MERRICK Living in
2020-2021
Merrick
HERALD www.liherald.com
A
M
MER Cover.indd 1
BE
ER
CH
CE
RRICK ME
R O F CO M
M
8/14/20 5:10 PM
Femy Aziz Chamber President
VISIT WWW.MERRICKCHAMBER.ORG For a Complete List of our Member Directory
516.771.1171
1098893
CALL TODAY TO FIND OUT THE BENEFITS OF BECOMING A MEMBER
The Merrick Chamber of Commerce Working for You!
P.O. Box 53, Merrick, NY 11566 516.771.1171
MER Cover.indd 2
Membership applications available online at
www.merrickchamber.org
8/14/20 5:10 PM
2020 - 2021
Page 3
MERRICK GUIDE
a letter from the
publisher The coronavirus crisis that erupted in March and carries on to this day in New York shook all of us to our core. The Merricks, however, remain strong. They are communities full of fighters. Superstorm Sandy and now Tropical Storm Isaias, which ravaged the the area, proved that. The storms pummeled our shores, but they never defeated our indomitable spirit to survive and thrive. Just as we saw in Sandy's wake, neighbors Stuart are now helping neighbors through the Covid-19 Richner crisis and Isaias, delivering food and medical supplies to vulnerable residents, providing meals for the jobless and just checking in on one another. Thankfully, as of this writing in mid-August, the coronavirus infection rate had dropped to .6 percent in Nassau County. Let us hope and pray it remains at or falls below that level so people stay safe, and we can continue the Merricks' successful reopening of the economy and soon begin reopening our schools. That will depend on all of us doing our parts — wearing our facial covers, maintaining social distance — not only today and tomorrow, but also likely for months to come. Throughout the crisis, the Merrick Herald continued to provide invaluable news to the community, incuding information on institution closings, new safety protocols and, unfortunately, remembrances of lives lost. I want to thank our journalists for their commitment to the Merrick community. Our staff, categorized as essential workers by Governor Cuomo, were out in the field regularly, even during the height of the pandemic, to ensure people who work and live in the Merricks had access to the best and most up-to-date information. Additionally, Richner Communications, the parent company of the Merrick Herald, was proud to provide $500,000 in small business marketing grants to entrepreneurs across the South Shore, including many in the area. We know small businesses are the lifeblood of any community — especially Merrick and North Merrick — so we are hopeful these funds will help your favorite stores and restaurants get back on their feet. In this edition of our annual community guide, we look at all that is wonderful about the Merricks, at the same time that we examine what has changed because of the Covid-19 pandemic. Living In Merrick is a special publication of the Merrick Herald, the hometown newspaper of the community. Living In is published in cooperation with the Merrick Chamber of Commerce, and we are honored to mark another year as the chamber's official publication. We hope you find this issue of Living In Merrick useful and informative, and that you enjoy reading the Merrick Herald 52 weeks a year.
Living in
Merrick
2020-2021
A special supplement to the
Editor
Alyssa Seidman Reporter
Andrew Garcia Editorial Interns
Victoria Caruso Justin Dynia Publisher
Stuart Richner Vice President of Operations
Michael Bologna Vice President of Sales
Rhonda Glickman Executive Editor
Scott Brinton Account Executives
Audrey Cohen Robert Cummings Creative Director
Jeffrey Negrin Photo Editor
Christina Daly Cover Photo
Herald File Photos
Be well and be safe. Stuart Richner Publisher
P.S. If you're not currently receiving the Herald by mail each week, please help keep quality local journalism alive in the Merricks by subscribing. See our ad on Page 9 for subscription information, or find us online at www.liherald.com/subscribe. To help support local journalism, you can also make a tax-deductible donation to the paper. See our ad on Page 26, or go to liherald.com/donate.
Page 4
www.liherald.com
MERRICK GUIDE
What's
INSIDE Schools
Libraries
Car Parades .............................. 22 Chamber of Commerce........32-34 Clubs & Organizations .............. 24 Elected Officials......................... 29 Fall Festival ................................ 20 Fast Facts ................................... 25 Greeting from the Chamber ..... 31 Historical Timeline ............... 10, 11 Levy Park and Preserve ............. 21 Libraries ..................................... 12 Living in Merrick ..................... 6-8 Medical Services ....................... 16 NMFD Pandemic Protocols ....... 18 Places of Worship ...................... 28 Police and Fire ........................... 19 Publisher's letter ........................ 3 Reaching the Herald ................. 25 Schools ................................13-14 Seniors....................................... 27 Schools Pandemic Protocols ..... 15 Town and County ...................... 30 Fall Festival
Fire Departments
Clubs & Organizations
Living in Merrick
2020 - 2021
MERRICK GUIDE
Page 5
WE ARE NOW FULLY OPEN! We are Open for all your automotive needs during this Covid-19 Pandemic. We offer SPECIAL PRICING, FREE PICK UP AND DELIVERY. All work is done with masks and gloves. We also disinfect before and after servicing your vehicle for your safety.
OUR BEST WISHES TO ALL!
WELCOME BACK LONG ISLAND SPECIAL
1098006
VILLAGE AUTO
Page 6
MERRICK GUIDE
www.liherald.com
Pre-Pandemic
Highlights
Christina Daly/Herald Life
Marist-bound senior Kira Poliviou waved to her teachers as she passed them in the John F. Kennedy High School senior sendoff parade in May.
LIVING IN
october Courtesy Bellmore-Merrick CHSD
Former students Anthony Chiong and Lindsay Brown were crowned Calhoun High School’s 2019 Homecoming king and queen.
DeceMber Sue Grieco/Herald Life
Valentina Buzermanis and Adrianna Sabella, both 4, warmed up with cups of hot apple cider at the Merrick Chamber of Commerce’s annual holiday lights ceremony in 2019.
MArcH Alyssa Seidman/Herald Life
The Merrick Library renamed its Reading Room after former director, Ellen Firer.
MerrIck
M
ost days in the summer, someone is using the athletic fields at Brookside School in North Merrick: sports teams playing games, fathers and sons having catches, groups of friends holding batting practice, a single soccer player juggling a ball. Across the field often comes wafting the mwusical jingle of an ice-cream truck passing through the residential blocks behind the school. It is a common suburban scene set against the backdrop of two of Merrick’s centerpieces: the community’s much sought-after homes and its top-notch school districts, like the Bellmore-Merrick Central High School District, which has its administration offices at Brookside. Stretching from North Jerusalem Road in North Merrick south to the peninsulas that jut into Merrick Bay, the community of 34,369 spreads across multiple distinct residential and business areas. Ron Luparello, an ex-chief of the Merrick Fire Department and lifelong resident of Merrick, said that he wanted to raise his two children, Salvatore and Vincent, in the community where he has had so many positive memories. “I like the location of the town,” he added, citing its proximity to the South Shore’s beaches, ease of access to New York City via the Long Island Rail Road, and the Norman J. Levy Park and Preserve, which in 2000 opened on land converted from a former landfill. In recent years, Merrick’s downtown commerce zone on Merrick Avenue underwent a major revitalization. Many businesses refurbished their facades. Sidewalks were redone. The train station received a complete makeover, as did the Merrick Library. Since 2006, the Robbie Levine Foundation, a nonprofit organization founded by Merokeans Jill and Craig Levine that donates automated external defibrillators to youth ball fields and funds CPR/AED classes, has each spring held its annual Robbie’s Run, a 5K fundraiser that draws thousands of runners and supporters to Levy-Lakeside School and the streets of south Merrick. The Bellmore-Merrick Central High School District is renowned for its academics, with its three schools routinely counted among the nation’s best. Ninety-four to 98 percent of the district’s graduates attend college, compared with the state average of 78 percent. Susan Helsinger, an associate broker at Douglas Elliman Real Estate and longtime resident, pointed to the strength Continued on next page
2020 - 2021
MERRICK GUIDE
Page 7
Alyssa Seidman/Herald Life
Hailey, left, and Ashley Baron, 14, smiled proudly next to the heart-shaped rainbow they drew on their Merrick sidewalk. The concept sprung up on Facebook in the early days of the coronavirus pandemic to spread cheer during unprecedented times. Continued from previous page
of the library, civic organizations and her friendships with neighbors as the community’s strong points for her. “It’s a wonderful place to raise our children, speaking from both a Realtor’s point of view and as a resident. The parks are great and safe for children,” Helsinger said. “I have wonderful friends here. We call ourselves ‘the moms.’ We’ve known each other since our kids were in preschool together, and we still go out for dinner all the time.” Randy Shotland, a former president of the Merrick Chamber of Commerce who has lived in Merrick his entire life, said that the community has shot up in population since he graduated from high school in 1969, but it still has a “small-town” feel. Merrick has “lawyers, doctors, realtors, gyms, food stores, clothing stores,” Shotland said with pride. The chamber “puts on two festivals each year. We do a Halloween walk and Christmas and menorah lightings. We do a networking meeting for our local business owners.” Merrick was founded in 1643 when British colonist John Smith moved here from Connecticut and bought land from the Merri-auke-ut Indians. The tribe, which was known as Merric, Meroke and Merikoke, provided the name for the community. Merrick is remembered in those days as a picturesque wilderness of woods, plains, lakes, ponds and a river that ran along its western border. It is described as a rustic paradise. Also arriving in 1643 were John Carman and the Rev. Robert Fordham, both of whom bought 64,000 acres for $100 and other “trifling considerations.” England brought Merrick the George Hewlett family in 1649. Many of the Hewletts settled in the community, buying property from Jonathan Smith. A community begins John Smith Jr. built the first home in the area in 1687 near what is now Merrick Road and Central Boulevard. Six generations of Smiths lived there. Merrick remained a rural community for roughly two centuries. Merrick Path, which ran north to
Hempstead and east to Babylon, was Merrick’s first road. In time, its name changed to Babylon Turnpike. Carrying mail and passengers between Jamaica and Babylon was a stage coach, which came through daily. Samuel Smith built a store on Babylon Turnpike near Meadowbrook Road, which served as a coach stop, general store and post office. The community flagpole was erected there during the Civil War. When the flag was raised, the villagers came from all over to hear battlefront news. Today, the flag is in the collection of the Historical Society of the Merricks. In 1866, the South Shore Railroad was built through Merrick to Babylon. Charles Fox, a Merrick resident whose home once stood at Merrick Avenue and Merrick Road, was the railroad’s president. At the turn of the century, summer residents began to appear upon completion of the railroad. The Long Island Camp Meeting Association was the biggest summer group. Two young men, Edwin Cray Camman and Richard Peabody Kent, opened the Merrick Library in 1891. An association was formed and incorporated on April 27, 1897, to raise funds to support the library; a building was then erected. At the time, the area’s population was about 500. World War I accelerated growth in Merrick. Then, the 1920s hit. Houses went up on all sides, and prices were high. Merrick’s population quickly approached 5,000. The Merrick Woods development was considered a huge success. The Gables neighborhood, which served as home to many famous actors and actresses, was even more popular. Gables homes accented a “Spanish castle” motif. The railroad was electrified in 1925. At the same time, motor vehicles grew more common, particularly after the Sunrise Highway was built out to Amityville circa 1927. After World War II, the community’s population grew exponentially. Numerous schools, firehouses and houses of worship were added.
