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East Meadow

HERALD 2020

yEaR In REVIEW

DECEMBER 31, 2020 - JanuaRy 6, 2021

What’s

Vol. 20 no. 1

They ‘stepped up to the plate’

InSIDE

By BRIAN STIEGLITZ bstieglitz@liherald.com

Courtesy Benny Diasparra

Nina’s Deli, in East Meadow, donated meals to front-line workers.

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Brian Stieglitz/Herald

Activists led Black Lives Matter demonstrations in East Meadow.

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Brian Stieglitz/Herald

The Chamber of Commerce held a “reopening festival” in August.

hen two East Meadow residents took on leadership roles in the Kiwanis Club as 2020 began, they never could have expected the year that would unfold or the challenges they would face. Lisa Hallett’s first event as Kiwanis president was its annual pancake breakfast on March 8. She greeted club members and neighbors in a packed East Meadow High School cafeteria, not knowing that it would be the last time they would see one another in person for six months. Jennifer Reinhardt became her right-hand woman, first as secretary and now as vice president. When schools closed, Covid-19 cases rose and businesses shuttered, following Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s New York on Pause order, Reinhardt never stopped thinking of ways to support her neighbors. Through their creativity and passion for service, Hallett and Reinhardt continued all of the club’s service projects and spearheaded new efforts to support those affected by the coronavirus pandemic. For their commitment to their community, the Herald is proud to name them its 2020 People of the Year. Hallett, 52, attended Carle Place High School and studied secretarial work and technology at Nassau Community College. She moved to East Meadow with her husband, Rich, an electrician with his own businesses, where they raised their three daughters, Nicole, 22, Julianne, 20, and Danielle, 18. Hallett joined Kiwanis because her daughters were involved in the club’s K-Kids, the elementary school service club it runs. “She’s really shown people her abilities and leadership skills,” said David Rothman, a Kiwanis member for 36 years and a past governor of the Kiwanis International New

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nEWS

LISA HALLETT ANd JENNIfER REINHARdT

‘

he’s really shown people her abilities and leadership skills.’ dAvId RoTHmAN Member, East Meadow Kiwanis

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York District. “She really stepped up to the plate. And she brings a lot of heart to the table.” Reinhardt, 36, was born in Mineola, and her family moved to East Meadow in time for her to start kindergarten. She graduated from East Meadow High School in 2002 and went to Towson University, in Baltimore, where she studied marketing and advertising. Reinhardt worked at ABC for 10 years before leaving her job to sell real estate with her family’s company, the Krug Team at Century 21 American Homes. Her husband, Jeff, also works with the Krug Team, and is a firefighter with the New York City Fire Department. They have three sons, Graham, 6, Cormac, 4, and Colton, 1. Reinhardt joined Kiwanis roughly three years ago, at the suggestion of her parents, Diane and Rich Krug, who are both members. “She was kind of thrown into it, but now she brings fresh new ideas to the club,” Rothman said.“She brings in the next generation.” Reinhardt brings her son Graham to events like Kiwanis food drives outside grocery stores, where he can often be seen chanting and cheering to get local residents to donate to the club’s efforts.“It has been really amazing to see firsthand how much this club helps the community,” his mother said.“I joined to make a difference and, under [Lisa’s] leadership, we’ve definitely done that this year.” When schools closed in mid-March, Hallett and Reinhardt rallied club members and began raising funds for meals to make up for the ones no longer being provided by the school district. They went shopping once a week, and delivered Continued on page 4 Brian Stieglitz/Herald

Infections as of Dec. 26

For BrEAKING go to liherald.com

HERALD PEOPLE oF tHE YEAR

Infections as of Dec. 29 2,123

Lisa Hallett, above right, and Jennifer Reinhardt are the Herald’s 2020 People of the Year. They were at the Kiwanis toy drive on Dec. 20 at Borrelli’s.

December 31, 2020 — EAST MEADOW HERALD

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Charles O’Shea, owner of funeral homes, dies at 85 Charles J. O’Shea Jr., a prominent figure in the business communities of Wantagh and East Meadow for more than a half-century, died on Dec. 30 at his home in Point Lookout. He was 85. Born in Queens in 1934, O’Shea grew up with 10 brothers and sisters above his father’s funeral home. A veteran of the Korean War, he served as a sergeant in the U.S. Marine Corps and was a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 2736 in East Meadow. After completing his military service, he worked for a number of funeral homes in the New York area. But with a young family — he married Eugenia Algozer in 1957, and six children followed in short order — he worked a series of odd jobs as well. “He had one job at night working in a paper bag fac-

tory while he was studying for his license,” said his son, former Nassau County assessor and State Assemblyman Charles O’Shea III. Charles Jr. opened his first funeral home, on North Jerusalem Avenue in East Meadow, in 1963. It was followed by a second location in Wantagh in 1979, which became the firm’s headquarters, according to Louis Guerra, the president of O’Shea Funeral Homes and his business partner for 22 years. O’Shea was also a part owner of Albrecht, Bruno and O’Shea, in East Islip. Courtesy Courtesy O’Shea family

Charles J. O’Shea Jr., the founder and owner of O’Shea funeral homes in Wantagh and East Meadow and a partner in Albrecht, Bruno and O’Shea, in East Islip.

The classroom buzzed with students sharing stories and laughing as they poured cups of soda to celebrate the capstones of their research, and one student in particular. The whiteboard at the front of Erika Rotolo’s science research class at Salisbury’s W.T. Clarke High School read, “Congratulations Abishek Ravindran,” acknowledging the 17-year-old who had just been named one of 300 scholars in the 2020 Regeneron Science Talent Search. Abishek’s brother, Pavithran, who graduated from Clarke in 2015, was also a scholar in what was then known as the Intel Science Talent Search.“He definitely opened those doors for me,” Abishek said, “and showed me what was possible with science research.”

As he spoke about his project, his eyes lit up, and he smiled after each sentence of explanation. His project is titled “Implementation of Novel Sector Weight and Google Trends Data Objectives using MOEA/D Curtails Systematic Risk for Quintessential Investors.” He based his research on the Modern Portfolio Theory, developed by Henry Markowitz in 1952, which is an algorithm to help investors organize their assets to yield the greatest returns that factors in the economy’s level of risk. But, Ravindran noted, the model focuses on wealthy investors, like businesses and large corporations. Brian Stieglitz/Herald

Abishek Ravindran, 17, a senior at W.T. Clarke High School, was named one of 300 scholars in the 2020 Regeneron Science Talent Search.

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Sheriff Vera Fludd announced her retirement There’s going to be a new sheriff in town. Nassau County Sheriff Vera Fludd announced on Jan. 13 that after nearly two years in the position — and 33 years at the Nassau County Correctional Center — she will retire at the end of January. The county received 50 resumes from applicants for the sheriff’s position, and whittled the list down to 10 to 15 candidates who are being interviewed, according to Christine Geed, a county spokeswoman. The search for a new sheriff comes while officials grapple with changes made to the state’s new bail laws that have led to the release of nearly 300 inmates from the county jail since Nov. 1. Fludd, 58, of Freeport, spoke with the Herald on Tuesday, when she joined

W.T. Clarke H.S. senior is named a Regeneron scholar

law enforcement officials from both Nassau and Suffolk counties to discuss the formation of a “Common-Sense Coalition” that will recommend bail reform amendments to Albany lawmakers. Fludd had intended to retire in early 2018, she said, but deferred her plans when County Executive Laura Curran appointed her acting sheriff that January. She was confirmed three months later. Since then she has brought in roughly 100 new correction officers in three graduating classes, one of which was the largest of the decade, with 40 graduates. Brian Stieglitz/Herald

Nassau County Sheriff Vera Fludd retired at the end of January, and the county was interviewing roughly 10 candidates for the position, according to Christine Geed, a county spokeswoman.

