Sea Cliff/Glen Head Herald 07-03-2025

Amanda Sobhy hopes to go for Olympic gold

By LUKE FEENEY lfeeney@liherald.com

Sea Cliff native and professional squash player Amanda Sobhy recalled the rush of emotions she had after finding out that years of hard work had paid off in October 2023 after getting the news that The International Olympic Committee approved her sport to be added at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games.

YTim Baker/Herald

The North Shore High School gymnasium was filled to capacity to celebrate the end of one journey and the beginning of another during the district’s high school graduation ceremony on June 27.

North Shore High School bids farewell to the Class of 2025 at graduation

By LUKE FEENEY lfeeney@liherald.com

The North Shore High School gymnasium was filled to capacity to celebrate the end of one journey and the beginning of another during the district’s high school graduation ceremony on June 27.

North Shore High School Principal Eric Contreras addressed the crowd and sang lyrics from the high school’s spring musical “Mama Mia.” He praised the Class of 2025 for their talents, achievements and camaraderie, adding that he had been walking past the senior tribute wall, full of baby photos and college destinations for the past month during his address to the crowd.

High School. She would go on to play at Harvard, graduating in 2015, with a 62-0 collegiate record and four national championships.

ou almost have given up the idea of it trying to get into the Olympics, and then, bam, it happened.

AMANDA SOBHY

“ It feels like yesterday I met you during high school orientation, the first time I saw you, you were eager, excited, and hopeful about how we would fill the next four years,” he said. “Our bonds, our memories, our achievements, our friendships, our sense of family, that filled the spaces of time and distance through four years ago.”

Contreras also spoke highly about the district’s valedictorian, Aaryan Vira. “He brings mindfulness and heart to everything he does,” said Contreras. “Whether in musical ensembles, science labs, or everyday conversation, Aaryan’s spirit leaves a lasting impression.”

Vira, who will be attending Rice Univer-

“Thank you for the music,” he said to the graduating class of 197 seniors. “For giving it to me.”

“I was in shock,” she said, adding that the inclusion of the sport in the Olympics was something that players and fans of Squash had been working on for several years with little success. “You almost have given up the idea of it trying to get into the Olympics, and then, bam, it happened.”

Now her training in Delray, Florida, is defined by one goal: qualifying for the games.

Sobhy became the first American to win the World Junior Women’s Squash Championship in 2010 at 17 years old during her junior year at North Shore

She is currently the second ranked squash player in the country, according to US Squash. She is also ranked #10 in the world by the Professional Squash Association. Sobhy is a seventime Pan American champion and won bronze medals at the World Championships in 2021 and 2022. The American Women’s team will consist of 16 players; with the selection process expected to begin the year before the games. The 32-year–old was introduced to the sport by her parents and former players Kahlaed Sobhy and Jodie Larson. “Amanda was an incredible athlete from early on,” Jodie said. “Even at four years old, a peewee tennis coach looked at her, and he said, I want that girl in my program”

While Sobhy reached incredible highs during her time in the

CONTINUED ON PAGE 2

Sea Cliff native Amanda Sobhy’s training in Delray, Florida, is defined by one goal: qualifying for the 2028 Olympic games in Los Angeles.

Sobhy’s comeback for Olympic qualification

sport, she also encountered several setbacks during her career. She suffered a ruptured right Achilles tendon at a match in Hong Kong in 2023 after suffering the same injury to her left Achilles in 2017 at a tournament in Colombia.

Sobhy explained that the injury took a toll on her, but she learned a lot throughout the process. The professional squash season runs from September to June in the United States and this season was her first after returning from her 2023 Achilles injury. She played her final match of the season this past weekend in Philadelphia on June 29, her 32nd birthday.

She added that the wisdom she gained while recovering from the injury the first time helped when she had to recover from it again.

“I actually came back better the second time around than the first time around. But it was equally really challenging in both ways,” she said. “The first way, I have no idea what I’m doing, and you have to figure things out along the way and surround yourself with the right team of people, which I didn’t have until around six months in. The second time around, I knew what I was in for, which kind of made things easier, because I could do things better, but also, I knew that I had to go through this process again for another nine months.”

Larson, 67, and a former band teacher at Sea Cliff Elementary School, said that while watching her daughter in pain is difficult; she is proud of how she overcame it.

“The fact that she can do this twice, and the strength she has, and the determination and the grit and really the mental strength is phenomenal,” Larson said. “She’s just absolutely an incredible athlete, and I think that she’s better because of squash, and squash is better

The professional squash season runs from September to June in the United States and this was her first season following her 2023 Achilles tendon injury. She played her final match of the season this past weekend in Philadelphia on June 29, her 32nd birthday.

for having Amanda in this sport.”

Sobhy used her social media to speak out frequently about the importance of prioritizing mental health. She said that she struggled heavily around body image issues and food, hiding an eating disorder for around ten years from everybody, while competing on tour and in college.

“I’ve always tried to use my social media platform to show the good, the bad, the ugly, like what goes on,” she said. Adding that she wants to highlight the fact that “high level athletes go through the exact same stuff as everybody else.”

Summer sun shines across the North Shore

By LUKE FEENEY lfeeney@liherald.com

School is closed and the sun is out across the North Shore.

Nestled on the North Shore of Long Island, the Village of Sea Cliff offers a charming blend of coastal beauty and small-town character, making it a perfect summer destination. With Hempstead Harbor as the background to Victorian and coastal homes, Sea Cliff comes alive in warmer months with outdoor activities for all ages.

Residents and visitors can enjoy the village’s picturesque beaches, including Sea Cliff Beach and nearby Tappen Beach, ideal for swimming, sunbathing and kayaking. The iconic Sea Cliff Boardwalk offers scenic strolls with panoramic waterfront views, especially striking at sunset.

The village hosts weekly summer concerts at Clifton Park, where local bands perform in a relaxed, familyfriendly setting. Art lovers can explore local galleries or take part in community art walks. For history buffs, the Sea Cliff Village Museum showcases the area’s unique past.

Boutiques, antique shops and cozy cafes line the streets of downtown Sea Cliff, inviting leisurely exploration. The village’s strong community spirit shines during seasonal events like the Summer

Jericho Jewish Center

Bar/Bat Mitzvah Lessons

DParent trap

ear Great Book Guru, I was at the first Sunset Serenade of the summer last week - it was great!

Larry Martone & Friends entertained a crowd of almost two hundred fans of all ages. During the night, I overheard some concertgoers mentioning a book they had read for their book club -a novel set in California and sprinkled with lots of references to music from the ‘80s. It sounded interesting

Thoughts? Sunset Serenade Fan

Dear Sunset Serenade FanI too love those concertsevery Thursday from 6 to 8 p.m. you will find my friends and me cheering on our local musicians at Clifton Park. “The Imagined Life” by Andrew Porter is the novel mentioned.

ANN DIPIETRO

Steve Mills is a fifty-year-old who leaves his wife and young son to travel along the coast of California in an attempt to find out what happened to his father who disappeared in 1984 when Steve was twelve. His wife cau -

THE GREAT BOOK GURU NEWS BRIEFS

tions him that he might not be happy with what he discovers. The novel shifts back and forth between his life before and after his father’s disappearance. He had been a brilliant, charismatic professor of literature whose life and career came to a devastating halt when he was denied tenure. His increasingly erratic behavior doubtlessly contributed to this outcome, but in-fighting, jealous colleagues, and campus politics were also in play. During his odyssey, Steve gets to talk to his father’s friends and enemies, and a story emerges of a very complicated man - a man Steve desperately misses. Throughout, he imagines what his life would have been like if his father had not disappeared. A book suffused with music and memories of the time…. Recommended.

Would you like to ask the Great Book Guru for a book suggestion? Contact her at annmdipietro@gmail.com.

Town to host concert and firework show

Lasting Happiness in a Changing World

Scientific studies show that we have a “set point” that determines our happiness in life. Once we get accustomed to a new situation we inevitably return to our general state of happiness. However, only about 50% of our happiness is determined by “set point.” The other half is determined by our attitudes and actions, over which we have a great deal of control. According to psychologist Sonja Lyubomirsky, and affirmed by the Dalai Lama, “the three factors that seem to have the greatest influence on increasing our happiness are our ability to reframe our situation more positively, our ability to experience gratitude, and our choice to be kind and generous.

