phillips House Museum,”
Debbie Fehringer, president of the Historical Society, said. “He’s a certified appraiser and auctioneer, and this is the 15th year. It’s a very special year.”
Weiss, a longtime supporter of the society, once again donated his expertise, along with Jordon Weiss, to evaluate antiques brought in by the public. The event, which is typically in May, serves as a fundraiser for the organization, helping support general operations and programming. Proceeds from the appraisal day will help cover maintenance costs, insurance and other needs of the museum.
“It’s a goodwill event with the community,” Fehringer said. “We get to meet our neighbors, and people who live really all over, mostly Nassau County, come by, and it’s a great day.”
People were invited to bring their
Dawn Skidmore and Zach Burkitt brought two pieces of wall art to be evaluated by Phil Weiss at the Historical Society’s annual antiques appraisal day on Sept. 14.
antiques to the event to determine their background and worth. Attendees brought paintings, pottery pieces, dolls and more to be checked out. They paid $10 per item or $25 for three items, with all proceeds going to the Historical Society.
Visitors had the opportunity to tour the historic Phillips House while awaiting their appraisals, and some even
brought donations for the museum. The event continues to attract both longtime participants and newcomers, Fehringer said, with some regulars attending and some others excitedly finding out about it for the first time.
The Historical Society has a slate of events planned for the fall, including several guest speakers. The Phillips
House Museum is open for tours by appointment year-round. Fehringer noted that the society is always accepting donations and seeking new volunteers to support its mission.
For more information, to book a tour, to learn more about future programs or to get involved with the museum, visit RVCHS.org.
By ALYSSA R. G RIFFIN agriffin@liherald.com
Rockville Centre held its first Promise Walk for Preeclampsia at South Side Middle School, bringing residents from across Long Island together to walk with a purpose and spread awareness for the pregnancy complication.
Co-chairs Andrea Bernardo and Alexis LaVacca kicked off the Sept. 20 walk with words on both of their journeys as survivors of Preeclampsia themselves.
We share our story not because it’s easy, but because it’s necessary.
ALexIS LaVAccA Co-Chair, Promise Walk for Preeclampsia
“We are here today on behalf of the Preeclampsia Foundation, which provides patient and family support, public awareness, research investment and improved healthcare practices to prevent illness and death from preeclampsia and other hypertensive disorders of pregnancy,” Bernardo said. Bernardo shared why she walks: “We honor the lives lost, we stand beside the survivors, we lift up the fighters and we carry hope forward for ourselves, our children and for future generations.”
LaVacca took the stand, alongside her husband Derek, to share her experience with Preeclampsia and honor her son Lincoln, who the walk was dedicated to. Lincoln died at 28 days old due to complications from being prematurely born after LaVacca was diagnosed.
“We share our story not because it’s easy, but because it’s necessary,” she said. “Preeclampsia impacts so many mothers and babies, yet often it goes unseen and misunderstood.”
Co-chairs then turned the microphone over to Terrence Hallahan, director of the prenatal screening lab at Northwell Health, where he talked about the urgency for preeclampsia awareness and research throughout the country. He announced a first trimester preterm preeclampsia screening, which will detect mothers that are forced to deliver prematurely due to preeclampsia.
“We can detect 80 to 90 percent of those mothers destined to deliver prematurely due to preeclampsia,” he said. “We’re doing this 20 to 25 weeks before preeclampsia starts. With that kind of lead time and a proactive management that includes low dose aspirin, we can prevent 62 percent of preterm preeclampsia cases and 82 percent of the extremely early preterm preeclampsia cases.”
Although this screening is now at Northwell Health, Hallahan said, it is still not practiced regularly around the country.
“This is not yet the standard of care
awareness.
in the United States as it is in the rest of the world,” he said. “It’s standard of care in Canada, England, Australia and for most European countries, and we are fighting to make this standard of care in the United States.”
As the closing statements ended, walkers gathered around for a group picture and took off down the track. Several people came from across the island, including Kristen Narx of Centereach, who came out with her family as a survivor herself.
“It feels good to come out today,” she said. “I didn’t think I would get diagnosed with it. So to be here is a big deal.”
Bernardo emphasized the importance of raising awareness for the condition to make expectant mothers aware of the risk.
“I never knew what preeclampsia
was until I experienced it, and I feel that’s probably true for most women,” Bernardo said, “So part of this is really getting awareness out, because it
comes on quickly and can become very serious.”
For more information on preeclampsia and to donate, visit PromiseWalk.org.
A farmer came in to see us with this dilemma. He had a working farm where his twenty something daughter and her husband were engaged full-time. His other daughter worked in the arts in New York City. He wanted to keep the farm in the family, but didn’t know how.
He initially wanted to leave the farm and his other assets to the two daughters in equal shares. We cautioned against this since, we advised, no one likes to do all the work and then split the profts. Additionally, real estate prices could be considerably higher on his death and there might not be enough money in the estate for the working daughter to buy out her sister. We also had to consider the sweat equity the young couple would be building up over the years working the farm. Here’s how the matter was ultimately resolved to the client’s satisfaction.
We deeded the farm now to the working daughter (not her and her husband quite yet) reserving a “life estate” in the farmer so that he had a right to live there for the rest of his
life while preserving his senior tax exemption on the property. We established the value of the property today, and made a bequest on his death, from the farmer’s living trust, of a like amount in cash to the sister before the balance of the trust was divvied up.
Now the young working couple are secure in their future, the non-working daughter gets her fair share of the estate and the farmer is protected in his rights for life. Most important of all, he has the peace of mind in knowing that the farm will stay in the family.
If you’re a business owner, and have one or more children working in the business, you have the same issues. We generally like to see the “working” children take over the business and other assets used to even out the estate distribution with the “non-working” children. Where there are not enough other assets to make the distribution even, then life insurance or a mortgage can be used for this purpose, or the “working” children can pay off the “nonworking” children over a period of years at a rate the family business can afford.
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On Sept. 20, a Vincent Street resident reported that her parked vehicle was struck and damaged by another vehicle, which then fled the scene.
On Sept. 15, a Wright Road resident reported multiple unauthorized charges were made in Massachusetts using her EZ-Pass account.
On Sept. 16, a Pine Street resident reported he was the victim of a scam in which the caller claimed to be a member of the US Marshalls Service, and required payment to investigate a money laundering operation that the resident was supposedly involved in.
On Sept. 16, the principal of Riverside Elementary School received an anonymous phone call stating there was a bomb in the building. The school had a delayed opening while the building was cleared, and students were allowed in the building beginning at 10 a.m.
On Sept. 18, Dominick Catalan, 22, of Oceanside, was arrested and charged with disorderly conduct and resisting arrest after he obstructed traffic at the scene of a motor vehicle accident and refused orders to get out of the street.
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.
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
September 14 – September 21
General Alarms – 10
Still Alarms – 6
Rescue – 1
Aided Cases (Ambulance) – 46
Mutual Aid Fire – 1
Mutual Aid Rescue – 0
Mutual Aid Ambulance – 0
Total – 64
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.
General Alarms – 341
Still Alarms – 215 Rescue – 124
Aided Cases (Ambulance) – 1729
Mutual Aid Fire – 58
Mutual Aid Rescue – 1
Mutual Aid Ambulance – 6 Total – 2474
The Center for Science Teaching and Learning is will host its annual Spooky Fest this October, offering kid-friendly Halloween attractions for families.
The Non-Scary ticket for $22 includes access to the Enchanted Forest Walk featuring friendly characters, arts and
■ WEB SITE: www.liherald.com/rockvillecentre
crafts, face painting, a glow tent, fortune telling and festive Halloween music.
The All-Attraction ticket for $27 adds admission to the Spooky Woods, a haunted trail with frightening scenes. More information and ticket reservations are available at CSTL.org.
A TWO-YEAR STARTING safety, Borsellino is no stranger to the high school gridiron. Only this year, he’s stepped into Hewlett’s starting quarterback role. So far, so good. In his first-ever start under center, Borsellino guided the Bulldogs to a 35-12 win over visiting Mineola in the Conference III opener Sept. 12. He passsed for 181 yards and two touchdowns and added 109 yards rushing and a score. He also booted three extra points.
Friday, Sept. 26
Boys Soccer: Uniondale at Freeport 5 p.m.
Boys Soccer: Lynbrook at V.S. South 5 p.m.
Boys Soccer: V.S. North at Wantagh 5 p.m.
Football: Uniondale at Westbury 5 p.m.
Football: Elmont at Manhasset 6 p.m.
Boys Volleyball: Elmont at Sewanhaka 6:15 p.m.
Football: Hempstead at Massapequa 6:30 p.m.
Football: Herricks at Farmingdale 6:30 p.m.
Football: Freeport at Syosset 6:30 p.m.
Football: North Shore at Malverne 7 p.m.
Football: Lawrence at Carle Place 7 p.m.
Saturday, Sept. 27
Girls Soccer: South Side at MacArthur 10 a.m.