Page 8
MERRICK GUIDE
www.liherald.com
Alyssa Seidman/Herald Life
Randy Shotland, second from left, a past president of the Merrick Chamber of Commerce, spent the last three years working to get a LED sign built near the firefighters’ memorial at Merrick Avenue and Sunrise Highway, which marks the beginning of downtown Merrick.
LIVING IN
DOWNTOWN MerrIck
T
hough not a small town by most any definition, Merrick offers its own version of “Main Street” on the ever-bustling Merrick Avenue, in the heart of its downtown. Between Sunrise Highway and Camp Avenue, Merrick Avenue serves as a center for business during the week and a favorite leisure spot for Merokeans of all ages on weekends. Families can dine out, with Italian, Greek, Southwest, Thai and Japanese options, while teenagers looking for a quick bite with friends or a date can head to the Merrick Mall, which after decades has finally been redone, featuring new sidewalks, facades and signage. Ice cream, frozen yogurt and Italian ice shops line both sides of the street and offer delicious desserts, while older crowds can gather at any of several local pubs to catch games. The Merrick Cinemas, a popular weekend and nighttime destination, recently had a modern makeover. Merrick Veterans Memorial Plaza, formerly Broadcast Plaza, at Merrick and Fisher avenues, offers a quiet spot to sit and chat in the gazebo. Robert E. Purick Park, at Merrick and West Loines avenues, is another great spot to sit back and enjoy the summer weather, complete with benches and a breathtaking mural. For children, Chatterton and Camp Avenue elementary schools, which are in the middle and at the northern end of the downtown, respectively, both contain playgrounds, baseball fields and soccer fields. The Merrick Fall Festival, sponsored annually in September or October by the Merrick Chamber of Commerce, was sadly canceled this year because of the coronavirus pandemic. Cordoned off from traffic, Merrick Avenue normally swells with thousands of smiling families and groups of friends who gather for the rides, carnival games, food vendors, arts and crafts, and live animals at this popular local event.
Courtesy Jamie Weiss
Birch student Kayla Indich, 11, teamed up with two of her friends to bead rainbow bracelets during the pandemic.
2020 - 2021
Page 9
MERRICK GUIDE
I My Community Enjoy the best local news for your area with Herald Community Newspapers. Stay connected with the schools, high school sports, local government, shopping, dining and more! Now, get the Herald delivered to your mailbox every week for up to 60% off newsstand prices!
real local, real news.
1 - Year Plan (52 weeks) $30 for 1 year Save 40% off the newsstand rate
2 - Year Plan (104 weeks) $50 for 2 years Save 50% off the newsstand rate
3 - Year Plan (156 weeks) $60 for 3 years Save 60% off the newsstand rate
BEST VALUE
Skip the trip to the newsstand. Pick your best plan today.
Visit LIHerald.com/subscribe or call (516) 569-4000 x7
1095324
All rates based on Auto-Pay. Subscriptions outside of Nassau County, $52 per year
Page 10
MERRICK GUIDE
www.liherald.com
Merrick
HISTORICAL TIMELINE •1643
“Memories of the Merricks,” a 1977 booklet produced by the Merrick Historical Society, says a member of John Carman and the Rev. Robert Fordham’s group of settlers, Jonathan “Rock” Smith, became the first European to set up a farm in what is now considered Merrick.
•1840s
Joseph and Philetas Smith operated a roadhouse on Babylon Turnpike near Meadowbrook Road. This building served as a stop in the mid-19th century for a daily stagecoach carrying mail and passengers from Jamaica to Babylon. It also likely served as Merrick’s first post office.
•1869
The Long Island Camp Meeting Association established a Methodist campground on 60 acres in what is now North Merrick, as part of the Third Great Awakening in the United States.
•1891
The Merrick Library was founded by Edward C. Cammann and Richard P. Kent, two young men in their late-teens. After being housed in three temporary locations, the library was moved to a cottage in 1897.
•1902
An article in the Brooklyn Eagle, titled “Beauties of Merricks,” read, “The most beautiful section of the Merrick road is at Merrick, the village from which it takes its name. Here it runs under a grand foliage of big-girthed trees, between glimmering lakes and over rustic bridges spanning picturesque streams. Within sight at the waters of the Great South Bay and the beach.”
•1917
St. John’s Lutheran Church was founded.
•1649
The family of George Hewlett arrived in America, and some later settled in the Merrick area. The Hewletts built a home on the northeast corner of Merrick Road and Merrick Avenue in 1687. The Hewletts bought a thousand acres that stretched from Merrick Avenue to Newbridge Road. There were Hewletts living in Merrick right into the 20th century. The house was torn down in 1963.
•1867
The South Side Rail Road — the LIRR’s predecessor — made Merrick more accessible to people from New York City, and Merrick started to become an area where families from Manhattan and Brooklyn had summer homes.
• 1880
William Hewlett built what would later be known as the Isaac Narwood house. In the early 1960s, the Merrick Library was moved to this site.
Courtesy Merrick Library Collection
A flag-waving crowd celebrated the electrification of the South Side Rail Road in May 1925. Since the system made Merrick more accessible, it soon became a place where people established their summer homes.
•1926
Bishop Thomas Edmund Molloy established Curé of Ars Parish.
• 1932
The first stretch of the Meadowbrook Parkway was built between 1932 and 1935 to relieve congestion on the Wantagh Parkway. The Meadowbrook was extended to connect with the Northern State Parkway in the 1950s.
• 1929
The Community Presbyterian Church of Merrick and the Merrick Jewish Centre-Congregation Ohr Torah were both founded.
•1934
A newspaper called the Meroke was first published. It later became Merrick Life, and, in 2013, Merrick Herald Life
•1949
The Kiwanis Club of Merrick was founded, with 25 members.
•1950
The Merrick United Methodist Church was established.
•1952
The Lakeside School was built.
•1961
•1900
Merrick now had its own school district: Common School District 25. Its first school board was headed by Hermann H. Cammann, and the first school was a one-room building housing 38 students and one teacher.
The Birch School was built. It was later expanded.
•1955
Borrelli’s Italian Restaurant opened in East Meadow.
•1962 •1920s
According to “Memories of the Merricks,” the decade hit Merrick “like a bomb,” with development, and a population approaching 5,000, aided by the electrification of the railroad in 1925, and the building of the Southern State Parkway in 1927.
The construction of a new library building, at 2279 Merrick Ave., was completed on Nov. 25. According to a New York Times report at the time, the building was 14,000 square feet and held 75,000 books.
•1961
The Nassau County jail was moved from Mineola to East Meadow.
•1972
St. Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church was founded.
•1988
The Long Island Mar Thoma Church was incorporated, in a building first rented from the Church of the Redeemer. By 1994, the church purchased the building and property for $1.3 million.
Timeline continued on next page
2020 - 2021
Merrick
Make Life ain Accesible Ag
HISTORICAL
The first Robbie’s Run was held at Lakeside in honor of Merokean Robbie Levine. The event is a major fundraiser of Forever 9-The Robbie Levine Foundation, which raises money to donate AEDs to youth leagues to protect children and adults wherever they play sports.
•2020
$
•2005
100 OFF
PURCHASE OF A NEW LIFT
The current Merrick Library building opened in the fall, with an expanded children’s area, room for community groups and programs, a teen room, wireless Internet and self-service checkout.
Not to be combined. With Coupon only.
Family Owned & Operated We have Solutions To Fit Every Budget Best Prices Guaranteed!
• 2012
Hurricane Sandy swept through Merrick and South Shore communities, with waters that reached three to six feet in areas and destroyed homes and cars, while also bringing hurricaneforce wind gusts that toppled trees, tore the siding off houses, and ripped apart fences and decks.
Serving Long Island Families Since 2002 Fully Certified & Insured
We sell refurbished Stairlifts
516-388-1470 www.longislandstairlifts.com listairlifts@gmail.com
Let our Family Give Your Family A Lift
Information courtesy Bill Keogan, the Merrick Library and the Merrick Historical Society
SAME DAY INSTALLATION • 24 HOURS • 7 DAYS A WEEK
Adjustments to our service have been made in light of the COVID-19 pandemic
1099355
•2006
Don’t struggle to climb stairs. Let our experts help you choose the stairlift right for you. Our trusted certified technicians will install your new stairlift safely.
FREE EVALUATIONS FOR YOUR STAIRLIFT NEEDS
continued from previous page
The Merrick community lost 15 service members, including first responders, in the Sept. 11 terror attacks.
e!
n For Your Loved O
TIMELINE •2001
Page 11
MERRICK GUIDE
Keats tax & financial service Tax Preparation for Individuals & Small Business • Installment Agreements • Unfiled Returns-Amended Returns • Free E-file
William F. Keats
Funeral Directors 445 east Meadow avenue, east Meadow 516-794-0500
Enrolled Agent
64 Roydon Drive East North Merrick, NY 11566-1423
516.785.6455 Fax: 516.409.1972 Email: billkeatsea@gmail.com https://keatstax.us
Leo F. Kearns, Inc.
Family Owned
Phone:
1098494
thomas l. Kearns, Director FDic insured Pre-Plan trusts Burials - cremation - Memorial services
www.leofkearns.com
1097027
• IRS Representation • IRS Notices • Offer-in-Compromise
Page 12
A
MERRICK GUIDE
www.liherald.com
Libraries keep Merrick reading despite pandemic
lthough closed at the height of the coronavirus pandemic, libraries were, at press time in mid-August, allowing patrons in their buidlings, at a limited capacity, as well as offering virtual services. Having access to library resources can be essential for people at all stages of their lives, especially during times of crisis. Earlier this year, 50 Nassau County libraries began offering digital library cards to give residents without one the chance to use the digital resources of their library while facilities are closed. Similarly, Merrick’s librarians have expanded online services to reach readers craving some time “in the library.” Merrick Library The staff of the Merrick Library has worked throughout the pandemic to keep patrons engaged through its remote services. Through April 30, Merrick Library patrons competed in a “Community Reading Challenge” with Bellmore Memorial Library patrons. Readers were asked to submit the title and author of a book they have read through a link on the library’s website — each book counted as one point. Extra points were allotted if patrons posted a picture of their book on social media with the hashtag #BellmoreMerrickBookBattle. Additionally, teens earned community service while sitting at home by submitting book reviews on the library’s website. Each review equaled a half-hour of community service credit. Story time has been brought into the virtual world, as well. Meira Broderick, associate head of Youth Services at the Merrick Library, has been
leading online story time and sing-along sessions for children to follow on Facebook and Instagram. The library is also using its 3D printers to produce face shields to help relieve the shortage of personal protective equipment in local hospitals. Earlier this year, library staff delivered 15 face shields to Nassau University Medical Center in East Meadow. For a full list of resources, visit the library’s website, www.merricklibrary.org, or on Facebook and Instagram at @merricklibrary. North Merrick Public Library The North Merrick Public Library is offering virtual programs, too, including a community reading challenge and remote fitness classes. The Kids’ Community Reading Challenge encourages patrons to read together while they are apart. “For every 100 books we read as a community, we’ll add something special to the Children’s Room to enjoy together,” read a post on the library’s website. For every book children read, they receive a vote to put toward deciding a decoration or special addition for the Children’s Room. Patrons can download eBooks and access magazines from the library’s virtual newsstand using their library cards. North Merrick is also promoting free online classes that residents can take to pass the time during quarantine. Courtesy Merrick Library
Above Photo: Meira Broderick, associate head of Youth Services at the Merrick Library, has been leading online story times and sing-alongs for children on Facebook and Instagram since the Covid-19-related shutdowns began.
