Hello, Herald readers

Usually I start by saying “Thanks for picking up this copy of the Lynbrook/East Rockaway Herald,” but in this case, you’ve most likely received the issue in your mailbox. So if you’re a new reader (and we hope you stay with us and get an annual subscription) I say, “Welcome, and happy reading!” Love it, hate it, agree with it or not, you can’t deny that we have some interesting local tidbits on these pages.

We at the Herald strive to bring you the most local, most accurate and most interesting news that you can find. Sure, we can all get news on the Internet immediately, or from other newspapers that cover a larger area, but where else can you pick up the phone or shoot us an email, telling us about a story idea (or what you liked or didn’t like about a story in last week’s edition)? That’s how we get our best leads. Where else can you find out about an up-and-coming hip hop group, or a well-known, seasoned musician who lives just blocks from you? Where else can you learn, in detail, your local students’ test score results, or who won the last high school sports game? Where else can you find out what is going on in your neighborhood, or just around the corner? Where else can you submit and share your own news ­—weddings, births, graduations, anniversaries, even obituaries -- for FREE? In these pages, that’s where.

I, too, like to surf the net, but there’s really nothing like opening up your local weekly newspaper, sitting down with a cup of coffee or tea, and taking a well-deserved break. So, take a Herald break today — you deserve it!

This “all-circ” issue includes the Lynbrook/East Rockaway Almanac, a popular booklet that is just chock-full of information about your villages, schools, club and organizations and places of worship; it tells you how to reach your representatives, or who to call in an emergency. I take one home with me and keep it next to my phone — it really comes in handy!

We’ve also included an array of stories and profiles that we hope you like. We want to keep you informed and entertained, and we hope that we have achieved that. Toward the back of the paper are the op-ed pages, where you’ll find the editorial (our collective opinions), and columns from a variety of writers (that we don’t always agree with what they have to say either, but, hey, they have the right to say it!) And there’s also the “Letters to the Editor,” where you, the reader, have your space to voice your opinion, so please write to us when you want to be heard.

Thanks for reading. Whether this is your first issue, or you’re a longtime subscriber, we hope you find the contents informative and entertaining. Drop me a line at mmalloy@liherald.com with your opinion.

Have a safe end to your summer, and a great year ahead. My regular column is below.