L.I. Lacrosse Hall of Fame names coach from East Meadow Business and law are two important parts of Alan Hodish’s life, and many people in East Meadow know him from the Law Offices of Alan B. Hodish, in Garden City, or his involvement in the East Meadow Chamber of Commerce and Kiwanis. But Hodish is also dedicated to the sport of lacrosse. The East Meadow resident was welcomed into the Long Island Metropolitan Lacrosse Foundation Hall of Fame at its 35th annual induction ceremony on Jan. 25 at the Long Island Marriott in Uniondale. This is the second time the foundation has honored Hodish: He was presented with its Lifetime Achievement Award in 2014. Hodish was the head coach of the

Hempstead High School lacrosse team for over 20 years, and also coached in the East Meadow Police Athletic league for several seasons. A number of his former players attended his Hall of Fame induction, including Hempstead High alumnus Aaron Jones, who went on to play lacrosse at Cornell University. “We galvanized a big group of alumni to come out and pay homage to a great man,” Jones said. Courtesy Alan Hodish

Alan Hodish was named to the Long Island Metropolitan Lacrosse Foundation’s Hall of Fame at its 35th annual induction ceremony on Jan. 25. Hodish was the head coach of the Hempstead High School lacrosse team for over 20 years, and his teams captured league championships in 1983 and 1985.

One of the first works you may notice when viewing James Whitten’s East Meadow art exhibit this month is a sepia-toned illustration of a black boy wearing a button-down shirt, a bow tie, suspenders and a straw hat. After painting the portrait and centering it in a pink circle on a multi-colored background, Whitten titled it “Carnival Kid.” He first spotted a photograph of the boy in a collection of postcards at Queens Public Library in Jamaica. Although he couldn’t recall where or when the photo was taken, Whitten said,“His smile and everything about him just made me happy. It reminded me of my spirit.” Whitten’s spirit could also be seen in portraits of family members and historic black figures in the exhibit at

the Samanea New York Market, the former Source Mall, in Westbury, where he is the East Meadow Public Library’s resident artist for February. Employees of the library created the gallery at the market, where many programs are being held while the facility on East Meadow Avenue is being renovated. Whitten, 68, was born in Jamaica, Queens, and has been drawing since his childhood.

W.T. Clarke High School took home first place on Feb. 13 at a fierce, hourslong competition with more than 100 students at North Merrick’s Brookside School gymnasium. But It wasn’t the typical sporting event one might expect. Instead of dribbling balls, high schoolers came armed with laptops and keyboards. The event marked the first official High School Inter-District Competitive Hackathon hosted by kidOYO, a Long Island-based nonprofit that partners with schools to create computer science curricula. The hackers represented 11 school districts, including the East Meadow High School District. In total, there were 13 teams, with six players each. Around 9

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Brian Stieglitz

James Whitten is the East Meadow Public Library’s resident artist for February, and his work will be on display all month at a pop-up gallery at the Samanea New York Market, the former Source Mall, in Westbury.

Chamber program brings students from the textbook into the office Students filtered into the cafeteria at East Meadow High School last Friday in professional attire — suits, collared shirts and blouses. Seated at the tables were members of the community, some of whom were familiar — a baseball coach, a Boy Scout troop leader, a local church official. But that day, they were all “employers” at each student’s dream company. One by one, the prospective “employees” sat down in front of one of their future bosses, introduced themselves and presented their resumes. The East Meadow Chamber of Commerce hosted the mock interview event for juniors and seniors who were taking Academy of Finance classes or

W.T. Clarke claims victory at first inter-district Hackathon

were members of the Business Honor Societies at East Meadow and W.T. Clarke high schools. This is the 12th year that chamber members, with the help of some East Meadow Kiwanis members, conducted the interviews. Each year, the program helps prepare students who will be looking for summer internships and jobs, said Toni McIntosh, the school district’s business chair.

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Brian Stieglitz/Herald

Business owners and community leaders mentored students on the job interview process at the 12th annual Mock Interview Program hosted by the East Meadow chamber.

a.m., players plugged in their devices, ready to hack. Throughout more than three hours of coding, smart boards and televisions around the gymnasium displayed a virtual version of Mars surrounded by 13 spaceships, one for each team. As the groups solved increasingly difficult coding challenges, they took over more sections of the planet. The more territory a team captured, the more adjacent territory it could also claim, and whoever had the most land by the end won. Andrew Garcia/Herald

The W.T. Clarke team won the first inter-district Hackathon and took home the Stanley Cup-style trophy, which it will keep for a year, until the next Hackathon.

Coronavirus shutdown hits East Meadow Many business owners in East Meadow were mopping floors, wiping down countertops and disinfecting equipment — all with the intent of staying open and protecting patrons — on Monday morning, when they found out they would have to close until further notice to stem the tide of the coronavirus. New York, New Jersey and Connecticut banned gatherings of more than 50 people, effective that night at 8 p.m. And restaurants, gyms, movie theaters and casinos were ordered to close. Gov. Andrew Cuomo tweeted the news Monday morning, and followed up with a news conference. The governor said the state was acting aggressively to slow the increase in

coronavirus cases to ensure that hospitals and medical centers across the state are not overwhelmed. New York had the most COVID-19 cases of any state in the nation, with nearly 1,000 as of press time on Tuesday. As happened in China, South Korea and parts of Western Europe, it was only a matter of time, the governor predicted, before cases here rose exponentially. “Up until five minutes ago, we were sanitizing and planning to stay open,” Frank Camarano, the manager Evolve Health and Ftiness. Brian Stieglitz/Herald

Frank Camarano, board chairman of the East Meadow Chamber of Commerce, has been reaching out to settle the nerves of local business owners who had planned to stay open before hearing Cuomo’s announcement.

EAST MEADOW HERALD — December 31, 2020

Exploring Black history through art

December 31, 2020 — EAST MEADOW HERALD

Hallett and Reinhardt support their neighbors Continued from front page

meals to schools that were available to any residents who needed them. They dropped off thousands of meals through September, when students returned to school and the district began providing lunches again. When schools reopened, Reinhardt spearheaded a program called Pack a Backpack, through which Kiwanis filled roughly 200 backpacks with school supplies and protective equipment for students in need. Hallett is also a volunteer for the Kiwanis Pediatric Trauma Center, which supports Cohen’s Children’s Medical Center, in Manhasset, with education and emergency response efforts. To raise funds for the trauma center, she introduced the club to the Kiwanis International New York District’s “Everyday Hero” award program. Kiwanis has presented 10

hero plaques to community members, teach- rant, which draws roughly 100 families in need. “We really needed to think outside of the ers, businesses and nonprofits that contributed to its causes throughout the pandemic. box and get creative,” Hallett said. The Saturday before Thanksgiving, KiWith each plaque purchased by the Kiwanis club, the Kiwanis New York District makes a do- wanians delivered complete turkey dinners to 70 East Meadow and Salisnation to the trauma center. bury homes. The next day, club “There are so many people members set up drive-through who have stepped up,” Hallett service at East Meadow High said, “and we wanted to find a School and handed out 230 way to thank them.” more meals to residents. As the holidays approached, OF THE In lieu of the Christmas Kiwanis officials had to make dinner, the club hosted its andecisions about their annual nual Secret Snowflake Toy Drive Thanksgiving and Christmas throughout December, and Bordinners. Each November, the East Meadow club hosts a Thanksgiving din- relli’s cooked Italian meals for each participatner for seniors and military families that draws ing family. On Dec. 20, Kiwanians set up driveabout 300 people. Then, on Christmas, the club through service in the restaurant’s parking lot hosts a family dinner at Borrelli’s Italian Restau- and handed out Italian dinners or Borrelli’s gift

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cards to 80 families and toys to 191 children. “We were able to serve a lot more members of the community this way,” Reinhardt said. Kiwanis had three large boxes of toys remaining, and left them at Borrelli’s for Frank Borrelli, its owner, to give to local pantries like the Marry Brennan Interfaith Nutrition Network. “Everything we do has really been a team effort,” Reinhardt said.“We couldn’t have done it without the rest of the club and the people in the community who helped us.” Brian Stieglitz/Herald

President Lisa Hallett, right, presented Jennifer Reinhardt with the East Meadow Kiwanis club’s first Rookie of the Year award at the club’s 69th installation dinner on Oct. 5.