2020 - 2021
MERRICK GUIDE
Page 13
Welcome to
Bellmore-Merrick Schools
Courtesy Bellmore School District
Charles A. Reinhard Early Childhood Center fifthgrader Benji Loeb got a handle on remote learning practices during the Covid-19 school shutdown earlier this year. Jake Gold/Herald Life
John F. Kennedy High School senior Jason Small, of Merrick, beamed with pride as the members of his Class Night team played their hearts out at the school’s annual event.
B
ellmore-Merrick’s five school districts — consisting of four elementary districts and one high school district — are consistently ranked among the top school systems in New York state, even the country, with an array of programs to nurture “the whole child.” The four elementary districts — Bellmore, Merrick, North Bellmore and North Merrick — feed into the Bellmore-Merrick Central High School District, one of a few such central districts across the state. The Central High School District boasts a 94 to 99 percent graduation rate annually, with many students receiving acceptances to top-rated colleges across the country. Just this year, Niche.com ranked the district among the Top 20 in New York state. The elementary districts comprise three to five schools each. The Central High School District is made up of Calhoun, Kennedy and Mepham high schools and Grand Avenue and Merrick Avenue middle schools. Each of the high schools offers advanced programs in the arts, business, engineering and science research. Magnet cosmetology and drama programs, which attract students from all three high schools, are housed at Calhoun. Additionally, the Meadowbrook Alternative Program, an alternative high school housed at the Brookside School in North Merrick, offers a special program for students who wish to excel outside their home high schools.
Andrew Garcia/Herald Life
Emma Bhansingh, left, Sophie Takmopoulos, Megan Vecchione and Lauren Pagliari founded Calhoun High School’s new COPE Club this year.
Central High School District officials plan reopening While state guidelines were still emerging at press time in mid-August, the district planned three possible scenarios for September, as laid out by Bellmore-Merrick’s reopening committee: a return to school with safety guidelines, a return to remote learning and a hybrid model. To prepare for return to online learning, the district has made “major enhancements” to the practices employed while schools were shut down. The distance-learning model has been “revamped,” including designating Google Classroom as the primary means by which classes would be held throughout the district. Students could also expect a more structured learning experience, as attendance and participation would be mandated. Numerical grading would also return, as opposed to the no-harm grading policy used after the shutdown. In the event that the district returns for in-person classes, masks would likely be required, and desks would be spaced out to follow social-distancing requirements. Hand-sanitizing stations would be abundant in hallways, which may be converted to oneway paths. The hybrid model for reopening blends the two plans, with students alternating between in-person and online learning. In this model, teachers would have to prepare materials for students to watch or read the night before their class, so students could come prepared with questions the next day — rather than having the teacher present that material in an in-person class.
Page 14
MERRICK GUIDE
www.liherald.com
Educating Merrick’s children Public Schools
Barry & Florence Friedberg JCC Early Childhood Program 225 Fox Blvd. 379-9386 Director: Ellen Hoffman
Merrick District Administration Office 21 Babylon Road 992-7200 Superintendent: Dr. Dominick Palma www.merrick.k12.ny.us
Jewish Early Learning Center Preschool and Daycare 833-3057 ext. 103 2174 Hewlett Ave., Suite 100 www.JewishELC.org
Birch Elementary School (K-6) 2400 Central Parkway 992-7250 Principal: Kerri Galante
Educational Programs Bellmore-Merrick Child-Care Program Brookside School 1260 Meadowbrook Road 868-6027 Director: June Smith
Roland Chatterton Elementary School (K-6) 108 North Merrick Ave. 992-7269 Principal: Dana Bermas Norman J. Levy Lakeside School (K-6) 21 Babylon Road 992-7230 Principal: Elizabeth Trencheny North Merrick District Administration Office 1057 Merrick Ave. 292-3694 Superintendent: Cynthia Seniuk www.nmerrickschools.org Camp Avenue Elementary School (K-6) 1712 Merrick Ave. 379-3732 Principal: Ronald Reinken Harold D. Fayette Elementary School (K-6) 1057 Merrick Ave. 489-3090 Principal: Howard Merims Old Mill Road Elementary School (K-6) 1775 Old Mill Road 379-0945 Principal: Laura DeLuca
Courtesy Bellmore-Merrick Central High School District
High school student Andrew Vogel demonstrated how to put on a lineman’s belt during one of the first days of study at the district’s new electrial training program offered at Brookside.
Sanford H. Calhoun High School (9-12) 1786 State St., Merrick 11566 992-1300 Principal: Nicole Hollings John F. Kennedy High School (9-12) 3000 Bellmore Ave., Bellmore 11710 992-1400 Principal: Gerard Owenburg Wellington C. Mepham High School (9-12) 2401 Camp Ave. Bellmore 11710 992-1500 Principal: Eric Gomez Grand Avenue Middle School (7-8) 2301 Grand Ave. Bellmore 11710 992-1100 Principal: Carlo Conte
Bellmore-Merrick Central High School District Administration Office 992-1000
Merrick Avenue Middle School (7-8) 1870 Merrick Ave. Merrick 11566 992-1200 Principal: Taryn Johnson
Brookside School 1260 Meadowbrook Road Superintendent: John DeTommaso www.bmchsd.k12.ny.us
Adult Education 1260 Meadowbrook Road Brookside School, N. Merrick 992-1062 Contact: Susan Hickey
Meadowbrook Alternative Program 1260 Meadowbrook Road 992-1083 Principal: Susan Ellinghaus
Parochial Schools St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Regional School (N-8) 2341 Washington Ave. Bellmore 11710 785-5709 Principal: Leeann Graziose
Private Schools Merokee Day School 2655 Clubhouse Road 378-6333 Director: Tracey Ferguson Progressive School of Long Island (K-8) 1425 Merrick Ave., Merrick 11566 868-6835 Director: Eric Jacobson www.progressiveli.org South Shore Country Day School and Camp 1149 Newbridge Road North Bellmore 11710 785-3311 Director: Chris Vicedomini
The Bellmore/Merrick Cultural Arts Foundation Brookside School 1260 Meadowbrook Road 992-1015 Long Island Infant Developmental Program 2174 Hewlett Ave. Merrick 11566, Suite 105 546-2333 Long Island Crisis Center (24 hours, seven days a week) 2740 Martin Ave. Bellmore 11710 Hotline - 679-1111 Business - 826-0244 Executive Director: Linda Leonard www.longislandcrisiscenter.org Nassau BOCES 71 Clinton Road Garden City, 11530 396-2500 District Superintendent: Dr. Robert Dillon www.nassauboces.org
2020 - 2021
MERRICK GUIDE
Page 15
Learning at a distance amid the pandemic
T
he Merricks' exceptional school systems are the beating heart of the Merrick community. Local schools play a vital role in bringing residents together, but they have also been one of the hardest-hit institutions amid the coronavirus pandemic. All school districts in Merrick — including the Bellmore-Merrick Central High School District, the Merrick School District and the North Merrick School District — shifted to a remote learning plan in mid-March. From classes and athletics to clubs and graduations, the districts suddenly needed to adapt. “It was a dramatic change from the day-to-day norm, but we successfully adjusted thanks to our extremely supportive community members,” said Central High School District Superintendent John DeTommaso. “We did the best we could to continue to provide high-quality instruction to students and keep the bonds between students and educators,” said Merrick Superintendent Dr. Dominick Palma. All academic and extracurricular activities, including classes, testing and clubs were held remotely for the rest of the academic year. Graduations distict-wide were held in person in late June, and were broken into several limited-capacity ceremonies to comply with social distancing. The decision to reopen schools in the fall was largely in the hands of Gov. Andrew Cuomo and the New York State Education Department. Each
district developed three potential plans that were sent to the state, including: 1. A return to remote/distance learning. 2. Resuming in-person instruction, which would carry certain health and safety restrictions. 3. Or a hybrid model combining the two. “We are proud and honored every day to serve the Bellmore-Merrick community, and will continue to do our best as we eagerly await seeing all our kids and families in September,” read a joint statement from Bellmore-Merrick’s superintendents. “The goal is to provide the best possible quality education we can to all of our students and their families regardless of which plan is followed,” DeTommaso said. The superintendents also maintained faith that the difficulties posed by the pandemic could be managed. “Each time the community has been challenged, people continue to come together and overcome that adversity,” Palma said. “It never ceases to amaze me.” “Staying strong together is what we need to do,” DeTommaso added. “I’m confident that the district will work incredibly hard for our students and their families with all of our abilities and heart.” Alyssa Seidman/Herald Life
Merrick School District Superintendent Dr. Dominick Palma wore a mask while giving the Herald a tour of Chatterton Elementary School’s new multipurpose room.
