South Shore Record 01-22-2026 by Richner Communications, Inc

RecoRD South Shore

A tribute to a Broadway legend

The music of Joel Grey

Hewlett High School hosted the Rowyn Grace Classic on Jan. 10, an all-day event which benefits Rowyn Grace Welsh, a two-year-old with chronic kidney disease. She is also the youngest daughter of Hewlett boys basketball assistant coach Jonathan Welsh.

The classic included four games where the girls faced Jericho High School, and the boys teams squared off against Long Beach High

School.

The school’s softball program, which Welsh took over in 2023, sold merchandise as well, with proceeds going directly to the family.

In addition to the effects on her kidneys, the two-yearold also suffers from a rare, life-altering mutation in her collagen type IV alpha 1 (COL4A1) gene—a mutation which weakens blood vessels.

During her battle, the two-

year-old has endured multiple appointments at numerous hospitals, including Raleigh N.C’s Duke Children’s hospital, Stony Brook Medical Center, and now Columbia children’s Hospital.

“Her body is essentially missing the ‘glue’ that holds her together.” Welsh said of her daughter’s condition. “This isn’t just a kidney issue anymore—it is a systemic threat that puts her at constant risk for internal bleeding and organ failure.”

— Melissa Berman

Alice Moreno/Herald

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H-W experiencing positive effects of new cell phone policy

By AIDAN WARSHAVSKY awarshavsky@liherald.com

The Hewlett-Woodmere school district is seeing noticeable changes both in and outside the classroom thanks to it’s newly enacted cell phone ban, especially at the high school.

Adopted on July 23, 2025, the district’s Students and Personal Electronic Devices Policy prohibits students from utilizing smart phones or any other internet-enabled device capable of communication unauthorized by the district.

“Students are no longer walking with their heads down,” Dina Anzalone, the district’s superintendent, wrote in email. “We’re seeing their faces, watching them interact with one another, and witnessing genuine peer connections throughout the school day.”

High School Principal Al Bauer ordered traditional board games for students to explore socialization opportunities during school hours. When teachers pass through the school’s cafeteria and common area, they can see that students are developing stronger interpersonal communication skills and connections with their peers.

One student even asked Anzalone if the school could install a hallway clock, because they have become so dependent on cell phones to tell basic information like time.

“The change has been so complete,” Anzalone wrote.

The shift has also affected learning statewide and in Hewlett-Woodmere.

In November, governor Kathy Hochul governor’s office distributed a survey, recording over 350 responses from schools statewide that, like

Hewlett-Woodmere, implemented the bell-to-bell restrictions. Their study found that 92 percent reported a smooth transition to distraction-free learning, with another 83 percent finding their classroom environments more positive, promoting student engagement.

“Our kids are finding greater success in the classroom when they’re focused on learning, not scrolling,” Hochul said. Teachers, especially in Hewlett, have reported that students are more focused during lessons, complete more work in class, and participate more actively in discussions. The social atmosphere during lunch and passing periods is noticeably more vibrant, with students engaging in actual conversations rather than scrolling through social media.

“Cell phone use has decreased significantly since the policy took effect,” said Kaitlin Coder, president of the HewlettWoodmere Teachers Union. “There has been significant improvement in student learning, engagement, socialization, and everything you would expect.”

Students are still permitted to use their devices outside of school, but once it enters the building, it must be turned off and stored depending on the education level. And when contacting children during the day, the district permits phone calls to the respective school office. High School students can also communicate with their families with their district-provided email address.

District officials said they plan to continue enforcing the policy as the school year progresses. “This policy represents our commitment to creating learning environments where students can fully engage and develop the socialemotional skills essential for success,” Anzalone wrote.

Honoring Broadway legend Joel Grey at the HWPL

By MELISSA BERMAN mberman@liherald.com

The auditorium at Gold Hall in the Hewlett-Woodmere Public Library was filled with the iconic songs from Joel Grey’s illustrious Broadway career during “Shades of Grey: A Musical Tribute to Joel Grey.”