Girls Soccer: Massapequa at Garden City 10 a.m.
Girls Soccer: Syosset at Oceanside 10 a.m.
Girls Soccer: Manhasset at Long Beach 1 p.m.
Boys Soccer: Glen Cove at Hewlett 1 p.m.
Football: Kennedy at Calhoun 2 p.m.
Football: East Meadow at Garden City 2 p.m.
Football: Hewlett at Wantagh 2 p.m.
Football: Long Beach at Mepham 2 p.m.
Football: Carey at South Side 2 p.m.
Football: Port Washington at Oceanside 2 p.m.
Football: Sewanhaka at Clarke 6:30 p.m.
Nominate a “spotlight Athlete”
High School athletes to be featured on the Herald sports page must compete in a fall sport and have earned an AllConference award or higher last season. Please send the following information: Name, School, Grade, Sport and accomplishments to Sports@liherald.com.
By BRIAN KACHARABA bkacharaba@liherald.com
The South Side girls’ volleyball team has unfinished business.
Last fall, the Cyclones captured the Nassau County championship and opened the Long Island title match with a first-set win over Sayville. But the celebration was shortlived, as the Golden Flashes roared back to take the next three sets and the crown.
That painful loss has fueled a new season — and the Cyclones have come out sharp. Behind a balanced lineup and veteran leadership, they swept Lynbrook and Seaford to open 2025 before outlasting Wantagh in a five-set battle on Sept. 16. Four days later, they handled North Shore in three straight at home to improve to 4-0.
“Oh yeah, they’re hungry,” coach Steve Mariano said. “They want revenge, but I have to preach to them that it’s one game at a time. You have to peak at the right time. We’re working through a little bit of growing pains here and there. We have made nice progress, but they definitely want redemption for last year.”
South Side returns many familiar faces but is still adjusting to the loss of two of its most dominant players, whom both graduated. Mariano said this year’s roster feels very different, but also deep.
“It’s very interchangeable,” Mariano said. “If I have someone struggling, I can take them out and put someone else in and not have a drop-off in performance.”
Key roles are being filled by underclassmen. Sydney Marshall has stepped into a start-
ing outside hitter spot and fellow sophomore Audrey Reilly, a lefty on the right side, has added scoring punch. Mariano said both were junior varsity players just a year ago.
“She’s doing a good job,” Mariano said of Marshall. “She’s really stepping up on the outside while my other starter from last year is injured and she’s really doing a good job in the front row.”
The Cyclones’ senior trio of Keira Mullaney, Amy Berenbroick and Maeve Britt — have set the tone. Mullaney is pacing the team in kills (34) and aces (13) and her 27 digs are second on the squad.
“Mullaney is probably our most vocal leader, and she’s hard to stop when she’s on,” Mariano said. “She’s got a very good all-around package — she passes well, plays good defense, and she hits really well on the outside.”
Berenbroick, the team’s primary setter (64 assists), has impressed with her consistency and resilience and Britt continues to anchor the defense with a team-leading 46 digs.
Tess Rakeman is also a solid passer with 41 on the young campaign and fellow sophomore Josie Burke has also been a force on the back end with 22 digs.
The Cyclones will have had six days to prepare for their Friday meeting with Plainedge, which also sits 4-0 in Conference A1 and is the same 12-2 in sets this season.
“It’s going to be first-ball kills and it’s going to be minimizing errors,” Mariano said. “I think we’ll do well against them, but I think it will be a battle. They’re a very good team.”
By KELSIE RADZISKI kradziski@liherald.com
A Totally 80’s tribute concert celebrating 1980s music will take over Madison Theatre at Molloy University, bringing the community together to raise funds for a newly established music scholarship honoring the late Ted Fass.
The Sept. 27 concert, organized by Gail Fass, Ted’s wife and head of Entertainment Unlimited, will feature a lineup of local talent and tribute acts, drawing fans of the decade’s iconic music for a night of performances and fundraising.
Performers include Domonique from the WBAB and WBLI radio stations and Jeff Nec, a well-known Long Island DJ, who will take the stage first. Rock of 80s band will play classic hits, followed by All About Joel, a local Billy Joel tribute band led by singer and piano player David Clark, and will conclude with Bon Journey, a group performing hits by Bon Jovi and Journey.
Tstudents at Molloy. The total amount of the scholarship will be based on the funds raised by the concert, and the recipient, a music student who has already been selected from a large pool of applicants, will also be announced that night.
Applicants, who were both undergraduate and graduate students, are required to have a grade point average of at least 3.5 and must be studying music or a related field. They were also required to submit five minute videos describing their goals and qualities and demonstrating how the scholarship would support them.
G AIL FASS Owner, Entertainment Unlimited
Fass said the event is designed to be both a nostalgic celebration and a community-driven fundraiser. “It’s involving a lot of the community, as well as other people who love 80s music,” she said. “A lot of people are coming dressed in 80s (costumes). So we’ll probably have prizes for that.”
A special live auction will take place during the evening, with one major item drawing attention from music fans: “We’re auctioning off a Billy Joel package that we’re getting from the Long Island Music Hall of Fame,” Fass said.
The evening will also highlight the first recipient of the Ted Fass Music Scholarship, which supports music
“We requested that the applicants apply by video, because that’s what Ted would have liked, because he would have been able to hear it,” Fass said. “The qualities had to be what Ted was about, which was overcoming obstacles, resilience, helping others and teaching.”
The scholarship was created in memory of Ted Fass, a pioneering blind athlete, entrepreneur and longtime Rockville Centre resident who died on Sept. 11, 2023, at age 71.
After losing his vision at age 11, Fass went on to become a groundbreaking mobile DJ with “Ted’s Disco on Wheels,” a community leader through ventures like “Dinner in the Dark,” and the executive director of the Long Island Bombers beep baseball team, a team that plays with adaptive equipment and rules to accommodate visually impaired athletes. His achievements in business, music and advocacy left a lasting legacy on Long Island and beyond.
“Ted was very well known in Rockville Centre,” Fass said. “He (had) been in the music business with me a long time.”
As the event approaches, Fass said tickets are still available. “We do have some seats left, so we’re trying to do our push,” she said.
The benefit concert will be held at Madison Theatre on the Molloy University campus on Sept. 27 at 7:30 p.m. A pre-show performance by The Atomic Pandas, a student-formed group from Huntington that performs 80s hits, will be in the lobby of the theatre at 6 p.m.
More information and tickets can be found at MadisonTheatreNY.org, and donations to the scholarship fund will be accepted throughout the evening.
Ave., serves over 400 seniors and distributes more than 1,700 meals annually.
During the height of the coronavirus pandemic in 2020, Grasing and her team delivered meals directly to homebound seniors. The agency also distributed 1,500 air filtration units to seniors in Rockville Centre and nearby areas, provided through a grant from United Way. The Brotherhood worked with local mayors and community centers to ensure older residents had access to clean indoor air.
“I really think it helped because it at least put their minds at ease, because nobody knew what to do,” she said.
Beyond emergency response, the Brotherhood has been an advocate for fair housing, supporting tenants facing eviction. The organization has helped take local landlords and even housing authorities to court in the past.
“The biggest achievement, as far as I’m concerned, is that we helped a lot of families that would have never survived in this area, and we did it by going to court in many cases,” Grasing said. “We had to just go by the law and make sure they were respecting the law for everybody, not only a few.”
Among the organization’s most notable success stories are the students who receive homework help, support and mentorship from Brotherhood staff.
“They did their homework because that’s very important to be at the same level with the other kids,” Grasing said of the importance of the homework help program. “You have to pay attention to that homework, otherwise the school starts looking at (the students) in a different way.”
While funding remains a big challenges, particularly in light of grant cuts to mental health and research services nationwide, Grasing remains hopeful. The organization recently received a $10,000 donation from the Hispanic Federation to provide grocery store vouchers to families during the holiday season.
Grasing also emphasized the importance of evolving to meet new community needs. Under her guidance, the Brotherhood recently launched a job training program in Hempstead for young adults interested in airport employment, which is a viable alternative for those not pursuing college.
Grasing immigrated to the U.S. from Havana, Cuba in 1961, and her influence has extended far beyond Rockville Centre through her leadership roles with Nassau County, New York State and Molloy University. Her work earned her honors, including the Governor’s Award of Excellence and the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Award.
Now officially retired after 41 years and having passed the reins to her daughter, Marguerite Keller, Grasing is enjoying the chance to reflect and reconnect with the community she helped shape.
“The best time is knowing people,” she said. “I know so many people in this community, and the community itself in Rockville Centre helped us so much.”
Grasing was also honored by Mayor Francis X. Murray, Deputy Mayor Kathy Baxley, and the village trustees at the Sept. 8 board of trustees meeting.
“We extend our heartfelt gratitude and best wishes for a joyful and fulfilling retirement, which she so very much deserves,” Baxley said at the meeting.
For more information about the Hispanic Brotherhood, visit HispanicBrotherhood.org.