“The Archbishop says that “ultimately our greatest joy is when we seek to do good for others… we are wired to be caring for the other and generous to one another.” He refers to the African concept of Ubuntu “ A person is a person through other persons.

“The goal is not just to create joy for

ourselves but, as the Archbishop phrased it “To be a reservoir of joy, an oasis of peace, a pool of serenity that can ripple out to all those around you.” Joy, love, compassion and generosity are all contagious.

Concerning forgiveness, while it may be necessary to counter wrong action, you may choose not to develop anger and hatred towards the actor — not losing sight of the humanity of the person.

Forgiveness frees us from the past. Without it, we remain tethered to the person who harmed us. Until we can forgive them, they hold the keys to our happiness and remain our jailor, Tutu explains. When we forgive, we take back control of our own fate and feelings, we become our own liberator. Studies show that remembering grudges stimulates all of our stress responses while empathizing with our offenders and imagining forgiving them returns the stress responses to normal. Forgiveness, then, is essential to our own health and well-being.

Town of Oyster Bay residents are invited to celebrate the nation at the Salute to America concert and Grucci Fireworks Show scheduled for July 8 at a start time of 7:30 p.m. at John Burns Park in Massapequa. This year’s Salute to America will feature a performance by Decadia, performing the hits from the 70s, 80s, and 90s, and will conclude with a firework show by Grucci. This event honors veterans and members of the United States Armed Forces. Concertgoers are urged to bring folding chairs and pack a cooler.

“Our ‘Salute to America’ provides a great opportunity for families and seniors

to enjoy a free evening of music and entertainment while celebrating our freedoms in America and the veterans and active duty military who secured those freedoms,” said Supervisor Joseph Saladino. “This year’s concert features Decadia, who will undoubtedly give a wonderful and fun performance. Please bring your family, and friends, along with some lawn chairs and coolers for a wonderful night.” If doubtful weather conditions arise, call (516) 797-7925 or visit the Town of Oyster Bay Facebook page for updates.

For more on this summer’s events, visit OysterBayTown.com/summer.

—Will Sheeline

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FREE CONCERTS in the Park at 7:00pm

2024 TITLE SPONSOR

SPONSORED BY DATES

PSEG

Glen Cove Hospital

In Memory of Nancy Epstein and Sondra and David Mack

Glen Cove Neighborhood Association

RXR

Bruce and Roberta Waller Golden Benefactors

The Terian Family/Rallye Motor Company

July 7 | One Night in Memphis

The Music of Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, Carl Perkins & Jerry Lee Lewis

July 14 | Carole’s Kings

The Music of Carole King

July 21 | 100 Years of Broadway

Neil Berg

July 28 | The Music of George Harrison

Tom Cavanagh

August 4 | Summer Jam: Classics of the 60s & 70s

The Allmost Brothers Band

August 11 | The Glenn Miller Orchestra

Music of the Swing & Big Band Era

August 18 | A Century of Soul

Marvin Floyd and Friends

August 25 | The Music of Abba Dancing Dream

Morgan Park overlooks the harbor at Germaine Street between Landing Road and McLoughlin Street in Glen Cove. Bring chairs or blankets, and a picnic if you wish. Children are welcome.

Morgan Park Summer Music Festival is a not-for-profit organization, administered by an all-volunteer team. No taxpayer money is used or requested for these concerts. Our seasons of professional, family-oriented performances are funded entirely through tax-deductible contributions. Website: morganparkmusic.org Email: morganparkmusic@yahoo.com Find Us On Facebook

Call 516-671-0017 for information and updates.

All concerts are subject to change.

THINGS TO KNOW ABOUT WATER AUTHORITY OF NORTH SHORE

Organization working to municipalize local water

The Water Authority of North Shore convened Monday night to review financial reports, discuss ongoing negotiations with Liberty Water, and assess compliance with recent state budget guidance, following an executive session on legal matters. Here are three things to know about the board.

— Luke Feeney

n Who they are

Rising water bills have pushed residents from across the North Shore to fight for public water for nearly a decade. Many different civic associations and members of the community came together throughout the years to address the high-water price issue.The objective of the Water Authority of North Shore is to negotiate for the acquisition of the private water supply system in the affected communities from the private water companies and to provide public drinking water with a local governmental not-forprofit water company according to the board’s website. In 2020 bipartisan state legislators from Nassau County passed a law to create the Water Authority of North Shore to be the sole provider of water for local communities. The Town of Oyster Bay (representing the hamlets of Glen Head and Glenwood Landing), the Villages of Sea Cliff, Brookville, Roslyn Harbor, and City of Glen Cove, presently served by Liberty Utilities, appointed six Board members to the Water Authority of North Shore in 2022.

n What they do

The Water Authority has been in negotiations with Liberty Utilities, a private company that has been the water provider in Sea Cliff since 2022, to address municipalizing the water in Sea Cliff; with the ultimate goal of the negotiations being to remove them as the community’s water supplier and replace them with the Water Authority of North Shore. The board’s sole focus is to become a community public water company. Liberty Utilities bought the rights from New York American Water in 2022. Last year, Liberty requested a 13 percent rate hike in the Sea Cliff service area on the North Shore.The new rates went into effect in September 2024. The rate plan is effective through March 31, 2027. Depending on the service area, a typical residential customer using 8,000 gallons of water per month will pay between $54.51 to $87.32 in the first year.

The sole goal of the Water Authority of North Shore is to become a community public water company. Unlike most communities in the United States who receive their water supply through not-for-profit local municipalities, some of Nassau County’s North Shore communities are supplied water by private publicly listed utilities.Board members have argued that water is a basic human necessity, and every Long Island resident should have access to similarly priced water whether it is provided by a for-profit or not-for-profit company. The WANS will continue negotiations in its ongoing efforts to transfer responsibility from the for-profit enterprise, Liberty Utilities. The board’s next meeting will be July 28 at the Glen Head Community Center.

For more information about the WANS, head to its website: https://www.wanorthshoreny.gov/

What to know about hurricane safety on L.I.

By WILL SHEELINE wsheeline@liherald.com

As the Atlantic hurricane season approaches its peak, emergency officials across Long Island are taking critical steps now to prepare for potentially destructive storms. While first responders do everything they can to prepare for the worst, there are numerous practical, potentially lifesaving tips for residents facing the threats of high winds, flooding and power outages to keep in mind to stay safe.

Francesco Barbera, chief of Atlantic Steamer Fire Co. in Oyster Bay, described the days leading up to a forecast hurricane as filled with preparations. His teams will be checking chainsaws, fueling rescue trucks, setting up sleeping quarters for volunteer responders, and reviewing deployment strategies.

One of the most important steps for homeowners to take, Barbera said, is to ensure that their generators are in working order, and to use them safely. He warned never to run generators in garages or near open windows, because the exhaust can lead to deadly carbon monoxide poisoning.

“Make sure that they’re up and running and properly maintained,” he added. “Try to keep them far away from the house. We’ve had fires related to refueling of generators that are gas-powered, where they overheat and catch fire.”

Generator safety is just one component of the much larger picture of hurricane preparedness that the department hopes residents will take seriously as storms form in the Atlantic.

Barbera and Frank Ozol, the company’s second assistant chief, also stressed the dangers of wind, which many underestimate compared with fire or flooding. Ozol noted the storm on June 19 as an example, because

Previous storms, most recently Hurricane Sandy, have caused extensive damage to property and people on Long Island. Staying informed and prepared can help save lives in extreme weather emergencies like these.

even heavy deck furniture was displaced, and he recommended strapping down chairs and couches or moving them inside.

“If I know a hurricane is coming, I’m putting all that away,” Ozol said. “This past week, I found some heavy furniture on the other side of my deck, which I’d never seen before. That was an unusual storm.”

Residents are also encouraged to prepare “go bags” with essentials in case of evacuation. Families with small children or pets should plan accordingly, as should anyone with specific medical or dietary needs.

“You should have a couple cases of water — it’s good to have spare drinking water for at least three or four days,” Barbera said. “Snacks that last a long time, things like that, granola bars, jerky, camping-type foods.”

