__________________ SEAFORD _________________
HERALD Meet the new Miss Wantagh
Fourth of July parade photos
Esports Lounge opened by moms
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VOL. 74 NO. 28
JULY 9 - 15, 2026
$1.00
Seaford Library Summer Reading program kicks off reading part of their summer routine. Children from pre-school age Nearly 300 residents packed through fifth grade can particithe Seaford Public Library’s pate in the library’s summer annual Summer Reading Kick- reading club by completing ageoff late last month, at which appropriate reading challenges. iconic characters, bounce hous- Toddlers follow activity boards, es, face painting and an ice while older children earn prizcream truck welcomed families es for every book they finish. to the start of a busy season for Those who complete the proa program intended to keep gram earn tickets to see a children — and screening of the adults — reading new live-action long after the school “Moana” movie at year ended. the Bellmore PlayThe event served house. as the unofficial “The biggest start of the library’s incentive is the summer programmovie ticket,” Jacming, with activities KRISTEN JORDING queline Lopez, the and reading chal- Head of adult library’s head of lenges available for services children’s services, every age group, said. “But they also from toddlers to earn stickers, slime, adults. squishies, little backpacks, “It was definitely our biggest plushies and other prizes as yet,” Kristen Jording, the they go.” library’s head of adult services This year’s children’s theme, and public relations, said. “We “Unearth the Story,” features take all departments together dinosaurs and prehistoric — children’s, teens and adults a d v e n t u r e s . T h e N a s s a u — and it’s really a family L i b r a r y S y s t e m , L o p e z event.” explained, selects a new theme While the festivities featured each year, inspiring decoraplenty of entertainment, tions and programming library staff said the celebra- throughout the summer. tion has a larger purpose: “We decorated our room like encouraging families to make
By HUNTER FENOLLOL
hfenollol@liherald.com
Tim Baker/Herald photos
The national colors flew high in celebration of America’s 250th birthday.
Jones Beach Air Show soars on America’s 250th birthday By HUNTER FENOLLOL hfenollol@liherald.com
The roar of fighter jets echoed across Jones Beach on Sunday as thousands of spectators packed the shoreline for the FourLeaf Air Show, turning Long Island’s iconic beachfront into one of the nation’s largest celebrations of America’s 250th birthday. Under sunny skies and summer heat, beachgoers filled the sand hours before the first aircraft took to the air, with parking fields filling early as families settled in for a full day of aerial demonstrations, patriotic displays and military flyovers. The annual air show, paired this year with Saturday night’s fireworks spectacular, served as one of New York’s signature events commemorating the nation’s semiquincentennial. Before the first planes launched overhead, attendees stood together during the national
anthem, many waving complimentary American flags distributed along the beach. The day’s program opened with the U.S. Army Golden Knights parachute team descending onto the beachfront carrying the American flag before Farmingdale State College’s aviation program took to the skies. Search-and-rescue demonstrations by the New York Air National Guard’s 106th Rescue Wing highlighted the capabilities of military rescue crews before international performers, including the United Arab Emirates’ Fursan Al Emarat demonstration team and Britain’s Royal Air Force Red Arrows, thrilled spectators with precision flying. Historic aircraft from the American Airpower Museum also made appearances, connecting generations of aviation history during the patriotic weekend. The Canadian Forces Snowbirds added another international flair with their trademark formation flying before the Golden CONTINUED ON PAGE 3
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t was definitely our biggest yet.
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