Malverne/West Hempstead
HERALD Storybook adventure in W.H.
Police reserve unit is growing
Malverne honors its veterans
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NOVEMBER 19 - 25, 2020
VOl. 27 NO. 47
Netting his NHL dreams West Hempstead High alumnus comes home, signs with Rangers said the 6-foot, 210-pound Bitetto, who played in a career-high 51 games for the Winnipeg Jets last While playing youth hockey season and registered eight in the Long Beach Apple Core assists, 145 hits and 50 blocked program in the early 2000s, shots while averaging more than Anthony Bitetto often skated on 15 minutes of ice time. “It’s a the ice at Nassau Coliseum, and childhood dream,” he said. “The even played during support I’ve gotten intermission of New from family and Yo rk I s l a n d e r s ’ friends and everygames. one in the Long But the Island Island community Park native, who has been nothing graduated from West short of amazing. Hempstead High Other teams showed School, has long bled interest in signing New York Rangers me, but it was a pretblue, along with the aNTHONY ty easy decision to rest of his family. become a Ranger.” BITETTO “Everything in our Bitetto said he house growing up New York Rangers picked up new was Rangers,” Bitetequipment three to said. “I’ve got days after he signed, great memories of hopping on and has been skating in Connectthe train and going to games at icut with his new teammates. He Madison Square Garden.” joins a talented defense that The next NHL game that includes Jacob Trouba, Tony Bitetto attends at MSG will have D’Angelo and Adam Fox (a Jerian entirely different vibe and cho native), plus a star-studded special meaning. That’s because core led by Artemi Panarin, on Oct. 9, the first day of free Mika Zibanejad and Chris Kreagency, the 30-year-old left-hand- ider. ed defenseman signed a two-year “It’s surreal putting on the contract with the Rangers total- uniform,” said Bitetto, who has ing $1.475 million, according to played four NHL games at MSG capfriendly.com. “I’m honored and thrilled,” Continued on page 4
By TONY BEllISSIMO tbellissimo@liherald.com
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Christina Daly/Herald
They’re open for business Village leaders in Malverne held two ribbon-cutting ceremonies last Saturday for the grand opening of Home Elements and Green M. Cleaners, neighboring businesses on Hempstead Avenue. More photos, Page 3.
‘Vital’ leader leaving Malverne
Bridge Church pastor steps down after eight years By NakEEM GRaNT ngrant@liherald.com
When the Rev. Dan Quagliata, of The Bridge Church in Malver ne, arrived in 2012, the church had seen many changes in its leadership. Quagliata recalled his first meeting with then Mayor Patti Ann McDonald at Village Hall, when McDonald asked if he truly believed he would carry out his mission of bringing the community togeth-
er through faith. “I said to her, ‘That’s my intention,’ to be able to serve this community,” said Quagliata, 45. After eight years as The Bridge’s lead pastor, Quagliata stepped down last Sunday. He and his wife, Jill, and their two sons, Nicholas and Nathan, were set to move to Michigan on Tuesday, where Quagliata will continue his pastoral career at Thornapple Valley Church in Hastings.
“Malver ne has been our home,” he said, “and it has been just an absolute joy and a pleasure to be a part this community.” Quagliata was pivotal in promoting the g rowth of the church’s educational programs and committees. In addition, he was among those who pushed for a restoration of its children’s wing in 2015. Mayor Keith Corbett recognized Quagliata for his Continued on page 4
t was a pretty easy decision to become a Ranger.