Both chiefs also emphasized the importance of flashlights over candles. While candles are aesthetically pleasing, they are too easily knocked over and present too

PUBLIC NOTICE

Recognition Program®

The ANCC Magnet Recognition Program® is the highest credential a healthcare organization can achieve. A Magnet designation indicates to patients and the public that these organizations have met the most stringent, evidence-based standards of nursing excellence in patient care delivery.

Glen Cove Hospital was designated as a Magnet organization in 2025 by the ANCC Magnet Recognition Program® and they are now applying for redesignation.

We invite patients, family members, staff, and other interested parties to provide feedback via email or direct mail.

All comments must be submitted by August 1, 2025

Anonymous comments should be sent in writing to the Magnet Program Office.

Please note that ALL COMMENTS WILL BE KEPT CONFIDENTIAL and will not be shared with the organization.

Send Comments to: Marguerite Smalls American Nurses Association Magnet Recognition Program Office

8403 Colesville Road., Suite 500 Silver Spring, MD 20910

E-Mail Comments to: magnet@ana.org

Why is Magnet important?

Magnet recognition acknowledges the invaluable contributions of nurses in all healthcare settings and among all populations worldwide. It is a results-driven recognition that fosters nurse engagement and the role nurses play as interprofessional team members to improve patient outcomes and reduce healthcare costs.

much of a fire risk.

“Candles are absolutely no good,” Ozol said bluntly. “There are so many ways you can knock it over … a curtain or a drape (could) blow into a lit candle. That happens every Christmas — a family dies in the city.”

Once a storm has passed, dangers remain. Barbera recounted a recent incident in which someone tried to drag a fallen tree limb with a Jeep — unaware that it was tangled in a live power line.

Both chiefs underscored the importance of following official evacuation orders, especially in flood-prone areas like Bayville and Center Island.

“If the government is telling you that it’s a good idea to evacuate, those warnings should be listened to,” Barbera said. “If you don’t, you’re putting our lives at risk to come and save you.”

Emergency responders will always do their best to assist, Ozol added, “but we can’t evacuate an entire town.”

To respond effectively, the department maintains an array of vehicles and tools. That includes an ex-Army five-ton truck, nicknamed “the Kraken,” capable of navigating tree-strewn roads and through floodwaters, along with boats, chainsaws and water-rescue suits.

Much of the department’s equipment philosophy stems from hard-won experience during past storms. Because floodwaters can be contaminated with sewage, Ozol cautioned against wading through them.

“I was in a wetsuit for 24 hours, pulling our Zodiac through the streets of Bayville, taking people out of their homes,” Ozol recalled. “That’s when we saw people with barbecues in their homes, using them to cook and stay warm. Are you crazy? This can get you killed.”

To support your local fire departments, reach out to the Sea Cliff Fire Department or Glenwood Fire Company on Facebook or Instagram.

Nassau, Suffolk police honored at Sagamore

By LUKE FEENEY

lfeeney@liherald.com

Nassau County Police Officer Alexa Crimaudo knew something was wrong with her body.

She was experiencing body aches, exhaustion and constant illness. After months of trying to solve what was wrong with her body, a CT scan revealed enlarged lymph nodes in her chest. She found out that not only were they enlarged in her chest, but her neck as well at a pet scan in June 2024.

Crimudo received a diagnosis of stage 2 classic Hodgkin’s Lymphoma in July of that year; she had to decide between treating the cancer right away or delaying it to begin in vitro fertilization.

She chose to move forward with IVF last August, however she was hospitalized for five days for pain management because of a complication from ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome, a condition where the ovaries become swollen and painful due to an exaggerated response to excess hormones used to stimulate egg growth according to the Mayo Clinic.

Crimaudo began chemotherapy two days after her August 20 release from Winthrop Hospital and completed her treatment in November 2024. During her three months of chemotherapy she only used eight sick days, she was told that the cancer was in remission in December of last year.

“The courage it takes to wear this uniform each day is only matched by the strength it takes to rise up after being knocked down,” Crimaudo said. She also thanked her family, friends and members of the Nassau County Police Department.

Crimaudo alongside Suffolk County Police Department Detective Timothy

Thrane were the 31st recipients of the Theodore Roosevelt Police Award, given out by the Theodore Roosevelt Association.

The two law enforcement officials were honored at a ceremony at Sagamore Hill on June 12 at a ceremony that included elected officials as well as the commissioners and members of each police department.

“Alexa, we are so proud of you, because you had to endure these treatments and this terrible, terrible illness,” Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman said. “You overcame it and you did it with bravery, dedication, and distinction.”

The award is given annually to officers nationwide who have overcome significant adversity similar to how Roosevelt overcame the severe asthma that plagued him as a child through improving his lifestyle and dedicating himself to physical fitness.

“This is an event forward to each and every year, and it’s supported by so many citizens in and around Long Island,” Jonathan Parker, superintendent of the Sagamore Hill National Historic Site said. He described Sagamore Hill as “a home that was deeply active as to the local community” and added that” home, family, honor, public service,” were core values held.

Thrane, the Suffolk award recipient, was struck by a drunk driver in November 2021. He sustained several serious injuries after being hit, including a skull fracture, a life-threatening brain bleed, fractures in his arm as well as hand and torn knee ligaments.

Thrane spent nearly a month in a coma after suffering setbacks from his surgeries. He returned to work full time in October 2022 and was promoted to detective in November 2023.

LI shows appreciation for police at annual run

Hundreds of Long Island community members gathered at Eisenhower Park’s Field 2 for the annual David Lerner Associ ates Long Island Police Appreciation Run.

Presented by David Lerner Associates in partnership with the Greater Long Island Running Club, the June 12 event kicked off with a free ¼‑mile kids’ fun run at 6:15 p.m., followed by a 5 K race at 7 p.m., rain or shine

The run’s mission is to show apprecia tion for local law enforcement and raise funds for the Long Island Police Crisis Foundation, which supports officers and their families facing emergencies. This year’s first $1,000 in proceeds was allocated to the Nassau Police Running Club and its scholarship fund.

All participants received a long‑sleeve hooded tee, and awards were handed out live at the finish line, including top overall male and female runners, age group win ners, wheelchair competitors, and standout law enforcement participants.

This year’s top male finishers included Jason Sinert, 27 of Wantagh, Alex Eletto, 28 of Stony Brook, and Thomas Mihailin, 29 of East Northport. The top female finishers were Alyssa Knott, 31 of Holtsville, Jenni fer Cano, 38 of Setauket, and Kimberly Minerva, 36 of Medford. Peter Hawkins, 61 of Malverne, took first place in the wheel chair divison.

For more on the run and its sponsor, visit DavidLerner.com.

— Jordan Vallone

August 3 at 1:40 p.m.

on July 28 Directions for ticket acquisition will be

Scan this QR code

https://www.liherald.com/mets-tickets-contest.html?#//

Seniors turn tassel, and page, on public education

sity this fall, compared the graduating class to a large jazz band.

“Each of us brought our own rhythms, our own sounds, and melodies and harmonies,” he said. “Some of us are loud and bold, while others quiet and steady. Some of us took solos, while others held down the tempo in the background. Together, we have thrived through our collaboration, our leadership, and improvisation to create songs of experience and memory that are distinctly ours.”

Vira’s academic successes include recipient of the Harvard College Book Award, the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute Medal, a commended student in the National Merit Scholarship Program, the First National Bank Math Award, the Junior Award for Excellence in Social Studies, and the Kittleberger Award for outstanding 9thgrade student in math.

District Salutatorian Kaitlin Ho centered her address around legacy. Using the line “planting seeds in a garden you never get to see,” from Lin Manuel Miranda’s musical “Hamilton” as a motif throughout her speech.

“Seeds of who we want to be, and how we want to be remembered,” she said. “Today is the day we begin to watch some grow.”

Ho, who will be attending Yale University this fall, moved to the North Shore School District in 2021 from Manhattan; her 9th-grade year was her first year in the district after spending K-8 in the city’s public school system. Her academic achievements include recognition as a commended student in the National Merit Scholarship Program, a third-place finish in the Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair Award for Animal Sciences; the President’s Volunteer Service Award, National Scholastic Silver Medal of Art Award; first place at the Long Island Science and Engineering Fair Animal Sciences category; first place and highest honors from the Science Teachers Association of

North

District Superintendent

Zublionis argued that this year’s graduating class was uniquely positioned to excel after leaving North Shore due to their talents, sense of empathy, and ability to collaborate.

