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and JUNE 29, 2023
MEN’S
Vol. 26 No. 27
looK INsIDE YoUR HEAlTH
Men’s Health
Chabad’s pre-K graduates
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JUNE 29 - JUlY 5, 2023
A new relationship, driven by nature Mepham grad helps St. Francis garden connect with Bellmore-Merrick schools By JoRDAN VAlloNE jvallone@liherald.com
Courtesy Allyson Alciviades
lIlY YEpEz, CENTER, with the Rev. Grace Flint, left, and garden manager Kristin Talbot at St. Francis Episcopal Church. Yepez completed her internship at the church, as part of her senior experience class at Mepham High School.
This past school year, the Garden at St. Francis, in North Bellmore, bridged the gap between Bellmore-Merrick’s high schools and the nature sanctuary, thanks to the efforts of Lily Yepez, a recent graduate of Wellington C. Mepham High School. Taking part in the school’s senior experience internship program, Yepez worked alongside Kristin Talbot, the garden’s manager, learning about holistic nutrition, farming and
biology, which is something she’s long been interested in. On Sundays in the summer, the garden hosts a farm stand, selling fresh produce grown throughout the season. Yepez, who lives nearby, said she had visited the stand in the past. Her friend Julia Amon, who is completing her Girl Scout Gold Award project at the garden, suggested she get in touch with Talbot about completing her internship there. “I knew I wanted to do something with herbology and gardening,” Yepez, 18, said. “I was Continued on page 2
Newbridge Road School remembers Christine Kropp Bench installed outside North Bellmore elementary building is dedicated to longtime secretary By JoRDAN VAlloNE jvallone@liherald.com
The North Bellmore community remembered Christine Kropp, a longtime secretary at Newbridge Road School, by dedicating a bench in her name in the school’s front yard on June 22. During an outdoor ceremony filled with memories and tears, Kropp’s husband, Bill, and family members, district administrators, board of education trustees, school leaders, staff and dozens of teachers paid tribute to “the
most special person to have ever walked through the doors of Newbridge,” according to Denise Fisher, the North Bellmore School District’s director of personnel. Kropp began working at the school on June 28, 1999, and retired at the end of last school year. She died on Sept. 9, after a battle with cancer, at the age of 76. With the weather last Thursday calling for rain, Fisher said she knew Kropp was watching over them and shedding a tear. “There is no doubt she is here
today,” Fisher said. “I learned so many things from her, more than just how to do my job. I learned how to love differently — how to enjoy life. I learned that family time is the most important time you’ll ever have, whether you’re at dinner, making cookies, on the soccer field. “I also learned it’s important to make time for you, because you can’t give to everyone without giving to yourself,” she added. “I learned I will never love anyone the way I love Chris.” Diana Agoglia, a member of
Newbridge’s main office staff, honored Kropp with a poem, written in her memory. She spoke highly of Kropp’s work ethic, which she instilled in everyone. “I pull a flier, your hand is there — your work ethics showed and taught me great
care,” Agoglia read from the poem. “I miss you, Chris, but you cannot know, I’m so sorry that you had to go.” Agoglia said the bench represents Kropp’s strong personality and offers everyone a place to rest and remember her. Continued on page 4