Living In Baldwin 2023

INSIDE:

That Meets & Exceeds Your Expectations

A REVITALIZING REHABILITATION ENVIRONMENT

That Meets & Exceeds Your Expectations

A REVITALIZING REHABILITATION ENVIRONMENT

That Meets & Exceeds Your Expectations

For over 40 years, The Grand Pavilion has served the community’s subacute rehabilitation and longterm care needs with distinction. Today, The Grand Pavilion is a stateof-the-art rehabilitation environment where you are assured a paradigm of comfort-enhancing amenities and customized therapies under the direction of leading physicians.

• Subacute Care

• Orthopedic Rehabilitation

For over 40 years, The Grand Pavilion has served the community’s subacute rehabilitation and longterm care needs with distinction. Today, The Grand Pavilion is a state-of-the-art rehabilitation environment where you are assured a paradigm of comfort-enhancing amenities and customized therapies under the direction of leading physicians.

For over 40 years, The Grand Pavilion has served the community’s subacute rehabilitation and longterm care needs with distinction. Today, The Grand Pavilion is a stateof-the-art rehabilitation environment where you are assured a paradigm of comfort-enhancing amenities and customized therapies under the direction of leading physicians.

• Pulmonary Rehabilitation

• Subacute Care

• Wound Care

• Subacute Care

• Orthopedic Rehabilitation

• Concierge Services

• Orthopedic Rehabilitation

• Pulmonary Rehabilitation

• Wound Care

• Pulmonary Rehabilitation

• Wound Care

• Concierge Services

• 24-Hour Skilled Nursing

• Concierge Services

• 24-Hour Skilled Nursing CALL

• 24-Hour Skilled Nursing

P u BLISHE r A

We are pleased to present our annual Living In Baldwin, a special supplement to the Baldwin Herald.

Those of us who live here know Baldwin is a wonderful, diverse place. Our annual guide is a testament to its post-pandemic resurgence. Not only does it include vital information about Baldwin, but it also gives you a look at some of the people and places that represent the best of this community.

Think of Living In Baldwin as an “owner’s manual” for newcomers and longtime residents alike. As you’ll see in these pages, there’s an amazingly rich social fabric here. An abundance of services and organizations are available to residents. No matter what your interests, age, religion or needs, this community has much to offer.

Baldwin is home to multiple vibrant parks, such as, Silver Lake Park, Baldwin Park, and Milburn Pond Park. These parks are where the Baldwin community comes together to enjoy the outdoors, as well as take part in many seasonal activities. Silver Lake Park on Foxhurst Road, for example, is a popular spot to enjoy summer concerts. Baldwin Park hosts sports games such as baseball, basketball and soccer. Milburn Pond Park is known for its yearly Cardboard Boat Race where neighbors make a splash as they race across Milburn Pond in a cardboard boat.

It would be impossible to discuss Baldwin without mentioning the several organizations that make Baldwin what it is. From the Baldwin Civic Association which proudly hosts the Bike Rodeo and Parade to the Community Coalition of Baldwin’s Grand Baldwin Festival, “fun” is a word that is often used to describe the many events that take place here. The Baldwin Chamber of Commerce does a fantastic job making new businesses feel welcomed, and the Baldwin Public Library is a hub for the community, offering many engaging activities.

Baldwin is well-protected by the Baldwin Fire Department. You’ll find friends in the fire department, also over at the Baldwin Lions Club an excellent organization committed to bettering the community.

Living In Baldwin is published in cooperation with the Baldwin Chamber of Commerce. We are honored to mark another year as the chamber’s official publication.

We hope that you find this edition useful and informative, and that you enjoy reading the Baldwin Herald 52 weeks per year.

Be well and be safe.

Stuart Richner Publisher

P.S. If you're not currently receiving the Baldwin Herald by mail each week, please help keep quality local journalism alive in your community by subscribing. See our ad on Page 14 for subscription information, or find us online at LIHerald.com/subscribe, or call (516) 569-4000, Ext. 7.

Senior Reporter

Ben Fiebert

Publisher

Stuart richner

Vice President of Sales

rhonda Glickman

Executive Editor

Michael Hinman

Deputy Editor

Jeffrey Bessen Features/ Special Sections Editor

Karen Bloom

Multi Media Marketing Consultant

Nicole Welch

Creative Director Designer

Jeffrey Negrin

Stuart Richner

a message from the Baldwin ChamBer president

As the president of the Baldwin Chamber of Commerce, I am deeply honored to address you today. Our community in Baldwin is a place of strength, resilience and unity. Our local businesses are the heartbeat of Baldwin. They are not just places to shop, they are integral to our community’s identity. In the face of numerous challenges, our business owners have demonstrated incredible resilience and adaptability. They have embraced innovation, and continued to serve our community with dedication. It is crucial that we continue to support them, because when they thrive, so does our community as a whole.

Looking ahead, the chamber envisions a community that continues to grow and prosper. We are committed to revitalizing our downtown area, creating community events for our residents to enjoy, and fostering an environment that encourages entrepreneurship and innovation. Our collective goal is to make Baldwin an even more vibrant place to live, work and visit.

In the past year, our community has been a source of inspiration. We have witnessed countless acts of kindness and solidarity among our neighbors. Volunteers have stepped up to support those in need. Progress is a collaborative effort that requires the active participation of each member of our community. Whether it’s volunteering your time, supporting local initiatives, or simply being a good neighbor — each action contributes to the betterment of our community.

In conclusion, the Baldwin Chamber of Commerce is dedicated to supporting our local businesses and working toward a brighter future for our community. Our businesses, our vision for the future, and the achievements of the past year all point to a promising path ahead. Together, let us continue to work hand-in-hand, supporting one another, and building a Baldwin that we can all take immense pride in.

Thank you for being an essential part of our wonderful community. Your contributions and dedication are what make Baldwin truly exceptional.

Sincerely,

Victor Sookdeo President, Baldwin Chamber of Commerce

Ben Jackson’s food drive for vets a

By Clare Gehlich

In a time where acts of kindness are becoming increasingly rare, Ben Jackson stands as a beacon of hope, dedicating his life to uplifting others.