The show was conceived, directed, written and performed by Bob Spiotto along with musical director, special arrangements and accompaniment by Stephen Pagano.

The repertoire included songs from “The Littlest Revue,” “Stop the World- I Want to Get Off,” “Half a Sixpence,” “Cabaret,” “An American in Paris,” “George M!,” “Goodtime Charley,” “The Grand Tour,” “Chicago,” and “Wicked.”

Having over 40 years experience working in the entertainment industry Spiotto said he had always liked Joel Grey and had the background after performing as the Master of Ceremonies in “Cabaret” in high school.

“I always watched his career and watched all the things he did,” Spiotto said. “I just loved all the parts that he played and thought at some point I needed to be doing a one man musical tribute to Joel Grey.”

Spiotto worked on this tribute on an off for many years and finally decided what songs he wanted to sing and connected with Pagano off of a colleagues

recommendation to solidify the music and show order.

“Steve and I got together and it was like fireworks,” he said. “We went through it and when we were done we ere both in shock. We felt like we had a show and it was almost ready to go.”

Spiotto said he really enjoys performing this tribute show and it thankful that Joel Grey has had such a longstanding Broadway career for all the

materials available to do.

“I don’t impersonate these people I pay tribute to,” Spiotto added. ‘I just try to embody his spirit.”

Along with his spirit and passion for performing in front of a live audience, Spiotto aims to “edutain” the audience with his shows by intertwining history and trivia in to the performance.

“It’s both entertainment and educational but not to the point that people

feel like they’re sitting in a lecture,” Spiotto said. “I really want them to be edutained throughout the course of it.”

Pagano has been working with Spiotto since 2011 after a personal recommendation from a colleague and ever since then they have been performing together.

“He’s just so amazingly talented,” Pagano said. “It was like fireworks when we first started working on this arrangement. We get along so good and we finish each others theatrical sentences.”

Having played the piano for 60 years, Pagano is comfortable with all of the musical medleys and loves the personal musical touches he adds to the songs.

“The quality of the music is so high and Joel Grey had such a great career,” he said. “It’s been a thrill and I can’t believe it’s been 15 years. It’s still such a joy to do it.”

This was the first time the HWPL has worked with Spiotto and Pagano and they are already in plans to schedule another performance.

“They’re professionals and it was so much more than I expected, I’m really delighted,” said Marie Drucker, librarian and programs director at the HWPL.

The Lynbrook Public Library recommended Spiotto to Drucker.

“We have very sophisticated audiences here and they love music,” she said. “I think this just fit right in with the neighborhood.”

Herald File Photo

Hewlett-Woodmere has noticed significant changes in students communication skills and work ethic since the cell phone ban’s inception.

Melissa Berman/Herald

Bob Spiotto, front, was accompanied by Stephen Pagano during his show ‘Shades of Grey: A Musical Tribute to Joel Grey’ at the Hewlett-Woodmere Public Library, on Jan. 18.

HERALD EDitoRiAL

Modernizing support for volunteer firefighters

New york’s volunteer firefighters and emergency service personnel have long been the backbone of the state’s emergency response system. on Long Island and across New york, they respond not only to fires, but also to car accidents, medical emergencies, storms and disasters of every kind.

Their service saves taxpayers an estimated $3.8 billion each year, according to the Firefighters Association of the State of New york. yet despite their value, volunteer departments are struggling to recruit and retain enough members to meet growing demands.

The reasons are familiar. Potential volunteers say they don’t have the time, that the commitment feels overwhelming, or that the system is simply too complicated to navigate. Cultural and economic changes have made it harder for people to give unpaid time, and the numbers show it: New york’s volunteer fire service has declined from roughly 120,000 members in the early 2000s to about 80,000 today. While this is not yet a full-blown crisis, it is a warning sign that action is needed now. Now, FASNy is proposing the next step: the Volunteer optimization Legislative Initiative. This package of 14 straightforward actions is designed to modernize how New york supports volunteer firefighters and EmS personnel, making service more feasible for today’s families and workers. Importantly, these initiatives would apply uniformly across the state, ensuring fairness and consistency for all volunteer departments.