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 22, 2025
8:00 A.M. TO 10:00 A.M.
The Heritage Club at Bethpage
The Hispanic Brotherhood offers HUD-approved housing counseling services, including budget management, fair housing education and help with mortgage delinquency or rental issues. Assistance is also available for those facing homelessness or landlord/tenant disputes.
After-school care is available for children ages five to 12, Monday through Friday, during the school year and full-day in the summer. Programs for teens ages 13 to 17 are offered in the afternoons and evenings.
Three days a week, seniors from Rockville Centre and nearby communities attend a nutrition program. Services include recreational activities, housing referrals, translation and landlord/tenant legal assistance.
Bilingual staff offer employment counseling, entitlement assistance, immigration support and emergency food. Annual events include Hispanic Heritage Month celebrations, a Thanksgiving food drive, a Christmas toy giveaway and a Three Kings Day event serving over 200 children.
For more than 100 years the American Red Cross on Long Island has helped the community prepare for, respond to and recover from emergencies. Join Us!
COMMUNITY IMPACT HERO
Luv Michael
FIRST RESPONDER HEROES
Offcers Timothy Deegan and Matthew Walling
GLOBAL CITIZENSHIP HERO
Dr. Tochi Iroku-Malize
DISASTER HERO
Jennifer Keane
MILITARY HERO
Mel Cohen
YOUTH HEROES
Charlie Dubofsky and Sydney Hassenbein
The American Red Cross Heroes Celebration is the signature fundraising event for the American Red Cross on Long Island, serving Nassau and Suffolk counties.
Event Co-chairs: James Quent, Greg Lavine, and Jennifer Solomon
For tickets, sponsorships, journal ads and to learn more, please visit redcross.org/LIheroes
The Village of Rockville Centre and the Rockville Centre Chamber of Commerce hosted their Fall Music on the Green, an evening of live music and community celebration at the Village Green.
The Sept. 20 event, sponsored by Chase Home Lending, featured popular local bands previously seen during Playing on the Porch earlier in the month, including Those Damn Neighbors, drawing a lively crowd of residents and visitors. Attendees brought meals and snacks, along with blankets and lawn chairs, to enjoy a festive night under the autumn sky.
The event offered a perfect blend of music, food and neighborly spirit, marking a memorable way to welcome the fall season.
Since it began, Music on the Green has become a beloved summertime tradition in Rockville Centre, attracting both longtime residents and newcomers alike. The concert series, which added this unique fall performance, showcases local talent — such as fan favorite Two Euros, who performed at the August event — while celebrating music’s ability to bring people together across ages and backgrounds.
Local artists interested in performing at future events are encouraged to contact the Mayor’s Office at (516) 678-9264.
–Kelsie Radziski
that beautification works best when business owners and residents pitch in by sweeping, tending planters, tidying
“There’s just a lot that goes into it,” Collins said. “There’s a lot of steps, procedures, but we’re committed to it. We want it to happen — we love our village. We want to bring the charm back.”
After the pandemic, many plans for village beautification were set aside, but the issue lingered in the minds of several concerned citizens, like Collins.
“Things looked different — things weren’t taken care of the way they were before,” she said. “And some of that was very noticeable, and was being commented on a lot on social media. And it was a group of us that felt like, ‘Let’s not complain on social media, because that doesn’t really do anything. Let’s take action; let’s make something happen.’”
Collins had already been involved in efforts to improve the village. “I was working at one of the shops in town and I used to hear people come in and complain about stuff,” she recalled. “I’m like, ‘I don’t want to hear this, I can’t hear this every day, we’ve got to do something about it.’”
Chamber of Commerce President Ed Asip and Vice President Donna O’Reilly Eineman joined the council after hearing similar concerns from merchants.
“It’s something that we as a chamber have been thinking about for a while,” Asip Chamber of Commerce President said, “and we were considering raising money for beautification and trying to put programs together like that.”
Civic association board member, Catie Carter, said the effort is also a response to the loss of the canopy of trees and the character they brought to retail corri -
dors.
“I grew up … (when) we had tree-lined streets on Park Avenue and North Village,’ Carter said. “And I know there’s been challenges, and there’s been reasons why those trees aren’t there anymore. So the goal of everything is to get the business owners involved and really just excited about their storefronts, and partnering with the village as well.”
To translate ideas into action, the council assigned street captains — residents and business owners who will act as liaisons to the council. On Long Beach Road, the captains include Lisa Umansky, of Polka Dot Pound Cake; James McDonald, of I Lost My Dog; and Monica Rubin, of School of Rock.
The captain system is intended to speed communication about litter hot spots, planter needs, event opportunities and parking concerns, and to mobilize volunteers for quick cleanups.
According to the council, residents should begin to see new planters and banners along Village Avenue and Long Beach Road in the coming weeks, followed by additional corridors as donations and volunteer capacity grow. Longer-term ideas include seasonal color rotations, coordinated storefront window updates to attract customers and partnerships with civic and school groups for themed beautification days.
The council’s mission statement notes that the goal of the group is “to foster a sense of community pride and engagement by creating and maintaining beautiful welcoming spaces throughout the village. This will be accomplished by partnering with residents, businesses, Village Government, and organizations to enhance the beauty, charm and vibrancy of our community.”
Residents and shop owners who want to volunteer, donate or connect with their street captain can email RVCBeautificationCouncil@gmail.com.
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$450.00 for an individual, or $875.00 for a couple. Lifetime coverage. Any age accepted.
By ROKSANA AMID ramid@liherald.com
The audience numbered 275 women for RichnerLIVE’s third annual Women’s Summit, an all-day event dedicated to leadership, empowerment and connection, filled the Crescent Beach Club in Bayville.
This year’s theme, Next Level You, set the tone for the Sept. 9 program, which combined wellness activities, thoughtprovoking discussions, and opportunities to build professional networks. The event featured vendor booths, multiple raffle prizes, and morning sessions of beach yoga, meditation breathwork before attendees moved into panels and keynote talks.
Amy Amato, executive director of RichnerLIVE, opened the keynote lunch session by reminding the audience that the summit is as much about conversation as it is about the speakers on stage. “One of the best parts of the Summit is that it’s not just what happens on stage — it’s about the conversation and connections happening all around us,” Amato said. She credited the event’s sponsors for making the gathering possible and emphasized the importance of support systems. “One of the best ways to reach the next level is by surrounding ourselves with strong, supportive peers. Networks like ours thrive because of women who lead with purpose.”
Among those support networks highlighted was the Women’s Executive Network of Long Island, which Amato described as a premier organization “designed to connect, mentor, and empower leaders like those in this room.”
Stuart Richner, co-publisher of The Long Island Herald and CEO of Richner Communications, echoed that message by tracing his company’s own history of uplifting women’s voices. He noted that the Herald, founded by his parents, Edith and Robert Richner, in 1964, was built on a commitment to community journalism and inclusivity. “In fact, our company was co-founded by an incredible woman in her own right, my mother, Edith,” he said. “And today, women proudly comprise over 60 percent of our leadership team at Richner.”
Richner told the audience that the company’s mission to “lift all voices” continued at the summit, where attendees were encouraged to connect, learn and advance in their own leadership journeys.
The keynote address was delivered by Jennifer Watson, a former Division I athlete, two-time All-American and TEDx speaker who overcame years of depression to become a physical therapist, entrepreneur, coach and healer. As founder of Watson Worldwide, she now works with leaders across industries to reframe resilience.
“Resilience has often been taught as sacrifice, as pushing through until you burn out,” Watson said. “But what if resilience was not about sacrificing? What if it was about expanding — expanding a brilliance that’s already in you?”
Watson shared her own struggles with burnout, describing how the traditional
mindset of “pushing harder” left her disconnected from her work and her team.
“The harder I pushed to be more resilient, the further I was getting away from what I was connected to — what I was giving to the world.”
She urged attendees to listen to their bodies, reframe setbacks as communication, and approach challenges with receptivity rather than force. “When we do, we go from our true maturity to start trusting ourselves, working from honesty, and being resilient from a healthy space.”
Elizabeth Saitta and Kim Cottage — cofounders of the Philanthropy Network of New York — are this year’s recipients for the PointVOIP Community Impact Award. Their work has created real and lasting impact in our community.
The summit also explored topics ranging from financial confidence to leadership mindsets and the future of work with artificial intelligence. Panelists and
speakers highlighted strategies for navigating personal growth, professional advancement and organizational change.
Sponsors, including our beach bag sponsor and photo booth sponsor, CLA, made this year’s event possible; along with lanyard sponsor, People’s Alliance Federal Credit Union; and community impact award sponsor, PointVoIP. Additional supporters included The Stefans Group, Forvis Mazars, Mending Hearts Counseling, Verron Law Group, Valley Bank, Alluring Age Anti-Aging and Wellness Center, Automatic Industries Inc., Vibrance 360, NHG Law Group, P.C., Nassau Community College, Disruptive Spark Business Academy, Meister Seelig & Fein, PLLC, Prager Metis, Form and Function Aesthetics and Wellness, Greenberg Cosmetic Surgery, PSEG Long Island, Catherine Candaeo Health and Wellness Corp., and State and Signal. And of course, a special thank you to our cof-
fee sponsor – that keeps us going – Elegant King Brew, and our wine sponsor, Farm Wines!