New York State; and first place in the New York State Association For Language Teachers Virtual Video Contest.

District Superintendent Chris Zublionis argued that this year’s graduating class was uniquely positioned to excel after leaving North Shore due to their talents, sense of empathy, and ability to collaborate. “You are such an impressive class with tremendous success,” he said. “I want to focus this year on what we can learn from you.”

He praised the departing seniors as tech savvy, adaptable, flexible, tremendously creative initiative, purpose driven, inclusive and open minded. Zublionis spoke to the graduates in “the language of Gen Z” using among other phrases “skibidi toilet,” “sus” and “chasing the bag” to underscore his argument about the values of the departing seniors.

“Climate change? You care. Mental

health? You talked about it. Social justice? You showed up. Y’all are the generation that actually does something, you’re not just posting.”

The Class of 2025 celebrated outside with families and friends following a morning of speeches, performances tossing their caps, and diplomas being handed out.

Andrea Macari, president of the district’s board of education and graduate of North Shore High School in 1996, emphasized the importance of mentorship and left the students with a lesson that she said is never told to graduating students.

“Sometimes you start something with the best of intentions and still get lost,” she said. “You change your mind, you abandon your plans, and pivot wildly. And that’s not failure. That’s just life and chances are it still turns out okay.”

STEPPING OUT

July 4th entertaining al fresco-style

By Karen Bloom

Barbecue season is heating up! Whether fireworks are part of your holiday weekend plans, certainly some time at the grill will be very much on the agenda. There’s no better way to celebrate than with good food, great company and a sizzling grill. Whether you’re planning a backyard bash or a cozy cookout, make this year’s Fourth of July feast one to remember.

Sure, burgers and hot dogs are always a hit — and a holiday standard — but why not kick things up a notch? Impress your guests with flavorful additions like chorizo sausages, ribs, or maybe some spice-up marinated chicken. If that’s a bit too exciting for you, then you can always spruce up the classics by going for unique flavors. Jalapeño hotdogs, anyone?

Make sure to marinade: Don’t underestimate the power of a good marinade. Prepping your meat a day or two ahead lets those bold flavors soak in — and yes, even hot dogs and burgers can benefit from a tasty soak. Marinating your meat before you grill can seriously enhance its flavors.

Don’t forget your vegetarian friends and family: Got vegetarian friends or just want to lighten things up? Grilled vegetables like zucchini, bell peppers and asparagus add vibrant color and bold flavor to your spread. Try veggie kebabs or marinated portobello mushrooms as hearty meatless options. Keep it healthy (but delicious): Unlike the other holidays that we associate with eating (such as Thanksgiving), it’s totally possible to keep your feast healthy. Fourth of July doesn’t have to mean food coma. Use clean ingredients and simple swaps — think avocado-oil mayo in your coleslaw or a touch of honey instead of sugar in cornbread. Add a big salad, fresh fruit and grilled corn for balance.

Put a twist on the standards: Whatever you choose, you can seriously wow your guests by putting a modern take on a traditional recipe. For instance, if you’re making coleslaw this time around, then you can experiment with different flavors, such as jalapeño, apple, or even spicy Thai peanut. You can add the same variation to different dishes, such as baked beans, mac and cheese, and even your condiments.

Turn your grill into a flavor playground — and serve up a celebration your guests won’t forget.

Zesty Steak

• 1/4 cup soy sauce

• 2 tablespoons honey

• 1 tablespoon orange juice

• 1 tablespoon Montreal Steak Seasoning (or any spicy season of your choice)

• 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger

• 2 pounds boneless beef sirloin or flank steak

turn to coat well.

Refrigerate 1 hour or longer for extra flavor. Remove steak from marinade. Discard any remaining marinade.

Grill over medium-high heat 6 to 8 minutes per side or until desired doneness.

For added flavor, try a tasty topper on your meat.

Dijon Mustard Aioli: Blend Dijon and whole-grain mustard with creamy Greek yogurt, garlic, tarragon and white pepper for a rich, tangy topping.

Mushrooms and Blue Cheese: Mix hearty mushrooms and full-flavored blue cheese with your favorite savory spices and a splash of sherry wine

Smoky Bacon Jam: Start with the finest cuts of bacon browned to crispy perfection then add caramelized onion and an accent like brown sugar or balsamic vinegar.

Tomato Jam: Experiment with your favorite varieties to find the perfect balance of crushed tomatoes, sweet gherkins and seasonings.

Grilled Chicken and Pineapple Skewers with Lemon-Cucumber Salsa

• 8 skewers

• 1 pineapple

• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil

• 1/2 teaspoon salt

• 1 3/4 pounds boneless skinless chicken breasts, diced into 1-inch pieces

Lemon-Cucumber Salsa

• 1 lemon, supremed

• 1 cucumber, diced

• 1/2 red onion, diced

• 1 tablespoon wildflower honey

• 1 teaspoon ground black pepper

Soak wooden skewers for 15 minutes prior to grilling. Heat grill to medium-high heat. Remove rind from pineapple and dice into 1-inch pieces. In small bowl, combine oil, salt and pepper. Add chicken and pineapple; toss to coat.

Alternating chicken and pineapple, pierce onto skewers. Grill skewers 8 minutes each side, or until chicken is cooked thoroughly.

To make Lemon-Cucumber Salsa: In medium bowl, combine lemon, cucumber, onion, honey and pepper. Serve lemon-cucumber salsa over cooked chicken skewers

Rick Springfield

We’re gonna party like it’s 19801989! Rocker (and ageless heartthrob) Rick Springfield gave us the soundtrack of our glory days: “Jessie’s Girl,” “Don’t Talk to Strangers,” “An Affair of the Heart,” “Love Somebody,” “Human Touch,” “On the Dark Side,” and many more of the most iconic songs of that era. The Grammy-winning musician is back on the road this summer with the 2025 edition of his I Want My 80s Tour. This time around he brings along special guests John Waite, Wang Chung and Paul Young. Over the past four decades, he’s worn many hats as an entertainer and performer. The creator of some of the finest ‘80s power-pop, he’s sold 25 million albums and scored 17 U.S. Top 40 hits. Also an accomplished actor and an author, both his candid 2010 memoir “Late, Late at Night” (which Rolling Stone named one of the 25 greatest rock memoirs of all time) and his 2014 comedic novel “Magnificent Vibration” earned rave reviews and spots on the New York Times Best Sellers’ list.

Thursday, July 10, 7:30 p.m. $40, $30. Jeanne Rimsky Theater at Landmark on Main Street, 232 Main St., Port Washington.Tickets at landmarkonmainstreet.org or (516) 767-6444. Welcome the nation’s birthday in good taste

Wednesday, July 9, 7 p.m. Flagstar at Westbury Music Fair, 960 Brush Hollow Rd., Westbury. Tickets available at livenation.com.

He said, she said

Share in some lively repartee when four comedians — two men, two women — sling barbs at one another in The Ivy League of Comedy’s “Skirmish of the Sexes.”Laugh the night away with tales of love and not-love, bad dinners and good dates, broken cars and unbroken dreams. Check out this take on the age-old dichotomy of who’s right and who’s wrong. The lineup features Tony Deyo, known for his sharp, quick material and near-perfect timing; Calise Hawkins, a single mom who stands out with her hair, but also her smile and onstage likability. Also Shaun Eli, rightfully called one of America’s smartest comics. Whether it’s a story about dining with a vegetarian or fighting a parking ticket in criminal court, master storyteller Shaun shows you hilarity in the ordinary. And Ophira Eisenberg, who delivers a unique blend of smart irreverent standup and storytelling.

Mix soy sauce, honey, orange juice, steak seasoning and ginger in small bowl. Place steak in large resealable plastic bag or glass dish. Add marinade;

Tip: Supreme citrus fruit by cutting off top and bottom of fruit then cut away peel and pith, leaving no white on outside of fruit. Slice each segment into wedges by cutting toward center of fruit along membrane.