For more than a decade, FASNy has worked

Both parties share the blame for the mess we’re in

To the Editor:

Re Jerry Kremer’s column in the Jan. 1-7 issue, “For President Trump, too many missed opportunities,” I will try to be as fair and balanced as possible.

Neither a Democrat nor a Republican, I’m an independent. We are as divided as ever, but the fault for that lies at the feet of both parties. Their respective loyalties override the business of representing the needs of the people. Since the beginning of President Trump’s second

to reverse the decline in the number of volunteers. Through initiatives like Train the Recruiter classes and a statewide outreach campaign, the organization has consistently pushed creative solutions.

In recent years, that effort has been strengthened by a productive partnership with Gov. Kathy Hochul and many state legislators. Together they have delivered training stipends, grants for capital improvements and funding for equipment purchases that have made a real difference in communities statewide.

At its core, VoLI recognizes that volunteers should not be penalized financially for serving. Several proposals focus on meaningful tax relief, including an enhanced volunteer firefighter and EmS income tax credit, the ability to combine such credits with property tax exemptions, and new credits to help offset child care and family-related expenses. Housing affordability is addressed with exemptions from mortgage recording taxes and optional local relief on recording fees, helping volunteers live in the communities they protect. other initiatives acknowledge the real, dayto-day costs of volunteering. VoLI would allow departments or authorities having jurisdiction to reimburse volunteers’ reasonable out-ofpocket expenses without creating tax burdens. It also proposes incentives for on-call duty shifts through the Length of Service Award Program, and state-funded reimbursement mechanisms to help smaller departments afford these benefits.

Workplace realities are another major barri-

L E tt ER to t HE ED ito R

term, no matter whatever good he has done, Democrats find fault with it. The reality is that he inherited a domestic as well as an international mess that was administered by behind-the-scenes figures who were propping up a cognitive declined president. A year into office, Trump has to address affordability, with everyday costs that are crushing the majority of Americans. The expense of groceries, health care, auto and homeowner’s insurance and prescription drugs are forcing people to make hard choices, because dollars can be stretched only so far. Interest rates for mortgages and loans are still too high.

The other reality is that the president has a ninemonth window to address affordability, or he will lose

er to volunteering, and VoLI tackles this headon. Employer tax incentives would encourage businesses to hire volunteer firefighters and EmS personnel while allowing them to respond during business hours. At the same time, volunteers would gain stronger workplace protections.

Equally important, the initiative would prohibit local governments, unions or bargaining units from preventing career firefighters from volunteering in their home communities, expanding the potential pool of experienced responders.

Safety and fairness are also central themes. VoLI would bring volunteer injury benefits in line with standard workers’ compensation, ensuring equal protection when volunteers are hurt in the line of duty. It would also expand eligibility for training stipends, public service loan forgiveness, and state tuition assistance, recognizing that education and training benefit both volunteers and the communities they serve.

Taken together, these 14 initiatives do not represent radical change. They are practical, thoughtful updates that reflect modern economic realities while respecting the proud tradition of volunteer service.

With the new state legislative session under way, FASNy representatives will discuss these proposals. Implementing at least a majority of them, if not all, would strengthen recruitment and retention, protect taxpayers, and help ensure that New york’s volunteer fire and EmS system remains strong for generations to come.

Congress in November. Describing it as a “hoax” was illadvised and alienating.

If Trump loses Congress, the remainder of his presidency will be tied up in gridlock and attempts to impeach him. Nothing will get done, and the American people will go backward — while the two-party system, which has outlived its usefulness, will flourish. Promoting their own agendas to finagle and scheme to stay in power, the parties will do nothing to respond to the needs of everyday people, but everything for the special interests, lobbyists, and big campaign contributors.