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Each morning for almost two weeks, Benny Diasparra and his wife Meaghan have been opening up shop at 5:30 a.m. at their business, Nina’s Deli and Caterers. The East Meadow catering company did not take much of a blow from the pandemic because the deli is not dine-in so the closure of businesses did not impede its service. “Me and my wife run this business together so we’re blessed we’re able to continue operating,” he said. To keep customers safe from the virus, all orders were made cashless and converted to curbside or doorstop delivery to limit contact. Otherwise, business was scheduled to continue as usual. Then, one day in late March, the staff at Nina’s Deli prepared an order for a party that ended up having to cancel last minute. All the food was already pre-

pared, so Diasparra wanted to donate as a debt of gratitude to any group of workers at the frontlines of the pandemic. He reached out to a family friend, who connected him with the Bellmore-Merrick Emergency Medical Service group. “It just started to snowball from there,” Diasparra said. Diasparra explained that he was overwhelmed and touched by posts on social media from health care workers and emergency personnel who were working all night, exposing themselves to the virus, to keep others safe.

“Non-essential” businesses across New York have been forced to close by order of Gov. Andrew Cuomo to prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus. “All of our small businesses are struggling mightily right now,” said Michael Levy, the East Meadow Chamber of Commerce president. “It’s a tremendous struggle to get through a day, and I’m no different than other business.” Levy owns Minuteman Press in Levittown. Although he is open, he has had fewer orders and projects because most customers are out of work, he said. The bulk of the printing he does now is for the Town of Hempstead and includes projects like signs, mailers

YEAR IN REVIEW APRIL

Courtesy Benny Diasparra

Staff members at North Shore University Hospital Manhasset got ready for a meal donated to them courtesy of Nina’s Deli and Caterers in East Meadow.

East Meadow boy dedicates his birthday to a family in need Mateo Solis has often spent his birthday on vacation, visiting extended family members, with previous trips including Costa Rica and Portugal. Although he spent his 10th birthday, on Sunday, quarantining in his East Meadow home, he wanted to do something for a family that had lost someone even younger than he is. “I’m lucky to be even turning 10,” he told the Herald last Friday. Mateo’s grandmother Jacinta Fernandes works in the emergency hospitality department of NYU Winthrop Hospital in Mineola. She has been telling him stories about her work on the front lines of the coronavirus pandemic, mostly about the patients she has treated and seen admitted.

East Meadow Chamber president helps out in crisis and fliers. With more time on his hands and his printers sitting idle, he said,“I wanted to help out where I could.” After reading news stories about people who had 3D-printed face shields for health care workers, he called his staff and said,“We’ve got work to do.” After sharing photos and information about the project on his Facebook page, he started getting calls, texts and messages from health care workers who asked if he could make masks for them. In the last two weeks, he has produced and donated 25 face shields. Courtesy Michael Levy

Michael Levy, the East Meadow Chamber of Commerce president, has been 3D-printing face shields at his business, Minuteman Press in Levittown.

Salisbury raises over $8,000 for a variety of causes through Bingo

Last month, the hospital treated the country’s youngest Covid-19 patient so far: a 3-week-old infant who recovered a week later. More recently, a 5-year-old was diagnosed with the virus at Winthrop, and died in treatment. When Mateo heard that story, he said, he wanted to dedicate his birthday to the child’s family.“I’m really fortunate to not have Covid-19 and to be OK and have enough food in the fridge,” he said.

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Courtesy Carla Fernandes

Mateo Solis, of East Meadow, in red shirt, dedicated his 10th birthday on Sunday to a 5-year-old who died of Covid-19. Throughout the day, Mateo and his sister, Eva, far left, collected donations to send to the child’s family.

Some families in Salisbury are battling pandemic isolation by raising money for charity. On Mother’s Day they spent their third Sunday playing a community-wide game of Bingo on Zoom. This week the caller was a special guest: Kenneth Card Jr., superintendent of the East Meadow School District. A group of Salisbury mothers have organized the virtual games as a way to celebrate despite the spread of Covid-19, raising funds for a different cause each week. “You can’t go to the movies anymore. You can’t play mini-golf,” said Diana Hicks, one of the organizers. “To have an hour of entertainment is priceless.” The other mothers include Lulette Infante, Madalyn DeLuccia, Carly

Feinstein, Kristen Campagnuolo and Tricia Barsuakas. Infante and her neighbors garnered support on the Salisbury/Westbury Moms and Dads group on Facebook. “Whenever somebody needs something, they could post it there,” said Campagnuolo, who is one of the group’s moderators. The Bingo costs $10 per game, and the prizes are gift cards that are either purchased or donated by local businesses. Courtesy Carly Feinstein

A group of Salisbury mothers have been organizing virtual Bingo games to raise funds for different causes impacted by the coronavirus pandemic. Last Sunday, their third game raised over $3,000 for the National Alliance on Mental Illness in honor of Mental Health Awareness month.

EAST MEADOW HERALD — December 31, 2020

Nina’s Deli serves a feast for those on the frontlines

December 31, 2020 — EAST MEADOW HERALD

A protest organizer’s hope for education across Long Island

Remembering ‘Mr. Andre’ Every morning, students at Parkway Elementary School, in East Meadow, would hop out of their cars and start their day with a greeting from Andre Lewis, a.k.a. “Mr. Andre.” According to Jamie Mack, the school’s principal, Lewis not only knew the children by name, but also chatted with them about their interests. “He’d be out there in rain — he was out there in snow,” Mack said. Roughly two months ago, Lewis was hospitalized with Covid-19 symptoms. He remained in a hospital for 49 days, during which his health declined until he lost the ability to breathe on his own.

He died on May 16 of complications related to the virus. He was 40. Lewis grew up in Springfield Gardens, Queens, and went to Springfield Gardens High School, where he and Parkinson met. “He was loved by the kids, he was respected by the parentss,” Patrick Pizzo, the assistant superintendent for business and finance.

Protesters were back in East Meadow on June 16 in the same place where three men were arrested and charged with disorderly contact at a similar protest four days earlier. One of the June 12 arrests was captured in a video that showed officers throwing Terrel Tuosto to the ground and pinning him to the pavement before handcuffing him. His brother, Tiandre, was arrested shortly before the video was taken. Now, the video is being investigated by the Nassau County Police Department’s Internal Affairs unit. On June 16, the brothers were back at the East Meadow Mall parking lot

YEAR IN REVIEW JUNE

Courtesy Jamie Mack

Andre Lewis, a security guard at Parkway Elementary School in East Meadow, died of Covid19 complications on May 16. He was 40.

with a group of roughly 100 demonstrators protesting systemic racism and police brutality. The group marched for four hours, heading east on Hempstead Turnpike, then north on Carman Avenue, east on Hearth Lane and north on Friends Lane, which circles back to Hearth Lane. From there, protesters headed west on Hearth, south on Carman and west on Hempstead Turnpike, back to the mall. Brian Stieglitz/Herald

Tiandre Tuosto, left, and his brother, Terrel, led a protest in East Meadow on June 16, marching through the same area where both had been arrested, and Terrel was pinned to the ground by police, on June 12.

