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Bellmore • Merrick MAILED TO OVER 23,000 HOMES VOLUME 4, NUMBER 1
IN PRINT & ONLINE
OCTOBER 2016
LIBRARY CELEBRATES SERVING THE COMMUNITY 50 YEARS
CANDIDATES VY FOR YOUR VOTE ON NOVEMBER 8
NEW SALT CAVE IN BELLMORE
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NEWS
Your NewsMag
October 2016 | Vol.4 №1
North Merrick Public Library: 50 Years of Serving the Community
DOUGLAS FINLAY
“Libraries and learning are free,” remarked resident Harriet Jonquiere. “My children come here to socialize and meet other children,” said Millie Torchia. “Google wasn’t the first search engine, librarians were,” said Bill Pezzulo, president of the North Merrick Public Library Board of Trustees, to several cheers. “Libraries are today’s community centers,” added state Assemblyman Dave McDonough. “Libraries helped my children to open books that I couldn’t have opened for them,” concluded Hempstead Town Clerk Nasrin Ahmad. These were a small sampling of the many comments floating throughout the morning and into the afternoon from residents and public officials as the North Merrick Public Library celebrated the official 50th Anniversary of its home at 1691Meadowbrook Road on Saturday, October 15. The party carried into the afternoon with the Just 60s Band, a magic show, a balloon show, foods and much more. In addition to celebrating the 50th anni-
ery successful man is a woman - by saying it was her who “may have nudged” him to work at getting a library for the community. “Our family was all book lovers and readers,” she said. Ruth worked at the new library for 42 years, working first to stock the shelves of books before settling into a variety of other positions.
SPIRIT AND TENACITY
Ruth Kirsch joined library Director Tom Witt in dedicating the Len Kirsch Room. Kirsch worked to get the community vote that created the library. versary of the library, it also dedicated a new room to Len Kirsch, who spearheaded the effort to pass a vote to establish the library. Ruth Kirsch, Len’s wife, told Your NewsMag during the dedication “I’m so glad he did this, he made people happy and they felt very comfortable.” She added humor to the dedication raising the ages-old adage that behind ev-
MATH HELP
ENRICHMENT • SAT • ACT • REGENTS • TEST PREP • HOMEWORK HELP
Library Director Tom Witt, in his dedication, spoke of Len Kirsch graduating with a journalism degree from New York University and working on the editorial staff of both Look and Quick magazines before becoming director of public relations for a New York-based corporation. “Trying to get the community to pass a vote to establish a new library was a daunting task in that two prior attempts had been voted down,” Witt remarked of Kirsch’s spirit and tenacity toward establishing a new library. The first vote took place on May 1, 1951, and failed with 100 yes votes and 242 no votes, Witt said. The second vote took place nearly six
years later, on May 15, 1957. The turnout for that vote was much greater, Witt said, but once again failed, 546 votes yes to 1805 votes against. Ramping up a get-out-the-vote campaign by soliciting door-to-door, sending out community mailings and placing posters all around town, Kirsch apparently sparked a movement by community leaders in Jericho - who also wanted a library - to comment to Newsday that they wished to hold their referendum the same day as the next North Merrick community library vote on November 21, 1964, because …”the issue will be at a fever pitch at that time.” According to Witt, the third time was a charm, as residents voted on that day 1623 yes to 564 no, to secure the establishment of the first library in North Merrick. Kirsch was later given the very first library card, Library Card Number 1, which his wife Ruth said she still has. The 50-year celebration actually combines three dates over two years, Witt said in an earlier interview. The first date celebrated was November 21, 1964, with community passage of the [CONT. ON PAGE 23]
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HALLOWEEN NEWS
Vol.4 №1 | October 2016
Merrick Chamber To Hold Halloween Parade October 29
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he Merrick Chamber of Commerce will hold its annual Halloween Parade on Saturday, October 29, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Trick or Treat along Merrick Avenue compliments of Merrick merchants and businesses along
SPOOKY FEST
Join the Center for Science Teaching and Learning (CSTL) at 1450 Tanglewood Road in Rockville Centre as it celebrates Halloween with its annual Spooky Fest. Attractions include the “Not-So-Spooky” Walk for kids, the Scary Walk for braver patrons, kids’ arts and crafts, a live animals exhibit and more! If you’re feeling especially brave then take on the Maze of Madness—an elaborate junkyard home to a crazy caretaker. Those who venture too close to the maze are never heard from again! Dates are Friday, Saturday and Sunday, October 28, 29 and 30, from 6:30-9:30 p.m. The cost is $10 for non-spooky attractions, and $15 for spooky attractions. For information visit www.cstl.org or call 7640045
THE RISE
The RISE of the Jack O'Lanterns is coming your way Thursday-Sunday, October 27-30, at Old Westbury Gardens. A 1/3 mile walking trail filled with hand-carved illuminated Jack O'Lanterns in the gardens of one of Long Island's most treasured historic sites. Come see over 5000 handcarved jack o'lanterns created by professional artists and sculptors! Visit www.therise.org/ or call 252-3392 for information about ticket prices and times available. Cost varies by date and time.
CHALLENGE ESCAPE ROOMS – HALLOWEEN EDITION
Experience an hour of thrills and chills in this interactive, adrenaline filled game. For the Halloween season, these fun escape challenges take on a more sinister twist. In Killer Countdown you awake to find yourself in
the route towards the gazebo. All the children can come dressed in costume and trick-or-treat at the local businesses for all kinds of candies. Parade starts at Purick Park, at the corner of Loines Avenue and Merrick Avenue.
a dark room; before long you realize that you have been kidnapped. Examining your surroundings it becomes clear that terrible things have happened in this room, and if you don't get out quickly your life will be in serious danger! In CarnEVIL, you hear carnival music playing and decide to investigate. As you get nearer, you realize something sinister has taken over this once fun-filled park and that many who enter do not escape this CarnEVIL! Can you make it out before the clowns come back for you? In The Psychic your friends insisted that you come along to get a psychic reading. You enter the psychic's room and the door suddenly closes behind you, locking you all in! You are filled with dread as it's clear your lives are in danger...can you use what's in the psychic's room to find a way out before she traps you forever? These spine-tingling experiences at 922 Hempstead Turnpike, Franklin Square, third floor, are available until Mid-November, but book in advance. Call 888-0202 for complete details, or visit www.challengeescaperooms.com.
GHOSTS, MURDERS AND MAYHEM WALKING TOURS
Tour of Greenwich Village’s infamous locations where real ghosts from disturbances past may be lurking departs outside the corner entrance to Washington Square Park at the northwest corner of Waverly Place and MacDougal Street, also known as Washington Square North and Washington Square West (25 Washington Square West). Tours of Lower Manhattan and Hell’s Kitchen are also on the schedule from Friday, October 28, through Halloween, October 31, starting at 8 p.m.
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Your NewsMag
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Join in a Spooktacular Day!
oin in the 2016 Halloween Spooktacular, hosted by the North and Central Merrick Civic Association and the Printing Emporium, on Saturday, October 29, at Fraser Park, North Merrick (Fraser Avenue just south of Old Mill Road). Bring your ghosts and goblins to this North Merrick annual event, where there will be plenty of
For information call 212-252-2625, or visit www.ghostsandmurders. com/.
HAUNTED HOUSE
Every year the doors of the Bay Family Mansion are unlocked. The ghosts and ghouls come out to play. They invade all of Bayville Adventure Park. Bayville Adventure Park transforms into a spooky world of frights and surprises to become Bayville Scream Park. Packed with thrills and chills, you might not want to miss this haunt! Featuring six thrilling attractions that you're sure to love: Bloodworth Haunted Mansion, Uncle Needle's Fun House of Fear, Temple of Terror, Zombie Pirates, Evil in the Woods, and new for 2016: The Cage! Open from 6 p.m.-1 a.m. on Fridays and Saturdays, October 28 and 29, and November 4 and 5, and Sunday, October 30 and November 6, from 6 -11 p.m. Open Halloween Day, October 31, from 6-10 p.m. Call 624-7433, or visit www.bayvillescreampark.com.