Page 16 Cohen Children’s Hospital 269-01 76th Ave. New Hyde Park 11040 470-3000
www.liherald.com
MERRICK GUIDE
American Lung Association 700 Veterans Memorial Highway Hauppauge 11788 (631) 265-3848 www.alany.org
MEDICAL
Mercy Medical Center 1000 N. Village Ave. Rockville Centre 11571 705-2525 Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center 1101 Hempstead Turnpike Uniondale 11553 559-1000 Nassau University Medical Center 2201 Hempstead Turnpike East Meadow 11554 572-0123 North Shore University Hospital 300 Community Drive Manhasset 11030 562-0100 Northwell Health Long Island Jewish Valley Stream 900 Franklin Ave. Valley Stream 11580 256-6000 Northwell Health Long Island Jewish Medical Center 270-05 76th Ave. New Hyde Park 11040 (718) 470-7000 Northwell Health St. Joseph’s Hospital 4295 Hempstead Turnpike Bethpage 11714 579-6000 St. Francis Hospital 100 Port Washington Blvd. Roslyn 11576 562-6000 St. John’s Episcopal Hospital 327 Beach 19th St. Far Rockaway 11691 (718) 869-7000 South Nassau Communities Hospital One Healthy Way Oceanside 11572 632-3000 South Nassau Urgent Care Center at Long Beach 325 E. Bay Drive Long Beach 11561 870-1010
SErvICES Winthrop University Hospital 259 First St., Mineola 11501 663-0333
Drugs, Alcohol Dependencies
Northwell Health Project Outreach 600 Hempstead Turnpike, Suite 250 West Hempstead 11552 481-2890
South Nassau Communities Hospital Mental Health Counseling Center 2277 Grand Ave Baldwin, 11510 377-5000
For the Disabled
South Shore Child Guidance Center 91 Guy Lombardo Ave. Freeport 11520 378-2992 (Outpatient services for children 18 and under)
Alcoholics Anonymous 292-3045 Hotline: 292-3040 www.nassauny-aa.org
ANCHOR (Answering the Needs of Citizens with Handicaps through Organized Recreation) 431-6946
Al-Anon and Alateen (For families and friends of alcoholics) 433-8003
Helen Keller Services for the Blind (718) 522-2122
Families Anonymous (800) 736-9805 Gam-Anon Hotline Gamblers Anonymous (877) 442-4248 LINK Center for Drug Info Inc. 185 Merrick Road, Suite 2D Lynbrook 11563 887-4848 L.I. Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence 1025 Old Country Road Mineola 11501 747-2606 Mineola Community Treatment Center 366 Jericho Turnpike Mineola 11501 742-4015 Narcotics Anonymous 827-9500 Nassau County Alliance for Addiction Services Hotline: 679-1111 Admin: 897-1330
Office for the Physically Challenged 60 Charles Lindbergh Blvd. Uniondale 11553 227-7399
Mental Health Family and Children’s Association 100 E. Old Country Road Mineola 11501 746-0350 Long Island Crisis Center 2740 Martin Ave., Suite 2 Bellmore 11710 826-0244 Hotline: 679-1111 (24-hour crisis hotline and suicide prevention services) Mental Health Association of Nassau County 16 Main St., Hempstead 11550 489-2322 Nassau County Department of Mental Health 60 Charles Lindbergh Blvd. Suite 200, Uniondale 11553 227-7057
Special Services AHRC Nassau 189 Wheatley Road Glen Head 11545 626-1000 HIV, AIDS, STD Hotline 800-462-6785 American Cancer Society (800) 227-2345 American Diabetes Association 534 Broadhollow Rd., Suite 10 Melville 11747 (631) 348-0422 www.diabetes.org American Heart Association 125 E. Bethpage Rd., Suite 100 Plainview 11803 777-8447
Arthritis Foundation 150 Broadhollow Rd., Suite 222 Melville 11747 (631) 427-8272 www.arthritis.org Birthright International (Anti-abortion counseling) 1859 Wantagh Ave. Wantagh 11793 785-4070 Hotline: 1-800-550-4900 Breast Cancer Hotline (800) 877-8077 Breast Cancer Action Coalition 1 in 9: Hewlett House 86 East Rockaway Road Hewlett 11557 374-3190 (Programs for breast cancer patients and survivors) Planned Parenthood 540 Fulton Ave. Hempstead 11550 750-2500 The Safe Center LI Against Domestic Violence 542-0404 - www.cadvnc.org
Urgent Care City MD (212) 772-3627 citymd.com Locations in: Lynbrook, Rockville Centre, Merrick, East Meadow and more
Radiology Zwanger-Pesiri Radiology 992-6437 (631) 992-6437 Locations in Lynbrook, Elmont, Merrick and more
2020 - 2021
MERRICK GUIDE
Page 17
WE WERE HERE FOR YOU BEFORE COVID AND WE’RE HERE FOR YOU NOW.
Don’t put off seeking medical care, including elective surgery, in fear of COVID-19. Mount Sinai South Nassau has dedicated non-COVID patient care areas, including within our Emergency Department. All units have undergone a deep cleaning to ensure your safety. All patients undergoing procedures are tested for COVID-19 within five days prior to admission. Our frontline staff of physicians, nurses and support personnel are equipped with full Personal Protective Equipment to help halt the spread of infectious diseases. Your health shouldn’t be defined by COVID-19.
DON’T PUT YOUR HEALTH ON HOLD. COME WITH CONFIDENCE.
To find a physician please call: 516-632-3936 or use our physician search tool at mountsinai.org/southnassau
Photo top left courtesy o
, Newsday.
1099261
Mount Sinai South Nassau is certified as an Antimicrobial Stewardship Center of Excellence (CoE) by the Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA).
Page 18
MERRICK GUIDE
www.liherald.com
A message from the
NorTh Merrick Fire DepArTMeNT
T
he mission statement of the North Merrick Fire Department since being formed in 1926 has been “to protect the lives and property of the community that we live in, to save lives by providing the best emergency medical services and to prevent fires with fire prevention and education programs.” With the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic, we have held true to our mission. We have worked closely with our surrounding fire departments, ambulance corps, Nassau County officials, County Police Department, County Fire Marshal's Office and County Department of Health to ensure our residents continue to receive the highest standard of care possible. Guidelines were put in place so all our responding members — be they firefighters or fire medics — are outfitted with the proper personal protective equipment to make sure residents and their fellow volunteers are not exposed to the coronavirus. After each alarm, all responding vehicles and the equipment inside them are thoroughly cleaned
and sanitized, except disposable equipment, which is properly discarded. We also changed how our firefighters operate at each scene. We limited the number of firefighters and medics who can enter a house, building or incident. We also question the patient and household members to check for Covid-19 symptoms. And we follow all Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines for the coronavirus. We continue this practice today to keep everyone safe and hope everyone in our community remains healthy. Sincerely, The Chief's Office North Merrick Fire Department
Brian Stieglitz/Herald Life
Above Photo: The North Merrick Fire Department opened its doors to the public in April 2017 for a statewide recruiting event RecruitNY.
2020 - 2021
MERRICK GUIDE
Page 19
POLICE Department
A
Scott Brinton/Herald Life
Members of Merrick’s Empire Hose Company responded to a fire that broke out at the Town of Hempstead’s waste transfer station in Merrick in July 2019.
FIRE Department
T
he Merricks have a long and storied history of fire service. Merrick and North Merrick are each served by their own all-volunteer fire departments, with the chiefs and assistant chiefs elected by department members. The Merrick Fire Department is responsible for protection of homes and businesses south of Camp Avenue, while the North Merrick Fire Department is responsible keeping watch over all properties north of the thoroughfare.
Merrick Fire Department Hook & Ladder Company No. 1 867-4459 1893 Oakwood Ave. Friendship Engine & Hose Company 378-9599 2075 Meadowbrook Road Empire Hose Company No. 3 Inc. 378-3633 2300 Merrick Ave. Chief Paul Scolieri, Asst. Chiefs Patrick Gavigan and Ronnie Gies
s of 2017, the Nassau County police 1st Precinct has been housed in a 20,000-square-foot, state of the art facility on Police Merrick Road in Baldwin, Emergency 911 which includes a line-up room, several private 1st Precinct interview rooms, a locker 573-6100 room and break room. Covers north of the The building is designed Sunrise Highway. to make sure that crime suspects cannot interact 7th Precinct with members of the 573-6700 public inside the precinct Covers south of the without authorization. Sunrise Highway. A plaque at the entrance states that the Bellmore-Merrick building is dedicated Emergency Medical to “the brave men Services and women of the Non-emergency: Nassau County Police Department, past, 785-7700 present and future.” Emergency: 742-3300 The 1st Precinct Chief Matthew Lubliner, encompasses Baldwin, Asst. Chiefs South Hempstead, Nicholas Lilli and Uniondale, Roosevelt, East Meadow, North Scott Resnik Merrick, North Bellmore, 2434 Grand Ave., Merrick, Bellmore, and Bellmore 11710 parts of North Wantagh and Wantagh. The 7th Precinct, on Merrick Road in Seaford, also serves parts of Merrick, as well as Bellmore, Wantagh, North Wantagh, Seaford, Massapequa, North Massapequa, Massapequa Park and East Massapequa.
Important Phone Numbers
North Merrick Fire Department NMFD Headquarters 223-4102 2095 Camp Ave., North Merrick Chief Robert Presti Jr., Asst. Chiefs Chris Fasano and Ronald Higgins Emergency Merrick: 221-7044 North Merrick: 221-1500 Andrew Garcia/Herald Life
Flag bearers from the Merrick Fire Department held the nation’s colors high during the community’s Sept. 11 ceremony in 2019.
Non-emergency Merrick: 221-7055 North Merrick: 223-4102
Herald file photo
Patrick Ryder was sworn in as commissioner of the Nassau County Police Department in February 2017. He has worked on a number of new department initiatives, including a new multi-pronged opioid battle plan, as well as a new social media platform and the Commissioner’s Community Council, a police task force that will establish a subdivision in each of the 19 legislative districts.
Page 20
MERRICK GUIDE
www.liherald.com
Merrick Chamber of Commerce
FALL FESTIVAL
E
very year, the Merrick Chamber of Commerce celebrates the changing colors, crisp air and local flavors at its annual Fall Festival. More than 400 street vendors fill Merrick Avenue at Sunrise Highway to entice residents and visitors in one of the largest street fairs on Long Island. The festival has been held since 2000, opened under rain or shine, and annually attracts 10,000 to 20,000 attendees, offering everything from cotton candy to amusement park rides and live music. There are even pony rides and special exhibits from the local fire departments. Each year, the Merrick Kiwanis Club sets up camp to raise money for local causes. Students from the Central High School District volunteer to help run booths for children, and local businesses market their wares and services. This year’s festival was canceled amid the coronavirus pandemic. The chamber published the following statement: “Due to the Town of Hempstead not granting permission for use of their parking lots for mechanical rides, we must cancel our festival. We are currently pursuing other forms of promotion for our members. Dates for 2021 are being planned.”
Photos by Alyssa Seidman/Herald Life
Top photo: The Merrick Fall Festival is hosted annually by the Merrick Chamber of Commerce. In 2019, many local children enjoyed a ride on the swings. Bottom Photo: The Bakers, from left, Sarah, Nathan, Marc and Lana, put on a happy face after claiming a prize from one of the festival’s many carnival games in 2019.
2020 - 2021
MERRICK GUIDE
Norman J. Levy
Park and Preserve T he Norman J. Levy Park and Preserve is a plant and wildlife sanctuary, welcoming guests to explore its lush greenery and expansive waterfront throughout the year. The 52-acre facility features three miles of hiking and jogging trails and 18 exercise stations. The windmill at the top circulates the water in two ponds that are home to a variety of wildlife. One of the preserve’s quirkiest and most popular characteristics is the herd of Nigerian dwarf goats that provide an ecologically sensitive method of controlling weed and brush overgrowth. The park also features a 500-foot fishing pier that extends into Merrick Bay, where many people boat and kayak. However, all ranger-guided kayak tours were suspended until further notice because of the coronavirus pandemic. The preserve reopened to the public on May 19 after a temporary shutdown that began in mid-March. Today, the preserve continues to welcome visitors amid the pandemic, provided that additional guidelines are followed. Residents who are looking to venture to the preserve for some fresh air or exercise are asked to wear masks and practice social distancing. The park will be open from 7 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. through August; entrance gates will close 30 minutes prior to closing time. The ranger station is closed to the public, but residents can still call (516) 804-2000 for assistance. Pamphlets and tide tables are available in the brochure boxes and on the kiosk at the entrance to the park.
