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Five Towns Insider Events
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Friday, April 24, 2026
Arbor Day Native Plant & Tree Giveaway — Time: 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM — Location: Hempstead Plains Preserve, Perimeter Road, Garden City. Free native trees and plants available while supplies last, including Eastern Redbud, American Plum, and Sweetbay Magnolia. Open to all. Contact: [email protected]
Sunday, April 26, 2026
Spring Kids Fest (continued) — Time: 11:00 AM – 8:00 PM — Location: Merrick Train Station, Merrick.
Reptile Rumble at the Center for Science Teaching & Learning — Time: 10:00 AM – 11:30 AM — Location: Tanglewood Preserve, 1450 Tanglewood Rd., Rockville Centre. Hands-on live reptile show for kids ages 5–7. Fee. 516-764-0045.
Ongoing — April & May
Rock Hall Museum, Lawrence — Open Wed–Sat 10 AM–4 PM, Sun 12–4 PM. One of Long Island's finest pre-Revolutionary War homes, right here in Lawrence! Tours by appointment. Call 516-239-1157. 199 Broadway, Lawrence.
Hempstead Town Senior Enrichment Events at The Sands at Lido Beach — Free for residents 55+. Tuesdays & Thursdays. Activities include Line Dancing, Zumba Gold, Tai Chi, and Boot Camp. 710 Lido Blvd., Lido Beach. 516-485-8100.
Narcan Training — Peninsula Public Library, Lawrence — Presented by Former U.S. Congressman Anthony P. D'Esposito. Obtain a free Narcan certification and kit. 280 Central Ave., Lawrence. Register at toh311.net/narcan-signup.
Monday May 11, 2026
Cedarhurst Village Board Meeting — Time: 8:00 PM — Location: Cedarhurst Village Hall, 200 Cedarhurst Ave, Cedarhurst, NY.
Tuesday May 12, 2026
Cedarhurst BID Meeting — Time: 6:30 PM — Location: Cedarhurst. Business owners and community members welcome.
Hewlett Lacrosse Star Chase Rivas to Be Honored by Jewish Sports Heritage Association
Chase Rivas, a junior lacrosse player at G.W. Hewlett High School, has been selected as the Temple Israel of Lawrence Outstanding Jewish High School Athlete from the South Shore by the Jewish Sports Heritage Association. Rivas, who has represented Team Israel in international competition since middle school, will be recognized at the organization's 8th Annual Induction and Awards Ceremony. "I feel very proud," Rivas said of the honor, adding that lacrosse is deeply tied to his identity. His mother Blake called it well-deserved recognition for a kid who lives and breathes the sport. Read more here
Woodmere Middle School Scores $10,000 Islanders Grant for Outdoor Learning Center
Woodmere Middle School has been awarded a $10,000 grant through the New York Islanders' Power Play for Education program, presented at UBS Arena in Elmont. The funds will go toward expanding the school's beloved Outdoor Environmental Center — adding weather monitoring stations, new composting systems, and environmental science equipment for students in grades 3 through 8. Principal John Andruzcewicz secured the grant to keep the center, which has operated in the school's inner courtyard since 2015, growing for future classes. Read more here
Ambassador Huckabee Delivers Powerful Message on Yom Ha'atzmaut
As the Five Towns community marked Israeli Independence Day, U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee delivered a moving tribute, reflecting on 4,000 years of Jewish history in Jerusalem and celebrating 78 years since the establishment of the modern State of Israel. "The U.S.-Israel relationship has never been stronger," Huckabee said. His words resonated deeply in communities like ours, where Yom Ha'atzmaut is celebrated with deep pride each year. Source: 5townscentral.com
Local Leaders Fight Albany's REVIVE Act — And Want Your Signature
Town of Hempstead Supervisor John Ferretti has joined a large coalition of Nassau County officials — including Oyster Bay and North Hempstead supervisors — to oppose the proposed REVIVE Act, state legislation that would allow high-density housing to be built on commercial properties like malls and parking lots, bypassing local zoning entirely. Officials warn this could transform Five Towns neighborhoods without any community input. Ferretti has launched a petition residents can sign at Change.org/StopReviveAct. Read more here
Atlantic Beach Proposes 2% Tax Cut in New Budget
Good news for nearby Atlantic Beach residents: the village's proposed 2026–27 budget comes in at $5.1 million and includes a 2 percent property tax decrease. Officials say the reduction is driven by lower legal costs — a big shift after last year's steep increases — along with new investment in infrastructure projects. The budget will require formal adoption before taking effect. Read more here
Nassau Opioid Settlement Funds Under Fire — Lawmakers Push for Transparency
Assemblywoman Olena Nicks and fellow Democratic legislators are pushing new state legislation to protect Nassau County's opioid settlement funds after it was revealed that millions of dollars in interest earnings had been quietly moved into the county's general fund. The proposed bill would mandate greater transparency and tighter oversight on how the settlement money — meant to address the opioid crisis — is spent. Read more here
Five Towns: 100 Years of Community, Change & Resilience
The LI Herald recently published a fascinating deep-dive into the history of the Five Towns, tracing how our communities — from the stockbrokers in Hewlett to the Jewish families who settled in Cedarhurst — came together around a shared railroad line and, eventually, a shared identity. The name "Five Towns" itself only came into popular use in the 1930s. It's a great read for any longtime or newer resident who wants to understand the roots of where we live. Read more here
🃏 Jokes
Why don't eggs tell jokes? Because they'd crack each other up!
🏛️ Five Towns Trivia
Question: Rock Hall Museum in Lawrence is one of the finest pre-Revolutionary War homes on Long Island. It was built in 1767 — but for whom?
Answer: Josiah Martin, a wealthy West Indian plantation owner. The home later passed to the Hewlett family, who deeded it to the Town of Hempstead in 1948. It opened as a museum in 1953 and is free to visit on its grounds daily until 4 PM!
Community Safety News
Nassau Police Arrest 35 in Gang Crackdown, Seize Weapons and Narcotics
Nassau County Police made 35 arrests in a targeted gang enforcement operation this month, seizing illegal firearms, narcotics, and other dangerous weapons during a multi-day sweep. While the operation was county-wide, it is a reminder for Five Towns residents that local law enforcement continues to actively work to keep our communities safe. Source: liherald.com
Local Child Abuse Case Leads to Arrest — A Reminder for All Families
A serious child abuse case involving a two-month-old infant was uncovered right here in our community after concerned parents reviewed home surveillance footage and discovered troubling behavior by their caretaker. RNSP coordinated with the NYPD and an arrest was made. The child is now safe. This incident is a stark reminder: always thoroughly vet caregivers and check in regularly. Source: 5townscentral.com
Crossbow Attack in Lawrence — Suspect Charged with Attempted Murder
A Lawrence man, Samy Sedhom, has been charged with attempted murder and assault after allegedly carrying out a planned crossbow attack on his sister, leaving her seriously injured. Prosecutors say he also placed a tracking device on the victim's vehicle. His next court date is scheduled for March 17. Source: liherald.com