AMITYVILLE HORROR – ALL HALLOW’S EVE PARTY
Big Halloween rock party at Revolution Rock Hall, 140 Merrick Road, Amityville on Sunday, October 30, beginning at 7:30 p.m. Bands featured include Barron Misuiraca, Esoteria and Disorder, while DJs spin the music of Goth, industrial, metal, post punk, new wave, alternative and rock. Door prizes are courtesy of NB Spirits, Paper Doll Boutique and Daze. Best Halloween Horror costume could win $100 prize. For information call 631-264-7712, or visit www.universe.com/allhallowseve.
crafts, games, entertainment, "Balloons by Brittany" and, of course, candy and raffles. A donation of $1 per child is suggested and a donation to the dessert table will be appreciated. Rain Date is Sunday, October 30. Volunteers are also needed for the event. For complete details, or to volunteer, email claudiaborecky@gmail.com.
TRICK-OR-TREAT SAFETY TIPS The Nassau County Department of Health is partnering with Safe Kids Nassau County to promote pedestrian safety awareness this Halloween. With daylight hours getting shorter, children are more likely to be trick-or-treating in the dark when it is more difficult for drivers to see them. “Halloween is an exciting time of the year for our children. So I urge parents to review these important safety tips with their children this Halloween, and I wish all of our Nassau County families an exciting and fun-filled day,” remarked Nassau County Executive Edward Managano. “Fall celebrations such as Halloween prove to be an opportunity for parents, childcare providers and teachers to educate our children on safety tips, including pedestrian/motor vehicle and fire safety,” said Rosemarie Ennis, director of Safe Kids New York State.
TIPS TO LIVE SAFELY BY
Cross streets safely. Cross at a corner, using signals and crosswalks. Make eye contact with drivers before crossing. Look left, right and left again when crossing, and keep looking as you cross. Walk on well-lit sidewalks or paths. If there are no sidewalks, walk facing traffic as far to the left as possible. Children should walk in familiar areas with minimal street crossings. Be a safe pedestrian around cars. Watch for cars that are turning or backing up. Never dart out into the street or cross between parked cars. Do not use electronic devices while walking.
Costumes can be both creative and safe. Decorate costumes and bags with reflective tape or stickers. Masks can obstruct a child’s vision, so choose non-toxic face paint and make-up instead. Children should carry flashlights in order to see and be seen. Be especially alert. Children are excited and may move in unpredictable ways. Remember that popular trick-or-treating hours are during the typical rush-hour period between 5:30-9:30 p.m. Drive slowly. Slow down and anticipate heavier than usual pedestrian traffic. Full headlights should be on so that children can be spotted from greater distances. Reduce distractions. Eliminate driver distractions such as talking on the telephone or eating. Although pedestrian safety is a main concern on Halloween, parents also need to keep in mind that there are other hazards for their children on this holiday. For more tips on how to keep kids safe while walking on Halloween and throughout the year, visitwww.usa.safekids.org and search Halloween.
ABOUT SAFE KIDS NASSAU COUNTY:
Safe Kids Nassau County is a coalition of public and private organizations working together to prevent injuries to children. Unintentional injuries are the number one killer of children ages 2 to 14. Northwell Health System serves as the lead organization for the Nassau County Safe Kids Coalition.
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October 2016 | Vol.4 №1
Your NewsMag
☞ TABLE OF CONTENTS PAGES 2-7: NEWS
Library celebrates 50 years serving the community, Halloween treats and haunts - for the fun of it, Veterans Day ceremonies in your neighborhood, Kennedy High School raises funds for breast cancer, historical “show ‘n’ tell … tells it like it was.
PAGE 9: CHAMBERS OF COMMERCE
Bellmore and Merrick chambers of commerce announce their Small Businesspersons of the Year.
PAGE 10: RECOGNITION
Seventh Annual Women of Distinction Awards are given in the state’s 14th Assembly District
PAGE 13: AWARDS
Susan Gruen Helsinger wins Good Neighbor Award
PAGES: 16-20: STATE ELECTIONS
Who will you vote for: assembly incumbent David McDonough or challenger Mike Reid; senate incumbent Michael Venditto or challenger John Brooks
PAGE 22: HEALTH MATTERS
New salt cave can help alleviate breathing, skin challenges
Himalayan salts in mist form are touted as a method to temporarily clear up breathing – and some skin – problems
WHO’S WHO AT YOUR NEWSMAG Advertising and Publishing Jill Bromberg
Online
Erin Donohue
Editing and Reporting Doug Finlay
Contact us with story ideas and news at:
Bewitched! Trick or treat, trick or treat, give me something good to eat! Ghosts and goblins be aware, Halloween will soon be here. Halloween is a fun holiday regardless of age. Don’t miss out on the fun, and check out the variety of spooktacular fun things to do in, around and about the communities! One of the biggest topics discussed is who will be the next President of the United States of America. On Election Day, Tuesday, November 8, after casting a vote for the presidential candidate of your choice, you will have an opportunity to also cast your vote for local elected officials to represent you. Your NewsMag asked state candidates to share their plans to serve their constituency – to help you decide who you favor. There are many community members being honored for their kind and generous nature, as demonstrated by giving in various ways to the communities and their neighbors. Your NewsMag presents some insight as to why these people are being honored. There never seem to be enough days in which to honor our Veterans. On Friday, November 11, there are several ceremonies once again within the communities. Show your support by attending a ceremony near you. The Bellmore Historical Association meeting included show-and-tell and a lively discussion about the Bellmores’ past and present. Who knew that Abraham Lincoln had any connection to Bellmore? Have you ever been to a salt cave? Now is your chance. The Healing Grotto in Bellmore offers the ultimate salt cave experience. This holistic drug free experience may alleviate symptoms of many illnesses. October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Think pink, and make sure to schedule a mammogram. Students were out raising money at the annual American Cancer Society’s Making Strides Against Breast Cancer walk at Jones Beach, recently. There were many Jewish holidays celebrated this October, from the high holidays of Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur, to the joyous festival of Sukkot and Simchat Torah. This was the first year that my son was away at college and did not attend services with us as a family. I was
happy to learn that a local synagogue near his college was welcoming college students to attend services free of charge, offering a home away from home for the holidays. Our communities’ own Rabbi Ronald Brown from Temple Beth Am and Rabbi Charles Klein from Merrick Jewish Centre initiated a program called Synagogue Connect that joins college students with synagogues all across America and beyond. It is a wonderful program sending a powerful message to college students that synagogue doors are, and will always be, open to them. I am not surprised that such a program started with the clergy right here in the community. There is much to do “In and Around” the neighborhoods this month. If you like Chinese auctions, garage sales, concerts and book discussions … and much more, make sure you read page 21 to find out what’s going on “In and Around” the Bellmores and the Merricks. Your NewsMag is delivered to every home in the Merricks and Bellmores free of charge because you live here and are part of the community. Advertiser support pays for Your NewsMag so, please support participating businesses by shopping locally. If you know something that is newsworthy please let us know. If your business is celebrating an anniversary or someone in your family is celebrating a special occasion, we want to know. After all, your news is our news. Congratulations to Prime Kosher of Merrick celebrating its two-year anniversary. The North Merrick Library also celebrates its 50th anniversary with fun and games, and music and treats. We at Your NewsMag thank the community for the privilege of being welcomed into your homes. We would also like to thank all our advertisers and supporters for helping us to reach our Third Anniversary. We will continue to bring to your door news of what’s happening in the neighborhoods that we hope reminds you just how special the Bellmores and the Merricks are to live, work and play in. Please join us on Facebook and visit YourNewsMag.com for updates on news throughout the month. Jill Bromberg PUBLISHER 516-633-8590 Jill@YourNewsMag.com
edit@yournewsmag.com info@yournewsmag.com To advertise, Jill@yournewsmag.com
Phone: 516-633-8590 P.O. Box 15, Bellmore, New York 11710
Bellmore • Merrick
Bellmore • Merrick
Celebrating Three Years Making Your News Our News
Vol.4 №1 | October 2016
Your NewsMag
Assemblyman Dave McDonough Fighting in Albany to make our communities a better place to live!
