_______________ east meadow ______________
HERALD Young writers in the district
Schumer outlines goals for new year
Help out the East Meadow F.D.
Page 2
Page 4
Page 15
Vol. 23 No. 3
JANUARY 12 - 18, 2023
$1.00
Vandalism at the bird sanctuary Graffiti, broken animal habitats, fires and more within past six months By MAlloRY WIlSoN mwilson@liherald.com
Mallory Wilson/Herald
A man worthy of their salutes Italo Charles ‘Charlie’ Franza, at left, turned 100 on Jan. 5. Two days later, members of American Legion Post 1082 saluted the World War II veteran for his service. Story, more photos, Page 3.
Many aren’t aware of the bird sanctuary just off Tremont Place in East Meadow. This area of land, behind Speno Park, has been left to wildlife for more than 25 years. More than 50 species of fish, birds, snakes, turtles, and more call this place home. But now, some trespassers have damaged the sanctuary. Bird and bat houses were knocked down, graffiti is seen throughout the area, and two fires have been started that resulted in responses from the North Bellmore Fire Depart-
ment. The Council of East Meadow Community Organizations is asking for residents to help them maintain the sanctuary once again. The land received some TLC over the years after it was adopted by CEMCO. It was once a Nassau County stor m recharge basin, but was transformed in 1997 after a relationship was formed between CEMCO and the county. When the site was first preserved, CEMCO and local Boy Scout troops conducted the initial clean up. Over the years, East Meadow Kiwanis joined the cleanup efforts, and Troops 469 Continued on page 7
Two EMHS sophomores named leadership ambassadors By MAlloRY WIlSoN mwilson@liherald.com
Two East Meadow High School sophomores were recently selected to represent their school in an elite national leadership conference. Alissa Mili was chosen as a Hugh O’Brian Youth Leadership ambassador for the 2022-23 school year and Annabella Lanzer was named an alternate. HOBY, founded in 1958, is an organization that inspires young people and volunteers to live lives dedicated to leadership, service and innovation, in addition to developing a global community, according to its website.
HOBY programs are conducted annually throughout the United States, serving local and international high school students. The program provides students selected by their schools to participate with leadership training, service learning and motivation-building experiences. “I just heard overall that it was a really good experience,” Mili said. “I really thought it was something that I would want to do because I feel like I am someone who takes initiative and tends to be a leader.” Mili is a member of the volleyball team at EMHS and was the captain for her J.V. squad this year. She also plays on the
J.V. basketball and lacrosse teams. She’s a member of the math and science honor societies, active in her school’s Key Club — the high school extension of Kiwanis — and serves as the sophomore class secretary. “I feel like I’m really outgoing and I’m able to strike up a conversation with anybody,” Mili said. “I’m also a really good communicator and I think that’s important with being a leader because if you don’t communicate with the people you’re leading, then things will go wrong.” Lanzer, who is on the school’s color guard squad, applied after her dad told her to go for it. “I thought, why not?” Lanzer said.
“I feel like I’m a leader in my extracurriculars and I thought I would be good at it.” As a member of color guard, Lanzer was a mentor to younger girls looking to be part of color guard. She taught them routines and prepared them for auditions. She is also a member of the school’s J.V. softball team, is a member of the school’s debate
team, and works part time at a restaurant in East Meadow. According to EMHS guidance counselor Carly Salzman, the high school selects two sophomores — a winner and an alternate —to represent their school at the seminar. There is a written application process open to any 10th-grader Continued on page 16