Your Neighborhood CALENDAR

JULY

3

On Exhibit Nassau County Museum of Art’s unveils its new exhibition, “At Play,” a survey of artists’ perennial fascination with entertainment in all forms. Framing this topic between the nineteenth century Belle Époque and today, the exhibit includesworks by Pablo Picasso, Reginald Marsh, Everett Shinn, and Max Beckmann among many others. The works are gathered to represent a wide range of expressions, from entertainment-related activities to the fascinating personalities involved. It encompasses dance, music, theater, movies, circus, boating, and beach scenes, along with horseracing and various sports, both active and passive Also featured are archival items from The Metropolitan Opera and the New York Philharmonic, including costumes by Marc Chagall for Die Zauberflöte, vintage fashion items by such designers as Alfred Shaheen, and iconic costumes from the Folies-Bergère in Paris. On view until Nov. 9.

• Where: 1 Museum Drive, Roslyn Harbor

• Time: Ongoing

• Contact: nassaumuseum.org or (516) 484-9337

JULY

Storybook Stroll

5

Bring the kids to Old Westbury Gardens for another storybook adventure Stroll the gardens and enjoy a telling of Arnold Lobel’s “The Rose in My Garden” With a take-home craft. For ages 3-5. Storybook Strolls start at the Beech Tree (next to Westbury House), and end at the Thatched Cottage.

• Where: 71 Old Westbury Road, Old Westbury

• Time: 10:30-11:30 a.m.

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

JULY

Walking with the Olmsteads

6

Step into a world where history and horticulture intertwine on this guided walking tour of Planting Fields. Explore the stunning landscapes shaped by the renowned Olmsted Brothers firm and discover how W.R. Coe’s vision transformed this estate into a living masterpiece. As you wander through lush gardens, winding pathways, and historic structures, you’ll uncover stories of the Coe family’s lasting influence and the

JULY

The Gin Blossoms

• Time: 3 p.m.

• Contact: sandspointpreserveconservancy. org or call (516) 571-7901

JULY

14

Board of Trustees meet Sea Cliff Board of Trustees hold a meeting at Sea Cliff Village Hall to discuss matters of importance to the community.

• Where: 300 Sea Cliff Ave.

• Time: 7 p.m.

• Contact: seacliff-ny.gov

Beach grooves

JULY

18

Listen to a variety of rock, pop and country cover songs from local band Spook Park, as a part of Sea Cliff’s Friday night music series.

• Where: Sea Cliff Beach

• Time: 7-10 p.m.

• Contact: seacliff-ny.gov

JULY

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

• Time: 7:30 p.m.

• Contact: ticketmaster.com or paramountny.com

Take a trip down memory lane with Gin Blossoms when their highly anticipated 2025 tour visits Long Island. With their timeless hits, infectious melodies, and nostalgic vibes, Gin Blossoms promises to deliver a concert experience that will transport fans back to the heyday of ‘90s alternative rock. The band rose to fame in the ‘90s with hits like “Hey Jealousy,” “Found Out About You,” and “Til I Hear It from You,”that still resonate today. Their jangly guitars, catchy hooks and heartfelt lyrics captured the spirit of the decade and earned them a dedicated following that continues to grow. With their dynamic stage presence and infectious energy, Gin Blossoms knows how to keep the crowd on their feet and singing along to every word. Their latest tour is a nostalgic journey through the band’s greatest hits, as well as new songs that are sure to captivate. Whether you’re reliving the memories of the ‘90s or discovering Gin Blossoms for the first time, their music will leave a lasting impression. And, of course, one of the highlights of any Gin Blossoms concert is the connection they share with their fans. Whether it’s through their heartfelt lyrics or their engaging stage banter, Gin Blossoms creates a sense of camaraderie that makes every concert feel like a reunion with old friends. $82, $71.75, $60.25, $49.25, $37.25.

artistic brilliance of the Olmsteds’ naturalistic designs. From vibrant seasonal blooms and majestic trees to elegant architectural details, each stop reveals a new chapter in this extraordinary estate’s history. Also take the time to visit the Main House.

• Where: 1395 Planting Fields Road, Oyster Bay

• Time: 10:30-11:30 a.m.; also July 13

• Contact: plantingfields.org or call (516) 922-9210

BOE meeting

JULY

8

Business and issues related to the North Shore School District will be discussed at the board’s monthly meeting

• Where: 505 Glen Cove Ave.

• Time: 7:45 p.m.

• Contact: northshoreschools.org

Little Learners

JULY

Art Lab

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 design jewelry! $4 with museum admission.

• Where: Museum Row, Garden City

• Time: 11:30 a.m.-noon

• Contact: licm.org or (516) 224-5800

JULY

11

Little Learners’ Green Thumbs

Planting Fields

Little Learners series continues with adventure for the little ones in this handson program. Kick things off by reading an exciting gardening book, learning all about the wonders of growing food. Then, get hands dirty helping to refresh the Education Center’s veggie garden, giving the plants some much-needed love. Next get creative and make a gardeninginspired craft to take home. And to top it all off, you’ll also get to bring home your very own plant to care for and watch grow. For ages 2-5. Registration required. $15 per child.

• Where: Education Center, 1395 Planting Fields Road, Oyster Bay.

• Time: 10-11 p.m.

• Contact: plantingfields.org or call (516) 922-9210

Summer tunes

Listen to a mix of country, folk, bluegrass and traditional instrumentals from the Sea Cliff Porch Pickers as a part of Sea Cliff’s Friday night music series.

• Where: Sea Cliff Beach

• Time: 7-10 p.m.

• Contact: seacliff-ny.gov

JULY 13

In concert

Sands Point Preserve’s reserve’s historic mansions and waterfront grounds are the backdrop for the latest edition of its unique chamber music series at Hempstead House, themed “South of the Border.” Head south of the border for some sun and spicy music. Explore the greatest composers from Central and South America like Ginastera, Piazolla and Villa Lobos, and other Spanish speaking composers and dance like no one’s watching! duoJalal ensemble-in-residence featuring Kathryn Lockwood, violaand Yousif Sheronick, percussion, with violinists Karla Deborah Buck and Min-Young Kim, an cellist Caroline Stinson perform. With wine reception following. $56, $45 members.

• Where: 127 Middle Neck Road, Sands PointCentre

19

Dance on the beach Dance and move at a free night of live music hosted by the Bayville Village Arts Council.

• Where: West Harbor Beach Bayville

• Time: 8-10 p.m.

• Contact: BVAC 11709@aol.com

JULY

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Art with Morgan Students in grades K-6 can explore a variety of mediums including paint, clay, and mixed media. Experiment with different artistic practices led by local artist Morgan Greer, hosted by Sea Cliff Arts Council. Registration is $30.

• Where: 280 Carpenter Ave.

• Time: 3:15-4:15 p.m.

• Contact: seacliffartscouncil.org

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.

A vibrant celebration of Indian culture, heritage

By JORDAN VALLONE jvallone@liherald.com

Nassau County officials joined forces with the Indian American Forum, India Association of Long Island, and India Day Parade USA to host Indian American Night on June 22 at Eisenhower Park’s Harry Chapin Lakeside Theatre.

The event, part of the Nassau County Department of Parks and Recreation’s International Nights series, was held under the leadership of Dr. Bobby Kumar Kalotee, chairman of the Nassau County Human Rights Commission. On a warm Sunday evening, hundreds gathered with picnic baskets and lawn chairs along the serene lakeside to enjoy a vibrant showcase of Indian culture. More than 110 children, from toddlers to teens, performed traditional and contemporary Indian dances representing various local dance schools.

Young performer Sia Nandrajog, who traveled from California for the event, captivated the audience with a standout performance. All participants received certificates, T-shirts and personal pan pizzas in appreciation of their efforts.

The program began with the American national anthem sung by Hanika Reddy Parvathala, followed by the Indian national anthem led by Jyoti Gupta and her group. Nassau County Legislator Rose Walker delivered opening remarks, thanking the organizers and attendees.