He has a passion for supporting those who served the nation, leading Ben to host a food drive for Baldwin veterans — aiming to give back to those who have fought for this country.

For much of his adult life, Ben has been actively involved in volunteering for various organizations, with a focus on supporting vets. His passion for this cause was partly inspired by his father, who hosted a clambake, providing injured vets with a day outside of the hospital.

“I always have the urge to help — especially when it comes to veterans — so I don't think that'll ever go away,” Ben said. “It’s something I feel very strongly about.”

Ben and wife Jennifer hosted the local version of “Operation Hunger Smash,” dedicated to assisting homeless vets while bringing attention to their struggles and needs.

Through “Hunger Smash,” Ben emphasizes that many may not think about veterans daily, and that lack of awareness can sometimes lead to the very sacrifices these veterans made for

this country being overlooked.

The “Hunger Smash” food drive not only provides food to homeless vets, but also serves as financial support for veteran organizations. Every penny raised goes directly to groups like the American Legion and Veterans of Foreign Wars.

“Jennifer and I set up a table,” Ben said. “We

Photos courtesy Ben Jackson

Top Photo: Ben Jackson receives food donations for ‘Operation Hunger Smash,’ which feeds veterans.

Bottom Photo: A young girl, Jasmine, hands Ben Jackson canned goods as part of ‘Operation Hunger Smash,’ a food drive directly helping area veterans.

filled my car with non-perishable goods, and then we brought it to the Lynbrook VFW.”

Canned goods are the best items for donation, Ben said, along with other non-perishable foods. He received a truckload of non-perishable items at the last “Operation Hunger Smash” food drive.

“We’ve done a lot for the veterans in the past,” he said, “and I’m a firm believer that they need our help.”

In addition to hosting food drives, Ben and Jennifer have taken their dedication a step further by starting Freeport for Veterans, a non–profit organization supporting the well-being of injured vets by arranging activities providing them with a much-needed day outside of the hospital.

“It’s extremely important” to give back to veterans, Ben said. “We wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for our veterans. They sacrifice themselves to keep this country going.”

Top Photo: Ben Jackson’s wife Jennifer, left, and Bill Murphy participate in ‘Operation Hunger Smash,’ a food drive aimed to help veterans who need it most.

Bottom Photo: Ben Jackson brings a taste of kindness to The Nassau County Veterans Administration during the ‘Operation Hunger Smash’ food drive, which continues his efforts to give back to the men and women who have served — and protected — this country as soldiers.

Steve Sciortino makes sure no one goes hungry

By Ben Fiebert

Not one ounce of kindness was left behind when Steve Sciortino started donating food to the Bethany House.

Steve is the owner of Delicious Moments, a Baldwin-based catering company that doesn’t throw leftover food away. Instead, he has donated to charity events, fundraisers and organizations — like Bethany House, which provides shelter to women and children without homes.

This past spring, Steve teamed up with Blue Waters to donate goods to the shelter every month, but Steve has been providing food for those needing to stay there long before then.

“We’ve been donating to the Bethany House for many years,” Steve said. “We’re discounting prices for people who want to send food over to the Bethany House.”

Bethany House provides shelter while offering programs that provide care such as emergency shelter as well as both transitional and permanent housing. Bethany House is built on a foundation of community support and partnerships, like those from Steve Sciortino and

Delicious Moments.

Steve is most active donating during holidays like Thanksgiving and Christmas. During that time, he donates meals that go with the theme of the holiday. For example, for Thanksgiving, he makes a lot of turkey that he later sends

Photos courtesy Steve Sciortino

Top Photo: Steve Sciortino has made giving a part of his life, which he shares with wife Robin, left, and daughter Nicole.

Bottom Photo: Steve Sciortino, owner of the Delicious Moments catering company in Baldwin, gives back by providing food for anyone in need. He’s especially giving to local churches as well as the Bethany House homeless shelter.

out to people who might not get to enjoy this traditional fare otherwise .

“I do this for a lot of organizations,” Steve says. “I do this for churches, not-for-profits, wherever.”

Steve is proud of his Catholic faith, and because of that, he feels even more compelled to help local churches. During the holidays, Steve even tries to help those who are struggling financially.

“Sometimes during the holidays, there are families who are not financially set, so we try to help provide meals for them,” he said.

presented a recognition certificate to Sciortino as part of the town’s Small Business Spotlight. Delicious Moments started in Oceanside in 1995, moving to Merrick Road in Baldwin a few years later. Since then, Delicious Moments has been a full-service catering company.

Steve takes “great pride” in the quality of food at Delicious Moments. He treats every platter and table filled with food as though they were a work of art. And it’s that art he’s ready to share with anyone who is hungry, with the hopes each of them will someday pay that act of kindness forward, too.

Hempstead town councilwoman Laura Ryder

Courtesy Town of Hempstead

Top left Photo: Hempstead town councilwoman Laura Ryder presents a certificate to Steve Sciortino, recognizing the efforts of his Delicious Moments catering company to give to those in-need as part of the town’s Small Business Spotlight.

Photos courtesy Lisa King

Top right Photo: Bethany House resident director Penny Shea, left, Shannon Drinkwater and Tanya Porcayo display some of the food the Delicious Moments catering company has donated to the family homeless shelter.

Bottom Photo: John Chizzoniti from Delicious Moments delivers food to the Bethany House, a shelter that caters to women and children without homes.

Connor Carpenter leaves

By Ben Fiebert

Connor Carpenter symbolized his family’s multi-generational legacy through his Eagle Scout project by putting them all to work in upgrading a flagpole last summer at the Baldwin Historical Society & Museum.

Joining Connor’s family were fellow Scouts, who all took down the flagpole at the Grand Avenue facility, and loaded it into a truck bound for refining. Afterward, they installed a roll of low voltage wire intended to eventually connect to a light, which will shine on a new American flag.

Connor worked with his mom, dad, sister, uncle, grandfather, and troop members. His dad, Curtis, is a contractor, so he brought a lot of tools

Continued on page 18

Maureen Lennon/Herald photos

Top Photo: Russ Roth, prospective Eagle Scout Connor Carpenter, and fellow Scouts Alex and Ethan Duffy, work to get the old paint off the flagpole at the Baldwin Historical Society & Museum. Connor hopes this will not only continue the Carpenter legacy — which now spans five generations in Baldwin — but help him earn the Boy Scouts’ highest honor.