Alyssa Seidman/Herald Life
Top Photo: The preserve’s windmill can be seen in the background from the south side of one of the ponds at the top of the preserve. Photos by Scott Brinton/Herald Life
Middle Photo: A kayaker drifted beneath the Levy Preserve’s fishing pier, which juts into Merrick Bay. Ranger-led kayak tours were suspended until further notice due to the pandemic. Bottom Photo: The preserve is a prime location for wildlife viewing. Right, a pair of mallard ducks rested in the pond atop the park’s central hill.
Page 21
Page 22
MERRICK GUIDE
www.liherald.com
Christina Daly/Herald Life
Teachers lined up outside John F. Kennedy High School in May to celebrate the class of 2020 as they drove by in their decorated cars.
Car parades a cause for celebration in Merrick
T
his year, Merokeans still found ways to celebrate birthdays, bat mitzvahs, graduations and other milestones amid the coronavirus pandemic. Car parades, for example, became a popular custom for people to spread the love while abiding by social-distancing orders. Courtesy Debbie Pressman
Left Middle: Debbie Pressman, of Merrick, got a special 50th birthday surprise from her girlfriends in April — a car parade. Courtesy Debbie Pressman
Right Middle: Mepham’s mascot, the Pirate, attended the parade to cheer on graduating seniors — with a protective face mask, of course. Christina Daly/Herald Life
Left Bottom: In April, drivers brandished signs and decorations in celebration of Katie Sobey Rodriguez, a nurse from North Merrick, and her baby-to-be.
Andrew Garcia/Herald Life
Left Right: Selfies were a bit trickier to take during Mepham High School’s socially distant car parade in May, but the teachers made it work.
2020 - 2021
Page 23
MERRICK GUIDE
WANTAGH AUTO BODY
Our History
When Pasquale Iavarone opened his first butcher shop in 1919, he never have dreamed his name would live on as the successful chain of gourmet food shops throughout New York. Customers make an extra effort to shop at our locations, which is why we have consistently been named Best Delicatessen, Best Off-Site Catering, and Best Jarred Sauce! By the 2000’s, our locations expanded into full service, upscale gourmet markets, including a bakery, produce, seafood, and prepared foods. Today, the 4th generation of Iavarone’s - Christopher, Jonathan, Michele, and Joseph Jr. - are on board to follow our mission to offer an enticing culinary journey to our customers. We achieve this by offering the finest quality of foods and products from our kitchen, and from around the globe!
since 1963
Sharing Over 4 Generations of Italian Culture with our Community
3210 Railroad Ave. Wantagh 1096288
email: wantaghautobody@aol.com
1099384
516-826-6464
Michael Motschwiller www.wantaghautobody.com
We’re Open - Come in and enjoy!
Enjoy Instant Shade & Comfort All Summer and
SAVE $200
INTERIOR & EXTERIOR / RESIDENTIAL & COMMERCIAL • Thermal Windows • Doors • Siding & Gutters • Dormers & Extensions • Basements • Kitchens • Bathrooms • Decks
GOLDEN HAMMER
SALPINO
Home Improvements
516-354-1127
FREE ESTIMATES Lic. & Insured
Hours: Mon-Fri 8am-7pm • Sat 8am-6pm • Sun 9am-4pm 1099344
Perfection Is No Accident!
Italian Food Market & Catering
1099388
The Original
1540 Newbridge Road, North Bellmore • 516-900-1540
Page 24
MERRICK GUIDE
www.liherald.com
Clubs & Organizations Bellmore-Merrick Emergency Medical Services 785-7700 2434 Grand Ave., Bellmore Chief: Matthew Lubliner Asst. Chief: Nicholas Lilli Circle of Hope (Illness support group) 833-3057, ext. 104 2174 Hewlett Ave., Suite 101 Community Parent Center 771-9346 1260 Meadowbrook Road, Brookside School, Room 31 Director: Wendy Tepfer Barry and Florence Friedberg JCC 379-9386 225 Fox Blvd. President: Alessandra Long Pnina Chapter/Dayan Lilah Group of Hadassah 766-2725 Presidents: Michele Friend, Susan Schlossberg and Rebecca Tepper Historical Society of the Merricks 868-9833 lg_2000@yahoo.com President: Lawrence Garfinkel Friends of the Merrick Library 377-6112, ext. 131 2279 Merrick Ave. President: Maureen Garvey Merrick Brotherhood Council 868-9833 President: Lawrence Garfinkel Merrick Chamber of Commerce 771-1171 P.O Box 53 President: Femy Aziz Merrick Chorale 378-2285 1872 Old Mill Road President: Frances Guercio Merrick Kiwanis Club 223-2220 P.O. Box 108 www.merrickkiwanis.com Merrick Lions Club 960-1428 President: Michelle Gagnon Merrick-Bellmore-Oceanside Auxiliary of United Cerebral Palsy 378-2000 www.ucpn.org Merrick Symphony Chamber Orchestra 623-6118 P.O. Box 125 South Shore Audubon Society 764-3596 P.O. Box 31 Freeport 11520 President: Michael Sperling
Courtesy Tricia Sataar
The South Merrick Community Civic Association’s new Youth Club worked together to plant fresh flowers around Cammanns Pond’s welcoming sign in November 2019.
Civic
Youth
Central Merrick Homeowners Assocation 458-2050 P.O. Box 44 President: Michele Walsh
Bellmore-Merrick Youth Association (The Braves) 361-0604 President: Gary Ouelette www.bellmorebraves.org
Merrick Estates Civic Association 867-9605 2935 Shore Drive President: Scott Kohen
Catholic Youth Organization Curé of Ars CYO 623-1400 2323 Merrick Ave. Contact: cureofarscyo@yahoo.com
Merrick Gables Homeowners Association 623-8924 P.O. Box 677 President: Derek Donnelly Merrick Park Homeowners Association 379-3232 P.O. Box 178 President: Barry Fox North and Central Merrick Community Association ncmcivic@gmail.com Presidents: Sue Moller and Lou Ciccone Old Lindenmere Civic Association 546-5632 P.O. Box 298 President: Joe Kralovich South Merrick Civic Association 978-8310 P.O. Box 381 President: Joe Baker southmerrickcivic.org
Sacred Heart CYO 379-1356 720 Merrick Ave. Contact: susancarroll925@aol.com Boy Scouts of Nassau County Theodore Roosevelt Council 797-7600 544 Broadway, Massapequa 11758 Scout Executive: Christopher Coscia www.trcbsa.org Girl Scouts of Nassau County 741-2550 110 Ring Road West, Garden City 11530 Contact: customercare@gsnc.org North Bellmore-North Merrick Little League 785-8173 President: Craig Kute Merrick-Bellmore Little League P.O. Box 435 info@MerrickBellmoreLittleLeague.org President: Nick Ippoliti www.merrickbellmorelittleleague.com
Fraternal Organizations Knights of Columbus Council No. 3689 785-9407 101 Frederick Ave., Bellmore Grand Knight: Austin Cannon III Knights of Columbus Council No. 6561 679-5639 North Merrick Grand Knight: Ed Ronan Sons of Italy in America Giovanni Caboto Lodge No. 2372 679-9656 2301 Penatiquit Ave., Seaford11783 President: Janet Galvin Jewish War Veterans Post No. 652 2080 Kenneth Road 868-1393 Ensign: Laurence Solowey Commander: Gary Glick American Legion Post No. 1282 521-6989 160 W. Merrick Road Commander: Robert Dishman Veterans of Foreign Wars Merrick-Freeport Post No. 1310 1 Harvard Ave. 546-6976 Commander: Paul Zydor
2020 - 2021
Page 25
MERRICK GUIDE
Merrick FAST FACTS
Courtesy Wikimedia Commons
• Merrick has a population of roughly 22,000. The • average median household income is $154,770, almost double the average for New York state.
• The median house price is around $562,500. • Around 96 percent of the population
has a high school degree, and around 60 percent holds a bachelor’s degree or higher.
stay connected
with the
• Merrick has almost 700 veterans as of 2018.
(Source U.S. Census Bureau)
we are just a
CLICK, CALL OR LETTER
away!
Email: aseidman@liherald.com
In many ways, putting out a newspaper each week is an interactive process. We need your participation to do our job, so we offer you — our readers and partners — a reminder of how and when to reach us. Tell us what’s going on in your community, or news of upcoming events sponsored by civic, service, religious or community organizations. The deadline is 10 a.m. the Friday prior to publication. Notices are printed free of charge, but must be typed. We also welcome the news of your family life, your business life and your social life. We accept, at no charge, obituaries and Neighbors in the News items, including awards, honors, births, graduations, marriages and promotions. We value your opinions, and provide a forum for them in our popular Letters to the Editor space. Letters are accepted until 5 p.m. the Friday prior to publication. The Herald also offers tours of its Garden City headquarters and printing plant for schools, scouts and other community groups. To schedule a tour, contact Michael Romero at (516) 569-4000 ext. 235 or email mromero@liherald.com.
Mail: Merrick Herald Life, 2 Endo Blvd., Garden City, NY 11530 Website: www.liherald.com Fax: (516) 569-4942 Editor: Alyssa Seidman (aseidman@liherald.com) (516) 569-4000 ext. 207 Advertising Account Executive:
Robert Cummings (rcummings@liherald.com) (516) 569-4000 ext. 247 Subscriptions: (516) 569-4000, press "7," or online at www.liherald.com/ subscribe.
Page 26
MERRICK GUIDE
www.liherald.com
HELP US FUND LOCAL COVID-19 REPORTING IN YOUR COMMUNITY.
HERALD
LOCAL NEWS FUND COVID-19
Today we are asking for your help to sustain local reporting in your community. These are unprecedented times and we are working around-the-clock to provide the best possible coverage, sometimes taking risks to keep you informed. In the meantime, we’ve had massive cuts to our revenue stream as we, like other local businesses, are at a critical moment. This important work is sustained by your financial support, through donations and subscriptions. As we continue our coverage we are calling on individuals, businesses, and community foundations to help fund COVID-19 coverage and deliver life-saving news and information. Even $25 can help. Please make a tax-deductible donation today. `
www.liherald.com/donate
2020 - 2021
Page 27
MERRICK GUIDE
The Senior Life in...