For Amato, the day highlighted the collective strength in the room. “Everyone in this room contributes,” she said. “Together, we can push past limits and step into our full potential.”
To see a full list of speakers and photos visit: RichnerLive.com/wesummit
By AidAn WArshAvsky Correspondent
The Rockville Centre Public Library welcomed Carol Hoenig, a decorated writer and publicist, to celebrate the one-year anniversary of her novel, “Before She Was a Finley.”
Hoenig has lived on Long Island for five decades, spending most of her time in Massapequa Park and Bellmore. However it is from her childhood in Churubusco, a town located an hour south of Montréal, that she draws inspiration for the scenes in “Before She Was a Finley” and “Without Grace.” She explained that some of her characters have a loneliness — a reflection of her life in upstate New York.
“Before She Was a Finley” is a sequel to her previous novel, “Without Grace.”
ithat led her to leave her family.
While she was hesitant at first, it was a strength that catapulted “Without Grace” to a Silver Medal for Book of the Year in 2005 by ForeWord Magazine, and given First Place for Fiction by the DIY Book Festival.
’m very grateful that I get to do what I love, because when I started, I never dreamed that I could have made it to this point.
CArol hoenig
Author,
‘Before She Was a
Finley’
The story follows Adele, a young journalism student who uncovers the dark secrets of Grace Finley, an elderly woman in a nursing home. Adele investigates the truth behind her mysterious disappearance years earlier, exploring Grace’s past in the 1920s and 1930s, detailing the events
“I had to be true to who I am,” Hoenig said of her upstate experiences.
The library’s Helen Krauss Room hosted 20 patrons in a seminar-like discussion on Sept. 8, where participants had the opportunity to ask questions on Hoenig’s publications and give comments on her writing.
The night started with Hoenig reading a brief excerpt from her novel, published in September 2024, displaying her storytelling abilities. Hoenig then “opened the floor” to conversation, where she was prompted to speak on her characters and story structure.
Hoenig explained that her stories don’t utilize an outline, but rather the characters that she creates. When she profiles her characters, it allows the story to flow because she knows how they “tick.”
Patrons of the library were engaged as Carol
and chapter one from her book titled, ‘Before
“For me, when I get to know a character, I don’t have to like them. But, they do have to be true to who they are,” Hoenig said of the importance of understanding the characters she creates. “When I write about these characters, I want to see what makes them tick. Their history, what they love, and what they don’t love.”
Eileen Farrell, a librarian at the Rockville Centre library, explained the importance of hosting an author of Carol’s caliber — one who is well-known to the area, having previously owned Turn Of The Corkscrew on Park Avenue in Rockville Centre, home to a host of
books and wine.
“When we can showcase an author such as Carol, it promotes literacy, but it also provides community,” Farrell said.
“She had refreshments, people are enjoying a night out, it’s an opportunity for people to connect within the community. Patrons of the library thirst for this.”
Hoenig has been writing for over three decades, and has been humbled by her journey as a writer and publicist. “I’m very grateful that I get to do what I love, because when I started I never dreamed that I could have made it to this point,” she said with a smile.
Governor Hochul announces that the course will host two PGA championships in next eight years
By LUKE FEENEY lfeeney@liherald.com
After years of preparation, the Ryder Cup is about to begin at Bethpage Black. And Long Island golf fans can anticipate even more championship golf coming to one of the country’s most popular public courses.
While visiting the Farmingdale course on Sept. 17, Gov. Kathy Hochul announced that Bethpage Black will also host the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship in 2028, and the PGA Championship in 2033.
“I don’t look at it just as an economic boost,” Hochul said. “I look at it as a point of pride.”
Hochul, who added that the PGA Championship will be played at Oak Hill Country Club, in Rochester, in 2035, said that she “could not be prouder,” that the state is a home to golf “and always will be.”
Bethpage Black hosted its first PGA Championship in 2019, when Brooks Koepka won his second PGA title. The last time the women’s championship was played in the state was at the Westchester Country Club in Harrison, in 2015; this is the first time it will be played at Bethpage Black.
“Bringing the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship to Bethpage Black is a significant milestone,” PGA of America President Don Rea said, adding that it reflects the PGA’s “commitment to staging this event at premier courses in major markets.”
PGA of America, based in Frisco, Texas, hosts the Ryder Cup and other major golf tournaments in the United States. This year’s biennial tournament, a matchup of the top golfers in the U.S. and Europe, is set for this weekend, beginning Friday.
GMTOHeraldAd9_21.qxp_Layout 1 9/21/25 11:45 PM Page 1
A week before the first competitors teed off, Ryder
At Bethpage Black on Sept. 17, Gov. Kathy Hochul — above with Derek Sprague, CEO of PGA of America — announced that the course will also host the 2028 KPMG Women’s PGA Championship and the 2033 PGA Championship.
Cup Shops hosted a grand opening for the public, last Friday through Monday. Team U.S. fans can choose from over 1,500 items from more than 50 vendors at the 61,800-square-foot temporary pavilion, near Bethpage Black’s main spectator entrance. Tournament tickets are not required, and this week the shops will be open from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Thursday, 5:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, and 7:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Sunday.
Ryder Cup Shops has 70 registers and a large queuing area for customers, so fans can pick up merchan-
dise and get back to the competition quickly. There are 10 full-time staffers, 20 interns and 1,200 volunteers, according to Michael Quirk, the chief commercial officer of merchandising for Legends Global, the company overseeing tournament merchandise.
“We’ve been told the expected number (of fans) for the Ryder Cup is north of 50,000” per day, Quirk said. “When we talk about a structure this big, there’s a reason for it. This is a machine that is really built to make sure that the best premium retail experience is actually possible this week.”
SUNDAY-THURSDAY
Knights of Columbus volunteers and six employees from the New York Blood Center.
The St. Agnes Knights of Columbus Council #2548 hosted its third and final blood drive of 2025 Sept. 21, at the St. Agnes Parish Center. A total of 70 volunteer donors contributed a total of 65 pints of blood to support local medical needs, including surgeries and other lifesaving procedures.
The event was supported by nine
The council encourages community members to consider donating blood at its 2026 drives, which will begin in February. Additional information about blood donation is available at NYBC.org.
— Kelsie Radziski
Whether you're decked out in team colors, surrounded by game day snacks, or have the ultimate fan cave setup –We want to see it all!
Upload photos of your Sunday football experience: your lucky jersey, famous wings, decorated living room, tailgate spread, or whatever makes your game day special.
The best photos will be featured in the Herald – and the WINNER will be chosen at random to win 2 tickets to an Islanders game!
Contest runs through midnight October 12, 2025
By Abbey Salvemini
The American Chamber Ensemble (ACE), Hofstra University’s esteemed ensemble-in-residence, reaches a musical milestone: its 60th anniversary. To commemorate six decades of musical excellence, ACE invites everyone to special anniversary concert.
The celebratory performance, upcoming on Oct. 12, at Hofstra’s Helene Fortunoff Theater, is sure to be vibrant musical occasion that exemplifies what the ensemble does so well.
ACE was founded in 1965 by two visionary young Long Island mothers — pianist Blanche Abram and clarinetist Naomi Drucker, a proud member of Hofstra University’s Class of 1957. Driven by a shared passion for music and a desire to continue performing while raising their families, then young mothers Abram and Drucker began presenting intimate concerts in local libraries and churches.
“Touring wasn’t an option for them,” explains current ACE director pianist Marilyn Lehman ’75, who is also on Hofstra’s music faculty. “ACE was the compromise that allowed them to share their artistry with audiences here on Long Island.”
What began as a grassroots effort quickly blossomed into something much greater. Over the decades, ACE evolved into a nationally acclaimed ensemble, with performances gracing prestigious venues such as Carnegie Hall and the National Gallery of Art. Despite this widespread recognition, both founders remained deeply rooted in their community. Abram and Drucker often expressed that the ensemble’s growth and longevity were made possible by the unwavering support of their local audiences — a loyal and appreciative community they credited as the heart of ACE’s enduring success.
“American Chamber Ensemble has been bringing diverse programs to Hofstra University, combining strings, winds, piano and voice for decades,” Tammy Hensrud, coordinator of vocal studies and adjunct professor of voice at Hofstra, shares. Hensrud has been with ACE since its founding and will also be performing that day.
Throughout the decades, the ensemble has delivered exceptional chamber music, while nurturing Hofstra talent and promoting local composers.
“It feels fantastic that we can carry on with our work,” Lehman says. Lehman and Mindy Dragovich — ACE’s clarinetist and assistant director — both studied under Drucker and Abram, who were also their instructors during their time at Hofstra. Both women, who are also mothers, continue to carry on the legacy of their mentors, who balanced motherhood with their musical careers and inspired a new generation to do the same.