Bottom Photo: Connor Carpenter installs a holder for the rope that is attached to the flag to be wrapped around. It’s part of his Eagle Scout project with the Baldwin Historical Society & Museum on Grand Avenue.

Continued from page 17

to help. Some extra materials were also carried in, like wood and paint to complete this stage of the project.

“I felt very accomplished when we got the flag up,” Connor says. “We kept fanning it, painting it, priming it, and then when we put it up. It felt pretty good.”

But that required money, something Connor earned at a movie theater selling tickets, soda and snacks. It was Connor’s way of creating a lasting impact on the community, according to his mom, Jessica.

“He wanted to leave something and do something in Baldwin, to keep the last name

continuing in the town,” she said.

“So, if you go to the historical society, and you happen to walk up and you see the flagpole, there eventually will be a plaque with his name, the troop name, when the project took place, and it’ll mention that he’s a fifth-generation Baldwin resident.”

But it’s not just the name, or giving back — although the latter is the most important. Connor also hopes to become an Eagle Scout through this project. He has been with the Scouts since the first grade, and one of the requirements of becoming an Eagle Scout is spearheading a big project like this. After that, a council at the Boy Scouts has to decide if he’s ready to move up the ranks.

Maureen Lennon/Herald

Connor Carpenter, right, digs a hole with the help of his grandfather, John Liebler, and Connor's Scoutmaster Kurt Corell for his Eagle project at the Baldwin Historical Society's grounds.

“I’m a guide now,” Connor said. “I’m basically almost done with Boy Scouts, and I’m getting ready to become Eagle.”

The flagpole, according to a social media post by the historical society, “looks great. Hopefully, in a couple of weeks, the new signs will be

installed and the light for the flag will be shining bright.”

The society described the project as “another wonderful community service by our amazing Scout troops.”

Photos courtesy Jessica Carpenter

Top photo: Jessica Carpenter, Pastor Russ Roth, and Kurtis Carpenter all scrape off old paint on the wooden flagpole. When it’s done, not only will the Baldwin Historical Society & Museum have a new flagpole, but it will come from a fifth-generation member of the community.

Bottom left photo: Connor Carpenter, John Liebler, and Kurt Corell lift up the newly painted flagpole at the Baldwin Historical Society & Museum — all part of Connor’s Eagle Scout project, and his way of celebrating five generations of Carpenters in Baldwin.

Bottom right photo: Connor Carpenter, second from right, with his family after they refurbished the flagpole at the Baldwin Historical Society & Museum on Grand Avenue, part of his Eagle Scout project.

Clubs & OrganizatiOns

Civic

b aldwin Council a gainst Drug a buse (516) 434-6097

Director: Claudia Rotondo

b aldwin Chamber of Commerce (516) 246-5625

Interim President: Erik Mahler

Meets second Wednesday of the month from 12:30-2 p.m. at area restaurants

baldwinchamberofcommerce@ gmail.com

BaldwinChamber.com

Kiwanis Club of b aldwin, inc. (516) 223-2675

Meets second and fourth Wednesday of the month at 7 p.m. at MacArthur Park, 1 Maple Ave., Rockville Centre rotary Club (516) 362-1226

Meets on the first and third Thursdays of the month at 12:30 p.m. baldwinrvcrotaryclub@gmail.com

b aldwin Civic a ssociation (516) 274-9008

P.O. Box 833

Baldwin 11510

President: Darien Ward

Meets first and second Thursday of the month at Baldwin High School baldwincivic@gmail.com

BaldwinCivic.org

b aldwin Foundation for Education P.O. Box 350 Baldwin 11510 bfemailbox@gmail.com

BaldwinFoundationForEducation.com

b aldwin Oaks Civic a ssociation (917) 560-5445

P.O. Box 1704

baldwinoakscivicassociation @gmail.com

lions Club of b aldwin (516) 840-3925

Meets first and third Tuesday of the month, 7 p.m., at Baldwin Public Library

Concerned Parents of b aldwin

Meets third Monday of every month, 7 p.m. at Baldwin High School. President: Sheree Lindsay theconcernedparentsofbaldwin @gmail.com

Friends of b aldwin Music & a rt (516) 557-6192

Co-Presidents: Doris McKeon and Kerry Firth baldwinfriendsofmusic@gmail.com

Cultural

atlantis a nglers a ssociation 887-8202

Baldwin Park Community Room, 3232 Grand Ave., Baldwin

Meets fourth Tuesday of every month (except December) wannafish@optonline.net

b aldwin Historical s ociety and Museum

1980 Grand Ave.

President: Gary Farkash Vice President: Karen Montalbano baldwinhistoricalsociety @gmail.com

b aldwin Homemakers (516) 378-5830

Meets Wednesdays at Baldwin Middle School on the first Wednesday of the month baldwin.homemakers@yahoo.com

l i a rts Council of Freeport (LIAC) (516) 223-2522

130 E. Merrick Road, Freeport President Emeritus: Lois Howes Executive Director: Laurence Dresner info.liacf@gmail.com

LIACFreeport.org

Oceanside Chorale (516) 764-2787

President: Frank DeFontes

Director: Ronald Morton Meets Wednesdays, 8 p.m., Merle Avenue School, Merle and Oceanside Roads, Oceanside Knights of Columbus (516) 366-8768

Daniel J. Bradley Council 3102 Grand Knight: Frank Gallagher P.O. Box 1677

St. Christopher’s Church, lower level Meets first Wednesday at 7:30 p.m. bradleycouncil3102@gmail.com

b aldwin Masonic temple (516) 867-9812

Meets the first and third Wednesday each month at 7:30 p.m.