T
Merrick
he Merrick Senior Center sits in the heart of Merrick Road Park. The athletic center provides an opportunity for seniors to exercise and engage in friendly competition. The Senior Center is known for its wide range of activities, including the popular Creative Writing Program. It also offers vital services like blood pressure screenings, health programs and income tax assistance. On March 13, the county declared a state of emergency in response to Covid-19, closing all Town of Hempstead senior Ccnters. The decision was based on the fact that people aged 60 and over are at a higher risk of contracting the virus. As of July 26, the Merrick Senior Center is closed and will not resume operations until further instructions are provided by Gov. Andrew Cuomo.
Senior Adult Programs Barry and Florence Friedberg JCC 766-4341 15 Neil Court, Oceanside 11572 www.friedbergjcc.org Jewel Quinn Senior Center at Brookside School 571-8675 1260 Meadowbrook Road Director: Jeanne Ruvolo Nassau County Senior Citizens 227-8900 60 Charles Lindbergh Blvd., Suite 260 Uniondale 11533 Commissioner: Carolyn McCummings
Merrick Senior Center 868-4777 2550 Clubhouse Road Director: April Kodila Bellmore Senior Center 221-9696 2000 Bellmore Ave. Director: Donna Abriola Over 50 Club of Sacred Heart 378-1335 2200 Cameron Ave. President: Mary DeSantis
Lauren LaMagna/Herald Life
Participants of the Creative Writing Workshop at the Merrick Senior Center shared their writing at a showcase in 2019.
Page 28
MERRICK GUIDE
www.liherald.com
Places of
WORSHIP
M
errick welcomes a broad spectrum of religious denominations and diverse religious backgrounds, with seven churches and five temples and synagogues. From charitable acts such as food drives and coat drives to extracurricular religious education for Merrick’s youth, these institutions continuously bring residents together. Sue Grieco/Herald Life
Top Photo: Merrick residents Adina and Josh Frumer treated Ellie, 2, to some ice cream at Congregation Beth Ohr’s Purim Carnival in Merrick this past March. Scott Brinton/Herald Life
The Rev. Nikiforos Fakinos is the pastor of St. Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church of Merrick.
Chabad Center for Jewish Life 833-3057 2174 Hewlett Ave., Suite 101 Rabbi Shimon Kramer Congregation Ohav Sholom Affiliated with the Orthodox Union 378-1988 145 South Merrick Ave. Rabbi Ira Ebbin Merrick Jewish Centre Congregation Ohr Torah (Conservative) 379-8650 225 Fox Blvd. Rabbi Charles Klein Mar Thoma Church 208-3523 2350 Merrick Ave. The Rev. Sajit Thomas John
Curé of Ars Roman Catholic Church 623-1400 2323 Merrick Ave. Religious Education: 623-1400 Pastor: Monsignor Frank Caldwell Director: Lee Hlavacek Grace Reformed Baptist Church 379-2408 36 Smith St. Pastor Marc Grimaldi Community Presbyterian Church 378-7761 2101 William Place The Rev. Moira Ahearne
Merrick United Methodist Church 378-9222 1425 Merrick Ave. The Rev. Akio Iyoda Sacred Heart Roman Catholic Church 379-1356 720 Merrick Ave. The Rev. Stephen Brigandi, Jr. St. Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church 379-1368 2421 Hewlett Ave. Pastor: The Rev. Nikiforos Fakinos Sunday School Director: Cynthia Golding
St. John’s Lutheran Church 379-3858 1 Van Roo Ave. The Rev. Perry J. Kirschbaum Temple Beth Am (Reform) 378-3477 2377 Merrick Ave. Rabbi Ronald Brown Temple Israel of South Merrick (Conservative) 378-1963 2655 Clubhouse Road Rabbi Scott Hoffman Young Israel of Merrick (Orthodox) 378-2573 107 South Hewlett Ave. Rabbi Dov Winston
2020 - 2021
Page 29
MERRICK GUIDE
ELECTED OFFICIALS Town Officials
Donald X. Clavin Jr. Town of Hempstead Supervisor
Kate Murray
Christopher Carini
Town Clerk
Dennis Dunne
Councilman 5th District
Councilman 6th District
COUNTY
FEDERAL
United States Senator
Charles E. Schumer (D) Nassau County Executive
Laura Curran (D)
1550 Franklin Ave. Mineola, N.Y. 11501 (516) 571-3131
Nassau County District Attorney
Madeline Singas (D) 262 Old Country Road, Mineola, N.Y. 11501 (516) 571-3800
Nassau County Comptroller
Jack Schnirman (D) 240 Old Country Road Mineola, NY 11501 (516) 571-2386 NCComptroller@ NassauCountyNY.gov
757 3rd Ave., Suite 1702 New York, N.Y. 10017 (212) 486-4430 United States Senate 313 Hart Senate Office Building Washington, D.C. 20510 (202) 224-6542
United States Senator
Nassau County Clerk
Maureen O’Connell (R) 240 Old Country Road Mineola, N.Y. 11501 (516) 571-2664
Nassau County Legislator District 13
Kirsten E. Gillibrand (D)
Thomas McKevitt (R) 1550 Franklin Ave. Mineola, N.Y. 11501 (516) 571-6213
Nassau County Legislator District 19
Steve Rhoads (R) 1550 Franklin Ave. Mineola, N.Y. 11501 (516) 571-6219
780 3rd Ave., Suite 2601 New York, N.Y. 10017 (212) 688-6262 United States Senate 478 Russell Building Washington, D.C. 20510 (202) 224-4451
STATE
Governor
Andrew M. Cuomo (D) NYS State Capitol Building Albany, N.Y. 12224 (518) 474-8390
State Attorney General
Letitia James (D)
200 Old Country Road, Suite 240 Mineola, N.Y. 11501 (516) 248-3300 NYS State Capitol Building Albany, N.Y. 12224 (518) 776-2000
State Comptroller
Thomas P. DiNapoli (D) 110 State St., Albany, N.Y. 12236 (518) 474-4044
State Assemblyman 14th District
David G. McDonough (R) 404 Bedford Ave., Bellmore, N.Y. 11710 (516) 409-2070 Legislative Office Building 443, Albany, N.Y. 12248 (518) 455-4633
State Senator 8th District
John Brooks (D)
5550 Merrick Road, Massapequa, N.Y. 11758 (516) 882-0630 Legislative Office Building 806, Albany, N.Y. 12247 (518) 455-2765
United States Representative Fourth District
Kathleen Rice (D)
200 Garden City Plaza, Suite 200 Garden City, N.Y. 11530 (516) 739-3008 1508 Longworth House Office Building, Washington, D.C. 20515 (202) 225-5516
Page 30
www.liherald.com
MERRICK GUIDE
Staying connected to your
Town & County Nassau County Nassau County is governed by an elected Legislature, which comprises members from 19 districts. It includes an independent budget director, who advises the Legislature on spending and revenue matters. Residents may submit petitions for proposed laws that legislators must consider. Legislators serve two-year terms. The county executive — currently Democrat Laura Curran — serves a four-year term and is the chief administrator. Nassau also has an elected comptroller, currently Jack Schnirman; district attorney, Madeline Singas; and county clerk, Maureen O’Connell. Nassau County Theodore Roosevelt Executive and Legislative Building 1550 Franklin Ave., Mineola, N.Y. 11501 571-6000 www.nassaucountyny.gov Assessor’s Office ............571-1500 Assessment Review .......571-2391 Board of Elections ..........571-2411 Bus Information .............542-0100 Civil Service ....................572-1873 Community College .......572-7500 Consumer Affairs ...........571-2600 Coordinating Agency for Spanish Americans (CASA) .........572-0750 County Attorney .............571-3056 County Clerk ..................571-2664 County Comptroller .......571-2386 County Executive ...........571-3131 County Legislature .........571-6636 Department of Drug and Alcohol Addiction .......................227-7007 District Attorney .............571-3800 Economic Development .572-1915 Film Commission ...........572-0012 Fire Commission ............572-1000 Health Department ........227-9697 Housing & Intergov. Affairs ..............572-1915 Human Resources ..........571-4246 Human Rights Commission ...................571-3663 Investigations .................571-0533 Leg. Budget Review Office .................571-6296
Management and Budget Office .................571-4273 Medical Center ..............572-0123 Medical Examiner ..........572-6400 Mental Health ................227-7057 Minority Affairs ..............571-6174 Parks, Recreation, Museums .......................572-0200 Planning Commission ....571-5844 Physically Challenged.....227-7399 Probation Department ...571-5700 Public Works ..................571-9600 Purchasing Office ...........571-4200 Recreation ......................571-3090 Section 8 and Homeless 571-0360 Senior Citizen Affairs ......227-8900 Sheriff’s Department ......571-2113 Social Services Department....................227-8519 Traffic and Parking Violations .......................572-2700 Traffic Safety Board ........571-5032 Treasurer’s Office............571-2090 Veterans Services ...........572-8452 Volunteer Services ..........572-8452 Youth Board ...................227-7134
Town of Hempstead The Town of Hempstead, founded in 1644, is the largest township in the United States, encompassing 142 square miles, with a population of roughly 760,000 people. Within the town, there are 34 unincorporated areas and 22 incorporated villages, more than 65 parks and marinas, and 2,500 miles of roads. Hempstead is overseen by a town supervisor — currently Republican Donald Clavin — and a six-member Town Council. The council members are elected from one of six districts. The supervisor has a two-year term, and the council members have four-year terms of office. The supervisor is the chief executive officer of town government, presiding over all town board meetings and directing the legislative and administrative functions of that body. The supervisor also oversees the day-to-day operations of a municipal government of 24 major departments. As the town’s chief financial officer, the supervisor is responsible for the creation and the implementation of a town budget. Council members are responsible for adopting the annual budget, amending the town code and the building zone ordinances, adopting all traffic regulations, and hearing applications for changes of zone and special exceptions to zoning codes. Town Hall One Washington St., Hempstead, N.Y. 11550 489-5000 www.townofhempstead.org Numbers to know Supervisor Donald X. Clavin Jr. ........812-3260 Councilmembers Christopher Carini...........812-3285 Dennis Dunne..................812-3180 Receiver of Taxes Jeanine C. Driscoll ..........538-1500 Town Clerk Kate Murray ...................812-3046 Town Attorney ...............489-5000 Animal Shelter ...............785-5220 3320 Beltagh Ave., Wantagh 11793 Civil Service Commission 489-5000 Comptroller ....................489-5000