Business owners ring in Phase 3

Protestors clash at pro-police rally

As East Meadow was set to enter navirus. Phase 3 of New York state’s reopening “You have to convince your customprotocols on Wednesday, many busi- ers that it’s the cleanest place they can ness owners were looking forward to be every day,” he said, adding that busiallowing guests into their ness owners should clean not establishments for the first only overnight, but during time since March. the day as well so customStew Leonard Jr., ers see it and feel more chief executive officer comfortable. of the superstore For Frank Borrelli, IN Stew Leonard’s, creatthe owner of Borrelli’s ed a video in which he Italian Restaurant in gave advice on East Meadow, entering reopening to local Phase 3 meant he could business owners. open the restaurant’s dinAlthough the East ing area again. Meadow store remained open throughout the pandemic, Leonard Brian Stieglitz/Herald said he felt as if he had to reopen“about Borrelli’s Italian Restaurant converted part of its parka dozen times” because of ongoing ing lot into an outdoor dining area. Starting adjustments and government guide- Wednesday, the eatery could seat 80 people inside lines to prevent the spread of the coro- and 40 outside.

More than 1,000 people gathered in was among a series of demonstrations East Meadow’s Eisenhower Park for a pushing back against efforts to reduce Back the Blue demonstration hosted by law enforcement budgets or to redirect the nonprofit Law Enforcement Officers funding toward preventive resources Weekend. and social services. About an hour into the During the first half of rally, counterprotesters the rally, roughly a dozen clashed with the procounterprotesters stood police demonstrators, in the designated free and a counterprotestspeech area. Almost IN er was arrested after two-dozen more counhe left a “free speech” terprotesters marched area set up by Nassau toward the rally from County police. He was another area of the park, handcuffed and led to a and the smaller group left police car as members of the roped-off area and the crowd cheered and chantjoined them. ed “Blue Lives Matter.” Brian Stieglitz/Herald The mostly masked crowd was dot- A crowd of more than 1,000 gathered in Eisenhower ted with American flags, “Thin Blue Park for a pro-police demonstration. Halfway through, Line” flags and signs with messages in they clashed with almost three-dozen counter prosupport of law enforcement. The rally testers.

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East Meadow boy gets a superhero birthday visit Yaakov Portnoy stood outside his East Meadow house on Glenmore Avenue with his five children, their friends and some neighbors on June 25. All were waiting for a surprise that was set to arrive in honor of Jeremy Portnoy’s 7th birthday eight days earlier. Yaakov Portnoy had been planning a visit from the nonprofit Smiles through Cars since Jeremy came home from the intensive care unit of Cohen Children’s Medical Center in Queens on

YEAR IN REVIEW JULY

Oct. 13. Three days earlier, the 6-year-old was attacked outside his grandparents’ house in Kew Gardens, Queens. Yaakov said that Jeremy was almost completely recovered, and that most of his injuries had healed.

Brian Stieglitz/Herald

Jeremy Portnoy, 7, of East Meadow, left, celebrated his birthday with a visit from Batman’s sidekick, Robin, a.k.a. Josh Aryeh, the founder of the nonprofit Smiles Through Cars.

Isaias wallops East Meadow All of Long Island began to feel the effects of Tropical Storm Isaias, including East Meadow and Salisbury, when it slammed into the East Coast with heavy winds of nearly 70 mph and knocked down trees and utility poles in its path. According to the PSEG Long Island Outage Map, in East Meadow there were 434 of 14, 315 customers affected by power outages as of Tuesday at 7 p.m. Salisbury sustained a much larger hit from the storm with 2,845 of 3,551 customers affected by power outages, according to PSEG Long Island. Most of the outages are the result of trees falling on power lines. The estimated restoration time is Aug. 6 at 2 p.m. Members of the East Meadow Fire Department have been responding to

Although graduating seniors in the East Meadow School District have not been in the classroom together since March because of the coronavirus pandemic, they were able to don their caps and gowns and graduate with some of their peers. To comply with social-distancing requirements, the district divided students into 14 ceremonies over three days. W.T. Clarke High School seniors attended one of five ceremonies on July 24 and 25. And East Meadow High School, which has a larger student body, hosted nine ceremonies on July 26. Each was outside on the respective

calls all day on Tuesday to assist residents affected by the storm. Between 1 p.m. and 5 p.m., the East Meadow Fire Department answered 90 calls throughout the community regarding downed trees, wires, car accidents and one car fire, said Fire Commissioner John Priest. Then, around 7 p.m., the department received another 20 calls in “rapid succession,” Preist said. “It was a very busy day not jst for the East Meadow Fire Department, but for emergency services through Nassau County as well,” he said.

YEAR IN REVIEW AUGUST

Christina Daly/Herald

East Meadow saw the effects of Tropical Storm Isaias as it slammed into the East Coast, uprooting a number of trees in its wake.

school’s football field, and the audience was capped at 150, in accordance with state protocols. Students at W.T. Clarke High School’s graduation were allowed to bring their parents or two guests to sit with them in the audience while they waited to receive their diplomas. East Meadow High School held nine graduation ceremonies on July 26, at which roughly 30 students sat in one section and their parents and guests sat in another. Brian Stieglitz/Herald

W.T. Clarke High School seniors graduated at one of five socially distant ceremonies on the school’s football field on July 24 and 25.

E.M. Chamber throws festival to celebrate reopening efforts East Meadow residents and business owners celebrated together at a “reopening festival” hosted by the East Meadow Chamber of Commerce on Aug. 15 at the East Meadow baseball fields on Merrick Avenue. “We keep saying what we can’t do because of the pandemic, but the reality is that we have to find a way to do what we can,” said Ted Rosenthal, co-chair of a chamber committee dedicated to post-pandemic efforts, when talking about his inspiration behind holding the event. Rosenthal, founder of the law firm Rosenthal, Curry & Kranz, and Jim

Skinner, owner of A&C Pest Management, are co-chairing the committee, which also includes Skinner’s son James, also of A&C, and Richie Krug Jr. and Tom and Lyndsey Gallagher, all of Century 21 American Homes. The committee’s goal is to help businesses reopen or offer their services in any possible way, and generate excitement among East Meadow residents about patronizing such businesses. Brian Stieglitz/Herald

Richie Krug Jr. was with his children McKenzie, 3, and Christian, 5, in a children’s playhouse set up in the back of his father’s pick-up truck at the East Meadow Chamber of Commerce’s “reopening festival” on Aug. 15.

EAST MEADOW HERALD — December 31, 2020

East Meadow School District holds socially distant graduations

December 31, 2020 — EAST MEADOW HERALD

Gyms are back in business

High school sports cancelled in fall

A group of four patrons of AB Fitness indoor activities. Patrons of the East Center worked out with trainer Pete Meadow facility were also welcome to Khatcherian on Aug. 24, the day gyms book training sessions in Massapequa, were permitted to resume operations because the gym on East Meadow in New York under Gov. Avenue lacked the space for an Andrew Cuomo’s reopenoutdoor training area of its ing protocols. own. But at AB Fitness Gyms are restricted Center, customers to operating at 33 perwere outside, amid cent of capacity, and IN temperatures in the face coverings must be mid-80s, in the shade worn at all times. of a tent set up in the Facilities must have a parking lot of the East heating, ventilation and Meadow business’s new air-conditioning filtration Massapequa facility, which system that meets state opened in February. health guidelines. Owner Anthony Bevilacqua and his staff created the outdoor training area, Brian Stieglitz/Herald dubbed the “muscle pit,” roughly a Pete Khatcherian, a trainer at East Meadow’s AB month ago, when it was still unclear Fitness Center, set up an outdoor workout station when gyms would be able to resume behind the gym’s Massapequa facility on Aug. 24.