ToNy GIAmETTA

Oceanside

Cedarhurst ‘s Helen Pollack celebrates a century of life

By MELISSA BERMAN mberman@liherald.com

Longtime Cedarhurst resident Helen Pollack is celebrating her 100th birthday surrounded by family and friends.

Born on Jan. 28, 1926 in Brooklyn, Pollack attended Samuel J. Tilden High School. She then went to the City College of New York and received masters from Columbia University and Teacher’s College.

After graduating with her masters, she went on to teach at her alma mater Samuel J. Tilden High School. She has three children, three grandchildren and two great grandchildren.

“I have no real reason for living to 100,” Pollack said. “I can’t tell you that I did exercise, I didn’t I didn’t drink and I didn’t smoke, those were the only two assets I could say.”

Pollack said she always has a plan for the next day, which includes her biggest passion, knitting.

She also serves on the board of the Five Towns Early Learning Center in Inwood and still attends meetings.

“I’ve been very active there for over 35 years,” she said. “It’s a wonderful facility for 55 children, 20 teachers and a beautiful garden to play in.”

Among being on the board, she worked at the Peninsula Public Library giving knitting lessons to residents.

“I have known Helen for my entire 18 year career at the library,” Peninsula Public Library Director Carolynn Matulewicz wrote in an email. “I recall her fantastic knitting skills and she has made many beautiful creations for staff and their babies over the years.”

Pollack loves to read and receives her book deliveries from the library on a weekly basis.

“She is a big library supporter and has made many donations supporting library staff sponsoring staff appreciation luncheons,” Matulewicz wrote. “This a pleasure having lifelong patrons who love and support their public library. She is a remarkable woman

and so very blessed to be here for 100 years.”

Volunteering is very important to Pollack as she was very active with the National Council of Jewish Women Peninsula Section and the National Yiddish Book Center in Amherst, Massachusetts.

“I collected Yiddish books for them for 40 years,” Pollack added. “I’ve done a lot of things and I’m interested in the community.”

She has lived in the Five Towns for 55 years and is a member of Temple Beth El in Cedarhurst for over 50 years.

Rhonnie Fischman, 76, a fellow congregant became friends with Pollack during the pandemic when she would visit her in rehab.

“Our friendship developed over the years and every Saturday after temple I bring her food from Kiddush and we sit and chat,” Fischman said. “We talk on the phone everyday and discuss books.”

Fischman said that Pollack knows what she wants from life and always knows how to get it.

“Our friendship means a lot to me because it spans different generations,” she said. “My mother would have been 100 and I learn from Helen all the time, just like I would from my mother.”

Fischman serves on the board of the Five Towns Five Towns Early Learning Center alongside Pollack and being apart of it has enriched her life.

“Helen is a real life lesson in what kindness can do,” Fischman said. “Seeing her makes me feel lucky and I’m planning to be like her when I’m older.”

Pollack will be hosting an open house dessert party at her residence on Jan. 25 to commemorate her 100th birthday.

“People who know me will come and say hello,” Pollack said. “I will be happy to see people from the present and from the past. Volunteering has kept me alive it’s a wonderful way of life.”

Roberts

Gallucci

Courtesy Rhonnie Fischman

Longtime Cedarhurst resident Helen Pollack is celebrating her 100th birthday on Jan. 28 with family and friends.

HAFTR students learn about paleontology

Hebrew Academy of the Five Towns and Rockaway students got a firsthand look at the world of paleontology during a recent visit from Richard Laub, a paleontologist and HAFTR grandparent.

Laub shared stories from his fieldwork, walking students through the process of uncovering fossils and reconstructing clues about life thousands and even millions of years ago. He explained how fossils are excavated, analyzed and interpreted, giving students insight into the careful, methodical work behind major scientific discoveries.

Through his experiences, Laub emphasized the importance of perseverance, critical thinking and curiosity in scientific exploration. His visit encouraged students to think like scientists and showed how asking questions and following evidence can lead to a deeper understanding of the natural world.

