_______ Malverne/West HeMpstead ______
HERALD
ALL RA DD HHEER
Presented by
lichoiceawards.com
2021
lichoiceawards.com $1.00 Vol. 28 No. 31
Nomination details inside
longtime w.H. resident turns 100
New water well at westwood Park
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JUlY 29 - AUGUST 4, 2021
‘Glorious class’ of leaders Women of Distinction honored in Malverne, West Hempstead By NAkeem GrANT ngrant@liherald.com
Malvernite Dr. Carol Hassett and West Hempstead resident Lt. Yvonne Armstrong were among 10 women recognized for going the extra mile in their communities at State Assemblywoman Judy Griffin’s third annual Women of Distinction ceremony on July 22. “Their unique contributions create a beautiful ripple effect, which encourages others to join them in their endeavors,” Griffin said in a news release. “One thing that
really resonated with this glorious class of women is how important their families are to them or have impacted them to be the women they are standing before us.” Griffin was joined by the Rev. Humberto Chavez of The Bridge Church in Malverne, who delivered the invocation; Nassau County Legislator Debra Mulé, who also sang the national anthem; Rockville Centre Deputy Mayor Kathy Baxley; Lynbrook Deputy Mayor Michael Hawxhurst and Freeport Deputy Mayor Ron Ellerby. Hassett, 74, and her hus-
Courtesy Assemblywoman Judy Griffin’s office
STATe ASSemBlYwomAN JUdY Griffin, standing, seventh from left, honored 10 women as Women of Distinction on July 22. band, John, moved from Brooklyn to Malverne in 1972. One of Carol’s most significant accomplishments is her work with the American Legion Auxiliary. A career psychologist for nearly 50 years, she has helped veterans with their Veterans Affairs claims and PTSD, among other issues. She also has
helped them make their needs known to state legislators, and assisted 14 states in the legion’s Southern Division to excel in their Americanism programs. The program aims to teach respect and proper care for the U.S. flag and brings attention to Prisoners of War and those Missing in Action by hosting POW/MIA
ceremonies to both educate the public and to honor all veterans. “Thank you to Judy Griffin for allowing me to relate some of my past sharing to help others while receiving the joy of doing it,” Hassett said. “It was indeed very humbling to have been with other distinguished Continued on page 4
Malverne, W.H. fitness programs find new success By Tori BieN Everyone can come up with a list of events and activities that have been affected by the coronavirus pandemic. For fitness junkies, or just regular folks who enjoy the gym, it has been extremely difficult to find places and times to work out. Now, however, as Covid-19 fades (despite recent increases), gyms and fitness centers in Malverne and West Hempstead have been thriving, with group classes returning at normal capacity and restrictions lifted. At Kayo Boxing in West Hempstead, owner Michael Cor-
leone has been busy for the past year. Corleone, of Franklin Square, said he installed new air filters for his gym in 2020, the facility is sanitized regularly and hands-free sanitizer dispensers were added. He also spaced out punching bags to adhere to social distancing regulations. “My name is well known in the community and Nassau County,” Corleone said, “so hopefully they’ll see that I’m a legit guy running a legit business.” Confident in his popularity and the gym’s upgrades, Corleone attracted several newcomers to boxing from different parts of Long Island. One of Kayo’s regulars, Lorenzo Thom-
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e’re blessed to have so many amazing members. mike liSi
Owner, RAF & Strength Fitness as, has trained at the gym for two years as part of his therapy as he recovers from a traumatic brain injury he suffered in 2013. As his motor functions vastly improved, Corleone began posting videos of Thomas’s progress on the gym’s Instagram page last year. In February, one of the videos went viral on social media
after it was reposted on ESPN SportsCenter’s social media accounts. “To find the joy in training somebody who is just looking to be better than they were yesterday, that’s the best,” Corleone said. Although many found it difficult to find the motivation to exercise during the pandemic,
established gyms overcame that obstacle by engaging their customers through virtual sessions. And as restrictions have lifted, gym-goers have been motivated to return, find their spotters, workout partners and favorite instructors and pick up where they left off. G y m s h ave p ro a c t ive ly Continued on page 5