A committee of Nassau County “We’re trying to get the powers that school superintendents voted on Aug. be to change their mind,” said Johanna 26 to postpone high school sports until Aprea, of Salisbury. “It’s ridiculous that Jan. 4, drawing ire from student these kids can’t play when you athletes and parents in the could drive past any park right East Meadow School now and see kids playing District. sports. All of my daughSince the decision, ter’s friends were on members of the East summer leagues, so it IN Meadow and doesn’t make sense Salisbury communiwhy they can’t play in ties have been calling high school.” on Section VIII, the But Pat Pizzarelli, governing body for Section VIII’s executive Nassau County high director of athletics, school athletics, to reverse defended the postponement the decision at a number of rallies of sports. “We felt strongly enough across the county. The first was last to make this decision now,” he said. Courtesy Media Origin, Inc. Friday, at the Nassau BOCES were postponed this fall at schools across Administrative Center in Garden City, Sports Nassau County, including W.T. Clarke High, whose where Section VIII officials meet. football team is above at last year’s Homecoming.

YEAR REVIEW AUGUST

‘Pandemic pod’ offers education alternative

Returning to school in person After a summer of preparation and planning, all nine schools in the East Meadow School District welcomed students back for the first time in nearly six months. While some students attended classes on a hybrid schedule and others continued to learn remotely, district officials have created a reopening plan aimed at providing all of them with the same access to education. In anticipation of Tuesday, the district sent parents a video montage featuring welcoming messages from the principals of each school. Gregory Bottari, who heads Barnum Woods

YEAR REVIEW SEPTEMBER

Middle School, began his message in front of the school on May Lane, saying, “This building has missed you.” “Many people say it’s impossible to pull off a year like this,” Bottari continued. “And I have to share with you, I have in my office a saying that says, ‘Impossible is an opinion.’ I truly believe that. Our kids will learn and thrive this year, and that’s a promise.”

“Welcome to Backyard School,” reads a dry-erase board in the backyard of Kim Chalom’s East Meadow home, which she had transformed into a “pandemic pod,” or “micro-school,” for her daughter and two other 3-year-olds. Twice a week, for two hours at a time, the children would meet with retired Manhattan teacher Anne Bass instead of going to a traditional nursery school. Pods like this one have been emerging across the country as an alternative for parents who would rather not send their children back to school and risk possible exposure to the coronavirus. Since Aug. 11, Bass has been teach-

YEAR IN REVIEW SEPTEMBER

Courtesy Patsy Mustafich

The East Meadow School District welcomed students back on Tuesday, the first day of classes. Sebastian Mustafich was ready to start first grade at McVey Elementary School.

ing Rebecca Chalom,Karina Ponnappan and Susie Wansor about shapes, numbers and the alphabet, among other lessons. Jenna Hoelzer and Allison Kryder, both of Merrick, who founded J.A. Tutoring in 2006, began forming pandemic pods over the summer. They have created roughly a dozen pods throughout Nassau County, and offer one-on-one tutoring with both remote and in-person options. Brian Stieglitz/Herald

In an East Meadow “pandemic pod,” or “microschool,” teacher Anne Bass read Eric Carle’s book “1, 2, 3 to the Zoo” to, from left, Karina Ponnappan, Rebecca Chalom and Susie Wansor.

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December 31, 2020 — EAST MEADOW HERALD

I have a confession.

EAST MEADOW HERALD — December 31, 2020

Friends dedicate their Halloween costumes to personal causes Lifelong best friends Lyla Meslin, Samantha Panzica, Ella Merkle and Ashley O’Connor have been planning their Halloween costumes since August. Each suggested a number of different ideas for a group theme, but they couldn’t agree on any of them. Then they brainstormed one that would give them more than just an outfit to wear while trick-or-treating. The friends, all fifth-graders at Parkway Elementary School in East Meadow, will dress as OPI nail polish bottles. They will sport black hats and shirts to

represent the bottle cap, and each will wear a different colored tutu and pair of socks to resemble the nail polish. Each color they chose represents a personal cause, and on Halloween the girls set up a booth and collected donations for their causes at Ella’s house. Courtesy Randi Panzica

Lyla Meslin, far left, Samantha Panzica, Ella Merkle and Ashley O’Connor, all fifth-graders at Parkway Elementary School, are dedicating their Halloween costumes to four personal causes.

YEAR IN REVIEW OCTOBER

In my 40 years of practicing and living in the Merrick/Bellmore area, I could’ve tried harder to help people remember that the body is self healing. My mission is to find the interference or impediment to your expression of perfect health. You are already perfect, but perhaps you could be better. When the interference in your nervous system is removed, your body will have its optimal potential for health and well being, like un-kinking a garden hose, the information can now flow and… your body knows what to do to heal you. In the current Covid times, it’s important for you to know that we all have an immune system, it works over the nervous system and chiropractic allows that system to work at its optimum potential, with health as the inevitable result. Everyone knows chiropractic is good for neck pain, back pain, shoulder pain, hip pain, leg pain, arm pain, but most aren’t aware that TMJ, headaches, sleep issues, really any function that the body has may improve with chiropractic care. We see newborns - not because they have headaches or low back pain, they just sleep better, have less digestive problems, and are sick less often. We see patients from birth to seniors for any condition and will give you a natural answer, or will refer you to the proper professional.

It has always been my honor and privilege to serve the community, now and in the future.

TreaT Yourself!

The Rev. Eugene Purvis sat on the front porch of his Freeport home and told stories about his service in World War II to a group of high school students, most of whom hope to serve in the U.S. military. Purvis, 97, the former pastor of the Naomi Temple AME Zion Church in Roosevelt, has a mental scrapbook of similar experiences that shaped him. He shared it with the students, who were among roughly 60 volunteers from East Meadow and Freeport who visited him to help clean his house and

do some long-needed home improvements. Purvis is an active member of Freeport Cares, a community group that works with the school district and village to promote programs and activities for Freeport families. As he aged, members of Freeport Cares took turns caring for him and his wife, Sylvia. Courtesy Mark Del Orfano

A group of volunteers, mostly from Freeport and East Meadow, helped clean the home of the Rev. Eugene Purvis, seated at right, a veteran of World War II.

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Kevin Thomas declares victory in 6th State Senate race

Temple B’nai Torah stays socially active through the pandemic Temple B’nai Torah, in Wantagh, has been busy throughout the coronavirus pandemic, despite remaining closed to in-person services and staying open only for limited use. Last Sunday, volunteers set up a drivethrough Thanksgiving food drive in the temple’s parking lot, and collected 25 turkeys for the Wisdom Lane Middle School food pantry in Levittown. At the same time, volunteers were harvesting the last of the produce in a Giving Garden the congregation created over the summer. And, in another section of the garden, younger students in the temple’s Mazel-Tots program were learning about Hanukkah by making dreidels

out of Play-Doh and rolling menorah candles out of beeswax. “There’s a whole lot going on, and a lot of opportunities to get involved even though we’re not in the building,” said Rona Kauffman, an East Meadow resident who chairs the temple’s Social Action/Social Justice Committee.