The audience can look forward to a diverse repertoire and perfomances at this concert — featuring dancers, a chorus and current students. ACE offers up a dynamic program, including Leonard Bernstein’s ‘Make Our Garden Grow,’ as well as works by Beethoven, André Messager, Steven Gerber and Schumann. A special highlight is an eight-hand piano piece from Faust, showcasing the ensemble’s collaborative spirit. The performance also includes dancer Jessica Levin, who has choreographed a work to accompany Gerber’s Cocktail Music for solo piano.
• Sunday, Oct. 12, 3 p.m.
• Helene Fortunoff Theater, Hofstra University’s Monroe Lecture Center, California Avenue, South Campus
• Admission is free; registration requested
• Visit events.hofstra.edu or call (516) 463-5669
Special guest artists include the Hofstra Chamber Choir directed by Dr. David Fryling; mezzo-soprano Hensrud, soprano Karen DiMartino ’07, baritone Andrew DiMartino, and violist Todd Lowe.
“I wanted to have a collaboration with the music department because they have supported us for all these years. So I brought back some of my students to perform,” Lehman adds.
Uniondale resident and Hofstra student violinist Jared Mercado earned the opportunity to play with the ensemble through a competitive audition. He joins Lehman on stage to perform a Beethoven sonata. It’s a fun and inspiring experience for everyone, especially for those students in the audience who see their classmates and music faculty perform together.
Neither ACE’s founders nor its current musicians have ever considered their Hofstra residency to be perfunctory.
“Having our home base at Hofstra means students aren’t just sitting in an audience at our concerts,” Lehman says. “They know us. They learn and perform with us, and we build meaningful relationships with them.”
She further emphasizes the value of having a dedicated cultural space within the community where local folks can experience classical chamber concerts.
“Our mission was to bring professional artists and traditional repertoire up close and in the neighborhood,” Lehman continues.
As the ensemble celebrates this milestone, its members also look ahead with renewed purpose. The group remains committed to its founding ideals: bringing world-class chamber music to the community, fostering the next generation of musicians and building meaningful connections through performance.
This 60th anniversary concert is not only a tribute to the past but also a joyful step into the future of an ensemble that continues to inspire, educate and unite through the power of music.
Prepare to crank up the volume and turn back the clock for a high-energy night of neon nostalgia at Totally 80s — a celebration of the decade that gave us big hair and bigger hits. Featuring powerhouse performances by Bon Journey NY, Rock of 80’s and All About Joel, this electrifying concert takes you through the greatest ‘80s hits, from arena rock to synth-pop and everything in between. Keeping the party going between sets, DJ Jeff Nec spins some tracks. In the spirit of honoring creative excellence, the evening also spotlights the recipient of the Ted Fass Music Scholarship, awarded to an incoming music student at Molloy University who exemplifies the legacy of Ted Fass — a pioneer and visionary in the entertainment industry, and cornerstone of the Rockville Centre community.
Saturday, Sept. 27, 7:30 p.m. Tickets start at $55. Molloy University, 1000 Hempstead Ave., Rockville Centre. Tickets available at madisontheatreny. org or (516) 323-4444.
‘…We will rock you’ Get ready to sing along — Queenmania is back on Long Island. Almost Queen, the acclaimed tribute band, returns to the Paramount stage, bringing with them the soaring vocals, electrifying guitar riffs, and theatrical flair that defined one of rock’s most legendary groups. Not just another cover band, their performances are carefully crafted to honor the spirit of Freddie Mercury, Brian May, John Deacon, and Roger Taylor while delivering a concert experience that feels fresh and alive.
The lineup features Joseph Russo as the dynamic and charismatic Mercury, Steve Leonard as guitar virtuoso May, Randy Gregg as bassist Deacon, and John Cappadona as drummer Taylor. Together, they recreate Queen’s iconic sound with impeccable four-part harmonies, precise musical interludes, and the kind of stage energy that pulls audiences to their feet.
Saturday, Oct. 4, 8 p.m.
$108.75, $98.25, $76.25, $64.75, $54.25, $48.75. The Paramount, 370 New York Ave., Huntington. Tickets available at ticketmaster.com or paramountny.com.
On stage Adelphi University’s Department of Theater presents Samuel D. Hunter’s “The Harvest.” The a gripping, emotionally nuanced exploration of faith, family, and identity asks us to open our hearts and minds to the mystery of what it is to be human. Five young Christian evangelicals in a church basement in Idaho Falls are preparing themselves for a mission to the Middle East. One of them, Josh, is reeling after the death of his father, and has bought a one-way ticket with no plans to return. But when his estranged sister returns to Idaho Falls to stop him, the choice to leave becomes more complicated.
• Where: Adelphi University Black Box Theatre, 1 South Ave., Garden City
• Time: 6:30 p.m.; through Sept. 28, times vary
• Contact: adelphi.edu/pac or call (516) 877-4000
Inaugural Induction Ceremony: South Side Football Legend Club
Get ready to experience an unforgettable evening of Yes at its best, on the Paramount stage, featuring its existential prog masterworks and instrumental pyrotechnics. A pioneer of progressive rock, Yes has achieved worldwide success through a prolifc and enduring music career spanning 45 years and 20 studio albums. With an ever growing fan base, Yes continues to electrify audiences with its daunting virtuosity, cosmic lyrics, complex musical textures and powerful lead vocals. The band — currently comprising Steve Howe on guitars and vocals, Geoff Downes on keyboards, Jon Davison on vocals and acoustic guitar, Billy Sherwood on bass guitar and vocals, and Jay Schellen on drums — performs their iconic 1971 album “Fragile” in its entirety as part of this tour. Fans can look forward to hearing classic tracks such as “Roundabout,” “Long Distance Runaround,” and “Heart of the Sunrise,” alongside other gems from their extensive and celebrated catalog.
• Time: 5-6 p.m.
• Contact: nassaumuseum.org or (516) 484-9337
Breast Cancer
Nassau County Legislator Scott M. Davis is partnering with NuHealth to bring the breast cancer screening van for women over 40 to Hempstead. Free mammograms by appointment only. Don’t miss this opportunity.
• Where: Kennedy Memorial Park, 335 Greenwich St., Hempstead
• Time: 9 a.m.-1 p.m.
• Contact: (516) 571-6201
Oktoberfest Fundraiser
Enjoy an evening of diner, raffles and more with BackYard Players & Friends.
Honoring indivduals, groups and teams that have shown their outstanding abilities for the South Side High School football program.
• Where: Tap Room, 47-51 N Village Ave., Rockville Centre
• Time: 6:30-9:30 p.m.
• Contact: southsidecyclonesfootball.com
26 Pollinators
Nassau County Museum of Art invites families to a Super Family Saturday program. Celebrate pollinators with us with museum educators. Enjoy story time, honey tasting, art making, and learn about native plants with a North Shore Audubon expert on the museum’s grounds. $20 nonmember adults, $10 members and children.
• Where: Manes Center, 1 Museum Drive, Roslyn Harbor
• Time: Session 1, 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m.; Session 2, 1-2:30 p.m.
• Contact: nassaumuseum.org or (516) 484-9337
St. Patrick’s Day
Parade Charity Event
Come out and enjoy food, drinks and music with Daddy The Band.
• Where: Centre Station, 279A Sunrise Hwy, Rockville Centre
• Time: 7 p.m.
• Contact: RVCStPatrickParade@ gmail.com
“Fragile” holds a special place in Yes’s discography, as it not only propelled the band to headline status in the U.S. but also distinguished itself with its unique blend of musical artistry. According to Steve Howe, the collaboration with co-producer Eddie Offord during this period helped the band reach new creative heights. This tour romises to merge the auditory and visual aspects that have always distinguished Yes as a band. The concert features a video wall displaying AI-generated interpretations of Roger Dean’s iconic album artwork, designed back in 1971. Tickets are $152.25, $129.75, $118.75, $108.75, $86.50.
Author Richard Panchyk speaks on “Lost Long Island” at the Phillips House Museum. Admission is free and online registration is requested.
• Where: 28 Hempstead Ave., Rockville Centre
• Time: 7 p.m.
• Contact: (516) 670-5737
Each week in this engaging workshop, participants are introduced to hands-on materials, artmaking, and inspiration from artists and techniques. Young kids, ages 2-5, build critical thinking skills, expand vocabulary, and support imaginations as they play, create and explore. This week create silly character puppets. $4 with museum admission.
• Where: Museum Row, Garden City
• Time: 11:30 a.m.-noon
• Contact: licm.org or (516) 224-5800
Author talk
Heather Aimee O’Neill discusses her debut novel, “The Irish
Goodbye,” with Carol Hoenig at Rockville Centre Public Library.
• Where: 221 N Village Ave., Rockville Centre
• Time: 7 p.m.