• Improving Education and Fixing Common Core • Supporting Families and Small Businesses • Continuing to Fight to Reduce Taxes
McDonough Assemblyman
An Experienced Legislator who is Working to Make Things Better and Safer for the Residents and Businesses of Nassau County 2016 Endorsements • Newsday • MADD 2016 Legislator of the Year • NY State Public Employees Federation • New York State AFL-CIO • New York State United Teachers • New York State Nurses Association • Nassau County PBA • Nassau County Superior Officers Assoc. • Nassau County Detectives Association • Nassau County Correction Officers Assoc. • New York State Police Conference • Long Island Federation of Labor • New York League of Conservation Voters
Fighting for our families and children: • Member of the Assembly for 15 years • Chairman of Task Force for Public Safety • Lead the fight to reform Common Core • Sponsored legislation to define and punish cyber bullying
• Provided Nassau County schools with over $1 billion in aid • Passed an ethics plan that includes pension forfeiture • Voted to reduce property and business taxes
On Tuesday, November 8th, Please vote on the Republican, Conservative, Independence or Tax Revolt Party lines Paid for by Friends for McDonough
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Your NewsMag
NEWS
October 2016 | Vol.4 №1
VETERANS DAY CEREMONIES Taking Place on November 11
MERRICK
American Legion Post 1282 of Merrick will hold its annual Veterans Day ceremony at the Veterans Memorial Plaza on Merrick Avenue, across from Camp Avenue School, on Friday, November 11, at 11 a.m. All in the community are invited to attend, and people are expected to begin gathering at 10:30 a.m. for the 11 a.m. ceremony, known as the “11th Hour Ritual.” Post members, ladies Post 1282 auxiliary units, fire department members, chaplains, Jewish war veterans and Vietnam War veterans are all expected to be in attendance.
BELLMORE
COUGARS RAISE $1500 FOR BREAST CANCER: The Kennedy High School Cougar football family took part in the annual American Cancer Society Making Strides Against Breast Cancer 5K walk at Jones Beach, recently, raising more than $1500 for the fight. More than 100 Kennedy High School football players, coaches and family members joined tens of thousands of other Long Islanders in this annual noncompetitive, inspirational event, which raises money and awareness in the fight against cancer.
Meanwhile, the American Legion Post 948 and Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 2770 will hold their annual ceremony at Bellmore War Veterans Park at the corner of Bedford Avenue and Broadway beginning at 11 a.m. A chaplain, fire department personnel, war veterans association members and the community are expected to be in attendance.
NORTH BELLMORE
The American Legion Post 1749 on Newbridge Road in North Bellmore will begin its day with a prayer vigil at 10:45 a.m. followed by a gathering at the North Bellmore Memorial Monument on the Newbridge Road schoolgrounds beginning at 11 a.m. Members of Post 1749 and their ladies auxiliary units along with firefighters, a chaplain and members of the community are expected to be in attendance.
FIELD OF HONOR
Merrick Kiwanis will display its Field of Honor on Merrick Avenue at the Veterans Plaza (across from Camp Avenue) from November 1 to November the 15. This project honors our veterans and all profits are donated to a local veterans charity.
VIETNAM WAR VETERANS
The Bellmore-based Vietnam War Veterans Association will also hold its ceremony at 12 noon at the Vietnam War Memorial at Eisenhower Park, Field 6, in honor of those who served in Vietnam.
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NEWS
Historical Meeting Shows ‘n’ Tells It – Like It Was O
ver 20 members of the community came out to show and tell what they knew – and know - of Bellmore’s long history during a recent Bellmore Historical Association meeting at the Bellmore Memorial Library, which once again led to engaging and lively discussion about what they remember of Bellmore when growing up – and what it has become. Reference librarian and BHA archivist Martha DiVittorio and assistant reference librarian and archivist Chryssa Golding opened the evening quickly by introducing teen Mary Cathyrn Mutone in a videotaped presentation – as shown by her uncle Nick D’Alto. In the video she spoke of a connection between Bellmore and the election of President Abraham Lincoln. In earlier meetings, she has shown letters mentioning Bellmore from the Brooklyn Eagle dated 1870, and presented “Bellmore in Egypt” photos. Mary Catherine explained researching a small newspaper article to learn there was a group of Abe Lincoln supporters in Bellmore (not known as Bellmore then) during the 1860 election that called itself the “Wide Awake Club.” At least 15 members dressed up in military uniforms of the time, and marched through the area at night in torchlit processions – all in support of the election of Abraham Lincoln. Jack Skelly came up and spoke of the late Richard Segerdahl - an early advocate for the Bellmore Village concept - working in the first Bellmore Pharmacy. Skelly sent around a postcard that itemized the pharmacy’s services and featured the first phone number in Bellmore: 0001. “If people needed a telephone,” Skelly said, “they could come to the pharmacy and use it, for free.” Attendee Don Kaestener noted that the phone number on the card actually read Wantagh 1. Florence Gatto, a founder of the Long Island Writers Guild, which holds monthly meetings at the Bellmore library, spoke and showed a photo of an antique shop at the southwest corner of Merrick Road and South St. Marks Avenue as being known only as the “little pink house.” T.D. Smith’s house used to stand at that location during the early 1900s, said DiVittorio. Gary Gaccione, who taught in the North
Bellmore School District before retiring, told attendees he moved to Locust Avenue in North Bellmore from Brooklyn, in which he had a farm in back of the house. He spoke of a Winwood Estates home costing $22,000 in 1954. “You could put $4000 down, have an $18,000 mortgage at 4% and pay taxes of $33,” he said. Perhaps the highlight of the evening was the introduction of 94-year-old Tom McGovern, who moved from Kips Bay in Manhattan and was active in the Bellmore Fire Department for 75 years, having joined it in 1941. “When I started there were five routes in Bellmore, now there are 40,” he said. He recalls a man living in a house in Bellmore one day cutting his grass. He refilled his lawnmower with gasoline and spilled some on himself, lighting himself afire when a spark ignited the gas as he tried to restart the lawnmower. He died and, ultimately, the property was put up for sale, in which the former owner of the Sunrise Village, which had closed, purchased it and built a new restaurant. When asked what he thought was the toughest fire he fought as a firefighter, McGovern recalled a celluloid factory on Newbridge Road and Swanson Place in North Bellmore in 1938 that caught fire, sending flames leaping hundreds of feet into the air. McGovern spoke of the “swimming hole” in Merrick he and his friends would go to that acted as “our Riviera.” There was no junior or senior high school in Bellmore at the time, and he and his friends would cross the tracks and cross over the third rail as a means to cut through to get to the swimming hole more quickly. “If we didn’t cut through, then we had to walk along the tracks from Newbridge Road to the swimming hole,” which he identified as Smith Pond, on the Bellmore-Merrick border. McGovern commented, upon seeing old copies of the now-defunct Home Town News (1937-1964) that his father’s cousin was publisher of the Home Town News, a Mr. Dellamore. A parking lot and the streets leading into the lot near where the newspaper office stood are named after Dellamore. The next meeting the Bellmore Historical Association will be in January.
