Forthcoming documentary chronicles ‘70s midget football juggernaut The 1972 Red Devils with coaches (from left) the late John Dybus, Robert Perpall, the late Jim Tintle and Rich Festante (Photo courtesy of Doug Delaney) It was the best of times. It was the worst of times. So it went in Levittown circa 1971 and 1972, when the Red Devils, a 27-member traveling team of football players ranging from the ages of eight through 13, were busy compiling a 20-1 record as back-to-back champions of the L.I.M.F.L. (Long Island Midget Football League). The team’s dominance enabled them to outscored their op ..read more

The pandemic may have caused an existential pause button to be pressed, but for Def Leppard, it meant a creative rejuvenation that yielded Diamond Star Halos, the band’s twelfth studio album and first since 2015’s self-titled predecessor. It’s a feeling guitarist Phil Collen wholeheartedly embraces when asked how he and the rest of the group navigated COVID-19. Def Leppard (Photo by Kevin Nixon/CC BY-SA 4.0) “For me and Joe [Elliott], selfishly, we had the best time ever,” Collen shared. “We had no kids at home and actually experienced the most creative period artistically that we’ve ever had ..read more

Seeing Ritchie Blackmore and Deep Purple may have cast the die for 14-year-old Phil Collen in terms of getting sucked into the world of playing music professionally, but it was glam rock that sucked in the future Def Leppard guitarist and the rest of his bandmates. “From ’71 to ’74 was [a music era] that kept popping up [throughout our band’s history],” Collen explained, “You start with the New York Dolls—I love Johnny Thunders’ guitar. And Steve Jones was the next generation of that. I love Johnny Thunders and Steve Jones as much as I love Michael Schenker and Ritchie Blackmore, which I add a ..read more

Whatever you do, don’t call Brightside, the Lumineers’ fourth and newest studio effort a COVID-19 album, despite the fact that the nine songs started tracking in March 2021. While founding member Wesley Schultz acknowledges the pair of two-and-a-half week sessions occurred during this time frame as the 39-year-old New Jersey native was hunkering down with his family in Denver, he feels this latest outing is its own thing. The Lumineers from left: Jeremiah Fraites and Wesley Schultz (Photo by Danny Clinch) “We kept saying it was like the post-COVID-19 record,” Schultz explained. “To me, it was ..read more

Hebrew School children of Congregation Beth Tikvah in Wantagh prepared blintzes for the upcoming Jewish festival of Shavuot. The holiday is celebrated on June 5 to 6. Rabbi Moishe Weisblum is seated center and Elita Portnoy, Hebrew School teacher is standing center. (Photo courtesy of Congregation Beth Tikvah) —Submitted by Congregation Beth Tikvah ..read more

Farmingdale hosts Special Olympic Games Opening Ceremonies at Howitt Middle School (Photo courtesy of the Farmingdale School District) The Long Island Special Olympics Spring Games were a success. Farmingdale Schools hosted the competition that brought athletes, coaches, volunteers, and community members together. It was a spectacular day for everyone involved. Track & Field at Howitt Middle School (Photo courtesy of the Farmingdale School District)   Powerlifting at Farmingdale High School (Photo courtesy of the Farmingdale School District)Swimming at Farmingdale High School (Photo c ..read more

Congratulations to our daughter, Abigail Anne Katz (pictured). We are so proud of all of your accomplishments these past couple years in Hicksville High School. It’s not easy balancing school work, clubs and personal time, but you managed to make it look like a piece of cake. We are so proud of your achievements, including being in the top 20 percent of your grade and getting inducted into the Math Honor Society and ASL Honor Society. We all look forward to seeing you succeed in the next chapter of your life. We love you. From mom, dad, Rachel, David and Scooby. —Submitted by Howard Katz ..read more

Playwright’s new memoir captures Chinese-American experience  Isabel Allende once said that a memoir is invitation into another person’s privacy. It’s certainly the case with Our Laundry, Our Town: My Chinese American Life from Flushing to the Downtown Stage and Beyond, playwright Alvin Eng’s account of growing up as a second-generation Asian-American in 1970s New York City. The youngest of five children, Eng was the result of an arranged marriage between his late parents, who he affectionately refers to as King Wah Eng and The Empress Mother. The Engs supported themselves running three F ..read more

District repairs eight out of nine detected leaks The Hicksville Water District (HWD) recently conducted a comprehensive leak detection survey to report on potential leaks occurring within portions of its distribution system. Leaks in the distribution system can easily go undetected, as the water mains are several feet below the surface. Through these efforts, the district identified the locations of nine leaks, eight of which received immediate repairs. This will keep thousands of gallons of water from escaping the water mains. “Maintaining our infrastructure is a vital component of what make ..read more

Oyster Bay Town Supervisor Joseph Saladino, Councilwoman Michele Johnson and Councilwoman Vicki Walsh recently unveiled safety upgrades and other improvements at Hicksville’s John Walker Park. The improvements included replacement of an existing 120,000 square-foot multi-purpose field that hosts local football, soccer and lacrosse games. The synthetic field was beyond its useful life and worn out from years of playtime. Additionally, the park was reconfigured to include a new 60-foot baseball diamond, allowing for expanded play opportunities for Little Leaguers. Town officials were joined in t ..read more