__________________ Merrick _________________
Vol. 26 No. 35
‘oliver Twist’ hits the big screen
Merrick author writes first book
Page 3
Page 5 $1.00 $1.00
AUGUST 24 - 30, 2023
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HERALD At the Herald, local news matters
Tim Baker/Herald
Nicholas Fauci, a Boy Scout in Troop 285 in Bellmore, worked tirelessly over the last few years to complete his Eagle Scout project, in which he installed a memorial for all those who died during the coronavirus pandemic in Merrick.
Eagle Scout project remembers coronavirus pandemic victims By JoRDAN VAlloNE jvallone@liherald.com
A Boy Scout’s long journey to achieve the Eagle Rank was recognized by several elected officials last week in Merrick at his creation — a Covid-19 memorial, that made in memory of residents who died during the coronavirus pandemic. The ambitious project also honors the devotion of frontliners and first responders in the community. Nicholas Fauci, 18, of North Merrick, is a 2023 graduate of Wellington C. Mepham High School in Bellmore. He’s been a member of Boy Scouts since the first grade, changing troops a few times throughout the years. For the last few years, he’s been part
of Troop 285 in Bellmore, which meets in the high school’s cafeteria. In the fall, Fauci will study civil engineering at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in upstate Troy. Fauci told the Herald that he’s always wanted to become an Eagle Scout, the highest rank one can achieve in the Boy Scouts of America. “I’ve always wanted to get the highest rank,” he said. “So, I’ve always worked towards getting my ranks done — I’ve gone on all the camping trips I needed to, and I’ve just done everything in the troop that I needed to do.” Troop 285, he said, helped him become a Life Scout, the rank before Eagle. When it CoNTiNuEd oN pagE 20
There’s no place like Merrick — but you don’t need us to tell you that. Whether you hail from north or south of Sunrise Highway, and pledge your allegiance to Calhoun, Mepham or Kennedy High School, Merrick is a place worth being immensely proud of. It is full of kind people, an amazing fire department, wonderful restaurants, coffee shops and eateries, and pristine downtowns. A historic community, people are willing to go miles to preserve some of the community’s oldest structures. Just down the road from the Merrick Library, there’s the Old Merrick Library — a preserved, little red building, that tells the tales of Merrick’s earliest settlers. Up the road, next to the North Merrick Public Library, there’s the Bedell Dairy Farm — a large property, reminiscent of Merrick’s fishing, farming and agricultural days. Merokeans come together in times of need, because they want the best for not only themselves, but the people around them. Tee off at the Merrick Golf Course or go for a walk at the Norman J. Levy Park and Preserve. In Merrick, there’s something for everyone. The Merrick Herald is your community newspaper. We are
there for you in the best of times and the worst of times — no matter what. This week’s Merrick Herald is being mailed to every home, and includes a copy of our popular annual magazine, Living In Merrick. It’s filled with great information you can use throughout the year and it features the many acts of kindness that make Merrick such a great community. If you’re not a Merrick Herald subscriber, we hope a look at this week’s paper will persuade you that you should be. Each week, we cover the big issues, and you’ll find the local news that you can’t find anywhere else. If you’re not currently receiving the Merrick Herald by mail each week, please help keep quality local journalism alive in your community by signing up for a free subscription. See our subscription offer inside on Page 7, or find us online at LIHerald.com/free. You can also call (516) 569-4000, Ext. 7. If you’re already a Merrick Herald subscriber, thank you for your support. We hope you are pleased with our coverage. Enjoy the paper, and thanks for reading! Jordan Vallone, Editor