Merrick
CommuNIty uPDAtE Infections as of Dec. 11, 2020
2,606
Infections as of Dec. 4, 2020 2,327
HERALD
Studio gyms feel weight of Covid
Chabad marks Hanukkah
Superintendent on medical leave
Page 4
Page 3
Page 18
$1.00 $1.00
DECEmBER 17- 23, 2020
Vol. 23 No. 51
N. Merrick fire commissioner dies at age 64 residents cast their votes for the next North Merrick fire commissioner. His term was set to end in “He’s been in the fire depart- January. ment for as long as I’ve been “It was like his medicine — around,” Anthony Vicario said that was the only thing he was of his father, Joseph, a former passionate about,” said Anthony, chief and commissioner of the 24. “He always had to make sure North Merrick Fire Department he was doing the right thing.” for 25 years. Vicario’s legaJoseph Vicario cy will live on was a pivotal leadthrough his son, a er in the departfirst lieutenant ment. He boosted who joined the team morale and department as camaraderie, and soon as he turned taught profession18. Vicario swore a l f i re f i g h t i n g Anthony in as a skills to more first-time officer than one generaat the NMFD’s tion of firefightannual installaers, fellow memtion last year. bers said. Speaking for On Dec. 4, the department, JoSEPH VICARIo Vicario died at c u r re n t N o r t h age 64 of health Merrick Fire complications linked to his Commissioner Paul Wilders response at ground zero after the said, “The Fire Department has Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. suffered a tremendous loss. Joe He was a department commis- leaves a void in our department sioner — even attending virtual in many facets — namely with meetings while he was in treat- leadership — because he was a ment — since 2013. former chief, commissioner and If Vicario had been in good emergency medical technician, health, he would have liked to and a great friend to so many. He run for commissioner again, was the ultimate civil servant.” according to Anthony. Vicario was cremated on Dec. 8, the day Continued on page 9
By ANDREW GARCIA agarcia@liherald.com
Andrew Garcia/Herald Life
BIll, loRAINE AND Andrew Alderman, in foreground at right, cut the ribbon for Dress for Recovery, the first clothing bank for cancer patients in the tristate area.
Dress for Recovery clothing bank opens in Merrick By ANDREW GARCIA agarcia@liherald.com
You might guess that clothing banks for cancer patients, offering special items designed with cancer treatments in mind, would be as common as wig banks are — but they’re not. When Loraine Alder man was diagnosed with breast cancer last year, she searched beyond New York’s borders for a brick-andmortar retail outlet that sold such items. She didn’t find
one. Alderman, of East Meadow, was limited to ordering online, so the shirts and other articles of clothing were never quite the right fit. Now, Alderman’s goal of ensuring that other cancer patients have access to treatment-friendly clothing is a reality. On Tuesday, Dress for Recovery, the first clothing bank for cancer patients in the tristate area, opened at the Chabad Center for Jewish Life in Merrick.
“On May 28, 2019, when I received a call informing me that my two biopsies both came back positive for breast cancer, I could not think or perceive that something positive could come out of my new nightmare,” Alderman said to a small gathering before the ribbon was cut. “I could not believe that there was not one store in all of New York or New Jersey where I could go in and buy the shirts that I needed after Continued on page 14