754 Prospect St., Baldwin Order of the Easstern star- nassau Chapter n o. 718 (516) 362-0997

754 Prospect St., Baldwin Worthy Matron W. SimoneMonet Wahls

Meets first and third Tuesday of the month at 7:45 p.m. nassauchapter718@gmail.com

Mason spartan n o. 956 F. & a .M. (516) 867-9812

Meets first and third Wednesday except in July and August

Master: James L. Helliesen 754 Prospect St., Baldwin

Political

b aldwin Democratic Club baldwindems@gmail.com

b aldwin republican Club baldwinrepublicanclub@gmail.com

nassau County l eague of Women Voters (516) 431-1628

P.O. Box 221

Port Washington 11050

President: Nancy Rosenthal lwvofnassaucounty@gmail.com

LWVOfNassauCounty.org

Democratic Committee of nassau (516) 294-3366

100 Garden City Plaza, Suite 115, Garden City 11530

Chair: Jay Jacobs

nassau County

republican Committee (516) 334-5800

164 Post Ave., Westbury

Chair: Joseph G. Cairo Jr. service

auxiliary Police b aldwin unit 123 (516) 242-2857

3009 Grand Blvd.

Inspector: Kevin Kamen 123@pdcnaux.org

a nti-Defamation l eague (212) 885-7700

605 Third Ave., Manhattan 10158

b aldwin Volunteer Fire Department (516) 223-6858

2386 Grand Ave., Baldwin

Emergency: (516) 223-0066

Chief: Brien Cummings

Justine Stefanelli/Herald Town of Hempstead officials, like Supervisor Don Clavin, swore in Victor Sookdeo as the official Baldwin Chamber of Commerce president this past March in front of Baldwin community members, and his friends and family.

Clubs & OrganizatiOns

b aldwin Dailya Office of Hadassah

(516) 766-2725

430 De Mott Ave., Rockville Centre

interfaith

nutrition network

(516) 486-8506

211 Fulton Ave., Hempstead

Operates a network of soup kitchens throughout Nassau and Suffolk counties, offers information on shelters for the homeless.

s alvation a rmy

(516) 378-4557

66 Church St., Freeport

Furniture Pickup: (516) 481-7600

Veterans

nassau County

a merican l egion

(516) 36-3796

121 Powell Ave., Rockville Center webmaster@nassaulegion.org

a merican l egion

b aldwin Post n o. 246 (516) 867-9873

2754 Grand Ave.

Commander: Stu Cohen

D. a .V. Chapter no. 145 (516) 804-3711

Commander: Howard Kalachman

Adjutant: Frank Joseph Paz

Meets at American Legion Hall

Rocville Centre

Disabled a merican

Veteran Headquarters (516) 887-7100

162 Atlantic Ave., Lynbrook

Youth

girl s couts of nassau County (516) 741-2550

110 Ring Road West, Garden City GSNC.org

b aldwin little l eague (516) 546-4288

999 Church St., Baldwin BaldwinSports.com

Baseball (ages 5-13) Softball (ages 7-15)

b aldwin b ombers

Youth Football (516) 782-8422

Ages 5-13

BaldwinBombersYouthFootball.com

President: Jeff Meyer

l ong island royals travel b aseball (516) 507-7297

999 Church St., Baldwin

Ages 10-16 liroyalsbb@aol.com

Police activities l eague (PAL) Oceanside-Rockville Center-Baldwin Unit

Supervised programs in soccer, lacrosse, bowling, baseball, basketball, track, softball, cheerleading, and twirling for girls and boys ages 5-18

BaldwinPAL.org

3Ds Community Empowerment Center

(347) 631-7494

881 Merrick Road

Executive Director: Dr. Zodelia Williams

Harnessing the power of good in face of tragedy

By Ben Fiebert

Michael Saintrome was severely injured when a van hit him in January. And since July. Angela Lucas has helped raise money for his family.

The first fundraiser — a bingo event — raised nearly $1,400. This came months after Michael received 125 staples in his head, and had part of his skull removed. A few months later — with Michael still in and out of consciousness — Angela raised even more money with performances by Michael’s friends and people who went to school with him.

Angela has been involved in Michael’s life for 17 years. She was his teacher at Meadow Elementary School, Baldwin Middle School, and Baldwin High School.

“So, he is like family,” she said.

When she’s not raising money for her former student, Angela runs Hangout One Happy Place, what she describes as a unique non-profit that provides inclusive classes centered on dance and movement, art, and fitness with young people who might not generally get those opportunities otherwise.

Angela is always looking to help, but never thought she’d find herself so deeply worried about someone she taught for years. She was

horrified and heartbroken when she heard the news about Michael.

At first, Angela heard about Michael’s accident on the news, but didn’t know who was hit by the van.

It wasn’t until she saw Michael’s mom at the store she learned the news.

Maureen Lennon/Herald photos

Top Photo: Following a devastating accident earlier this year that left one of her students severely injured, Hangout One Happy Place founder Angela Lucas has been focused on helping his family, sending their best wishes out to Michael Saintrome as everyone shouts ‘yay, Michael.’

Bottom Photo: Angela Lucas, founder of the Baldwin-based nonprofitHangout One Happy Place, opens a recent fundraiser for her former student Michael Saintrome — severely injured after he was struck by a van — with thoughts and well wishes.

“According to his mom, if you say his name, he’ll reach for you,” Angela says. “So, he’s making some progress.”

Michael a huge basketball fan. He also was very invested in politics and “was always up for a good argument,” Angela says. Michael always touched her heart.

This past summer, Michael ended up in the emergency room again because of low sodium levels. Now, more than ever, Angela wants to raise more money for Michael’s family — and she hopes her Baldwin neighbors will join her.

Want to help? Reach out to Angela Lucas at hangout1happyplace@gmail.com.

Second Top Photo: In an effort to raise money for Michael Saintrome, who is recovering from severe head trauma from a traffic accident, Samantha Amores sings ‘Dreaming About You and Me.’

Third Top Photo: Branden Amores sings a soft, soulful song that had everyone's attention at a recent fundraiser designed to help the family of Michael Saintrome, after he was severely injured in an accident where he was hit by a van.

First Top Photo: Among those coming out to help raise money for the family of Michael Saintrome — severely injured after being hit by a van — was Harrison the dog, and his owner and trainer Mariann Zelinski.

Fourth Top Photo: Angela Lucas, who has dedicated the past several months to helping the family of her former student injured in a pedestrian accident, sings a song at a fundraiser with George Voylatgis.