DOUGLAS FINLAY
Your NewsMag
C Th O 1 O ou R MP 0% g B LE O W h N AT T ith o H EK F m v R en em E IT F M C tio n be O HE of r D N EL th 3 0 is ad , 2 0 16
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October 2016 | Vol.4 №1
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CHAMBERS OF COMMERCE
Vol.4 №1 | October 2016
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BELLMORE-MERRICK’S SMALL BUSINESSPERSONS OF THE YEAR NAMED
he Nassau Council of Chambers of Commerce, (NCCC) bestowed honors upon small businesspersons of the Year in the Bellmores and the Merricks during its annual breakfast at the Crest Hollow Country Club recently. The Chamber of Commerce of the Bellmores and the Merrick Chamber of Commerce nominated as their small businesspersons, respectively, Hector Granados, owner of Bedford Delicatessen in Bellmore, and Kathy Chuber, chief accounting officer and manager of Selective Associates Inc. of Merrick. The pair received their plaques from NCCC during the breakfast, along with many other small businesspersons given the honor by the NCCC.
HECTOR GRANADOS
Hector Granados owns Bedford Delicatessen and Caterers, located at 105 Bedford Avenue in Bellmore, and has been in the delicatessen business since 2003. About 16 years ago Hector moved to Bellmore and started working at Blossom Farms on Bedford Avenue. Hector was very interested in catering events and found his passion in the world of gastronomy. Because of his love for cooking, he decided to purchase his
own deli and catering business, across the street from Blossom Farms, which has met with much success. Hector’s catering services have increased over the years to include businesses, Boy Scouts, fraternal association, schools and the Chamber of Commerce of the Bellmores. Hector is also a member of the Lions Club in Bellmore and participates in the Strawberry Festival (organized by the Bellmore Lions and Kiwanis Clubs). He is also on the Board of Directors of the Chamber of Commerce of the Bellmores, and is an Extraordinary Minister at the Holy Redeemer Church. Even while running a successful business, Hector finds time to help people, and most importantly spend time with his family.
KATHY CHUBER
Kathy Chuber is Chief Accounting Officer and Manager of Selective Associates Insurance Inc., 1687 Merrick Avenue, in Merrick. After graduating from St. John’s
University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in accounting, Kathy joined her husband’s small family insurance business in 1988. While working as an accountant in the agency, she had also furthered her education and is a licensed Property and Casualty Broker as well as a Life and Health Broker. Kathy has played a vital part in the growth of the company over the years, and as such was assigned more responsibilities. She oversees all accounting functions and operates as office manager of their Merrick, and Orlando and Boynton Beach, Florida offices. Locally, over the past four years, Kathy has been an active board member for the Merrick Chamber of Commerce and holds the position of Treasurer for the chamber.
www.ncchambers.org Supported by the Towns of Hempstead, North Hempstead & Oyster Bay
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RECOGNITION
Your NewsMag
October 2016 | Vol.4 №1
Seventh Annual Women of Distinction Awards
he Seventh Annual Women of Distinction Awards Ceremony was held at the Merrick Library. These woman all live within the 14th Assembly District, and were presented by state Assemblyman Dave McDonough. The honorees are Svetlana Groman, Dr. Michelle Jardine and Erika Wagner of Bellmore; Christine Vignola, Gail Hernandez and Linda Prussen of Merrick; Lori Farina of North Bellmore; Rita Marie Smith of North Merrick; and Judy Bongiovi and Karen Siler of Seaford, and Geraldine Moore, Ph.D and Carol Wilson of Wantagh.
SVETLANA GROMAN – BELLMORE
A Bellmore resident, Svetlana is a home health aide who works with patients who have problematic health issues preventing them from caring for themselves on a daily basis. Several have suffered debilitating health conditions that have diminished their quality of life. Understanding that severe illness can affect a person emotionally and psychologically, Growan is determined to give her patients’ lives more meaning, doing whatever it takes to brighten their day. She spends time speaking with them, cooks their meals, bathes them, cleans their homes and reminds them to take their medications. To help keep their leg muscles active, she helps those who are able to walk around their home. On her own time, she will often help them with their shopping. Her patients have a deep regard for her; she is more than a health aide to them. She is a guiding light, always encouraging them and treating them with respect and consideration during one of the most challenging times in their lives.
DR. MICHELLE JARDINE – BELLMORE
An endocrinologist serving the Long Island community for the past 16 years, Michelle works tirelessly to help her patients while raising her nine year-old daughter. She recently completed a twoyear program in endocrine certification in neck ultrasound (ECNU), which concentrates on thyroid and parathyroid diseases. Although Dr. Jardine’s practice is time consuming, she always has time for her daughter and her activities, whether it be helping out in Girl Scouts or serving lunch in the cafeteria. She especially en-
wright to the Township Theater Group of Huntington and is an actress with a handful of TV and film credits.
CHRISTINE VIGNOLA – MERRICK
From left are Bill Wagner (in for Erika Wagner), Dr. Michelle Jardine, Gail Hernandez, Carol Wilson, Lori Farina, Assemblyman McDonough, Judy Bongiovi, Rita Marie Smith, Karen Siler, Linda Prussen, Dr. Geraldine Moore and Christine Vignola joys Career Day, when she speaks to the students about her practice and what her job entails. Juggling her personal life and her career will never be easy, but Dr. Jardine understands priorities and treats both parts of her world with the care and attention they deserve.
ERIKA WAGNER – BELLMORE
The second of four children, Erika is a member of the Air National Guard. Initially deciding to join the U.S. Air Force, she realized that, although she wanted to serve her country, she wanted to serve the people of the Long Island community first and found that the Air National Guard would give her the greatest opportunity to do this. She enlisted for eight years and is assigned to the 106th Air Rescue Wing at Gabreski Air Force Base in Westhampton. The mission of the 106th is to provide worldwide personnel recovery; combat search and rescue capability; expeditionary combat support; and civil search and rescue support to federal and state authorities. Putting their lives on the line every time they are called upon, they fulfill the 106th’s motto “That Others May Live.”
GAIL HERNANDEZ – MERRICK
Gail is a successful cancer survivor who learned that one of the side effects of chemotherapy is total hair loss. For many men and women, this causes great anxiety. Given the difficulty of the fight, itself anxiety-provoking, they would have one less thing to worry about if they knew they wouldn’t lose their hair. Knowing she was going to have to deal with this side effect of her treatment, Hernandez decided to research methods for preventing the hair loss.
Incredibly, she found a safe and effective method that would allow her to keep her hair. Hernandez was so grateful for the result she organized a fundraiser to increase awareness of the method, and to provide financial assistance to those who could not afford to pay for the program. The method is called Cold Caps Assistance Project and can be found at hairtostay.org. Keeping her hair during that difficult time gave Hernandez hope, and she in turn shared her hope with others coping with cancer.