• Contact: rvclibrary.org or (516) 766-6257
Island Choral Society Auditions
Audition now and be part of something bigger, a bold, inclusive future for choral music. The Long Island Choral Society is holding auditions for new members for their 96th Season. The 2025-26 season includes Let’s Go to the Movies, a celebration of choral music in film, Schubert’s Mass in G as well as Handel’s Messiah and a variety of other musical performance opportunities throughout the coming year. Auditions are by appointment only and are held Mondays, continuing Oct. 2 and Oct. 6. Whether you’re a lifelong singer or just finding your voice, you belong here! If you love to sing, consider auditioning to be part of this tradition of musical excellence. For additional information, visit lics.org.
• Where: Garden City Community Church, 245 Stewart Ave., Garden City
• Where: The Paramount, 370 New York Ave., Huntington
• Time: 8 p.m.
• Contact: ticketmaster.com or paramountny.com
• Contact: Interested parties can schedule an audition by calling (516) 652-6878 or via e-mail at audition.info@lics.org
Spooky Fest is back at the Center for Science Teaching & Learning, through the month. Celebrate the season with Halloween for all. Be scared if you dare or enjoy not-sospooky thrills with the younger folks.
• Where: 1450 Tanglewood Road, Rockville Centre
• Time: 6-9:30 p.m.
• Contact: cstl.org or (516) 764-0045
OCT
10
Visit Nassau County Museum of Art for hour for discovery and conversation. Explore a selection of sculptures sited across the museum property. Each stop on the tour delves into the choices, inspirations and material of the artists and their sculptures. Registration required. $20, $10 members.
• Where: 1 Museum Drive, Roslyn Harbor
• Where: St. Agnes Parish Center, 26 Quealy Place
• Time: 7-10 p.m.
• Contact: (516) 351-6299
15
Nassau County Legislator Scott M. Davis partners with the Nassau County Police Department’s Office of Community Affairs and Nassau County’s Department of Traffic Safety to provide free child car seat safety checks. By appointment only.
• Where: Rockville Centre Recreation Center, 111 N. Oceanside Road
• Time: 9 a.m.-noon
• Contact: (516) 571-6201
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.
By ALYSSA R. GRIFFIN agriffin@liherald.com
Molloy University’s inaugural Talent Solutions Summit is coming to campus on Sept. 30. The exclusive gathering will host leaders from the business, education, finance, healthcare, manufacturing and workforce development worlds. In the rapid-growing labor market, Molloy has begun addressing the need for employer-employee connections and partnership, which has become increasingly urgent.
“It has been a central goal and part of my vision to grow Molloy’s educational footprint to deliver educational opportunities in the area of workforce development for our region,” James Lentini, president of Molloy University, said.
The event will be held in the Larini Room in the Public Square Building at the university. There will be introductory statements on offerings and opportunities and firsthand testimonies from workforce leaders on shaping talent strategies.
“It is our goal to deliver short-term, stackable programs designed to help employers build stronger teams through practical, workforce aligned training,” Lentini said.
The summit will begin with registration and a networking breakfast, allow-
ing attendees to connect with fellow business leaders, workforce leaders, Core Education Leadership and Molloy University officials, followed by a warm welcome speech from Lentini.
A panel discussion with regional
workforce, education and industry leaders is to follow welcoming remarks. These panelists include Matt Cohen, President and Chief Executive Officer of Long Island Association, Rosalie Drago, Vice President for External
Affairs and Strategic Engagement of Haugland Group and former Suffolk County Commissioner of Labor, Joe Lamantia, Vice President & Chief Transformation Officer of Catholic Health, Scott Miller, Senior Vice President of Business-to-Business, CORE Education, Jamie Moore, Executive Director of Ignite Long Island, Michelle Piskulich, Provost & Vice President for Academic Affairs of Molloy University, and John Spiezio, Board Chair of ADDAPT Long Island John Spiezio. The moderator will be Edward Thompson, Vice President for Advancement of Molloy University.
The panel discussion will run for around 30 minutes, and it will tackle a variety of topics, such as practical challenges, proven solutions and the role of education-employer partnerships in building workforce strength long-term.
The exclusive summit is invite-only, with limited seats available. The event will be formally kicking off the start to Molloy’s new workforce development solutions.
“These programs augment our highly regarded degree programs at Molloy,” Lentini said. “We are thrilled at the interest expressed from industry so far and look forward to an engaging event.”
For more information and to reserve your invitation, visit Molloy.edu.
The Rockville Centre Lions Club inducted three new members at their monthly meeting in September. Joe Adipietro, Stachia Hussain and Liz Perrier all became Lions, and District Governor and Lion Jeanne Mulry performed the induction at the meeting. With a motto of “We Serve,” the Rockville Centre Lions have been supporting
the community since 1934. The group works with local charitable and civic organizations to provide diabetes education, research and detection, vision screenings and eyeglass recycling, and eye care services to those at risk of losing their sight. For more information, visit RVCLions.com.
— Kelsie Radziski
LIONEL O. LIVINGSTON, AS HEIR AND DISTRIBUTEE OF THE ESTATE OF ESTELLA L. MITCHELL, ET AL.
NOTICE OF SALE NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN pursuant to a Final Judgment of Foreclosure entered in the Offce of the Clerk of the County of Nassau on June 27, 2025, wherein BANK OF NEW YORK
MELLON TRUST COMPANY, N.A. AS TRUSTEE FOR MORTGAGE ASSETS MANAGEMENT SERIES I TRUST is the Plaintiff and LIONEL O. LIVINGSTON, AS HEIR AND DISTRIBUTEE OF
THE ESTATE OF ESTELLA L. MITCHELL, ET AL., are the Defendants. I, the undersigned Referee, will sell at public auction RAIN OR SHINE at the NASSAU COUNTY SUPREME COURT, NORTH SIDE STEPS, 100 SUPREME COURT DRIVE, MINEOLA, NY 11501, on October 6, 2025 at 2:30PM, the premises known as 65 LAKESIDE DRIVE, ROCKVILLE CENTRE, NY 11570; tax map identifcation 35-88-22 & 23; and description: ALL THAT CERTAIN PLOT PIECE OR PARCEL OF LAND, SITUATE, LYING AND BEING IN THE INCORPORATED VILLAGE OF ROCKVILLE CENTRE, IN THE TOWN OF HEMPSTEAD, COUNTY OF NASSAU AND STATE OF NEW YORK . Premises will be sold subject to provisions of fled Judgment Index No.: 601445/2022. Oscar A. Prieto, Esq., as Referee. Robertson,
Anschutz, Schneid, Crane & Partners, PLLC, 900 Merchants Concourse, Suite 310, Westbury, New York 11590, Attorneys for Plaintiff. All foreclosure sales will be conducted in accordance with Covid-19 guidelines including, but not limited to, social distancing and mask wearing. *LOCATION OF SALE SUBJECT TO CHANGE DAY OF IN ACCORDANCE WITH COURT/CLERK DIRECTIVES. 155538
LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF ADOPTION OF TOWN OF HEMPSTEAD LOCAL LAW NO. 57-2025 PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that, pursuant to Article 9 of the New York State Constitution, the provisions of the Town Law and the Municipal Home Rule Law of the State of New York, both as amended, a public hearing was duly called and held on the
16th day of September, 2025, by the Town Board of the Town of Hempstead, on the proposed adoption of Town of Hempstead Local Law No. 57-2025, and following the close of the hearing the Town Board duly adopted Town of Hempstead Local Law No. 57-2025, to amend Section 202-1 of the Code of the Town of Hempstead, to include and repeal “PARKING OR STANDING PROHIBITIONS” at various locations.
Dated: September 16, 2025 Hempstead, New York BY ORDER OF THE TOWN BOARD OF THE TOWN OF HEMPSTEAD JOHN FERRETTI
Supervisor KATE MURRAY
Supervisor Town Clerk 155874
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Q. Our kitchen is being redone, and we’re expanding into our breakfast area. We’re trying to figure out which kind of heat to put in, since our radiators will have to go to make way for the cabinets. Parts of the kitchen were always cold, and we don’t want to repeat that if we can find a better way. Our contractor said he can put in “toe space” heaters that blow warm air. Our plumber said we could do that, but they can be noisy after the break-in period. He also suggested installing either electric heat mats or water piping in-floor heating, but it could cost a lot. What’s your experience, and what do you recommend we do?
A. Keeping kitchens warm is more complicated than other spaces in your home. Of course, you could always just go stand in the corner, because most corners are 90 degrees! The most important factor in heating a kitchen is making certain kitchen walls and ceilings are well insulated, so that whatever system you choose will be the most effective for staying warm.
Old radiators were oversized as a rule of thumb, because, relatively speaking, energy sources were lower costing. Between larger radiators and smaller rooms, older home occupants were satisfied to walk around in sweaters to compensate. Today we want open spaces, removing the walls in the way to achieve a more spacious look.
Many people fear the cost and effort of a radiant floor, but radiating floors are my first choice, and the best solution. Yes, the initial investment is more, but not so much more that it’s cost-prohibitive. When you consider the time period to pay back the system, based on energy savings, it makes sense.