Kalotee introduced and congratulated the evening’s honorees for their community contributions. The diverse group included physicians, a pharmaceutical consultant, entrepreneurs, and civic leaders. Honorees included: Dr. Narendra Mal Lodha, Dr. Purna Chandra Prasad Atluri, Dr. Dinesh Jaiswal, Vinod Goyal, Sunita Manjrekar, Senthilkumar Sivaprakasam, Ravindra Kumar and Riya Shah. Anju Sharma and Nilima Madan

Baker/Herald

The Nassau County community celebrated Indian American Night at Eisenhower Park, drawing hundreds for a vibrant event filled with food, culture and fun. Organizers received a citation for County Executive Bruce Blakeman for their contributions to the event and Indian American heritage.

were specially recognized for their selfless service to the community.

IAF Chairperson Indu Jaiswal and Cultural Coordinator Bina Sabapathy were applauded for their efforts in organizing the event. Participating dance schools included Hamsaasya School of Dance, Mudra Dance Studio, Nritya Saagaram Dance Academy, New York Tamil Academy, RS International NY, Rhythm Dance Academy, and Sadhanalaya School of Dance.

A musical tribute to Father’s Day featured a medley by the JKJ Team led by Jyoti Gupta, and a special performance by Mittal Anil and daughter Advita, students of Dinesh Kumar Prabhakar.

The event was supported by numerous community

leaders and officials, including Deputy Parks Commissioner Dave Franklin; Human Rights Commissioners Wioletta Dusza and Vimal Goyal; Comptroller Elaine Phillips; North Hempstead Town Supervisor Jennifer DeSena; Town Clerk Ragini Srivastava; and members of the Asian American Affairs Office.

Also in attendance were community advocates Jasbir Singh, Beena Kothari, Anju Sharma, Nilima Madan, Dr. Neeru Bhambri, Dr. Jag Kalra, Gobind Gupta, Brahashitha Gupta, Sujata Seth, Anu Gulati, Dr. Urmilesh Arya, Dr. Rajendra Modi, and many others.

The celebration served as a testament to the unity and cultural richness of Long Island’s Indian American community.

JULY

Your Health

This Your Health edition highlights mental health—an essential yet often overlooked part of wellness—offering expert advice, local resources, and real stories to support emotional well-being and manage stress, anxiety, and depression.

Summer Dining

Explore the best of seasonal flavors with our Summer Dining special section—featuring local hotspots, refreshing recipes, outdoor eats, and tips for savoring summer bites.

Get ready for a successful school year with our Back to School special section—featuring tips, supplies, schedules, local resources, and everything students need to thrive.

Great Homes showcases current listings, local realtors, and real estate services. Larger ads and targeted distribution make it the perfect way to grow your business.

WEDNESDAY, JULY 16

The Heritage Club at Bethpage 99 Quaker Meeting House Road Farmingdale

SPECIAL AWARDS

LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT

SUNNY KANG

Co-Founder and COO Earth Therapeutics

RISING STAR

ADRIANA LANE

Miss Long Island Teen 2025

KRISTEN ROSARIO

Miss Long Island 2025

HONOREES

ACHIEVER

ATUL BHATARA

Founder & CEO

Atul Skincare

GEORGIA & THOMAS AMIGDALOS

Registered Nurse & President PureCare Pharmacy and Wellness

AESTHETIC EXCELLENCE

ALI ARTZ

Salon and Spa Owner/ Beauty Entrepreneur

Ambiance Salon and Spa

BATOOL F. RIZVI, DDS

Practice Owner Holistic Dental Wellness Group

DR. HOWARD GOODMAN, DC

Best Weight Loss Doctor Long Island Weight Loss Doctor

MICHAEL ABRAMS, DDS

Owner

Manhasset Dental Arts

NIKKI CESTARO

Author of “SuperHairo”, Hairstylist/Owner

Karma Beauty Studio Inc.

RACHEL LOZINA

Founder Blue Water Spa

BEAUTY INFLUENCER

JO MARIE

Master Hairstylist & Beauty Expert

Jo Marie Hair & Beauty

5:00-9:00PM EMCEE

MEET THE 2025 AWARD WINNERS

KRISTA BENNETT DEMAIO

Founder

Pretty Local

BEAUTY & BALANCE

ANGELA CUI

Owner

Tranquility 3 Spa & Salt Cave

BEAUTY & WELLNESS

ENTREPRENEUR

LINDA MASHKABOVA, FNP

Owner The Beauty Cellar NYC

BODY CONTOURING

SAMI STANTON

Body Sculpting Expert Sculpted by Sami

GAME CHANGER

MAE CAIME

CEO & Transformational Architect aMAEzing Midlife & Beyond

SHARON GRASSO, LME, CLT

DANA PERSICO

INGRID DODD

Rebranding Menopause Podcast HEALTH & WELLNESS

LUIS FANDOS, MD, FAAAM, FABAPM

Founder and CEO

Alluring Age Anti-Aging and Wellness Center

SARAH K. GIRARDI, MD FACS

Associate Professor of Urology

Tideline Center for Health & Aesthetics

NEETA MITCHELL, RN & MATTHEW RUTMAN, MD

Founders

Balanced Health & Wellness

HOLISTIC INTEGRATIVE HEALTH

CONSTANCE KOROL

CEO Meta 180

IMPACT

KARLA WALDRON

Executive Director

Mondays Cancer Care

ALYSSA GREINER

Assistant Executive Director Mondays Cancer Care

SUZANNE CHIMERA

Co-Founder

Hair We Share

INNOVATOR

HELEN HSIEH, MD CACOG Founder, Medical Director Vibrance 360

LETICIA HUTSON

Entrepreneur & Beauty Industry Leader HER Spa Room, Benefit Cosmetics/ LVMH

MARISA RUSSELL

Founder & Chief Alchemist Meadow & Bark

LEADERSHIP IN BEAUTY

LARISSA JENSEN

Senior Vice President, Global Beauty Industry Advisor Circana

LEGACY

JOAN CALIENDO

Miss New York Senior America

MEDICAL AESTHETICS & MEDSPA

ALICE KHALKAD, LME

Skin Specialist House Of Skin

PRECISION & PURPOSE

KRISTA BENNETT DEMAIO

Founder

Pretty Local

& Beyond

RESILIENCE

JIM WANG

Owner Spa 505

SCIENCE & SKIN

ANGELICA SOLOMON

Founder Best Skin & Body Aesthetics Spa

LINDA HARKAVY, MD

President/Medical Director Form & Function Aesthetics and Wellness

SKINCARE BRAND VISIONARY

DONNA ARIGO

Account Executive New York ISDIN USA

SURGICAL INNOVATOR

STEPHEN T. GREENBERG, MD, FACS

Founder and Plastic Surgeon Greenberg Cosmetic Surgery

TRAILBLAZER

DANA PERSICO

CEO & Executive Director Long Island Nail Skin & Hair Institute

ALICIA GATTI, NP

Nurse Practitioner, CEO Modern Dose

SHARON GRASSO, LEM, CLT

Founder Permanent Touch Cosmetics

WELLNESS & LONGEVITY

CATHERINE CANADEO

CEO & Founder Health and Wellness Corp

formation

OPINIONS

Spend your ‘staycation’ in Oyster Bay this summer

Residents looking to spend their summer days having exciting adventures, lounging by the pool, enjoying a great concert, lying on the beach or watching outdoor movies need to look no further than their own backyards, as the Town of Oyster Bay offers countless opportunities for summer fun. Our town has all the necessary ingredients for an outstanding staycation. Whether you enjoy biking, swimming, boating, sightseeing, golfing, sunbathing, dining or visiting museums, the sky’s the limit for summer adventures throughout the town. We even offer fun for your pets, with great dog parks on our north and south shores and dog-friendly “parklets” in local communities.

Along with the beautiful town beach-

es, ball fields, parks, marinas and sanctuaries, our town has excellent free outdoor programs, like Music Under the Stars and Movies by Moonlight, which kick off this month and offer entertainment for residents of all ages. Just bring a chair or blanket and you’ll enjoy an evening on par with any concert venue on Long Island, just closer to home. We have programs from country to rock and everything in between, and a special fireworks show scheduled as we salute America and honor veterans and members of the armed forces.

Btoes in the sand. You can go kayaking or fishing, take a leisurely walk on the beach, or have a picnic.

eaches?

Pools?

Ice skating?

Pickleball?

Museums? The town’s got it all.