Bottom Photo: Members of the Baldwin-based nonprofit Hangout One Happy Place sing and dance as part of a fundraising event to help Michael Saintrome, who was severely injured last January when he was hit by a van.

ELECTED OFFICIALS

Town officials

Supervisor Don Clavin (R)

1 Washington St. Hempstead, N.Y. 11550 (516) 489-6000 donclavin@hempsteadny.gov

coUnTY

Town Clerk Kate Murray (R)

1 Washington St. Hempstead, N.Y. 11550 (516) 489-5000 ext. 3046 kmurray@hempsteadny.govay

Councilwoman - 1st District Dorothy Goosby (D) 1 Washington St., Hempstead, N.Y. 11550 (516) 489-5000 dgoosby@hempsteadny.gov Governor Katherine Hochul (D) State Capitol Building Albany, N.Y. 12224 (518) 474-8390

State Attorney General Letitia James (D) NYS State Capitol Building Albany, N.Y. 12224 (518) 776-2000

State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli (D) 110 State St., Albany, N.Y. 12236 (518) 474-4044

State Assemblyman 21st District

Brian Curran (R) 74 N. Village Ave. Rockville Centre, N.Y. 11570 (516) 561-8216

New York State Assembly Albany, N.Y. 12248 (518) 455-5801

Nassau County Legislator 5th District

Debra Mulé (D)

1550 Franklin Ave. Mineola, N.Y. 11501

(516) 571-6205

State Senator 6th District

Kevin Thomas (D) 990 Stewart Ave., Suite LL45A Garden City, NY 11530 Phone: (516) 739-1700

Legislative Office Building, 947 Albany, N.Y. 12247

(518) 455-3260

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Ben Fiebert • Senior Reporter

2

Blvd., Garden City, N.Y. 11530 Website: www.liherald.com

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PLACES OF WORSHIP

Baldwin Churches

All Saints’ Episcopal Church

(516) 223-3731

2375 Harrison Ave., Baldwin

Rector: Rev. Maxine Barnett

Bethlehem Lutheran Church

(516) 223-3400

1375 Grand Ave., Baldwin

Pastor: James D. Smith

Calvary Protestant Church

(516) 223-4070

2801 Park Ave., Baldwin

Pastor: Charles Lucchesi

First Church Baldwin

United Methodist

(516) 223-1168

881 Merrick Road, Baldwin

Pastor: Claire Hojung Wu

First Presbyterian Church

(516) 223-2112

717 St. Luke’s Place, Baldwin

Rev. Adam Fischer baldwinchurch@verizon.net

Iglesia Cristiana Fundamental (516) 395-8222

91 N. Bayview Ave. Freeport 11520 iglesia.fundamental@gmail.com

Queen of the Most Holy Rosary

Roman Catholic Church

(516) 378-1315

196 W. Centennial Ave., Roosevelt

Pastor: Rev. Rony Fabien

Sheepgate Assembly Church

(516) 378-9573

625 Joy Blvd., Baldwin

St. Christopher’s R.C. Church

(516) 223-0723

11 Gale Ave., Baldwin

Pastor: the Rev. Johnny R. Mendonca info@stchrisbaldwin.org

St. Peter’s Evangelical Lutheran Church

(516) 223-1951

2332 Grand Ave. and Edna Court, Baldwin

Pastor: Perucy N. Butiku

(516) 867-4884

Second Baptist Church (516) 867-7585

2050 Grand Ave., Baldwin

Pastor: Rev. Maurice McRae Jr. office@sbcbaldwinny.org

South Nassau Christian Church (516) 379-0729

3147 Eastern Parkway, Baldwin

Baldwin Synagogues

Congregation B’nai Israel (Conservative)

(516) 623-4200

91 North Bayview Ave., Freeport

Rabbi Emeritus: Reuben M. Katz

Rabbi: Tamar Crystal

South Baldwin Jewish Center-Congregation

Shaarei Shalom

(Conservative)

(516) 223-8688

2959 Grand Ave., Baldwin

Courtesy Business Manager Joyce Samedy of St. Christopher’s Church

St. Christopher’s Church of Baldwin.

is on a mission to help others through running

By Ben Fiebert

Within a span of five years, Richard Brodsky was diagnosed with two life-threatening illnesses.

Doctors, in 1997, told Richard he had HIV. Then, in 2002, he was diagnosed with terminal brain cancer.

Yet, even with a “terminal” designation, the Atlantic Beach resident wasn’t ready to give up. After months of treatment, Richard felt well enough to run the 2003 New York City Marathon. A one-time architect who’s now 70, Richard realized he was extremely fortunate for the medical care he received, and wanted to give back to those in poorer countries with weaker health care systems.

And he helps finance those endeavors through a 5K race he has hosted for special causes in Baldwin since 2014.

“The doctors didn’t think I was going to survive for more than two or four years after I was diagnosed with terminal brain cancer,” Richard said. “And 21 years later, I’m still running marathons.”

And he’s organizing them, too, like the World AIDS Marathon in Mbita, Kenya, in 2004. The proceeds there went to an orphanage or children

who had lost one or both parents to HIV/AIDS. Richard always wanted to host a marathon in Africa, because that’s where AIDS is most common. And he wanted to raise awareness of the disease.

Richard now runs five marathons a year. And despite his illnesses and his age, he feels healthy. After doing some research, he believes

Photocs courtesy Richard Brodsky

Top Photo: Participants in the 5K AIDS and Cancer Run/Walk in Baldwin Park band together to raise money for AIDS groups and awareness. Richard Brodsky started all this after not only getting through his HIV diagnosis, but also what doctors had said at the time was terminal brain cancer.

Bottom Photo: Richard Brodsky, left, with wife Jodi after the 5K AIDS and Cancer Run/Walk this past June.

he is the only American with both HIV and brain cancer who runs marathons.

As Richard’s focus turned to helping others, he started the 5K AIDS and Cancer Run/Walk.

“We’ve pretty much been going to Kenya every year to do marathons there,” he said. “And around 2008, people started to ask, ‘What are you doing to help people in America?’ So that’s when we decided to sponsor our first 5K AIDS and Cancer Run Walk.”

This year’s event took place in Baldwin Park last June.