Conservation and Waterways .....................431-9200 Highway Department .....489-5000 Housing Authority ..........485-9666 Occupational Resources .485-5000 Parks and Recreation .....292-9000 Planning and Economic Development .................538-7100 Public Safety ..................538-1900 Sanitation.......................378-4210 Special pick-up ...............378-8484 Program Info and Sanitation Inspectors.......................378-2200 Senior Enrichment ..........485-8100 Water department .........794-8300 24-hour emergency line ...............794-8181 Zoning Board of Appeals ......................489-5000
2020 - 2021
Page 31
MERRICK GUIDE
Welcome to the Merrick
ChaMber of CoMMerCe
I
t feels like many meetings that everywhere I go, address the businessthe number one related needs of the question people ask me membership. is, “What is the Chamber I guess the next of Commerce?” Is it just question is, “How the a business organization? heck do they do all Well, let’s just say that?” Well, it is through that is what I thought the dedicated board when I first opened members you see here my photography studio and the many volunteers at Smith Street and who selflessly care about Femy Aziz Merrick Avenue back in this community and want April 2008. Boy, was I wrong! what’s best for it. We live here, The Chamber of Commerce and if we own a business here, of our town, or for any town, then our patrons live here, and is way more than that, and we should do whatever it takes to every chamber tries to get make it thrive, and be proud of the the information out there. But town we live in. let’s face it, there is so much I fell in love with this town in information being thrown at us 2002, and have been an active from everywhere that sometimes, member in the schools, where it doesn’t get its message across. both my boys went to Chatterton, Fortunately, I have been given the Merrick Avenue Middle School and opportunity to tell you exactly what then Calhoun High School. My the Merrick Chamber of Commerce husband and I always count our does for our community, and I am blessings to be here, which gives hoping you will find it interesting me the passion and energy to give enough to take the time, reach out back. Not to mention the utmost and join us for the ride. support and dedication I have If you live in Merrick or own from my board members, past a business here, then this is presidents and my administrative important information for you to assistant. know. In fact, when I became a I encourage every business member in 2008, I was hooked, owner, professional and resident and three years later I was asked in Merrick to join the Chamber to join the board of directors. This of Commerce today. We offer a year, yours truly was installed as residential membership for only the 85th president of this humble $25, so that everyone who lives organization. here can take part. Register on our I came to find out that the website at merrickchamber.org. chamber was run by a group If you would like to get of dedicated volunteers who involved or have any suggestions are responsible for the holiday or questions, please do not lights on Merrick Avenue and hesitate to email us at info@ Merrick Road; that it annually merrickchamber.org sponsors $1,000 scholarships for six hard-working students from President the Bellmore-Merrick Central Merrick Chamber of Commerce High School district; that it is responsible for the Halloween Parade, Santa’s Visit, two annual street festivals and the
Femy Aziz
Merrick Chamber of Commerce P.O. Box 53 Merrick, N.Y. 11566 (516) 771-1171 Fax: (516) 223-1200 www.merrickchamber.org Executive Board President: Femy Aziz, Serengeti Design Studios Vice President: Ira Reiter, Merrick Dodge Chrysler Jeep of Wantagh Secretary: Margaret Biegelman, Douglas Elliman Treasurer: Andrew S. Nachamie, P.C. Immediate Past President Erin Donohue, Hue Creative Services Inc. Board of Directors • Audrey Cohen, Merrick Herald Life • Marian Fraker-Gutin, Signature Premier Properties • Arlene Gregory, Century 21 American Homes • Julie Marchesella, Queen of Hearts • Margaret Mueller • Randy Shotland, New York Life & Annuity • Joe Baker, SMCCA President • Therese Mora, Investors Bank • Julieann Puglin, Kona Ice of LI South Shore • Diane Duel, Dime Community Bank
Page 32
www.liherald.com
MERRICK GUIDE
Merrick
chaMber Of cOMMerce $2.29 Pressed Cleaners Merrick Jeff Curtis 2208 Sunrise Highway (516) 415-7571
Photo and caption
All addresses are in Merrick N.Y. 11566 except where otherwise noted Dime Community Bank Diane Duel 1775 Merrick Avenue 718-782-6200 x-5957 Needed dduel@dime.com
jeffreycurtis@yahoo.com
Donna Carbone's Dance Arts Carrie Dale 57 Merrick Avenue (516) 377-7733
1 of A Kind Live Edge Slabs Isabel Doerbecker 4140 Austin Blvd., Unit G Island Park, N.Y. 11558 (516) 234-5489
donna@danceartsmerrick.com
Info@1ofakindliveedgeslabs.com
7-Eleven Pervez Mir 1800 Merrick Avenue (516) 378-6986 pervez9@msn.com
7-Eleven Michael Park 1555 Jerusalem Avenue (516) 292-1564
michaelpark0105@hotmail.com
Able Health Care Steven Shapiro 1240 Broadcast Plaza (516) 394-3217
stevens@ablehealthcare.com
Accupuncture Wellness Emma Zhang 141 Merrick Avenue (516) 208-5555
su.acupuncture.wellness@gmail.com
Ace's Wine & Spirits Joe Pascual 1811 Merrick Avenue (516) 379-3090 aces.wine@gmail.com
Acupunture Yin Yang Evangelina Jacobson 863 Jerusalem Avenue (516) 221-9267 acuyy1@gmail.com
Alexander Madison Realty Jonathan Matute 48 Merrick Avenue (516) 307-0800
info@alexandermadisonhomes.com
Allstate - Ricardo Mercado Agency Ricardo Mercado 1393 Jerusalem Avenue (516) 385-5900 rmercado@allstate.com
Anchor Down Seafood Bar & Grill Stephen Rosenbluth 1960 Bayberry Avenue (516) 544-4334 srosenbluth123@gmail.com
Andrew S. Nachamie, PC Andrew S. Nachamie 7 Smith Street (516) 678-7110 andrew@nachamie.com
As You Wish Parties Brooke Lodge 59 Merrick Avenue (516) 590-7878 info@asyouwishparties.org
Alyssa Seidman/Herald Life
The Merrick Chamber of Commerce's LED sign stands at at Sunrise Highway and Merrick Avenue.
Bagel Boss John Mascaro 2101 Merrick Road (516) 442-3006 Bagel Plaza Sam Asatur 1704 Merrick Road (516) 378-3455
Cathy's Touch Inc. Cathy Boddy 67 Merrick Avenue (516) 377-1127
Bagelman/Deliman Nonna Gushchina 84 Merrick Avenue (516) 223-7031
agregory@c21amhomes.com
info@bagelplaza.com
bgushchin@gmail.com
Bags N Things Shari Greenberg 2746 Judith Drive Bellmore, N.Y. 11710 (516) 509-5068
shari.l.greenberg@aol.com
Bayou Jones Staci Tucci 153 Merrick Ave (516) 378-7177
bayoujones153@gmail.com
BiCounty Electric Laurette Rezny 2279 Jerusalem Ave., Suite 1 North Bellmore, N.Y. 11710 (516) 221-2225 bicountyeci@gmail.com
Bourbon & Brews John Amaruso 361 Merrick Avenue (516) 544-4797 johnamaruso@gmail.com
C & J's Canine Salon Carissa Kohler 2222 Jerusalem Avenue (516) 415-7711 carissa.joanne@gmail.com
Cancos Tile & Stone Alon Benvenisti 55 Sunrise Highway (516) 868-5900 abenvenisti@cancos.com
Carefree Racquet Club Kathy Miller 1414 Jerusalem Avenue (516) 489-9005 carefreetennis@gmail.com
Carmela Lage 117 Spring Drive East Meadow, N.Y. 11554 (516) 379-5634 rmond1958@aol.com
cathystouch@aol.com
Century 21 American Homes Arlene Gregory 55 Merrick Avenue (516) 302-8500
Cobra Consulting Group, LLC Dave Denenberg 2340 McCord Avenue (516) 330-9930 davidden@optonline.net
ColoN.Y. Cards John DeCristoforo 1984 Merrick Road (516) 377-3735
Century 21 American Homes Betty Lippai 55 Merrick Avenue (516) 302-8500
colonycardsandgifts@gmail.com
CertaPro Painters of Merrick Basia Leon 2324 Merrick Road (516) 705-8266
moiraahearne@aol.com
elippai@c21amhomes.com
rschwartz@certapro.com
Chabad Center for Jewish Life Rabbi Shimon Kramer 2174 Hewlett Ave. Suite 100 (516) 833-3057
programs@chabadjewishlife.org
Chatterton on Stage Harvey sStein 2133 Cayuga Drive (516) 379-8961 hhshmsltd@aol.com
Cipriano Landscaping & Nursery John Nunnencamp 1660 Front Street East Meadow, N.Y. 11554 (516) 542-0499 ciprianonursery@optonline.net
CityMD Tina Thomas 1989 Merrick Road (516) 584-4448 merrick@citymd.net
Classic Shave Barber Shop Jake Mirzakandov 2035A Merrick Road (516) 992-2394
Community Presbyterian Church Moira Ahearne 2101 William Place (516) 378-7761 Companions Animal Hospital Irene Jiminez 1798 Merrick Road (516) 431-1133
companionsahny@gmail.com
Cross Fit Strong Island Richard Rubin 26 Benson Lane (516) 868-7767 info@crossfitstrongisland.com
CSM Engineering Carolyn Shah Moehringer 626 RXR Plaza Uniondale, N.Y. 11550 (516) 378-4887 info@csmengineering.com