LINDA PRUSSEN – MERRICK
For more than three decades, Prussen has coached gymnastics. During the last 10 years she has taught Mikayla, who is deaf and whose mother is battling multiple sclerosis. To make things easier on the family, Prussen picked up Mikayla for lessons every week until she obtained her driver license. Under Prussen’s tutelage, Mikayla started gymnastics as a beginner and now has elite tumbling skills. A lover of the written word, Prussen is a journalist, columnist and playwright, her work having received widespread attention. Her story “Older Athletes Strive to Excel” was featured on the front page of Newsday, and the story “Organ Owners, ” which appeared in the Long Island Press, was quoted in a decision to hear a case by the New York State Court of Appeals, and was later written up in Yale Law Review. Prussen maintains a column, “Something to Wine About” for the online Daily News. Prussen’s writing has earned her 11 press awards. With several one-act plays to her credit, she is also a regular contributing play-
Christine has spent her entire career helping people reach their financial goals, whether it was in her position as a broker on Wall Street or her time with Fidelity Investments, which she joined in 1998. During her time with Fidelity, she has held several leadership positions working her way up from account executive to her current position as vice-president, branch office manager in Roslyn. It is in her current capacity that Vignola has been recognized as one of the top managers in personal investing, receiving the coveted President’s Circle Award for Excellence. She is an executive member of Ellevate, an organization whose goal is to advance women in the workplace, both for themselves and the greater good, and is a Women’s Ambassador for Fidelity Investments. As important as her career and organization affiliations are, it is Vignola’s work with the American Cancer Society (ACS) that touches her heart. It began in 2008 with the Merrick- Bellmore Relay for Life when her daughter Amanda and her friend, both nine years old, began selling lemonade to raise funds for ACS. Vignola led the team A Cup for a Cure’s fundraising efforts and, today, the team is proud to have raised more than $40,000 since the girls opened that lemonade stand. Through various fundraisers, Vignola and daughter Amanda, now in high school, helped A Cup for a Cure raise $15,000 for the Merrick-Bellmore High School District Relay for Life event, the largest amount raised by a team. Vignola used her time working with 14 high school students not only to teach them about caring and giving back, but how to be passionate about a cause, set a goal, create a strategy, overcome differing opinions and work together to create something larger than any one person can do on their own.
LORI FARINA – NORTH BELLMORE
Lori Farina serves as a Personnel Specialist IV and is the most senior member of the Town of Hempstead Civil Service Commission staff. Supervising a staff of
10, she possesses a thorough knowledge of civil service law and procedure and its practical application. She is an invaluable resource to the town as an expert level practitioner in Civil Service administration. Generous with her time, Farina avails herself to counsel town employees and members of the public regarding career paths and opportunities within the town. She is often sought out by department heads and senior administrators for her advice pertaining to their departments.. Farina’s expertise is so highly regarded that the New York State Department of Civil Service reaches out to her on a regular basis for guidance and insight. Farina has performed two jobs at the town for the past several years, never complaining or with never a decrease in the volume or quality of her work. Rarely missing a day of work, her co-workers feign shock and disbelief when she finally takes some much-deserved time off. Farina's life is extremely full and busy, yet she handles it all with composure and grace.
RITA MARIE SMITH – NORTH MERRICK
Rita Marie is thankful for the blessings in her life and, in appreciation, gives back to those around her. Over the years, she has given her time and energy to numerous and varied community organizations that are important to her. A Merrick resident, she has been an active member of Sacred Heart Church, participating in the Mommy and Me pre-school program; the Clothes Closet and the Peanut Butter and Jelly Gang, which distributes donated clothing and food to those in need; and as a funeral greeter. Volunteering for the Girls Scouts of Nassau County for 30 years, Smith held the positions of troop leader, service team member, and Merrick Magazines/ Munchies coordinator, all of which require a large time commitment. As trustee and activity coordinator for the Mary and Elizabeth Center in Oceanside, an organization of women helping women through personal and financial crises, Smith has supported many women as they work through their troubles towards a stable, fulfilling life. Smith is a woman with a large heart whose life is an example of caring and selflessness.
Vol.4 â„–1 | October 2016
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MERRICK | $789,000
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October 2016 | Vol.4 â„–1
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Vol.4 №1 | October 2016
Susan Helsinger’s Good Neighbor Award
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he Long Island Board of REALTORS® Inc (LIBOR) has named Susan Gruen Helsinger, MRP, SRES of Douglas Elliman Real Estate in Merrick and LIBOR 2016 Treasurer, one of the five honorees of REALTOR® Magazine’s 2016
Good Neighbor Awards. "This year's Good Neighbor Award winners have gone beyond the call of duty," says National Association of REALTOR® President Salomone. "They touch the lives of those they serve in many positive ways while also maintaining successful careers in real estate and supporting their clients on a day-to-day basis.” Each winner will receive a $10,000 grant for their cause. Susan Gruen Helsinger sells real estate to improve the quality of people’s lives. On the side, she’s dedicated to saving them. Three years ago, Kaitlyn Paeth from Merrick, was diag-
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nosed with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, a thickening of the heart muscle that makes it difficult for the heart to pump blood. Kaitlyn was 14 at the time, and the only reason her condition was diagnosed was that she had received a free echocardiogram heart screening at her school. She’s one of 72 children who have been diagnosed with a cardiac abnormality because of Helsinger’s work as the founder and president of the Jason F. Gruen Research Foundation. Jason Gruen died at age 15 of a heart-related condition, leading to the formation of the foundation.
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October 2016 | Vol.4 â„–1
ELECTION:14th ASSEMBLY DISTRICT
Vol.4 №1 | October 2016
Your NewsMag
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David G. McDonough: Working to Benefit his Constituency
A
s a member of the Assembly Education Committee, I believe that all New York State residents should have access to higher education and have continually worked to increase funding for SUNY and CUNY, and increase the maximum TAP award to $6570; include graduate programs eligible for TAP; and increase the household income cap for TAP awards from $80,000 to $100,000. As we all know, textbooks are an enormous expense for students and I have co-sponsored legislation that would create a task force to review the issue of textbook costs and ways to enhance the academic role and delivery of course materials. I also co-sponsored legislation that would establish college supplies as a tax deductible expense. The rising cost of higher education is coupled with
huge amounts of student debt. Student loans are now second only to mortgages as the largest source of household debt. Seven million borrowers are in default, and millions more are behind on their payments. That is why I co-sponsored legislation that would provide an income tax deduction for both interest and principal amounts of student loans. I have long been a proponent of reforming the Common Core curriculum, having introduced legislation at the outset of the implementation of the program, to pause and revise. The Assembly Republican Conference has proposed The Next Step Education Reform Policy, which includes repealing the current teacher evalua-
tions system and empowering the board of Regents to establish a teacher evaluation system to be implemented statewide. It also included measures that would ensure all state assessments are age/developmentally appropriate and of the highest quality and, importantly, included providing increased flexibility for our students by offering multiple pathways to success and for our local school districts by giving them the freedom and resources to develop curriculum locally. In addition, the state needs to adopt the recent recommendations of the NYS Board of Regents, which would reevaluate the testing to make it more grade appropriate, and it is
very necessary to include educators and parents in the final development of the Common Core curriculum, something that was never done from the start and was sorely needed. Teachers must be trained and fully understand the curriculum that they will be using within the new standards. We must do everything we can to ensure that our students are receiving the best education possible in the best way. As Chairman of an Assembly Task Force on Public Safety, I work with various agencies including the United States Department of Homeland Security, FBI, Secret Service, police and law enforcement and will work to continue to inform citizens of the importance of vigilance and to report to authorities any indication or suspicion of potentially dangerous situations.
Simply stated: “See Something, Say Something.” We must all be aware of our surroundings. One of the most important aspects of public safety is to develop open communication among our citizens, local law enforcement officials and government. That can be accomplished through forums with various community organizations, which I have already begun, bringing together community groups and representatives from government and law enforcement to open channels of communication between the parties.