Just like the marathons in Kenya, all of the proceeds went toward organizations that help patients with AIDS or cancer, including the Long Island Minority AIDS Coalition and North Shore University Hospital.

Learn about all this and more by visiting Richard’s website at RichardMBrodsky.org.

Tim Baker/Herald photos

Top left Photo: Richard Brodsky, left, with wife Jodi at a marathon they ran in Miami in 2016. Since getting a double whammy of an HIV and what was supposed to be a terminal brain cancer diagnoses, Richard runs five marathons a year, and raises money for HIV/AIDS causes not just close to home, but also in Africa where AIDS is most prevalent.

Top right Photo: Richard Brodsky, 70, was diagnosed with HIV in 1997 and brain cancer in 2002, but that didn’t stop him from running five marathons a year since 2003.

Bottom Photo: Richard Brodsky, left, with wife Jodi running at Baldwin Park. Richard started the 5K AIDS and Cancer Run/Walk as a way to give back to the organizations helping people just like him — battling HIV and cancer.

supports injured bartender

By Ben Fiebert

Samantha Berg was not hit by just one car while crossing Merrick Road last November, but two, resulting in severe injuries.

Since then, Samantha — a bartender at The Irish Pub nearby, and a clerk at the Baldwin Public Library — has faced mounting medical bills. That’s when she discovered the power of friends and neighbors, as more than 50 of them got together in the spirit of kindness to turn the pub’s annual chili cook-off in early February as a fundraises specifically for her.

The event was spearheaded by Susan Cools, a Baldwin education board trustee and a real estate agent, along with daughter Samantha Cools, who directs the Cools Team at Rockville Centre’s Compass Realty. The cook-off was originally created and sponsored by the Baldwin Rotary Club in 2019, but the club disbanded during the coronavirus pandemic. The Cools have since partnered with the pub to keep the event going, using it to pull in just over $2,000 for Samantha Berg’s medical bills.

“It was, by far, our most successful event,” Samantha Cools said. “It was the most crowded — and the most amount of chili submitted,

which speaks to the fact that people are trying to get out and support their community again.”

As a resident of Baldwin, it’s important to Cools to promote the community and its businesses.

Guests at the cook-off — including library members, employees of local businesses, and Annie Doresca, Susan Cools’ colleague on the

Tim Baker/Herald photos

Top Photo: Dozens of neighbors — including Baldwin Public library members, employees of local businesses and education board trustees — gathered for The Irish Pub’s fourth annual chili cook-off on Merrick Road.

Bottom Photo: Samantha Cools, director of the Cools Team at Compass Realty, spearheaded this fundraiser at The Irish Pub for Samantha Berg, a bartender there who was hit by two cars in front of the establishment on her way to work last year.

school board — a free drink and unlimited chili tastings for a $20 donation, and a 50/50 raffle. The proceeds were donated to Samantha Berg.

“We’re here to help her out,” Jessica McCarthy, a patron at the pub, said. “She can’t work and she needs to pay medical bills. She needs to feed herself. She needs to pay rent. It’s what you do. We’re a community. We take care of each other.”

Samantha Berg had just finished a shift at the library and was on her way to the pub across the street when she was struck by a car, throwing her into the opposite lanes.

It was there Samantha was hit by another vehicle going the other way.

Samantha broke her left foot, shattered her right shoulder blade, and fractured her skull, spending five weeks in the hospital.

“I’m lucky,” she said. “Most people don’t make it out of things like that.”

Shawn Sabel, the pub’s owner, reached out to Samantha the day after the accident, asking her if he could dedicate the chili cook-off in her honor and turn it into a fundraiser.

“We’re here to raise a bunch of money,” Sabel said — “and eat as much chili as we can.”

Top Photo: Peter Rafferty, left, joins Meghan LaDue, Samantha Berg and Samantha Berg’s mom Merril at the Irish Pub fundraiser for Samantha, who was hit by two cars while crossing Merrick Road from one job to another last year.

Bottom Photo: Tucker Williams, left, eats chili at The Irish Pub’s annual cook-off with Susan Cools, Melissa Palermo and Christina McKenna. They helped raise $2,000 to help Samantha Berg — a bartender at the pub — pay off medical bills after being hit by two cars on her way to work last November.

BAlDWIN Chamber of Commerce

All businesses are in Baldwin NY 11510, 11575 unless noted

501(c)(3) / Community Organization

Baldwin Post 246, American l egion

Robert S. Hare, post commander 2754 Grand Avenue (516) 867-9873

baldwin.post.246_amerlegn@aol.com Facebook.com/americanlegion. baldwinny.post246/

Richard M. Brodsky Foundation

Richard Brodsky

1247 Mara Court Atlantic Beach (516) 770-7724

richardm.brodsky@gmail.com

RichardMBrodsky.org

5KAIDSCancer.com

WorldAIDSMarathon.com

Accounting / Tax / Consulting

FAME Consulting

Adrienne Martian

42 Guy Lombardo Ave., Suite 205D Freeport (347) 746-8959

info@fame.consulting fame.consulting

H & B Premier Tax & Accounting llC

Hareesha Boyagodage

2300 Grand Ave., Suite 207 (718) 304-7741

hareesha.k@handbpremier.com

HAndBPremier.com

Vision Street Research llC

Erika Hill

2260 Grand Ave., Unit 656 (516) 341-2357

ehill@visionstreetresearch.com

Animal Hospital / Veterinarian

Baldwin Animal Hospital

Neal J. Saslow DVM

1864 Grand Ave. (516) 223-1555

baldwinpetvet@aol.com

BaldwinAnimalHospital.com

Baldwin Harbor Animal Hospital

Dr. Lauren McGowan

2933 Milburn Ave. (516) 379-5010

baldwinharborah@gmail.com

BaldwinHarborAnimalHospital.com

Auto Body Repair / Service / Gasoline

Chris' Service Center

Chris Molinet 1001 Atlantic Ave. (516) 623-8795

G&S Automotive

Tim Luxmore

1907 Grand Ave. (516) 223-2535

gnsautomotive@optonline.net

GNSAutomotive.com

Grand View Auto Body Inc.

