_________________ WANTAGH ________________
Graduation Keepsake
Edition
June 25, 2026
HERALD
GRADUATES
Meet the
2026
VOL. 74 NO. 26
Middle school students move up
Bluegrass legend at Seaford Library
Page 7
Page 10
JUNE 25 - JULY 1, 2026
$1.00
The fight for Beech Street School goes on materials and prior statements tied to the approved sale. For the Wantagh PreservaThe Beech Street School- tion Society, the endorsement h o u s e , i n W a n t a g h , h a s from Preservation Long Island received formal recognition is a major validation of its camfrom Preservation Long Island paign to protect the former as a historically significant schoolhouse, which supporters landmark, which preservation say is one of the few surviving advocates say strengthens their early 20th-century school buildeffort to secure local protection ings on Long Island that retains for the school, which was built its architectural integrity. in 1909. “Preservation The recognition Long Island reprecomes just as ownsents all of Long ership of the propIsland,” said Thomerty is expected to as Watson, a trustee transfer from the of the preservation Wantagh School society. “It’s the preDistrict to Brah mier historical Property Owners voice. So it meant Inc. following a pubeverything to us. It lic vote that narrowvalidated what l y a p p r o v e d t h e ZACH STUDENROTH we’ve been saying.” $1.075 million sale, Preservation Long Preservation which preservation- Island Director Long Island Direcists warn could tor Zach Studencomplicate or potenroth said the buildtially derail the ongoing land- ing’s significance lies not only mark application before the in its age but in its rarity, and Town of Hempstead if timing is the degree to which it still not carefully managed. reflects early-20th-century Brah Property Owners Inc. school design, particularly its has indicated plans to demolish l a r g e b a n k s o f w i n d o w s , the existing Beech Street designed to provide light and Schoolhouse and redevelop the ventilation at a time when edusite with two private residential cational reformers prioritized homes, according to district
By HUNTER FENOLLOL
hfenollol@liherald.com
Courtesy Michael Moskowitz
Ethan begins to pack up some of the 40 boxes his team was able to produce under his leadership.
Wantagh Scout gives back to Last Hope Animal Rescue for project By HUNTER FENOLLOL hfenollol@liherald.com
For Ethan Moskowitz, the inspiration for his Eagle Scout project was never far from home. Seven years ago, Ethan’s family adopted Chip, a beagle from Last Hope Animal Rescue and Rehabilitation off Beltagh Avenue in Wantagh. The experience left a lasting impression on him, not only because Chip became a beloved member of the family, but because it taught him responsibility, compassion and the value of animal rescue. This spring, the recent Wantagh High School graduate turned that gratitude into action. As part of his Eagle Scout project with Wantagh Troop 96, Ethan organized the creation of 40 “Go Home Kits”, 20 for dogs and 20 for cats, that will be distributed to families adopting pets from Last Hope. Each kit includes essentials such as food, bowls, toys, blankets, bedding and educational materials designed to help adopters care for their new companions. “Chip’s kind of just been a really big part of my life ever since I got him,” Ethan said.
“Getting him from that shelter taught me so much about loving animals and giving back. It taught me how to take care of animals, have responsibilities and really be a better person.” Because Chip came from Last Hope, Ethan said he wanted his project to serve as both a thank-you and a way to help the organization continue its mission. “Most of them are volunteers,” he said of the rescue group. “They don’t get paid or anything, and they do it out of their time. For me, it was a great deal to give back to them almost as a thank you, but also as something that would help them in the future.” The project required months of planning. Ethan began developing the idea in January and spent more than three months securing approvals, fundraising and organizing volunteers. He ultimately raised roughly $2,000 through donations from family, friends, community members and local businesses. According to Last Hope, the kits represent a significant upgrade from the smaller adoption bags that many pets traditionally CONTINUED ON PAGE 3
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t represents the beginning of official education in Wantagh.
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