_________________ WANTAGH ________________
HERALD
IS IT TIME FOR A HEARING CHECK-UP?
Raising money for 5-Star program
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Vol. 74 No. 16
APRIl 16 - 22, 2026
ologists
Dr. Thomas Recher, Au.D.
lichoiceawards.com 2023-2024 2023
3375 Park Ave, Suite 4006, Wantagh 516-613-5837 | www.midis landaudiology.com
$1.00
5K supports local heroes
One of Long Island’s Top Audi Presented by
Donate yarn, blankets to youth in need crochet and donate blankets that are distributed to hospitals serving pediatric cancer patients. Community members across Each blanket is designed not the 5th State Senate District have only to keep children warm, but an opportunity to give back by to provide a sense of care and donating yarn and handmade connection, organizers said. The monthlong yar n and blankets in a drive to support children undergoing chemother- blanket drive, which will run apy. through May, builds on a previState Sen. Steve Rhoads, ous effort that collected more whose district than 400,000 yards of includes Bellmore, yarn and over 200 Merrick, East Meadhandmade blankets. ow, Seaford, WantDonations of acrylic agh and Levittown, yarn allow volunis spearheading teers to continue the wor thy camcrafting blankets, paign in partnership while completed with the nonprofit bl a n ke t s c a n b e We Care Blankets. given directly to the TAmmy BAKER The nonproforganization for disit organization was Co-founder, We Care tribution. founded on Long Blankets “It is a heartIsland in 1999, when breaking reality that a small group of volunteers rec- far too many children battle canognized a common but often cer at such a young age,” Rhoads overlooked side effect of cancer said in a release shared ahead of treatment in children: persistent this year’s drive. “While medical chills. Initially funded by a phy- care is essential in their fight, it sician, the organization set out is equally important that they to provide something simple but are surrounded by comfort, commeaningful — handmade, color- passion, and a sense of warmth ful blankets that could offer during such a difficult and painwarmth and reassurance during ful time.” a difficult time. Community members can Over the years, the effort has support the initiative in two grown into a community-driven w ay s : by d o n a t i n g y a r n network of volunteers who knit,
By JoRDAN VAlloNE
jvallone@liherald.com
Courtesy Tom Watson
One of the sites where there will be a new marker is Helen Strang’s historic home.
Wantagh Preservation Society is working to restore historic markers By HUNTER FENollol hfenollol@liherald.com
The Wantagh Preservation Society is working to restore a series of historic markers across the community to coincide with the nation’s Semiquincentennial. The markers are intended to to preserve local history and connect today’s residents with the town’s heritage. O r i g i n a l ly i n s t a l l e d i n t h e 1 9 3 0 s, the heavy cast-iron signs mark significant sites throughout Wantagh. Over time, many have disappeared or deteriorated, prompting a renewed effort to return or refurbish them. Many of those that are denoted sites that date back to the colonial era “There are eight markers in total, and six of them need to be replaced,” Wantagh Prese r vat i o n S o c i e t y T r u s t e e To m Wat son explained. “Only two are still standing.” The project has been discussed for years and is now gaining traction thanks to
a GoFundMe page spearheaded by another trustee, Frank Jurs. The ultimate fundraising goal is $15,000, and the team has managed to raise $3,000 so far. “This has been something that’s been on our radar for a long time,” Jurs said. “These markers tell the story of Wantagh, and without them, a lot of that history just isn’t visible to people anymore.” Replacing the markers comes with logistical and financial challenges, but organizers say the effort is essential. “They’re not cheap to replace, at around $1,700 per sign, and it takes time to coordinate everything,” Jurs, a real estate agent and Preservation Society trustee said. “But it’s worth doing — I’ve already dedicated 5 percent of my own 2026 commissions towards the project. Once they’re gone, that piece of history is gone with them.” For Preservation Society President Beth Obergh, the mission is about making history COntinued On page 15
A
t We Care Blankets, our first love is children.
COntinued On page 10