Paul Lizio 713 Brooklyn Ave. (516) 223-9431

grandviewautobody@gmail.com

GrandViewAutoBody.com

North Star Auto Body III llC

1025 Merrick Road (516) 868-9400 northstarbaldwin@gmail.com

Bakery

Bites Galore Sweetique

Ashley Howell 753 Merrick Road (516) 303-9994 bitesgalore@gmail.com

Car Wash

Harbor Wash and Spa

George Plamondon and Liam Goodwin

228 Millburn Ave. (516) 517-2773

george.plamondon@gmail.com HarborWashAndSpa.com

Catering / Party Planning

At Your Service, l .I.

Michael Leake 2863 Grand Ave. (516) 612-8445

atyourserviceli247@gmail.com

AtyYourServiceLI.com

Delicious Moments Caterers

Steven Sciortino 792 Merrick Road (516) 594-1349

hotfood2@aol.com

ICater4U.com

Ferring Deli/Fairview Foods Inc.

Ron Gercken

1181 Grand Ave. (516) 538-8655

ferringdeli@yahoo.com

FerringDeli.com

Courier Moving / Transport

Victory Pointe Express

Trevor Harris

188 East Fulton Ave., Roosevelt (516) 471-1376

victorypointeinvestments@gmail.com

VictoryPointExpress.com

Dance Instruction

Destined to Dance Performing Arts Center Inc

Erica and Jerry Edmonds 1653 Grand Ave.

destined2dance14@gmail.com

Pat's Dance Studio

Melanie Vaughan 961 Church St. (516) 546-2984

patsdancestudio@gmail.com

PatsDanceStudio.com

Digital Process Outsourcing

DPA

Carmine Pugliese

2530 Park Ave., (516) 849-0157

cpugliese@digitalprocessautomation.net

DigitalProcessAutomation.net

Dry Cleaning

T lC Family Cleaners

Joe Trovato

1510 Jericho Turnpike New Hyde Park 11040 (516) 305-5173

Educational / Day Care / Youth Services

Baldwin Teachers Association

Anthony DeAngelis

960 Hastings St., Room 36 (516) 868-1843

ironmantech@gmail.com

Baldwin Union Free School District

Mary Hobbs

960 Hastings St. (516) 377-9271

hobbsm@baldwinschools.org

BaldwinSchools.org

Tim Baker/Herald Mahler Realty celebrates being a staple in Baldwin for 70 years.

BAlDWIN Chamber of Commerce

All businesses are in Baldwin NY 11510, 11575 unless noted

Continued from previous page

Conduit of Change Activity Center

Damian Chambers 2375 Harrison Ave. (516) 274-0002

ConduitOfVhange.org

Hangout One Happy Place Inc.

Non Profit

Angela Lucas

706 Glover Place (516) 375-1102

hangout1happyplace@gmail.com

HangoutOneHappyPlace.com

Entertainment/Recreation

Baldwin Bowling Alley

Brenda Kay 2407 Grand Ave. (516) 223-8980

michaelmhh6@verizon.net

BaldwinBowl.com

Painting with a Twist

Joanne Bove

855 Merrick Road (917) 306-3957

studio357@paintingwithatwist.com

PaintingWithATwist.com/studio/ baldwin-ny/

Event, Travel Planner, Notary

Regal Solutions Group llC

Pamela Pratt

381 Maryland Ave., Freeport (516) 259-1893

regaleventsolutionsny@gmail.com g.co/kgs/DB5zEd

Financial Investments / Services

American Investment Planners llC

Kathleen M. Englehart

53 North Park Ave., Suite 45 Rockville Centre (516) 699-1994

kenglehart@ae.cadaretgrant.com

AmericanInvestmentPlanners.com

Ridgewood Savings Bank

Lyndell Senior 835 Atlantic Ave. (516) 223-2835

lsenior@ridgewoodbank.com

RidgewoodBank.com

Town of Hempstead Federal Credit Union

Jessica Eckels

1830 Grand Ave. (516) 867-4730

jessica.eckels@tohefcu.org

TOHeFCU.org

Funeral Homes

Cecere Family Funeral Home

Michael J. Cecere III

2283 Grand Ave. (516) 223-4200

michaelclfd@optonline.net

CecereFamilyFunerals.com

Fullerton Funeral Home

Barbara Fullerton

769 Merrick Road (516) 223-1460

FullertonFHNY.com

General Contractor

Baldwin Brothers Contruction & Architectural Services

Damian Chambers 2801 Milburn Ave. (516) 920-6157

baldwinbrothersservice@gmail.com

Ben's General Contracting

Ben Jackson

19 Suffolk St., Freeport (516) 623-2945

office@bgccorp.com BGCCorp.com

Hardware / Home Store

Ace Costello Hardware 923 Atlantic Ave. (516) 600-9110

lhothan@costellosace.com AceHardware.com

Health and Wellness

Fit & Fearless llC

Fabiana Cellini 1617 N. Grand Ave. (516) 360-2621

fabianacellini@gmail.com

SoHappy2BFit

Sheila Clark-Hawkins 2974 Grand Ave. (516) 655-7967

sohappy2bfit@gmail.com

SoHappy2BFit.com

Hotel

Ramada Inn & Suites

1000 Sunrise Highway Rockville Centre (516) 678-1100

ramadarvc@gmail.com Ramada.com

HVAC/ Construction

B and l Testing and Balancing

Brett Sanicola 2735 Academy St., Oceanside (516) 724-3630

brett@bltab.com

BLTestingAndBalancing.com

Insurance Brokerage Services

Ability Service Agency Inc.

Elizabeth DeMaria 2075 Grand Ave. (516) 223-3144

edemaria@abilityservice.com

AbilityService.com

American Agency Inc.