Prefer fun in the sun? Head out to our pools — in Bethpage; Plainview-Old Bethpage; Syosset-Woodbury; Marjorie Post, in Massapequa; and Tappen, in Glenwood Landing — or one of our beautiful beaches. We have several facilities on both the north and south shores of our town that offer great opportunities to cool off and dig your

If you’d rather spend your time indoors, don’t forget that our Ice Skating Center in Bethpage is open year-round, with plenty of opportunities to cool off in a facility that is the state of the art. Residents can also check out our many recreation opportunities at various town parks as well as at the town’s Athletic Center in Hicksville. We offer everything from pickleball, volleyball, badminton, basketball and tennis to fitness classes and more.

For those looking to up their game on the golf course, you can visit our premier 18-hole, par 70 championship course on 121 acres of Long Island’s Gold Coast. The town golf course in Woodbury features narrow fairways, sand/grass bunkers, water holes and a putting green as well as a driving range

and pro shop. An on-site historic mansion also offers clubhouse amenities, including a grill and bar and courseside outdoor dining and catering. Enjoy sightseeing? Mix some education into your summer fun by visiting some of the great historic sites our town has to offer, including Sagamore Hill National Historic Site or Raynham Hall in Oyster Bay, the Hicksville Gregory Museum or the Old Bethpage Village Restoration, among many others. Whether you prefer spending time in the sun or cooling off indoors this summer, there is truly something for everyone in the Town of Oyster Bay. Our crews have been preparing our parks and facilities to make sure your summer staycation is one to remember, while maintaining safety for you and your family. For information on all these great amenities and the many more the town has to offer, visit our website, oysterbaytown.com. We look forward to seeing you at one of our wonderful facilities this summer.

Joseph Saladino is supervisor of the Town of Oyster Bay.

Reading to repair our hearts and minds

How does what we read every day affect our lives?

Daily newspapers and TV news drown us with torrents of repetitive and sometimes conflicting accounts of events across America and the world. The best of them are stanchions of democracy, and we need these dailies to offer a wide-angle lens, to see what we cannot see from our own front yards.

We need our weeklies to bring us stories about people we know in our communities, a narrower lens that focuses on local events and individuals. Weeklies are the lifeblood of community life — the pages where our neighbors are hailed as heroes, and school athletes have their moment in the sun.

Newspapers in this country struck their roots in liberty, and until the Trump era, citizens could rely on the accounts of events they read in the paper. Today, with overt threats against freedom of the press and news outlets co-opted by political power players, we

need to double down on the demand for honest and unbiased reporting. (It’s useful to note here that my column is by definition an opinion piece, my own views, not the policies of the Herald).

So we push, push for our free press against an incoming tide of political pressure. We need journalists to challenge the leaders in whom we put our faith and trust. We need the pragmatists and the idealists and the investigators to keep our newspapers relevant and alive.

P

How did these values become dirty words?

These days, various media compete for our attention. Teenagers, especially, are vulnerable to the sound and light shows coming from their phones. It’s hard to curl up with a book when the phone gives you games and shocking fake news and social media to keep you jacked up. Parents who used to read to their young children are often distracted themselves by their phones and other devices.

u t down the phone. Pick up a book. Stand in someone else’s shoes.

From my perch, an even greater need is for more people to read books, any books, all books, nothing banned. The impulse to ban a book comes from a place of intolerance and ignorance. No one ever became gay or trans or hypersexual because they read a book on the subject. Book banning comes from a small place, fear of someone different or a way of life that doesn’t conform to the majority.

Why are school libraries being thinned and censored? Why was a reference to Jackie Robinson’s military service temporarily removed from the U.S. Department of State website? Apparently, part of a sweep to remove any references to diversity, equity and inclusion.

As our political world spirals into confusion and mistrust, and as our president and his minions draw the country in and out of real and threatened violence here and overseas, where can a thinking person turn for comfort? What can help keep us grounded and hopeful as we celebrate our democracy on the Fourth of July?

Put down the phone. Pick up a book. Stand in someone else’s shoes, in another time and place. Escape the political convulsions of this moment and feel buoyed by a character’s life and loves; feel grounded by the universal values humans share.

I’m not sure how you become a reader of books if you never have been, but

I do know it’s possible. I know folks in their adulthood who finally found the peace and the time to start reading. It’s comforting, it’s edifying, and the connection between reader and character can be profound.

The books I’m reading this summer fall under the banner of “repairing the world,” which comes from the concept in Judaism to work toward making the world better. John Steinbeck wove the theme of repairing the world into his great novel “East of Eden,” exploring the tension between free will and destiny in human experience. Gorgeous stuff.

The books on my list are “Twist,” by Colum McCann, a story about a team of seamen who fix underwater internet cables around the globe; “Prophet Song,” by Paul Lynch, a novel about a fight against a totalitarian takeover in Ireland; “The Return,” by Hisham Matar, a man’s search for his father, who was “disappeared” by the Qaddafi regime; and “Western Lane” by Chetna Maroo, a debut story of summoning strength while moving through grief. These books explore the boundary places in our lives, the broken places, and offer visions for doing good in a fractured world.

Copyright 2025 Randi Kreiss. Randi can be reached at randik3@aol.com.

2

Phone: (516) 569-4000

Fax: (516) 569-4942

Web: seacliff.liherald.com

glenhead.liherald.com

E-mail: seacliffeditor@liherald.com

glenheadeditor@liherald.com

HERALD

In Congress, July 4, 1776

The Declaration of Independence was first published on July 6, 1776, in a newspaper, the Pennsylvania Evening Post. We are proud to commemorate that high point in American journalism by reprinting that historic document.

When in the Course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another, and to assume among the Powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature’s God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation.

We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed. That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness. Prudence, indeed, will dictate that governments long established should not be changed for light and transient causes; and accordingly all experience hath shown, that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable, than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed. But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future security. Such has been the patient sufferance of these Colonies; and such is now the necessity which constrains them to alter their former Systems of Government. The history of the present King of Great Britain is a history of repeated injuries and usurpations, all having in direct object the establishment of an absolute Tyranny over these States. To prove this, let Facts be submitted to a candid world.

He has refused his Assent to Laws, the most wholesome and necessary for the public good.

He has forbidden his Governors to pass Laws of immediate and pressing importance, unless suspended in their operation till his Assent should be obtained; and when so suspended, he has utterly neglected to attend to them.

He has refused to pass other Laws for the accommodation of large districts of people, unless those people would relinquish the right of Representation in the Legislature, a right inestimable to them and formidable to tyrants only.

He has called together legislative bodies at

places unusual, uncomfortable, and distant from the depository of their Public Records, for the sole purpose of fatiguing them into compliance with his measures.

He has dissolved Representative Houses repeatedly, for opposing with manly firmness of his invasions on the rights of the people.

He has refused for a long time, after such dissolutions, to cause others to be elected, whereby the Legislative Powers, incapable of Annihilation, have returned to the People at large for their exercise; the State remaining in the mean time exposed to all the dangers of invasion from without, and convulsions within.

He has endeavoured to prevent the population of these States; for that purpose obstructing the Laws of Naturalization of Foreigners; refusing to pass others to encourage their migrations hither, and raising the conditions of new Appropriations of Lands.

He has obstructed the Administration of Justice by refusing his Assent to Laws for establishing Judiciary Powers.

He has made Judges dependent on his Will alone, for the tenure of their offices, and the amount and payment of their salaries.

He has erected a multitude of New Offices, and sent hither swarms of Officers to harass our people, and eat out their substance.

He has kept among us, in times of peace, Standing Armies without the Consent of our legislature.

He has affected to render the Military independent of and superior to the Civil Power.

He has combined with others to subject us to a jurisdiction foreign to our constitution, and unacknowledged by our laws; giving his Assent to their acts of pretended legislation:

For quartering large bodies of armed troops among us:

For protecting them, by a mock Trial, from Punishment for any Murders which they should commit on the Inhabitants of these States:

For cutting off our Trade with all parts of the world:

For imposing taxes on us without our consent:

For depriving us in many cases, of the benefits of Trial by Jury:

For transporting us beyond Seas to be tried for pretended offences:

For abolishing the free System of English Laws in a neighbouring Province, establishing therein an Arbitrary government, and enlarging its Boundaries so as to render it at once an example and fit instrument for introducing the same absolute rule into these Colonies:

For taking away our Charters, abolishing our most valuable Laws, and altering fundamentally the forms of our Government:

For suspending our own legislature, and declaring themselves invested with Power to legislate for us in all cases whatsoever.