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ELECTION: 14th ASSEMBLY DISTRICT
October 2016 | Vol.4 №1
Michael Reid: ' As a Majority Member, I'll Get Things Done ' What is the state of the state at present? The economy of New York State is in better shape today than it was in 2008. Recent studies show that unemployment in Nassau County at only 3.9%. However, I am concerned with a recent report by state Comptroller Tom DiNapoli: “The challenges facing local governments across the state are real. Fourteen communities have been listed in the second highest category of ‘moderate fiscal stress.’ This includes Nassau and the Town of Hempstead. Residents of the 14th Assembly District are universal in their complaints that their local property taxes are too high. Should the 2% tax cap remain in place, and is it doing its intended purpose of reigning in overly aggressive spending at the local level to help reduce the residential tax burden? The tax cap restricts local districts from raising taxes more than 2% or
the rate of inflation. While this is unpopular with some special interest groups, the vast majority of taxpayers approve of this measure. If a school board, or other taxing district, can make the case to local taxpayers to pierce the cap, the voters can vote on it. I do not approve of a tax-andspend mentality. I do not see voters, nor would I support legislation, asking for the tax cap to be repealed any time soon. Common Core, while in principle, is designed to provide educational opportunities to match a global educational thrust, has been criticized by both parents and administrators. What are solutions to this gridlock? The legislature needs to listen to teachers and parents. We need to focus on quality education and student progress and allow local schools and school boards the freedom to decide how to evaluate the performance of
the teachers they employ. By now it should be clear to all involved that, while the intent may have been good, the pace which we moved to implement Common Core standards in New York was too fast. I do believe we need to have clear educational goals and standards, which will prepare our kids for the world they will soon be entering. After WASENC ended its most recent study of a public takeover of NY-American Water, the water company is now asking for its first rate increase in four years. Its infrastructure is no better than municipal water districts, yet residents now pay 3-to-5 times as much as municipal districts. Can private enterprise request more fees than government for a public necessity? Many residents have been critical of the decision by WASENC to retain the current water system under NYAmerican Water, a private supplier. The cost of water from NY American Water is reported to be almost
100 times the cost water provided by the Town of Hempstead Water Authority, which serves essentially the same area. The rate increase, universally opposed by every homeowner I have spoken with, must be approved by the state Public Service Commission. As a local resident, I echo the outrage at the proposed increases. Why do you believe you are better suited to tackle the issues in the state legislature than the incumbents? What hasn't the incumbent been able to accomplish that needs to be accomplished? I have heard my opponent complaining about how, as a member of the minority, he can’t get bills passed. Quoting his own press release, “As we look back on this year’s legislative session, I think we have missed huge opportunities to clean up Albany, fully address the Common Core issues and restore faith in government. The last few days of session were riddled with gridlock and a true disregard for the needs of Long Island families.” (June 25, 2015) Per-
haps he is right? The minority just can’t get it done. I have a lifelong history of getting it done with community service. I am a career paramedic, having served the NYC 911 system for over 20 years. I am an educator with Northwell Health, training the next generation of first responders. I am an active volunteer firefighter and past NYS FF of the Year. I serve on the Board of Directors for FASNY, which supports and advocates for over 90,000 NYS volunteer firefighters. I am a member of the NYS DOH EMS Council. I am a director of the Woodward Children’s Mental Health Center and School. I serve on the Bellmore-Merrick Heroin Task Force and the Nassau County Heroin Task Force. I provide free public NARCAN trainings as a volunteer with LICADD and, when not busy, serve as president of the Merrick Kiwanis Club. I will bring this wealth of experience and a “can do” attitude to the office as a member of the majority Assembly.
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Vol.4 â„–1 | October 2016
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October 29 - 30, 2016
10/30/16
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ELECTION: Eighth Senatorial District
Your NewsMag
October 2016 | Vol.4 №1
John Brooks: We Need Real Reforms THE STATE OF THE STATE
The state of the state is troubled, and we are on the threshold of a property tax crisis. Homeowners in our state have been asked to shoulder the cost of all layers of government from the county to the town, to police and fire. Virtually every level of government service in the state is primarily funded by means of property taxes. Total state aid budget is insufficient, funding only about one third of the cost of education while two thirds of the cost of education is primarily being funded by homeowners. Nowhere in this state is the long-term effect of excessive property taxes more clear than in Nassau County.
THE TWO PERCENT CAP
While the 2% tax cap has impacted the total level of government spending, it has also resulted in a number of hardships, where non-controlled expenses are increasing at a rate far in excess of the 2%. Medical expenses, for example, have an inflation rate far in excess of the tax caps limit. What the state legislature has done each year is continued to increase the percentage of educational funding required to the local school districts, rather than adjust how we fund education and provide a more re-
alistic level of state aid to assist the school districts.
COMMON CORE
Those parents who have elected to keep their children from taking these tests, the so-called opt out movement, are correct in what they have done. Reviews of tests have found that they are not truly grade-specific or age-specific. The tests should be used to measure the progress being made by school districts in terms of their improvement, not the establishment of pass or fail grades or the use of these tests to evaluate the effectiveness of the administration and teachers of the school districts. The federal government is at the core of this program: It is relocating thousands of refugees into local school districts with limited financial capability and informing those districts that they are responsible for funding the cost of educating the students. The poor educational performance of these districts is a direct result of the federal government’s action, not the local school district.
MEMBER FUNDING IMBALANCE
The so-called “member” item is one more example of needed reform in Albany. Every mem-
ber of the Legislature in each house should be provided an equal amount of money based on their office for distribution. Some consideration to the funding may include adjustments based on regional cost factors, recognizing that in some locations there are higher costs than in other locations. But there should be no deviation - nor funds based - on the official being in the minority or majority party.
WATER FEES
NYAmerican Water is a private company subject to property taxes, where those areas that have public water distribution systems are not. In my opinion, the water system should have always been a public system. NYAmerican Water and its predecessor have invested significant sums of money in establishing and maintaining the system, and much of that investment really comes from users of the system, not the company. It is unfair for users of that system to have to pay property taxes on the assets associated with the delivery system. Let’s eliminate those taxes and establish a maximum profit for private water systems, which can act as the sole difference
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between the price or fee between a government-owned water delivery system and a privately owned water delivery system. The current fee system is out of control and unfair.
QUALIFICATIONS
I do not believe that the current representative has provided to our district the representation we need to address the many problems we face. I have served for more than 45 years as a volunteer firefighter, having served as chief of department in Seaford. I served as vice president of the Seaford School District Board of Education and have a good understanding of the challenges facing education today and the financing of public education. I served as Nassau County’s first director of risk management, in which I introduced programs that saved county taxpayers $84 million. In 2008 I led the effort to have health insurance costs for the New York State health insurance plan reduced from the planned rate increase level to just 1.2%, resulting in a saving statewide of $450 million. With a lifetime of dedication to serving my community, as well as the success I have had in both government and in business, I am well-qualified to serve as your state Senator.
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ELECTION: Eighth Senatorial District
October 2016 | Vol.4 №1
Michael Venditto: We Must Provide Opportunities For All STATE OF THE STATE
New York State is the greatest state in the greatest nation on this planet. There is much to be proud of. We have changed the way government responds to the people. Voters wanted governments to contain spending; a tax cap was delivered. Only by providing the necessary resources for our schools, will our students have the skills needed to compete for good paying jobs. This year, I worked with my colleagues in the Senate to deliver record school aid for our local Long Island schools. While we have achieved many great goals in New York State, more needs to be done. We need to continue to protect our environment. We need to ensure that Long Island continues to get its fair share of state revenues. We must make sure that we provide opportunities for all Long Islanders so they can share in the dream of home ownership and good paying jobs.
TAX CAP
The Property Tax Cap has enjoyed widespread bipartisan support. Since being elected to the state Senate, I have voted to extend the tax cap to provide relief for residents. However, I do believe that we need to do more when it comes to the tax cap. Only by providing substantial mandate relief, can we give those covered by the cap the flexibility they need to live within the 2% cap.