The other solutions are still concentrated places around the kitchen, and radiant heat is uniform to the room. Toe-kick heaters have a horizontal “squirrel cage” fan that rotates like a gerbil’s wheel, and eventually needs lubricating or replacement, unless you don’t mind the whirring sound.
Radiant heat, whether you choose a piping system or the electric matt type, distributes heat silently, and so comfortably that you can walk barefoot on the floor. People have even told me they lie on the floor and warm their sore back like a heating pad. The best part is that it’s the second most efficient type of heat distribution, after radiators (because they warm up the floor structure — even wood flooring — and retain and give off heat slowly after the boiler pauses). Together with a great insulation enclosure in the floor, below the heat, walls and ceiling, the radiant system works best.
Incidentally, the energy codes are moving to a higher performance standard as of January 2026, officials have informed me. There will be stricter adherence to proof, with calculations, of heating and cooling efficiency. Gone are the days of oversizing heating and air-conditioning or, for that matter, paying for more than you need and wasting energy. Good luck!
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As we begin another exciting school year for so many young students across Nassau County, I’m proud to introduce the bipartisan Feed Hungry Kids Act in Congress. Earlier this month, I joined educators in Valley Stream to announce this common-sense, bipartisan legislation. As a mother, the thought of any child going hungry in school is devastating to me. Students can’t reach their full academic potential on an empty stomach. Every one of America’s children deserves a good education that sets them up for a successful life, regardless of their background or ZIP code.
We saw during the pandemic that many families struggled to put food on the table. As families struggle with the costs of health care and housing, many times, one of the first things to go is food. In Nassau County, over 15,000 households currently count on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, and other food assis-
Itance to put food on the table. Unfortunately, free and nutritious food still remains out of reach for too many across our country.
dents at no charge. The way it works is simple: If a certain percentage of kids in the school qualify, everyone gets access to meals at no cost.
dents right here in this school district and across the country.
pIncreasing access to no-cost breakfast and lunch has been shown to boost students’ learning, increase test scores and improve attendance and classroom behavior.
rotecting healthy, no-cost school meals is especially important now.
Until recently, however, Valley Stream and other districts like it were not able to provide every student with free breakfast and lunch, no matter what. Two years ago, Valley Stream directly benefited from expanded access to an important federal program called the Community Eligibility Provision.
That’s why I’m introducing the Feed Hungry Kids Act with my Republican colleague, Rep. David Valadao, of California. This bill would protect that federal program, which has helped Valley Stream and more than 17,000 other schools across the United States ensure that they can provide meals at no cost to all of their students.
The Community Eligibility Provision allows underserved schools to offer breakfast and lunch to all stu-
This is so important for so many reasons. First and foremost, it ensures that our kids are fed during the day. Second, and equally important, CEP reduces the paperwork burden facing families and school districts, making sure that kids don’t fall through the cracks and helping our schools focus on what’s really important — educating our kids.
Originally, the threshold was 40 percent, but in the fall of 2023, the federal government lowered the participation threshold for CEP to 25 percent — meaning that if a quarter of kids in the district qualify for free school meals, every kid can benefit.
By reducing the threshold to 25 percent, an additional 17,000 schools across the country, including in the Valley Stream district, became eligible for this essential program.
That’s why I am proud to take the lead on this act, which would codify the 2023 policy expanding access to free school meals into law, ensuring that CEP meals remain available for stu-
Now, earlier this year, some in Congress shopped around the idea of not only returning the threshold for free meals to 40 percent, but raising it even further. In fact, one potential proposal would increase it to 60 percent, literally taking food away from students and schools. That would be devastating to America’s children.
Making sure our students have food in their stomachs should undoubtedly be a bipartisan issue. With this bipartisan legislation, CEP schools won’t have to worry about remaining eligible for the program and being able to keep kids fed.
Protecting healthy, no-cost meals for our nation’s students is especially important now, as we see food assistance programs nationwide, including several that keep Long Island’s children and seniors fed, being threatened by the cruel GOP tax bill passed earlier this summer along party lines.
I’m proud to fight for Nassau County in Congress, and proud to lead this bipartisan bill, to push back against any proposed cuts to food assistance that would hurt our children and our community.
Laura Gillen represents the 4th Congressional District.
n recent months, and perhaps for the first time in our adult lives, many of us have been worrying about the viability and survivability of the great American experiment known as democracy. It has been the only government we have known, and we assumed, perhaps naively, that freedom would ring forever across our land.
I did. I remember my young self, hand across my heart at an elementary school assembly, looking at the flag and reciting the pledge. It was such serious business. My devotion was uncomplicated. I grew up knowing I was lucky to have been born in my time and place.
My dad schooled us early and often on the opportunity America offered his immigrant parents, who fled pogroms and antisemitism in Eastern Europe.
I never traveled overseas without coming back through customs and immigration thinking, “God bless America.” I never visited another country that beckoned me for more than a week or two. I think of myself as a
patriot.
When I was a college student and we philosophized about democracy, there seemed only a few and very sensible boundaries. Like don’t yell “Fire!” in a crowded theater. Otherwise, free speech felt like a particularly American right. As kids we chanted, “Sticks and stones can break my bones, but names can never harm me.”
We thought of ourselves as a fairly egalitarian society in the pre-MAGA era.
Now, increasing restrictions on speech are disorienting. Our democracy feels destabilized. How do we speak up and support the least powerful and most in need of American justice without fear of reprisals? How have words — just words, compilations of simple letters — become “triggers” or a forbidden form of expression? Why take a word like d-iv-e-r-s-i-t-y and scrub it from policy language as if it were an epithet? It means, “The practice of including people from a range of different social and ethnic backgrounds” — a quintessentially American concept we historically have embraced.
These days, I don’t recognize us. America on its best day is far from perfect. As an educated adult, I know this. Any country that sanctioned slavery and the internment of citizens car-
ries that brand forever. But we also preserved freedom in World Wars I and II, beat back dictators and welcomed millions of immigrants who helped build the greatest country in the world. We educated the best scientists and led the world in developing vaccines for the most dreaded diseases.
The good, the bad — all of it is true, and the fabric of our nation today is richly threaded with our triumphs. We are all the stronger because we have survived dark times, like the Civil War, and built a society that has been a beacon for freedom around the world.
Within the generous embrace of America’s democratic government there have always been imperfections. Some argue that hard work pays off; others say that not everyone has equal access to either higher education or good jobs. Corruption sometimes tilts the playing field.
I don’t know how to resist the current threats to democracy, except to write and talk about them, to vote and encourage others to vote, to support fair elections. I do know we have to pay attention. Continuing to educate ourselves and encouraging open political discussions among others can only be a good
thing.
We Americans thought of ourselves as a fairly egalitarian society in the preMAGA, pre-billionaire era. There was a real thriving middle class when I was growing up, attainable through higher education or apprenticeship and hard work. Nothing seemed out of reach. The deal was that people in business or professions or trades could buy homes for growing families.
Today that deal is broken. Homes are out of reach for many young couples. Food prices are eating up family budgets. Now, only 250 years after the Declaration of Independence, we observe increasing class distinction in many elements of our culture.
Can we grow through this?
Can we agree that anyone who wants an education can still get it, and that people starting out can find affordable housing? All of it can be true and workable, but we can’t call ourselves a democracy when free speech and economic opportunity are threatened. A democracy embraces all its citizens, and in the best of worlds, welcomes newcomers.
In my lifetime, our imperfect democracy had room for everyone and was moving, in starts and stops, toward inclusivity. Now it seems stalled.
Copyright 2025 Randi Kreiss. Randi can be reached at randik3@aol.com.
Rockville
Established 1990
Incorporating
The News & Owl of
Rockville Centre in 2001
KeLSie RAdziSKi Senior Editor
ALySSA R. GRiffin Reporter
RHOndA GLicKmAn
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october is Adopt a Shelter Dog Month, a time to bring attention to the countless animals in need of loving homes. On Long Island we’re fortunate to have strong networks of shelters working to give dogs, cats and other animals a second chance at life. Yet despite their tireless efforts, too many pets remain behind kennel doors, waiting.
The Town of Hempstead Animal Shelter, Town of Oyster Bay Animal Shelter and Town of Babylon Animal Shelter are major lifelines for rescue pets. There are smaller but equally dedicated operations in Long Beach and on the North Shore.
Animal shelters — such as those in our towns — are typically run by municipalities, and house stray, abandoned or surrendered pets. They are often required to take in all animals brought to them. Shelters may have paid employees, but also rely on volunteer support. Animal rescues, on the other hand, are usually nonprofit and volunteer-run. Rescues can be more selective about the animals they accept. Together, shelters and rescues form a network of care that helps countless animals find safe, loving homes.
The message next month is clear: adopt, don’t shop. And even better, adopt from your local shelter.