He has abdicated Government here, by declaring us out of his Protection and waging War against us.

He has plundered our seas, ravaged our Coasts, burnt our towns, and destroyed the lives of our people.

He is at this time transporting large armies of foreign mercenaries to compleat the works of death, desolation and tyranny, already begun with circumstances of Cruelty & perfidy scarcely paralleled in the most barbarous ages, and totally unworthy of the Head of a civilized nation.

He has constrained our fellow Citizens taken Captive on the high Seas to bear Arms against their Country, to become the executioners of their friends and Brethren, or to fall themselves by their Hands.

He has excited domestic insurrections amongst us, and has endeavoured to bring on the inhabitants of our frontiers, the merciless Indian Savages, whose known rule of warfare, is an undistinguished destruction of all ages, sexes and conditions.

In every stage of these Oppressions We have Petitioned for Redress in the most humble terms: Our repeated Petitions have been answered only by repeated injury. A prince, whose character is thus marked by every act which may define a Tyrant, is unfit to be the ruler of a free People.

Nor have We been wanting in attention to our British brethren. We have warned them from time to time of attempts by their legislature to extend an unwarrantable jurisdiction over us. We have reminded them of the circumstances of our emigration and settlement here. We have appealed to their native justice and magnanimity, and we have conjured them by the ties of our common kindred to disavow these usurpations, which would inevitably interrupt our connections and correspondence. They too have been deaf to the voice of justice and of consanguinity. We must, therefore, acquiesce in the necessity, which denounces our Separation, and hold them, as we hold the rest of mankind, Enemies in War, in Peace Friends.

We, therefore, the representatives of the United States of America, in General Congress, Assembled, appealing to the Supreme Judge of the world for the rectitude of our intentions, do, in the Name, and by Authority of the good People of these Colonies, solemnly publish and declare, That these United Colonies are, and of Right ought to be Free and Independent States; that they are absolved from all Allegiance to the British Crown, and that all political connection between them and the state of Great Britain, is and ought to be totally dissolved; and that as Free and Independent States, they have full Power to levy War, conclude Peace, contract Alliances, establish Commerce, and to do all other Acts and Things which Independent States may of right do. And for the support of this Declaration, with a firm reliance on the Protection of Divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes and our Sacred Honor.

The Declaration was signed first by John Hancock, president of the Continental Congress, and then by 55 others representing the 13 original states.

OPINIONS

My message to North Shore graduates this year

When I spoke to graduates last year, I focused on the lessons from my generation, the generation of our teachers, administrators and parents — Generation X — and what students could learn from us.

To be honest, I’m a little obsessed with the 1980s — a much better time, I’ve often told our students, and my own children. I’ve lauded the calmness of the period, the simplicity, the play outdoors. Over the past two years, in fact, we’ve focused on the book “The Anxious Generation,” whose subject is Generation Z, and how much more time its members spend on their phones and other devices than previous generations.

This year, however, I turned off the ’80s music, acknowledged that sometimes we idealize the past, and took a lens more appreciative of our Gen-Z graduates. I mean, the ’80s weren’t perfect. There was that whole Cold War thing.

Moreover, Generation Z is aptly pre-

pared for the world ahead, and can teach us aged Gen-Xers a lot about how to move forward.

As members of Gen Z, our graduates are tech-savvy problem solvers; adaptable and flexible; purposedriven; inclusive and openminded; and innovative and creative. They faced a tougher, more competitive and more technological high school world than Gen-Xers. In addition to college admissions, they needed to navigate pandemic learning, tackle emerging technologies like AI, and survive a stressful high school experience.

TIn fact, a recent Cornell University study suggested that at least 85 percent of what we worry about doesn’t come to pass.

The author Eckhart Tolle once stated, “Acknowledging the good that you already have in your life is the foundation for all abundance.” Start today by thanking your teachers and your parents for the guidance, time, advice and patient understanding they gave you for many years.

hey have so many of the skills they need because of what they have lived through.

While I believe that schools need to update our programming and approach to better prepare students for a rapidly changing world and work environment, I also believe that Gen-Z students have so many of the skills they need because of what they have lived through.

In my message to graduates, I also offered some important Gen-X lessons that they should still pay attention to. Practice gratitude and giving thanks every day. It’s not always natural to feel or think this way, but often that’s exactly when you should try to feel thankful. So much of what is troubling us today will be resolved within days or weeks.

LETTERS

Mamdani’s lessons for Long Island

To the Editor:

Zohran Mamdani’s unexpected and resounding victory in the New York City Democratic mayoral primary holds some important lessons for Long Island.

But for them to be learned, it is first necessary to discard stereotypes and appraise Mamdani’s views with an open mind. Automatic negative reactions are unhelpful and unthinking. Such is the case with South Shore Democratic Congresswoman Laura Gillen’s contention that Mamdani “is too extreme to lead New York City. His entire campaign has been built on unachievable promises and higher taxes…” Gillen also detects “a disturbing pattern of unacceptable antisemitic comments” on Mamdani’s part.

If they look past the scary label of “democratic socialist,” Long Islanders may find that Mamdani bears some resemblance to … Donald Trump! The Queens assemblyman began his long-shot campaign by soliciting the views of New York City voters who had supported Trump in 2024. The top reason many expressed was Trump’s emphasis on affordability. And so Mamdani made that the centerpiece of his effort to forge the

campaign can see the disillusionment in politics, the inability for so many to celebrate crumbs that cannot feed themselves and their families,” Mamdani told The New York Times in a post-primary interview.

The presumptive Democratic mayoral nominee offered solutions for unaffordability — a rent freeze, accelerated housing construction, reduced-price public transport, free day care — that would likely appeal to many Long Islanders. As Herald readers know, Nassau and Suffolk are becoming wildly unaffordable for middle-income families, with the result that many are moving away. Maybe suburban politicians should consider adopting versions of what Mamdani proposes. They might find future election results to be surprisingly favorable.

On the issue of antisemitism, it’s essential to acknowledge that criticism of the Israeli government’s policies does not, a priori, equate with disrespect for Jews. Mamdani has in fact called Hamas’s Oct 7, 2023, murders of Jews “a horrific war crime.” And he has indeed condemned the Netanyahu government’s conduct of its war on Gaza.

It is to be hoped that Long Islanders of good will can take advantage of the opportunity Mamdani presents for an overdue and respectful discussion of Israel’s military actions.

KEVIN J KELLEY

Be confident in who you are. You should appreciate who you are and should stay tuned in to your talents, strengths and passions. A good portion of your education has helped you grow and learn in areas that aren’t natural areas of talent or strength. While it’s important to grow where you don’t automatically excel, it’s equally important to discover your gifts and to leverage them. Many if not all of us have chased the approval of others, but one of the greatest ironies of life is that you will find more love and acceptance when you first love and accept yourself.

Know that there is beauty in the breakdown. Don’t just be resilient, be “prosilient,” and be prepared for situations to

go off course. There is always a time to move on after mistakes, failures or problems.

You’ve probably heard the expression after a disappointing situation that “Everything happens for a reason.” I know that it’s an overused phrase that’s often hard to believe, but the older I get, the more I realize that if everything happens for a reason, sometimes we need to create and construct that reason ourselves. Please don’t misunderstand this advice as the simple acceptance of bad events, problems or wrongdoing, but rather, a charge to take control over circumstances by learning the lessons that adversity can teach, and using that newfound knowledge to help yourself and stand up for others.

Small changes in habits, repeated daily, lead to big changes in your life. Success stories are posted without the full story of the journeys that led to the achievements. It may seem that people are just born successful, and that can be discouraging, but achievement is the result of a process or system of consistent but small steps. It’s often the boring, consistent work that makes the biggest changes.

I congratulate the class of 2025 at all high schools for a job well done.

Christopher Zublionis, Ed.D., is superintendent of the North Shore School District.

FRAMEWORK by Tim Baker

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