COMMON CORE
I have been opposed to the failed Common Core roll out here in New York State. The damage done by the State Education Department (SED) and the Board of Regents has had a dramatic and profound negative impact on education in our state. The Common Core standards were first adopted in 2010 and finalized in 2011 by the New York State Board of Regents, not by the State Legislature. Clearly something must be done, and done quickly, because it is our children who
are being hurt most by these standards. Currently, the Board of Regents has imposed a four-year moratorium on the use of test results for teacher evaluations. I strongly support this move. However, more needs to be done. That is why I supported a law that would require SED to release all test questions annually. More importantly, this law also requires the SED to review all the Common Core Standards. While there is still a great deal to do, we cannot ignore how far we have come since the tumultuous beginnings of Common Core.
THE MINORITY PARTY
For many years, New York State government was known for gridlock. Budgets were passed late, and many issues were never resolved. I believe in working together. It has been a result of bipartisan work that our budgets have been done on time [in recent years]. It has been a result of bipartisan effort that we have contained state spending increases below the spending cap.
Only by working as a team for all Long Islanders can we achieve the goals our residents expect. I will always work in order to achieve fairness for our constituents.
NYAMERCIAN WATER
I am opposed to the rate hike proposed by the New York American Water Company Inc. (Case 16-W-0259) of 8.1% by 2017. The water authority’s proposed rate hike with planned infrastructure projects include: completion of two iron-removal treatment facilities in Roosevelt and Lakeview, replacement of more than 33 miles of aging water mains, valves and service lines, and upgrades to water-treatment facilities, storage tanks, wells and pumping stations. While some of these proposed projects are a benefit to the community, answers must be made by NYAmerican Water as to the company’s decision to spend over $4 million to build a corporate headquarters on Brooklyn Avenue in Merrick. If NYAmerican Water is truly concerned about the best interests for its custom-
ers, it should be looking to find the best possible way to avoid as much of this rate hike as possible.
PRIORITIES
Since I was elected two years ago, we were able to pass legislation that ensures equal pay for women, enacts paid family leave, restores school aid cuts and passes a new law to test our school water for lead. If I am re-elected, my immediate goal will be to address the issue of sex offenders in this state. A recent Court of Appeals ruling threw out all municipal legislation that establishes residency rules for sex offenders. As a result of this court ruling, we have seen level 2 and 3 sex offenders move across the street from their former victims or within only a few feet of local elementary schools. This is wrong. I will work to again pass legislation in the Senate to allow municipalities to decide where these criminals can and cannot live. I will also work with members in the Assembly to pass the bill in their house.
Vol.4 №1 | October 2016
Your NewsMag
In & Around … DINNER AND CHINESE AUCTION: The Garden at St. Francis, a feeding ministry sponsored by St. Francis Episcopal Church at 1692 Bellmore Avenue, North Bellmore, will sponsor a Chinese Auction and Dinner on Saturday, November 5, at 6 p.m. Tickets are $18, pre-purchased or $20 at the door. The ticket includes a dinner, snacks, soft drinks, coffee, tea, dessert and five raffle tickets for the Chinese Auction. All proceeds go to the Garden at St. Francis, which grows and provides fresh organic vegetables to local food pantries and feeding ministries. For complete information or to reserve a ticket or table, call the church office at 679-1184, Tuesday through Friday from 9:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Reservations for a table (maximum 10) must be made by October 28, 2016 … GARAGE AND BAKE SALE: The Community Presbyterian Church of Merrick will hold a garage and bake sale on Saturday, October 29, from 10 a.m.-4 p.m., rain or shine. New and quality items, jewelry, kitchen wares, linens, electronics, toys, games, baby stuff, clothes, pocketbooks, shoes, furniture, housewares and décor, Halloween, Christmas, books, magazines, tools, sports, pictures, knick-knacks and more. Also, plenty of homemade pies and other food items will be for sale. The church is at 2101 William Place. Free, handicapped accessible. Collections of nonperishable foods and monetary donations for the Freeport Emergency Food Pantry will also be accepted. For information call 3787761 … THANKSGIVING EVE COMEDY AND TALENT SHOW: Rick Morgan and Gary Smith present an evening of comedy and talent at the Bellmore ShowPlace and Movies, 222 Pettit Avenue on Wednesday, November 23, beginning at 8 p.m. Local musicians, comedians, actors and writers will recite and perform their talents, many for the first time. The event is sponsored by nyentertainmentclub. com. For tickets and information on who will be performing call Gary Smith at 785-4234, the theater at 783-3199, or visit www.nyentertainmentclub.com. … SYNAGOGUE CONNECT: Rabbi Ronald Brown of Temple Beth Am of Merrick and Rabbi Charles Klein of the Merrick Jewish Centre have developed a nation-wide program called Synagogue Connect for college students across the nation that helps them find and connect
with synagogues in their area to attend for High Holy Days and other Jewish holidays. The program is run in conjunction with Alpha Epsilon Pi, the largest Jewish fraternity in the country, with a presence on 152 campuses in the U.S. So far, some 600 synagogues in 48 states plus the District of Columbia have joined the program. The synagogues are listed on the group’s website. While the program was started to enable Jewish students at colleges away from home to find a friendly place in which to celebrate the high holy days of Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur, it also allows them to attend for free, rather than have to be a paying member of the congregation. Reform, conservative and orthodox denominations are all involved in the program. The program is expected to introduce students to synagogues in their college vicinities to attend at any time, for any number of functions. Visit www.synagogueconnect.org/ to learn more … TECA PANEL DISCUSSIONS: Christine Keller, M.A, MS. Ed, and president of Bellmore-based The Children’s Sangha, will present two panel discussions on Building a Community for 2e Teens and Young Adults at the Twice Exceptional Children’s Advocacy (TECA) conference at Molloy College, 1000 Hempstead Avenue in Rockville Centre on Saturday, November 5. Twice exceptional (2e) children are gifted children who also have special needs. For information call 347-889-6333 or visit www.teca2e.org/teca-2016-conference-info/ ... BROTHERHOOD CONCERT: The annual Merrick Brotherhood Thanksgiving Concert will be held at Calhoun High School on Sunday, November 20, at 2 p.m. … VETERANS DAY EVENT: Temple Beth Am of Merrick will hold a Veterans Day event inviting veterans from all wars past to mix, mingle and share war stories with other veterans of past wars. The event is free and a buffet dinner with refreshments will be served. Corporate sponsors are being sought. Contact Jeff Newman at veterans@templebethammerrick.org … BOOK DISCUSSION: Carol Ann Tack will hold her next book discussion at the Merrick Library on Wednesday, November 2, beginning at 2:30 p.m. Author Lauren Acampora will discuss her debut novel, The Wonder Garden. The library is at 2279 Merrick Avenue. Call 377-6112.
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«Making Clients For Life» Celebrating 20 Years Of Serving The Community In All Their Real Estate Needs
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Your NewsMag
HEALTH MATTERS
October 2016 | Vol.4 №1
Salt Cave Can Help Alleviate Breathing, Skin Challenges
E
ntering the salt cave at the Healing Grotto in Bellmore for the first time to teach a class, Glenn Dove noticed within minutes a salty taste in back of his throat, followed by an easing of his breathing. He immediately understood the sensation as a tool he could use in helping his followers to breath more easily and deeply, necessary elements to open up to the experiences he would soon suggest to them during class. “It’s a slightly salty taste and there is a feeling of clarity in the chest,” Dove, a nationally renowned psychic who has set up shop at the new Healing Grotto, described it. The Healing Grotto, a new wellness treatment space at 1762 Newbridge Road, features yoga, meditation, wine tastings, psychic readings, a nutritionist and soon-to-be movies that will all revolve around its central feature: a salt cave. Mary Jean, a lifelong North Bellmore resident who once attended Newbridge, Jerusalem Avenue and Mepham schools, told Your NewsMag
she is not one to relax or settle in quickly, but was taken by the wave of relaxation that came over her minutes after stepping in to the salt cave. “I could feel my lungs expand and my breathing quickly became better,” she noticed, allowing her to form a more relaxed posture on the anti-gravity lounge chairs within the cave. These remarks are not surprising for Healing Grotto co-owner Steven Izen and his partner Gen Horvath. Within two weeks of opening they have been contacted by someone with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) looking to relieve the heaviness within the chest.