Jed R. S. Raynor

140 South Ocean Ave., Freeport (516) 379-3600

jed@americanagency.com

AmericanAgency.com

Koch-Glacken Agency

Jeffrey R. Koch & Jeffrey G. Koch 1211 Stewart Ave., Suite 201, P.O. Box 328, Bethpage (516) 378-8000

jeffg@kochglacken.com

KochGlacken.com

Pl Radin Agency

Allstate Insurance

Exclusive Agent

Pamela Radin

914 Atlantic Ave. (516) 783-3484

pamelaradin@allstate.com

Insurance

Financial Planning

New York life

Sean Gleason 815 Grand Terrace Ave. (516) 330-9639

stgleason@ft.newyorklife.com

NewYorkLife.com/agent/stgleason

New York life

Thomas Airey 3150 Western Blvd. (516) 591-4287

tjairey@ft.newyorklife.com

l andscaper

Evergreen l andscape Contractors

Tom Owen 1083 Steele Blvd. (516) 867-3800

tom@evergreenlandinc.com

EvergreenLandInc.com

l aw Firm

The Nelson l aw Office PC

Kimberly I. Nelson 2249 Derby Road (516) 223-5500

knelson@nelsonlaw.com

NelsonLaw.com

Media / Printing

Baldwin Graphic Arts Inc.

Robert Dougan 2096 Grand Ave. (516) 546-6695

naldwingraphics@verizon.net

BaldwinGraphicArts.com

Musical Instruments / lessons

Kolstein Music Inc.

Manny Alvarez 795 Foxhurst Road (516) 546-9300

manny@kolstein.com

Kolstein.com

New World Music Center Inc.

Michael Fincken

1858 Grand Ave. (516) 378-7898

mike@newworldmusiccenter.com

NewWorldMusicCenter.com

Nail Salon

The Nail Studio by MS Kreative Kay

Katherine Evelyn

2423 Grand Ave. (516) 283-2033

TheNailStudioByMSKreativeKay.com

Continued on next page

BAlDWIN Chamber of Commerce

All businesses are in Baldwin NY 11510, 11575 unless noted

Continued from previous page

Newspaper

Baldwin Herald

Rhonda Glickman

2 Endo Blve., Garden City 11530 (516) 569-4000, Ext 250 LIHerald.com

Nutrition

Rita K. Batheja, MS RDN CDN FAND

Rita K. Batheja

825 Van Buren St. (516) 868-0605

krbatheja@gmail.com

Political

Baldwin Republican Committee

Debbie Pugliese 2530 Park Avenue baldwinrepublicanclub@gmail.com

Pharmacy Health Products

Clinix Plus Pharmacy llC 1655 Grand Ave. (516) 442-2046 clinixpluspharmacy1@gmail.com

Plants and Palms Retailer

Palms Direct

Brett Sanicola

954 West Shelley Road, Bellmore (516) 507-9770

info@palmsdirect,net PalmsDirect.net

Printing Services

Richner Printing Services

Michael Karff (516) 569-4000, Ext. 288

2 Endo Blvd., Garden City 11530 mkarff@richnerprinting.com

Real Estate

Douglas Elliman Evelyn M. Villalona (516) 698-6097

evelyn.villalona@elliman.com

Mahler Realty

Erik Mahler 1030 Merrick Road (516) 223-3111

erik@mahlerrealty.com

MahlerRealty.com

Park Assets Real Estate Corp

Victor Sookdeo 2430 Grand Ave. (718) 684-8000

victor@parkassets.com ParkAssets.com

Sailing Home Realty Corp.

Frank Pignataro 1025 Atlantic Ave. (516) 377-4760

sailinghomerealty@gmail.com

SailingHomeRealty.com

Shore Choice Realty llC

Michael J Willis

3041 Merrick Road, Wantagh (516) 315-1218

mwillishomesales@gmail.com

Applebees Bar & Grill

684 Sunrise Highway (516) 442-0580

Basil l eaf Grill

Weng

1019-21 Atlantic Ave. (516) 379-0111

wengxinyang@gmail.com

BasilLeafNY.com

Ginos Pizza 919 Atlantic Ave. (516) 546-8800

GinosPizzaBaldwin.com

Kitty O Hara's Shay Leavy

845 Merrick Road (516) 208-5520

sleavy44@verizon.net

McDonald's of BaldwinKaufman Enterprises

Josh Kaufman

1255 Grand Ave. (631) 742-9338

jkaufman23@hotmail.com

MacPride.net

NOVI Restaurant

99 Merrick Road (516) 442-4500

NOVIBaldwin.com

Raagini

Malti Bisht

924 Atlantic Ave. (516) 608-5578

hemabista@yahoo.com

RaaginiNY.com

The Irish Pub

Shawn Sabel 834 Merrick Road (516) 208-5940

ssjets1@yahoo.com

TheIrishPub.bar

Wings Over Baldwin

1759 Grand Ave . (516) 218-1789

order.WingsOver.com

Retail

Foot Soldiers Kick Shop (516) 728-5270

cornelious0@yahoo.com

Gala Fresh Farms

Jenny Jorge 2485 Grand Ave. (516) 377-4252

jennyjorge@galasupermarketsli.com

John P. Brown l adder Co., Inc.

87 Merrick Road (516) 546-4745

jpb206fd@aol.com

BrownLadder.com

Restaurant

A Touch of Italy

Reyna Quintanilla

1187 Grand Ave. (516) 483-5119

RQ-2902@hotmail.com

ATouchOfItaly.com

Stop & Shop

Maxwell Frisch

905 Atlantic Ave.

frisch.maxwell@ahold.com

StopAndShop.com

Stu-Art Supplies

Lisa Hubley 2045 Grand Ave. (516) 546-5151

lhubley@stu-artsupplies.com

Stu-ArtSupplies.net

Towel Company

Crafty Cloth Inc

Robert Stringer

712 Bixby Drive 347) 234-5549

Sign Company

Feliciano Design Group

David Feliciano 2438 Grand Ave.

david@felicianodesigngrp.com

FelicianoDesignGroup.com

Town Services

Baldwin Public library

Elizabeth Olesh 2385 Grand Ave. (516) 223-6228

eolesh@baldwinpl.org

BaldwinPL.org

Sanitary District No. 2

Douglas Wiedmann 2080 Grand Ave. (516) 223-3246

dwiedmann@gmail.com

Sani2.com

Travel Advisors

Superior Travel Consultants llC

Carol McParland

3463 Bay Front Drive (516) 224-7880

carol@superiortravel.com

Website Design / Marketing

Oceanside l ocal.Com

Mark Greenberg

P.O. Box 65, Oceanside (516) 993-0053

info@oceansidelocal.com

OceansideLocal.com

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