Kevin Thomas declared victory in the 6th State Senate race on Monday night after the results of the absentee ballot vote count put him over his Republican challenger Dennis Dunne Sr. The following afternoon, he joined with fellow Democratic state senators outside the Nassau County Democratic Committee’s headquarters in Garden City, where Committee Chair Jay Jacobs congratulated him on the win. “I had a good, solid sense that Kevin Thomas won about a week ago,” said Jay Jacobs, explaining that he only

YEAR IN REVIEW NOVEMBER

Brian Stieglitz/Herald

Jason Newman, of East Meadow, far left, Richard Tepper, of Wantagh, Rona Kauffman, of East Meadow, and Anony Baroukh, of East Meadow, volunteered at Temple B’nai Torah’s Thanksgiving Turkey Drive last Sunday.

makes a decision to call a race when there is enough of a margin of victory that there is “no possible way opponents could overturn it.” Thomas, a Democrat from Levittown, was behind by roughly 8,000 votes against Dunne, Sr. on election night. When he declared victory, Thomas was ahead by at least 1,400 votes. Brian Stieglitz/Herald

Kevin Thomas declared victory in the 6th State Senate race on Monday, after the results of the absentee ballot vote count put him over his Republican challenger Dennis Dunne Sr. The following afternoon, he spoke at a news conference outside the Nassau County Democratic Committee’s headquarters in Garden City.

Borrelli’s gets a boost from Barstool Covid-19 vaccines comes to NUMC Nassau County University Center, in East Meadow, recently received 797 Pfizer Covid-19 vaccines and administered its first on Dec. 15 to Emergency Room Nurse Gabrielle Desiree, of Baldwin. “I’m so happy I could be a part of what’s going on and help stop the pandemic,” Desiree said. As she left the hospital chair where she received the vaccine, he was met by cheers and claps from a few of her fellow nurses and one approached her and said, “I’m so proud of you.” Critical care nurses and doctors will receive the vaccine next, followed by respiratory therapists and housekeeping and

pharmacy staff at the hospital. Then, next week, there will be 2,000 more vaccines coming from Moderna. At a news conference at the hospital on Tuesday, Curran called the vaccine distribution “the beginning of the end” of the pandemic. “I am very proud of our healthcare heroes at NUMC and across the country,” she said.

Frank Borrelli wasn’t sure if his restaurant would be able to survive the next three months — typically his busiest. Borrelli’s Italian Restaurant, in East Meadow, had already taken a hit during the coronavirus pandemic, mainly due to the lack of customers coming from events at the Nassau Coliseum.The situation only grew bleaker over the past month, after Gov. Andrew Cuomo ordered a 10 p.m. curfew for bars, gyms and restaurants. Borrelli said he was considering closing for the winter, though he hadn’t made any definitive plans or told his staff.“I just didn’t think I’d make it through,” he said. Little did he know that his financial

YEAR IN REVIEW DECEMBER

Brian Stieglitz/Herald

Emergency Room Nurse Gabrielle Desiree, of Baldwin, became the first recipient of the Covid-19 vaccine at Nassau University Medical Center, in East Meadow, on Dec. 15.

challenges had come to the attention of Dave Portnoy, founder of the digital media company Barstool Sports. Portnoy recently launched his own Covid-19 relief fund to help small businesses that are struggling to stay open. In a video on his Twitter page, he announced that Borrelli’s would be the first to benefit. Portnoy seeded the program with $500,000. Borrelli’s, Portnoy said, is “the perfect example of the type of business that we’re trying to save.” Brian Stieglitz/Herald

Frank Borrelli, the owner of Borrelli’s Italian Restaurant, in East Meadow, will be the first recipient of a Covid-19 small business relief fund created by the digital media group Barstool Sports.

EAST MEADOW HERALD — December 31, 2020

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HERALD Community Newspapers

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December 31, 2020 — EAST MEADOW HERALD

Melinda Beauchamp Licensed Real Estate Salesperson

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To Place an Ad Call: 516-569-4000 • Press 5

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HOME OF THE WEEK

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Q. I wonder why I can’t seem to get a fire to burn properly in my chimney. All I get is smoke in the room. I’ve had the flue checked and know that the damper is working correctly, even if it is a little rusty. The worst part is that the house smells like smoke, even when we haven’t had a fire for months. Nobody can find anything wrong with it. What can I do?

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A. Set up an electric fireplace in front of the real one, or play the Yule log rerun on your TV. A client once complained of the same problem, and after much searching, I asked them to build a fire so I could observe their method. They started the fire too far forward, so the smoke climbed the walls onte eeper and smoked out the room, setting off the smoke detector. Rule No. 1: Make sure the fire is directly under the flue opening and centered in the fireplace. There are many reasons why a fireplace doesn’t function. Some are obvious; some aren’t. Here are some possible reasons why yours doesn’t work. 1) The chimney is too narrow compared with its height. 2) The opening is too wide and not high enough. 3) The opening is too high and not wide enough. 4) There’s no fresh-air intake near the fire to draw air upward. 5) The flue has cracks that haven’t been detected. 6) The chimney isn’t two feet taller than the closest part of the roof within a 10-foot area, so breezes aren’t carrying smoke away, but instead a vacuum builds and forces air down the chimney. Winds rolling over your chimney from the upside roof slope also blow smoke downward in your chimney. 7) The flue has an angle bend in it that’s too sharp. 8) The wood selected isn’t properly seasoned. 9) Your fire starter is too wet or too dense. 10) The chimney has an animal living in it and must be cleaned out and capped. 11) The chimney is wet on the inside, either from openings in the exterior surface or the mortared crown or because it has no cap. This isn’t a likely reason for the smoke problem, but there’s a remote possibility. Since a fire needs fuel, oxygen and heat to burn, these reasons are basic to why you haven’t had success. The formula for a great fire is the right type of starter (an easy-burning tinder) at the bottom, air space between everything of one-half to threequarters of an inch, and a dry, soft wood like pine above the tinder. Add oak or other hardwoods after the fire is going to create more brightness. Updraft is also essential. I’m certain that one of these reasons is causing your problem. Don’t use any treated or dressed lumber that can give off poisonous gases and creosote. Be safe and attentive. Good luck!

© 2020 Monte Leeper Readers are encouraged to send questions to yourhousedr@aol.com, with “Herald question” in the subject line, or to Herald Homes, 2 Endo Blvd., Garden City, NY 11530, Attn: Monte Leeper, architect.

EAST MEADOW HERALD — December 31, 2020

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Answers

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EAST MEADOW HERALD — December 31, 2020

HERALD

For Advertising, call Rhonda Glickman,

vice president of sales, at (516) 569-4000, ext. 250.

The box at the far left side of the page is called the masthead. It contains the newspaper’s flag, or nameplate. The masthead offers important information about the paper, including the names of the staff members who are responsible for producing it each week. Publisher Stuart Richner guides the business and news operations of the 18 newspapers in the Herald Community Newspapers group, including the Nassau Herald, which serves the Five Towns, and Heralds for Baldwin, Bellmore, East Meadow, Franklin Square-Elmont, Freeport, Glen Cove, Long Beach, Lynbrook-East Rockaway, Malverne-West Hempstead, Merrick, Oceanside-Island Park, Oyster Bay, Rockville Centre, Sea Cliff-Glen Head, Valley Stream, Wantagh and Seaford. Each paper’s editor is responsible for the assignment, selection and placement of stories, most of which the editors and reporters write. The executive editor oversees news operations for all 18 papers in the group. The production department is responsible for the papers’ design. The advertising and art departments produce the large, often illustrated display advertisements that appear throughout the papers. The classified department produces the smaller advertisements at the back of the papers. The masthead also lists each paper’s age, the names of its founders, its address, email, and telephone and fax numbers, and it provides notice that all contents of the paper are copyrighted.

For Subscriptions, call Dianne Ramdass, circulation manager, at ext. 231.