“Halotherapy is standard in Europe and is paid for by health insurers,” Izen remarked of the salt cave. The method uses Himalayan salts (filtered to remove iron) that are dispersed through vents, which then envelop the darkened cave-like room in a dry unnoticeable mist (halotherapy) and surround those within it. The walls are composed of unfiltered salts as well, as is the granulated salt floor. The method is known to relieve the breathing stress associated with asthma, allergies and other obstructive breathing conditions, as well as reduce the redness of psoriasis and a host of other skin conditions. Because the salts are negative ion salts, they are thought to counteract the positive ions in the everyday atmosphere to create a holistic balance, leading to a feeling of relaxation and deeper breathing. Izen’s wife Lori, who, as a registered nurse, had long thought of ways to offer alternative methods to pharmaceuticals for relief, learned of a salt
Annual Free Concert For Merrick and Bellmore The Brotherhood Council of Merrick in Cooperation with The Bellmore-Merrick Central High School District The Thanksgiving Festival of Music Free Concert • Come One, Come All! Sunday, November 20, 2016 At 2pm Calhoun High School Auditorium State Street, Merrick NY We celebrate the diversity of our unique communities.
cave room in Montauk. Steve, her husband, suffers from asthmatic bronchitis and has used inhalers during winter months. Upon visiting the salt cave in Montauk, Izen said he “sat in the salt cave and came out feeling much better, I didn’t feel the wheeziness in the chest I usually feel” from his bronchial condition, adding, “I didn’t need my inhaler the rest of the day.” Ed Horvath, who is co-owner Gen’s husband, was driven out to the Montauk salt cave to also experience it. “I suffer wheezing and coughing and allergies during these months, but thought the trip a waste of time.” But after the prescribed 45 minutes in the cave, he came away feeling much better, with a clear chest and no symptoms - which remained low for several days after. Soon, the Izens – whose son Jamie is a personal trainer at Merrick’s Shaper’s Fitness - and the Horvaths began thinking of names to call a center for alternative methods of treat-
ment, while also looking for a building that could fit their plans. “This is the old Thunderbolt electrical building,” Izen said. “The moment I walked into it, I knew this was the place.” “A grotto is a cave,” said Izen. And, with his wife’s career in the healing arts, the idea evolved into a cave for healing to become the Healing Grotto. The Healing Grotto, at www.healinggrotto.com, and on facebook at healing grotto, will soon have a downloadable app available to link to reservation bookings and to learn of new events on the horizon. Yoga classes and meditation readings are planned within the cave, a nine-foot screen has been introduced into the cave for movie watching, and relaxing spa music emanates within the salt cave for added relaxation. Wine tasting events are also being planned as a means of socializing before going in for a treatment. For information you can also call 221-7258 (SALT).
DOUGLAS FINLAY
HOMECOMINGS
Vol.4 №1 | October 2016
Your NewsMag
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Mepham Homecoming Calhoun Celebrates Homecoming It was a sea of maroon and grey this month as the Mepham High School Pirates took on Frank Carey High School on Homecoming Day. After a fierce battle, the Pirates fell to the Seahawks, 36-33. School spirit was infectious as fans cheered and the band, directed by Brian Neiderman, kept the tempo upbeat. Meanwhile. Tim Tracy and Katie Carron were crowned homecoming king and queen during halftime after being paraded around the track in a pirate ship float! “Homecoming is always a special time at Mepham,” said Principal Michael Harrington. “It’s wonderful to see the community come together to celebrate school pride.” Mepham High School social worker Theana Cheliotes and the school’s Key Club adviser said the club was inspired to participate in the district’s new initia-
Tim Tracy and Katie Carron were crowned Homecoming King and Queen tive to help develop a food pantry at the central administration building. “This weekend’s Homecoming for Hunger food collection served as a great kick off,” added Cheliotes. “You can say it was a touchdown.”
Homecoming was a festive fanfare at Calhoun High School when students enjoyed the annual Colt Festival, a pep rally and then football game under the Friday night lights. Spirit Week kicked off the celebration, filling the halls with pajama wearing, patriotic showings and an outpouring of Blue Calhoun gear. “Of course, school spirit isn’t just about dressing for a particular day but it is spirit,” said Principal Nicole Hollings. Student athletes stormed the field for the pep rally on Friday afternoon, performing entertaining choreographed skits. Ryan Rosenblum and Amanda DePasquale were crowned homecoming king and queen, respectively. At homecoming, the award-winning wind ensem-
Kennedy Comes Home “This is the only sport PTA members peddled where you can’t just do much-needed warm it alone,” said Paul Auweather gear and memersperg, a 1982 gradubers of the district’s ate. C.H.A.M.P. (Culinary and Emily Herrera and Hospitality Applied ManRon Lampert were agement Program) [see crowned homecoming YNM, Sept. issue] grilled king and queen followup burgers and hot dogs ing a vibrant perforfor attendees to snack mance by the kickline during Kennedy High team. The varsity cheer School’s Homecoming squad kept school spirit game last month, won by going along the sideKennedy, 30-16 over Selines throughout the wanaka under the lights game. Superintendent in a constant drizzle. of Schools John De“The kids worked hard Tommaso, Assistant Suto set up for tonight’s perintendent, Curricucrowd and will soon be lum and Instruction receiving authentic chef coats shortly,” said Chef Ron Lampert and Emily Herrera were named David Seinfeld and Nassau County LegislaInstructor Michael DiHomecoming King and Queen tor Steve Rhoads were Giovanni. also on hand to see the Cougars win. Alumni football members joined current “A little wet weather can’t dampen Cougar players in the locker room for a pep talk ahead spirit,” concluded DeTommaso. of the big game.
Homecoming King Ryan Rosenblum and Queen Amanda DePasquale ble performed, as did the rock band, accompanied by some teacher/guitarists. “The football game under the lights, with a full moon, and crisp October air was a
NORTH MERRICK PUBLIC LIBRARY: 50 YEARS OF SERVING THE COMMUNITY [CONT. FROM PAGE 2]
establishment of the library. The second date celebrated was December 5, 2015, recognizing the beginning of the first library in 1965 in a storefront on Merrick Avenue, which is now Jerus Cleaners/Tailor Shop at 1148 Merrick Avenue. On October 3, 1966, the library moved to its present location on Meadowbrook Road, “but it was decided to use this date as the official date,” said Trustee President Pezzulo. Friends of the North Merrick Public Library members Anne Santino and Miriam Wenberg remarked of the celebration that “It’s fabulous! The knowledge of reading has a great influence on people.” Barbara Behrens told Your
back and forth battle in which we ultimately did not win but the crowd was fantastic,” Hollings concluded. The Colts fell to the Sewanhaka Indians, 35-28. NewsMag the Friends help to raise funds for items that may not be appropriate for taxpayers to pay. “We got Kindle e-readers into the library, for example,” said Wenberg. Richard Gilley, director of the Merrick Chorale, said he brings the group to the library often to practice, and was “instrumental” in bringing the first piano to the library. Larry Garfinkel, president of the Merrick Historical Society and an organizer of the annual Brotherhood Thanksgiving Concert at Calhoun High School, provided a quote from Cicero when asked to comment on the anniversary: “If you have a garden and you have a library, you have everything you need.” Resident Mike Reid concluded that “Libraries are growing up. They are now more than simple conservatories of books.” He said they now offer greater opportunities for adult learning, so the more informed we are a society, the better a society we can become.
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October 2016 | Vol.4 â„–1
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