When people turn to breeders — or worse, puppy mills — for their next pet, they overlook the many dogs already in need of homes. These are animals with plenty of love to give, that simply need someone to open their heart and their home. Shelter pets may not always be purebred, and some may come with personality quirks, but they often make the most loyal companions. Their gratitude is evident in every wagging tail and every snuggle.
Some people worry that adopting from a shelter is expensive. In fact, it’s often the opposite. The cost of adopting a dog can be less than $100, and cats are typically under $70. Many shelters also offer
Town of Hempstead Animal Shelter
3320 Beltagh Ave., Wantagh Phone: (516) 785-5220
Website: HempsteadNY.gov/179/ Animal-Shelter
Town of Oyster Bay Animal Shelter
150 Miller Place, Syosset
Phone: (516) 677-5784
Website: OysterBayTown.com/ AnimalShelter
Town of Babylon Animal Shelter
80 New Highway, Amityville Phone: (631) 643-9270
Website: TownOfBabylonNY. gov/132/AnimalShelter
Long Beach Animal Shelter
(Operated by Posh Pets Rescue)
770 Park Place, Long Beach Phone: (516) 431-7674
Website: PoshPetsRescueNY.org
special promotions for veterans, seniors and first responders, bringing those prices down even further. When you consider what’s often included — spaying or neutering, vaccinations and microchipping — adoption is not only the compassionate choice, but also the practical one. Of course, not everyone is in a position to adopt. That doesn’t mean you can’t help. Shelters and rescues rely heavily on community support. Volunteers are always needed to walk dogs, play with cats, or simply give animals
To the Editor:
In this critical moment for the Holocaust Memorial and Tolerance Center of Nassau County, we invite the community to join us in our Flash Membership Drive as we celebrate our 31st anniversary.
For more than three decades, the center has educated over half a million people about the lessons of the Holocaust and the importance of tolerance. Today, that mission is more urgent than ever. With rising antisemitism and hate crimes, your support is vital in helping us spread awareness, strengthen understanding and foster compassion.
the human interaction they crave. Fostering is another option, offering an animal a temporary home while the shelter supplements the costs of its care. Foster homes are especially critical for pets that don’t thrive in a kennel environment or who need extra attention before they’re ready for adoption. Fostering a pet doesn’t just save that one animal. It also opens up space for a shelter to take in another one in need.
Then there are the basic supplies that shelters are always in need of: food, blankets, toys. Monetary donations go a long way in offsetting these facilities’ medical bills for sick or injured animals. Even the smallest contribution can make a big difference.
Adopting a dog can change its life forever, and will likely improve yours. Studies cited by the American Heart Association have found that dog ownership is linked to a lower risk of death from all causes, offering benefits to both heart health and overall well-being.
While October focuses on shelter dogs, it’s worth remembering that they aren’t the only ones waiting. Cats — from kittens to seniors — make up a large portion of shelter populations. If you’re considering adding a furry friend to your family, keep an open mind about who that might be.
Next month is a call to action. For anyone thinking about a new pet, consider visiting a local shelter before contacting a breeder. For those who can’t adopt, find a shelter to volunteer with, foster for or donate to. Every effort helps lighten shelters’ load and brighten the future of the animals they care for.
“Saving one dog won’t change the world,” Karen Davison, an animal advocate, rescue supporter and author, likes to say, “but surely for that one dog, the world will change forever.” Next month, let’s make that change happen — one adoption, one act of kindness and one wagging tail at a time.
protecting a child’s vision is a crucial part of their overall health and development. Just like regular checkups for their teeth and ears, early eye screenings are essential. Many common vision problems in kids can go completely unnoticed, because a child might not even realize that their vision is blurry or that something is wrong. Catching and treating these issues early is the key to preventing longterm problems that could affect their learning, behavior and social life.
The warning signs of vision problems that parents shouldn’t ignore include squinting at objects; holding books or devices too close; eye misalignment — one or both eyes turning inward or outward, particularly when tired; head tilting; avoidance of near tasks — a reluctance to read, draw or do homework; excessive tearing or light sensitivity, which may signal allergies or inflammation; and difficulty in school — struggling with reading, skipping lines or losing track while studying.
Even one of these signs can indicate that urgent treatment is necessary.
A closer look at nearsightedness in kids. Nearsightedness, also known as myopia, is one of the most common eye conditions in children. It’s when a child can see things up close just fine, but things far away appear blurry.
safer than regular glasses. These should be considered essential equipment, just like helmets or mouth guards.
CIf your child’s vision is worsening quickly, there are treatments that can help slow it down. Low-dose atropine eye drops have been shown to be effective in slowing the progression of nearsightedness. And certain types of contact lenses are designed to help slow the worsening of a child’s vision. These treatments can make a big difference in a child’s eye health as they grow.
lear vision is about more than just seeing the board at school.
Contact lenses for kids. For active children, especially those involved in sports, contact lenses can be a game-changer. They eliminate the risk of broken glasses on the playground or field, and can give kids more confidence. That said, not every child is ready for the responsibility. Children must be mature enough to remove contacts before sleeping, and to clean and store them properly every day.
Eye safety in sports. Sports are one of the leading causes of eye injuries in children. To help reduce risks, experts recommend polycarbonate sports glasses, which are impact-resistant and far
Membership offers more than a year of free access to our permanent and special exhibits — it is a commitment to education and action. Every membership directly supports programs that reach over 30,000 Long Island students annually, as well as training for law enforcement, educators and nurses. These efforts empower our community leaders to make a positive difference in confronting prejudice and promoting inclusivity.
Members can also participate in group tours and classes that bring history to life and deepen the conversation about tolerance. Together we can be a beacon of hope, ensuring that the lessons of the past guide us toward a more compassionate future. Join us today and stand with the Holocaust Memorial and Tolerance Center of Nassau County.
Dr. BErNIE FUrSHPAN
less murder of Charlie Kirk. When did we, as a nation, decide that political disagreement should be met with fists, bullets and blood instead of words? Debate used to be the cornerstone of democracy. Now too often it feels like dissent is treated as a death sentence.
In the late 1980s, I traveled to London, and stumbled on Speakers’ Corner in Hyde Park. Anyone could climb onto a soapbox and speak their mind — on politics, faith or even hatred itself. Crowds heckled, argued and mocked, but they did not silence or assault the speaker. The unarmed Bobbies stood by only to keep the peace. It was a living model of what free expression should look like: passionate, messy, even uncomfortable — but never violent.
Protecting young eyes from the sun. Parents are well aware of the importance of sunscreen, but many forget that UV rays can damage children’s eyes, too. In fact, most lifetime UV exposure happens during childhood. Wearing 100 percent UVprotection sunglasses when outdoors — especially near water, sand or snow, which reflect UV rays — can prevent damage that may later lead to cataracts or macular degeneration. Making sunglasses a daily habit helps ensure healthier eyes for life.
The dangers of eye rubbing. You may not realize it, but frequent eye rubbing can be a big problem. For kids with allergies, constant rubbing can actually damage the cornea, the clear front part of the eye.
This can lead to a condition called keratoconus, in which the cornea becomes so thin that it bulges forward into a cone shape. This causes blurry vision that can’t be fixed with regular glasses or contacts.
What can we do about it? The good news is that if keratoconus is caught early, there are treatments. A procedure
called corneal collagen cross-linking can help stop the condition from getting worse. Also, using allergy eye drops or oral medication can reduce the itchiness and the urge to rub, protecting the eyes from further damage.
A clear message for parents. Protecting a child’s vision is one of the greatest gifts parents can give. The bottom line is straightforward:
■ Screen early — ideally by age 3 to 5.
■ Watch for warning signs like squinting, head tilting or school difficulties.
■ Protect young eyes from injuries and UV damage.
■ Seek treatment early for conditions such as myopia or keratoconus.
An eye exam for your child is quick and painless, but it can make a difference that lasts a lifetime. Don’t wait for your child to complain about their vision — catching problems early is key. Add an eye exam to the list of things to do early in the school year. Clear vision is about more than just seeing the board at school; it’s about giving every child the best chance at success, safety and healthy eyes for life.
Dr. Carolyn Shih is an assistant professor at the Donald and Barbara Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell, and works at South Shore Eye Care, a member of the Northwell Health Eye Institute.
Cove
Board vice chair, marketing director, HMTC Glen
None of us deserves harm for our beliefs
To the Editor:
I write today outraged at the sense-
Charlie Kirk was a lightning rod, and at times I disagreed with his ideas — sometimes very strongly — but other times I agreed with him. That’s how democracy works: We weigh arguments, we challenge one another, we debate. But disagreement is not justification for violence. When I thought he was wrong, I wished for dialogue and enlightenment, not harm.
Instead, we are letting ourselves be manipulated by sensationalist media, rage-driven podcasts and toxic social media that thrive on division. Too many Americans now view someone who holds a different opinion not as a neighbor but as an enemy. That is poisonous — and deadly. None of us deserves harm for our beliefs. If America is to endure as a free
society, we must relearn how to argue fiercely without killing one another. Violence cannot be the answer. Debate must be.
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