20 HERALD

Editorials offer the opinions of the Herald. Editors write them. Editorials do not necessarily reflect the views of the individuals who write them; rather, they are the institutional voice of the news organization. That is why they are unsigned. Herald editorial department staff members meet weekly to plan the editorials. Independent reporting by our staff often helps inform our editorials. We might also speak with experts and advocates to gain their perspective before sitting down to write an editorial. We are proud to say that we have won many press association awards for our editorial writing over the years. Among our most important duties is publication of our annual endorsements in local elections. We take this responsibility seriously. Editorial staff members sit down with candidates to question them about their views on major issues before offering the paper’s opinions about which candidates would best represent our readers.

Herald editorialS

Office Baldwin 2 Endo Boulevard Garden City, NY 11530

HERALD

Phone: (516) 569-4000 Established 1994 Fax: (516) 569-4942 Incorporating Web: www.liherald.com The South Shore Reporter E-mail: baldwineditor@liherald.com The Baldwin Citizen

HERALD office

COMMUNITY NEWSPAPERS 2 Endo Boulevard Garden City, NY 11530 Robert Richner Edith Richner Phone: (516) 569-4000 Fax:1964-1987 (516) 569-4942 Publishers, Web: www.liherald.com ■ E-mail: baldwineditor@liherald.com STUARTCopyright RicHNeR © 2020 Publisher Richner Communications, Inc.

micHAel bOlOgNA Vice President - Operations

HERALD COMMUNITY NEWSPAPERS ■

Robert Richner ScOTT bRiNTON Edith Richner Executive Edtitor Publishers, 1964-1987 Jim HARmON ■

Copy Editor clifford richner cHRiSTiNA DAlY stuArt richner Publishers Photo Editor MichAel BolognA TONY belliSSimO Vice President Sports Editor - Operations ■ KAReN blOOm scott Brinton Calendar Editor Executive Edtitor ■ JiM hArMon

Editorial comment

For your information . . . Editorial page

November 26, 2020 — BALDWIN HERALD

December 31, 2020 — EAST MEADOW HERALD

The masthead

RHONDA glicKmAN Copy Editor Vice President - Sales christinA dAlY Photo Editor elleN ReYNOlDS tonY BellissiMo Classified Manager Sports Editor lORi beRgeR KAren BlooM Digital Sales Manager Calendar Editor ■ ■ JeffReY NegRiN rhondA glicKMAn Creative ViceDirector President - Sales reYnolds cRAig ellen cARDONe Classified Manager Art Director lori Berger YOlANDA RiOS Digital Sales Manager JAcKie cOmiTiNO ■ PRiNcY JeffreY PANDiYAN negrin Production Artists Creative Director

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Giving thanks in 2020

n a year when so much has gone awry — so many lives lost, businesses battered, jobs vanished — it strains the imagination to think what we might be thankful for, particularly as the nation enters its second wave of the coronavirus pandemic. The coming months will likely be, as President-elect Joseph Biden has said, a “dark winter.” Thanksgiving is, however, all about the audacious nature of hope. The holiday, first celebrated in the fall of 1621, commemorates the struggle that the original Pilgrims faced and, against all odds, overcame in the New World — and the kinship they felt with the Native Americans who rescued them, helping to provide sustenance to a relatively small band of people who otherwise might have starved. The roughly 50 colonists at the original harvest celebration in Plymouth, Mass., were outnumbered by Native Americans two to one, according to History.com. The 100 Pilgrims who arrived on the Mayflower had seen much death between 1620 and 1621: Some 78 percent of the women died during the first winter. Yet they persevered, and survived. So shall the American people today — thanks in no small measure to our heroes

— the doctors, nurses, EMTS, firefighters, police officers, teachers, teachers’ aides, sanitation workers, railroad workers, subway and bus drivers, custodians, cooks, waiters and waitresses, supermarket employees and so many others — who have kept us safe, our education system up and running, and our economy moving. When many others were able to work from home, they put their lives on the line to do their jobs. As a society, we should take a moment and reflect on their sacrifices over the past nine months. We can also be thankful for our family and friends. We may not be able to shower them with hugs and kisses as we might want, but we can keep them in our thoughts and close to our hearts. And we can be thankful for the miracles of modern science. Only 100 years ago, the 1918 pandemic ran wild for two years, killing 50 million worldwide, including 675,000 in the United States, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Thanks to technology that allows many of us to work remotely and socially distance, to date we have seen a tenth of the 500 million cases that the world did in

1918-19, and because of modern medical technology, the death toll thus far is onefiftieth what it was then. So, while the number of infections and deaths today is unacceptably high, it is not close to the level of suffering experienced a hundred years ago — and let us hope and pray that it remains that way. Likely, it will. On Saturday, the innovative New York company Regeneron Pharmaceuticals received emergency-use authorization for its experimental antibody treatment for the coronavirus. President Trump received the treatment, and by all accounts it was highly effective. The drug is designed to prevent patients from becoming severely ill by imitating the body’s natural defense system. We can only say, wow! If all goes well, the Regeneron treatment should prevent many deaths, enabling health officials to safely roll out at least one of the vaccines now in the pipeline without undue political pressure. By April, we could indeed round the corner on this terrible pandemic, says Dr. Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases. Yes, there has been much despair this year, but there is much hope as well.

County does right by small businesses

e are pleased that Nassau County Executive Laura Curran is once again promoting small businesses ahead of the holiday season — which is vital this pandemic year. Last Friday, Curran and county Industrial Development Agency Chairman Richard Kessel came to Rockville Centre to promote an innovative contest, aptly titled the Shop Safe, Shop Local Scavenger Hunt, and we are encouraging readers to take part in it. The contest, which will be held for one week starting Saturday, will work like this: Complete four of eight tasks in your community, like buying breakfast at a local eat-

Lynbrook/East Rockaway Herald Malverne/West Hempstead Herald NassauMerrick HeraldHerald Life Oceanside/Island Park Herald Nassau Herald Oceanside/Island Rockaway Journal Park Herald

ery or making a purchase at a local shop, and take a photo of yourself — masked — at each location, along with the product you purchased and your receipt. Then email it to scavengerhunt@nassaucountyny.gov or share it on Facebook. The first person who finishes all four tasks and registers them on each day of the contest will receive a $100 gift card. All purchases must be made at small businesses in a single community on the day of the contest. Online and delivery orders are eligible. The complete set of

instructions can be found at www.nassaucountygov/shoplocal. As we noted in last week’s editorial, “Remember to shop locally this holiday season”: “Despite the crisis, we encourage you to consider patronizing our mom-and-pop shops, many of which now offer their goods online. Abandoning our local businesses would be devastating on so many levels.”

Merrick Herald Life

Rockville Centre Oyster BayHerald Herald Guardian Sea Cliff / Glen Head HeraldJournal Gazette Rockaway

Editorial cartoon

Rockville Centre Herald South Shore Record

SouthHerald Shore Record Valley Stream

Each editorial cartoon provides a thoughtful and, we hope, humorous perspective on the major news of the week. Prize-winning cartoonists from across the country produce the cartoons, which do not necessarily represent the opinions of the Herald or its staff.