— Melissa Berman

LEGAL NOTICE

Students at Hebrew Academy of the Five Towns and Rockaway received a visit from Richard

Public Notices

NOTICE OF SALE

SUPREME COURT

NASSAU COUNTY

VELOCITY

COMMERCIAL

CAPITAL, LLC, Plaintiff against PHORJAY’S, LLC; WAYNE NEWMAN; TERESA SPRUILL, et al

Defendant(s)

Attorney for Plaintiff(s) McMichael Taylor Gray, LLC, 28 Corporate Drive, Suite 104, Halfmoon, NY 12065.

Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered January 29, 2025, and amended on April 2, 2025, I will sell at public auction to the highest bidder at North Side Steps of the Nassau County Supreme Court at 100 Supreme Court Drive, Mineola, NY 11501 on February 2, 2026 at 2:00 PM. Premises known as 14 Newport Drive, Hewlett, NY 11557. Sec 39 Block 577 Lot 30. All that certain plot, piece or parcel of land, with the buildings thereon erected, situate, lying and being at Hewlett, Town of Hempstead, County of Nassau and State of New York. Approximate Amount of Judgment is $725,429.51 plus interest, fees, and costs. Premises will be sold subject to

provisions of filed Judgment Index No 608436/2023.

The foreclosure sale will be conducted in accordance with 10th Judicial District’s Covid-19 Policies and foreclosure auction rules. The Referee shall enforce any rules in place regarding facial coverings and social distancing. If proper social distancing cannot be maintained or there are other health or safety concerns, then the Court Appointed Referee shall cancel the foreclosure auction. Foreclosure Auctions will be held “Rain or Shine.”

Robert Aiello, Esq., Referee File # 23-000692-01 157569

LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF SALE

SUPREME COURT COUNTY OF NASSAU, SELECT PORTFOLIO SERVICING, INC., Plaintiff, vs. EPHRAIM SUTTON, ET AL., Defendant(s). Pursuant to an Order Confirming Referee Report and Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale duly entered on December 2, 2025, I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public auction at the front steps on the north

side of the Nassau County Supreme Court, 100 Supreme Court Drive, Mineola, NY 11501 on February 19, 2026 at 2:00 p.m., premises known as 1018 East Broadway, Woodmere, NY 11598.

All that certain plot, piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements thereon erected, situate, lying and being at Woodmere, Town of Hempstead, County of Nassau and State of New York, Section 41, Block 24 and Lot 40. Approximate amount of judgment is $1,015,116.82 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index # 610167/2023.

Scott H. Siller, Esq., Referee Friedman Vartolo LLP, 85 Broad Street, Suite 501, New York, New York 10004, Attorneys for Plaintiff. Firm File No.: 250027-1. 157808

LEGAL NOTICE

NOTICE OF SALE

Supreme Court County of Nassau Deutsche Bank National Trust Company, as Trustee, in trust for the registered holders of Morgan Stanley ABS Capital I Trust 2005-HE1, Mortgage

Marketplace

Pass-Through Certificates, Series 2005-HE1, Plaintiff AGAINST Tamara Rosenbaum, et al, Defendant Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale duly entered on July 20, 2022, I, the undersigned Referee, will sell at public auction at the Nassau County Supreme Court, 100 Supreme Court Drive, North sides of the steps, Mineola, NY 11501 on February 24, 2026 at 2:00 PM premises known as 112 Prospect Avenue, Hewlett, NY 11557. All that certain plot piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements erected, situate, lying and being in the County of Nassau, State of New York, SECTION: 42, BLOCK: 171, LOT: 51. Approximate amount of judgment is $927,103.13 plus interests and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index # 013841/2013. George Esernio, Referee

FRENKEL LAMBERT WEISS WEISMAN & GORDON LLP 53 Gibson Street Bay Shore, NY 11706 01-054997-F01 88523 157866

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