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HERALD $1.00 $1.00
Abuse survivor speaks out
library hosts concerts
Clavin talks storm recovery
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Vol. 24 No. 35
AUGUST 26 - SEPTEMBER 1, 2021
Local finishes three films in retirement own neighborhoods.” She oversaw the Film Office for 33 years before she stepped John Marean, filmmaker away last December. “It was diffiDebra Markowitz’s husband, cult to leave,” she said. said she has lived a busier life Markowitz co-founded the since she retired. As evidenced Long Island International Film by her offering of three films at Expo, an annual event at which the upcoming New York City filmmakers from around the Chain Film Festival, world present their that might be true. work at Bellmore Markowitz, a resiMovies, the historic dent of Merrick, has single-screen theater. deep roots in the This year was local film community. LIIFE’s 24th year. (A She is the founder t wo - d ay d r ive - i n and former director event was held last of the Nassau County year, amid the panFilm Office, which, in demic, at the Samaher words, was nea Mall in Westdesigned to attract Courtesy Debra Markowitz bury). the film and televiAlthough retired, DEBRA sion industries to Markowitz is far from MARkoWITz Long Island — a removed from the lucrative endeavor industry. Pre-Covid, for the area and its many busi- she wrote and directed three nesses. films — “The Waiting Room,” “It’s basically a non-toxic “Confidant” and “Gem and the industry where people come, Photo Op” — which were set to they film, they leave and they be screened at the Chain Film leave their money,” Markowitz Festival this week. “I love them said. “It had been a dream for all,” she said, “but ‘Waiting’ — almost 15 years before we actual- it’s magical.” ly had one,” she added of the “The Waiting Room” follows a film office. “. . . The idea is to woman named Janet, played by help this very creative industry Jennifer Jiles, who waits for her with these very good union jobs where people can work in their Continued on page 4
By ANDREW GARCIA agarcia@liherald.com
Courtesy Bellmore-Merrick Central High School District
ClUB MEMBERS GAThERED in the Community Cupboard’s pantry, which houses a variety of nonperishable foods, toiletries and more.
Calhoun High’s ‘Cluboard’ feeding those in need By ANDREW GARCIA agarcia@liherald.com
The Community Cupboard, operated by the Bellmore-Merrick Central High School District, is a vital resource for local families in need, providing food, toiletries and other necessities. A new student-driven club at Sanford H. Calhoun High School plans to ensure that the facility has a helping hand for years to come. Community Club co-founders Liam Hardstone and
James Gavnoudias, now Calhoun graduates, saw the need to aid the Cupboard amid the c o r o n av i r u s p a n d e m i c. Although Covid-19 brought pain to families nationwide, they could at least make a difference here at home. “The pandemic affected most people in the world — and it was a broad spectrum of severity,” said Hardstone, 18. “Fortunately, James and I presided on the less severe side of the spectrum, and we wanted to use that privilege to aid those that were not so for-
tunate. “We saw an opportunity [with the Cupboard] to help others,” Hardstone continued, “so we started thinking about the most Covid-friendly way to help them.” It started with a GoFundMe intended to aid the Community Cupboard, for which the duo had “no expectations at all,” Hardstone said. “We didn’t think people would donate. We started with a goal of $1,000, and we thought that was a complete reach.” Continued on page 13