_________________ WANTAGH ________________
HERALD
IS IT TIME FOR A HEARING CHECK-UP?
learning about fire safety
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Vol. 73 No. 43
oCToBER 23 - 29, 2025
$1.00
ologists
Dr. Thomas Recher, Au.D.
lichoiceawards.com 2023-2024 2023
3375 Park Ave, Suite 4006, Wantagh 516-613-5837 | www.midis landaudiology.com
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A milestone for roadways
One of Long Island’s Top Audi Presented by
A new place to make friends in Wantagh lonely or looking for someone to play with. “It encourages everyone to A new Buddy Bench has be kind and include others,” been installed at Forest Lake she said. “I worked hard on Elementary School in Want- this project, from planning and agh, offering a place where stu- fundraising to getting the dents can signal they’re look- bench installed.” Julianna brainstormed the ing for a friend — courtesy of a Girl Scout who once felt shy project with school psycholoon the playground herself. gist Emily Bogart, discussing Julianna Simon, possible locations, a sixth grade stusizes and designs. dent at St. Elizabeth Wi t h a p p r o v a l Ann Seton Regional from the Wantagh School in Bellmore S ch o o l D i s t r i c t , and member of Girl she chose the fence Scout Troop 3209, by t h e sw i n g s unveiled the bench behind the school by the playground as the spot for the swings, behind the bench. She picked school on Oct. 6. JulIANNA SImoN out the wood from Family members, Girl Scout Troop 3209 Home Depot, and s ch o o l s t a f f a n d her f a t h e r, local officials attended the cer- Michael, helped her cut and emony. The project was part of assemble it. The project cost Julianna’s Silver Award, the around $300, receiving $80 in highest honor available to Girl donations. Scouts in sixth through eighth Her f ather said he was grades, which recognizes proj- proud of his daughter’s accomects that create lasting commu- p l i s h m e n t a n d e s p e c i a l l y nity change. pleased to see her speak on the For her Silver Award proj- microphone as she presented ect, Julianna set out to make the bench during the unveiling the school a friendlier place — ceremony. a n d a B u d dy B e n c h , s h e “It’s really cool,” he said. explained, gives students a “She’s really shy, so for her to spot to sit if they’re feeling
By CHARlES SHAW
cshaw@liherald.com
Holden Leeds/Herald
An oktoberfest for a good cause People from across the South Shore gathered at Mulcahy’s Pub and Concert Hall in Wantagh on Sunday for the annual Seaford 9/11 Oktoberfest. Merrick residents Tom Greeley, far left, Nate Murley and Tim and Penny Galagher joined in on the fall fun. Story, more photos, Page 3.
Trekking across the Empire State
Seaford’s Ryan Clifford shatters an ultramarathon record By CHARlES SHAW cshaw@liherald.com
Seaford resident Ryan Clifford ran his way into the record books this month, completing the 572-mile stretch of the Empire State Trail from Buffalo to Brooklyn in just over eight and a half days. Clifford, 28, was honored by Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman at an Oct. 16 news conference at the Theodore Roosevelt Executive and Legislative Building in Mineola. A graduate of MacArthur High School in Levittown, Clifford thanked his family and friends for supporting him on what he called “a big journey,” which took him eight days and 13 hours, shattering the previous record of nine days, 11 hours, set in May 2024 by Matthew VosBurgh, a New York City-based ultramarathoner.
“I fought through a lot of different tough conditions,” Clifford said, “but it was really cool to be able to do it and set the fastest known time that, of course, is being recognized here by the county.” Clifford began his journey on Oct. 6 in Buffalo, on the western end of the Empire State Trail, a 750-mile route that stretches across New York from Buffalo to New York City and north to the Canadian border. The trek was anything but easy — he ran through hazardous conditions, from unseasonably hot fall weather to a nor’easter that drenched the region over Indigenous Peoples Day weekend. Clifford averaged about 70 miles a day, spending 12 to 16 hours running. He went through several pairs of running shoes and kept himself fueled with foods high in protein and carbohydrates. He Continued on page 5
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t encourages everyone to be kind and include others.
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