Baldwin

Bellmore

Valley Stream Herald Wantagh Herald Citizen

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membeR: MeMBer: Local Media Association Local Media Association New York Press Association New York Press Association Baldwin Chamber of Commerce Baldwin Chamber of Commerce

Published by Published by richner communications, inc. Richner2 Endo communications, inc. Blvd. Garden City, NY 11530 2 Endo Blvd. Garden NY 11530 (516)City, 569-4000 (516) 569-4000

East Meadow

letters More praise for doctor’s column To the Editor: As Bob Praver did in last week’s letters, I also applaud Dr. Eric Last’s column, “Surely we shouldn’t be fighting over wearing masks” (Nov. 12-18), on the urgency of wearing masks in fighting the coronavirus

Editor: Bridget downes

Long Beach

Franklin Square/ Elmont

HERALD HERALD HERALD HERALD Editor: Editor: Brian stieglitz Editor: Peter Belfiore alyssa seidman Life

pandemic. But while Last’s exhortation that we must “treat others as you’d want to be treated yourself ” was well-intentioned, I believe it would fall on deaf ears when directed not only at those who, at this late date, scoff at the wearing of masks and social distancing, but also those who deliberately promote and take part in large, illegal social gatherings with no consideration of taking measures to counter the spread

Editor: ronny reyes

Senior Editor: laura lane

HERALD Editor: Jim Bernstein

Lynbrook/ East Rockaway

HERALD

Senior Editor: miKe smollins

Malverne/ West Hempstead

HERALD Editor: naKeem grant

Editor:

What are the editorial pages all about? Who writes editorials? How do letters and guest columns get published? This week’s pages offer some answers to our readers. We thank The Riverdale Press for the idea.

Opinion columns We publish three columns every week. Columns represent the views of the writers themselves, not of the Herald. Each writer works independently and chooses his or her own subjects. Among our regular contributors are the Heralds’ executive editor, Scott Brinton, and the Nassau Herald’s former executive editor, Randi Kreiss, both of whom have won numerous awards for their opinion writing. We also feature columns by prominent political figures, including former U.S. Sen. Alfonse D’Amato and former State Assemblyman Jerry Kremer, both of whom are now consultants. And we regularly invite guest columnists to offer their views.

Opinion pages 21

opinions

EAST MEADOW HERALD — December 31, 2020

opi

he coronavirus pandemic has created a variety of hardships that have left families and children in distress. Social isolation. A mounting death toll. An estimated 8 million Americans falling into poverty. We have entered uncharted territory, and uncertainty continues as cases continue to rise across the U.S. Grief is a normal reaction — grieving not just the loss of life, but also the loss of normalcy and freedom when a disaster occurs. So what happens when we add even more stress to families sharon and their children, skariah particularly when schools close? The trickledown effect of all this misfortune can dramatically weigh on kids, especially if they don’t have access to mental health resources at home. Typically, mental health symptoms are identified at school, by their teachers and peers, social workers and guidance counselors. Children need a routine and consistency. Remote learning and social isolation will continue to uproot them. Children

with autism also face challenges with irritability, anxiety and behavioral disturbances. And the erratic nature of schools’ opening and closing (albeit temporarily) can have a lasting effect. A recent study in JAMA Pediatrics showed that more than 22 percent of students in the Hubei province of China reported symptoms of depression, and more than 18 percent had anxiety symptoms, when schools closed for over a month. A second study, in the Journal of Pediatrics, determined that younger children (ages 3 to 6) were more inclined to show fear or clinginess, where older kids (6 to 18) were more likely to show inattention and persistent inquiry. Clinging, inattention and irritability were the severe psychological conditions demonstrated by children in all age groups. School closures — short or long — are unfortunately bound to happen until a safe and effective vaccine is available. Prepare to take care of your child now. First, children need outlets. In early childhood, play is important for development in the physical, verbal and emotional domains. Build that imaginary fort,

he trickledown effect of all this misfortune can dramatically weigh on kids.

LeTTers of the virus. The time for these selfish and greedy individuals to be reasoned with has long passed. These people should be penalized for their actions, which continue to put the rest of us at even greater risk of acquiring the disease, and severe penalties should also be meted out to participants in these gatherings, not just their greed-bound organizers. If anything, these miscreants should consider the 17th-century English poet John Donne’s poem, telling us not to ask “for whom the bell tolls, it tolls for thee.” They might also be reminded that, indeed, “no man is an island,” as Donne wrote. It appears, though, that they do not realize or accept this concept, even though we are all in this fight — together. ROBERT RUBALSkY East Rockaway

We must protect communities of color

Nassau

HERALD HERALD Life

Fourth — and most important — pay attention. Younger children can’t always express their distress, anxiety or fear. Their behavior may regress. Look for the signs, which include an increase in crying or neediness, more temper tantrums or somatic symptoms (headaches, stomach aches) than normal. Older children may also show increased anger and irritability. If you think your children or adolescents may need a mental health professional, don’t hesitate. They are acting that way because they need help. So watch out for them to verbalize any suicidal thoughts, ongoing sleep disturbances, a decline in overall functioning (hygiene, grooming), aggression or worsening substance use. If you see these signs, seek treatment. Following these steps may help keep children mentally fit during one of our harshest times. Nothing can replace life as we knew it pre-Covid, but you can manage this new normal and keep your kids safe, too.

Special features The op-ed, or opposite the editorial, page features a weekly Framework photo, which is chosen by our photo editor. The Framework offers a creative, at times humorous outlet for our photography staff. In this spot, we also publish photos sent to us by readers, featuring them on vacation, reading the Herald at various international landmarks. We call it Herald Around the World. At times, a correction box might appear on the op-ed page. We strive each week for the highest standards of accuracy and accountability. When we make mistakes in our reporting, we believe we must own up to them and correct the record.

Sharon Skariah, M.D., is the director of child and adolescent psychiatry for Zucker Hillside Hospital. She is also an assistant professor at the Donald and Barbara Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/ Northwell.

Framework Courtesy Roni M. Chastain

the United States, and amid big treatment strides, the disease continues to ravage African-American and other minority communities with a particular vengeance. Black, Asian, Native American and Hispanic patients still die far more frequently than white patients, even as death rates have plummeted for all races and age groups.” As Covid-19 continues to spread aggressively nationwide, it is crucial that government officials at all levels — federal, state and local — address the disproportionate impact of the pandemic on people of color. Immediate attention should be paid to issues such as the availability of testing facilities in communities of color, access to health care, inequitable treatment once access is provided and priorities for providing vaccines once they are available. The evidence is clear: Government owes it to all Americans to ensure fair and equal access to health care, regardless of race, in this pandemic — and always.

To the Editor: The Washington Post last Friday published a new analysis of the impact of Covid-19 on people of color. It reported, “Nearly nine months after the virus exploded in

Merrick

encourage storytelling, toast s’mores in your backyard. For adolescents, it’s important that they develop their own sense of identity but also explore peer relationships. Encourage this — in a socially distanced, safe way. Second, seek normalcy. The goal is to foster continued development, even if your children can’t attend school in person. They want to feel safe — an important tool for parents to use during the crisis. Make sure you provide protection and consistency in an otherwise uncertain time. Talk to them about their feelings. Ensure their safety by creating an atmosphere of stability. Third, adapt to the environment. Summer may be gone, but you can still enjoy the outdoors safely during the fall, and even on some nice winter days. When the extreme cold sets in, continue building on the elements of safety and fun you have already introduced. Have family game nights. Schedule a movie night. Cook and bake together as a family. Designate a reading hour. Although it may be colder, it’s important to get exercise, so go for a walk or a hike or a brisk bike ride. There are also online exercises for kids, like yoga and others.

BALDWIN HERALD — November 26, 2020

We need to pay attention to children’s mental health Give thanks the election is

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ELAINE GROSS President, ERASE Racism

The season’s last splashes of color — Glen Cove

Oceanside/ Island Park

HERALD

Editor: alyssa seIdMan Senior Editor: Jeff Bessen Senior Editor: MIKe sMollIns Senior Editor: laura lane

Rockville Centre

HERALD Senior Editor: laura lane Editor: JIll nossa

Seaford

Wantagh

Valley Stream HERALD HERALD HERALD Interim Editor: J.d. freda Citizen

Interim Editor: J.d. freda Editor: peter BelfIore

Citizen

December 31, 2020 — EAST MEADOW HERALD

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