Cultural Arts Playhouse Merrick Bruce Grossman 1750a Merrick Ave (516) 694 - 3330 merrickcap@gmail.com
Cure of Ars Bil Geasor 2323 Merrick Avenue (516) 623-1400
wgeasor@cureofarschurch.org
classicshavebarber@gmail.com
D & P Auto Sales, Inc. Phil Assabi 18 E. Sunrise Highway (516) 781-5641
CMC Design Architect, PC Gary Lenhart One Broadcast Plaza Suite 222 (516) 378-9000
Darcy Chiropractic, PC Walter Darcy 1819 Merrick Avenue (516) 379-3052
gary.lenhart@cmcdesignarchitect.com
terry@dandpauto.com
darcychiropractic@gmail.com
Douglas Elliman Barbara Schultis 2300 Merrick Road (516) 623-4500 bschultis@elliman.com
Douglas Elliman Louise Pitlake 2300 Merrick Road (516) 623-2253 lpitlake@elliman.com
Douglas Elliman Margaret Biegelman 2300 Merrick Road (516) 510-9290 margaretbie@aol.com
Douglas Elliman Seth Pitlake 2300 Merrick Road (516) 521-7976 spitlake@elliman.com
Dr Howard Goodman 50 Merrick Avenue (917) 669-1727 drgoodman27@gmail.com
Dr. Lori Landrio 2126 Merrick Mall (516) 546-4800
lml2020@optonline.net
Dr. Yolanda Stahl, DPM 1457 Merrick Avenue (516) 279-0815 yolanda_stahl@yahoo.com
Elite Family Dental Care John G. Stanescu 1835 Cynthia Lane (516) 608-0001 elitefamilydentalcare@gmail.com
Emerald City Hair Design Joanne Bivona 2204 Jerusalem Avenue (516) 409-5365 elvislover11710@hotmail.com
Esquire Tuxedos Michael Zisman 2156 Merrick Road (516) 378-6060
michael@esquiretuxedos.com
Expedia Cruise Ship Centers/Merrick Joyce Mariner 29A Merrick Avenue (516) 900-5483
merrick@cruiseshipcenters.com
First National Bank of Long Island Joe Nappi 1810 Merrick Avenue (516) 771-6000 joseph.nappi@fnbli.com
Continued on next page
2020 - 2021
Page 33
MERRICK GUIDE
Merrick
chaMber Of cOMMerce
All addresses are in Merrick N.Y. 11566 except where otherwise noted
Continued from previous page
Fishman & Tynan PLCC Maureen Tynan 1757 Merrick Ave., Suite 202 (516) 379-9806 office@fishmantynan.com
FJF Remodelers, Inc Frank Firriolo 2605 Kenny Avenue (516) 379-4043 firriolo1218@optonline.net
Flowers by Voegler Theresa Soto 1171 Merrick Avenue (516) 481-1277 sototheresa@optonline.net
For Pete's Sake Cancer Respite Foundation Amber Mercado 1879 Leonard lane (267) 708-0510
Amber@takeabreakfromcancer.org
Fortune Crystals 2116 Merrick Avenue (516) 214-6018
fortunecrystals11@gmail.com
Gadget Rx Andrew Gniazdowski 1824B Merrick Road (516) 379-7979 gadgetrxny@gmail.com
Galleria of Merrick Tommy Pernice 1339 Merrick Avenue (516) 623-7167 marineo51@aol.com
General Builders Amir Riven 128 Merrick Avenue (516) 377-0900 ariven1@gmail.com
Goshinkan Dojo Jeff Lovering 1754 Merrick Ave Rear Of Building (516) 223-7233 jeffrandel@aol.com
Grace Christian Academy Mark Grimaldi 36 Smith Street (516) 379-2223
mgrim97919@aol.com
Gyro Palace George Lakis 1694 Sunrise Highway (516) 868-4500
Kona Ice of LI South Shore Julieann Puglin 1483 Merrick Avenue (516) 342-5757
Marissa's Brow & Beauty Bar Marissa Mazzie 63 Merrick Avenue (516) 644-9056
Merrick Park Tailors & Cleaners Andy Liu 36 Merrick Avenue (516) 868-8851
michele.wachter@homeinsteadnassau.com
Kumon of Merrick Steve Dershowitz 71 Merrick Avenue (516) 206-4200
Home Instead Senior Care mark labib 19 Merrick Ave., Suite 201 (516) 826-6307
merrick_ny@ikumon.com
Meadowbrook Collision Bruce Schanstra 415 Babylon Tpke. Freeport, N.Y. 11520 (516) 705-8846
La Strada of Merrick Eva & Guy Saraniero 2100 Merrick Avenue (516) 867-5488
office@meadowbrookcollision.com
Merrick Pediatric Dentistry Dr. Rania Elbaz 1756A Merrick Avenue (516) 547-1997
Meroke Auto Repair, Inc. Fred Schmelzle (516) 378-5885
Home RX Anthony Scuccimarri 2174 Hewlett Ave., Suite 209 (516) 623-8900
Land & Home Design, Inc. Mike Marzigliano 1760 Gildersleeve Street (516) 378-1840
Merrick Champions Tae Kwon Do 391 Merrick Ave (516) 223-5425
Impressed Jewelry Josef Munarov 43 Merrick Avenue (516) 280-4700
Launderama Regina Goetz 1146 Merrick Avenue (516) 486-8622
Merrick Cinemas Dean Theodorous 15 Fisher Avenue (516) 868-1601
Income Tax Plus Martha Verdi 1725 Bellmore Avenue Bellmore, N.Y. 11710 (516) 785-3046
Law office of Nicole D. Venditti, PC Nicole Venditti 1776 Princeton Place (516) 849-3161
Integral Ballet Erin Drennan 1842 Merrick Road (516) 442-1590
Legendary Motion Julia Scheffler 1967 Alfred Rd West (516) 369-1126
ussgk@aol.com
Home Instead Senior Care Michele Wachter 19 Merrick Ave., Suite 201 (516) 826-6307
mark.labib@homeinsteadnassau.com
anthony@homerxofli.com
impressedj@yahoo.com
itpjoe@prodigy.net
misserin@integralballet.com
Investors Bank Therese Mora 2150 Merrick Road (516) 608-1880
tmora@investorsbank.com
J&D Invitations Etc Jan Lum 1752A Merrick Avenue (516) 378-3636 jdinvitationsetc@gmail.com
Jay Sorid, Esq. 3160 Clubhouse Rd (516) 695-7474 jaysorid@aol.com
Jim Jam Full Service Cleaner Steve Nam 1200 Merrick Avenue (516) 485-1188
Grace Reformed Baptist Church Mark Grimaldi 36 Smith Street (516) 379-2408
jj.clean@hotmail.com
Graystone Properties Evan Lerner 2326 Merrick Road (516) 667-0777
Keats Tax & Financial Service William Keats 64 Roydon Drive East (516) 785-6455
mgrim97919@aol.com
evan@graystoneny.com
Griffin Design Studios Jorge Porta 1819 Merrick Avenue (718) 614-2826 hello@gdsnyc.com
Jovia Richard Salmon 2009 Merrick Road (516) 561-0030
rsalmon@joviafinancial.com
billkeatsea@gmail.com
Kiddsmiles Gaby Morgan 2211 Merrick Road (516) 365-5439 gaby@kiddsmiles.com
fun@konaoflisouthshore.com
lastradaofmerrick@gmail.com
spm18@aol.com
regina.goetz@mac.com
ndvenditti@gmail.com
info@legendarymotion.com
Let's Roll! Fresh Hand Rolled Ice Cream Craig Fleischer 2023 Merrick Road (516) 442-1475 LI Prime 2 Endo Blvd., Garden City, N.Y. 11530 (516) 569-4000 www.liprime.com
Living LARGE 2 Endo Blvd., Garden City, N.Y. 11530 (516) 569-4000 www.liprime.com
Maidenbaum Property Tax Reduction Group, LLC Sandra Alvarenga 483 Chestnut Street Cedarhurst, N.Y. 11516 (516) 336-8622 info@mptrg.com
Mangia Mish & The Pampered Chef Michele Kaplan 2781 Beach Dr. (516) 380-1435 mangiamish@gmail.com
Marci & Jeff Vasconi 1737 Frederick Avenue (516) 632-8921 marci.vasconi@gmail.com
Margaret Mueller margaret@rsjones.com
marissasbrowandbeautybar@gmail.com
fredmeroke@aol.com
merricktkd@gmail.com
merrickcinemas5@gmail.com
Merrick Community Nursery School & Day Camp Christine Cicero 69 Willis Avenue (516) 868-1071 mcns1955@gmail.com
Merrick Dance Centre Courtney Wrigley 160 W. Merrick Road (516) 623-0962 merrickdancecentre@gmail.com
Merrick Dental Care Tassos Katechis 1846 Merrick Avenue (516) 378-1725 merrickdental@gmail.com
Merrick Dodge Chrysler Jeep of Wantagh Ira Reiter 3614 Sunrise Highway Wantagh, N.Y. 11793 (516) 868-4400 x1119 merdodgefleet@optonline.net
Merrick Herald Life Audrey Cohen 2 Endo Blvd Garden City, N.Y. 11530 (516) 569-4000 ext. 272 liherald.com
Merrick Library Dan Chuzmir 2279 Merrick Ave (516) 377-6112
merricklibrary@merricklibrary.org
Merrick Master Locksmiths Steven Talisman 34 Babylon Turnpike (516) 868-3434
merrickmasterlocksmiths@gmail.com
Merrick Oral Surgery Steve D'Abundo 2116 Merrick Ave., Suite 4008 (516) 546-1444 merrickoralsurgery@yahoo.com
norman5786403@hotmail.com
rania.elbaz@gmail.com
Merrick Physical Therapy Joseph Ruisi 2092 Merrick Avenue (516) 223-4300 info@merrickpt.com
Merrick Wine & Spirits Suzanne Pascual 2152 Merrick Road (516) 223-8400
joepascual517@gmail.com
Merrick Woods Country Day School Adam Langbart 1075 Merrick Avenue (516) 483-7272 adam@merrickwoods.com
Michael's Salon Irina Khaimov 32 Merrick Avenue (516) 868-0601 aaf10017@gmail.com
Moms & Tots Judy Rubin 145 S Merrick Road (516) 623-4099 momsandtots2@aol.com
Mortgage Professionals Corp. Lisa Napolitano 12 Merrick Avenue (516) 369-5129 lisa@mpcteam.com
Mount Sinai South Nassau Hospital Dana Sanneman 2277 Grand Avenue Baldwin, N.Y. 11550 (516) 377-5365 dana.sanneman@snch.org
N.F. Walker, Inc. Merrick Funeral Home Danford Baxter 2039 Merrick Avenue (516) 378-0303 staff@nfwalkerfh.com
Nassau County Craft & Gift Shows Alan Finchley PO Box 431 Pt. Lookout, N.Y. 11569 (516) 442-6000
alan@nassaucountycraftshows.com
Nassau Drive Shaft Bob Gagliardo 2279 Babylon Tpke. (516) 867-3680 nassaudriveshaft@aol.com
Continued on next page
Page 34
www.liherald.com
MERRICK GUIDE
Merrick
chaMber Of cOMMerce
All addresses are in Merrick N.Y. 11566 except where otherwise noted
Continued from previous page
National Grid 25 Hub Drive Melville, N.Y. 11747 (631) 755-5338
joseph.fedele@nationalgrid.com
New York Life & Annuity Randy Shotland 95 Halley Drive Blue Point, N.Y. 11772 (516) 909-5813 rshotland@aol.com
New York Life Insurance Company Robert Bricken 1983 Marcus Avenue Suite 210 Lake Success, N.Y. 11042 (516) 354-5749 rbricken@ft.newyorklife.com
Newbridge Inn Gary Francke 2227 Jerusalem Avenue (516) 809-9530 franckeg@optonline.net
Newsday Media Group Linda Kurtz 6 Corporate Drive Melville, N.Y. 11747 (631) 843-3260
linda.kurtz@newsday.com
North Merrick Chiropractic Dr. James W. Rogers 399 Merrick Avenue (516) 867-7096 doctorjimm@aol.com
North Merrick Public Library Thomas Witt 1691 Meadowbrook Rd (516) 378-7474 ext.10 directornmpl@yahoo.com
Northwell Health Christine Patti 614 Main Street Islip, N.Y. 11751 (516) 465-8358
communityrelations@northwell.edu
On Point Land Services Corp. Bea Demirakos 2163 Merrick Ave., 2nd fl. (516) 600-9750 bea@onpointland.com
On The Safe Side, Inc. Robert Ginsberg 1661 Birch Drive (516) 623-5800 onthesafesideinc@gmail.com
Perfect Run Printing Russell Sparks 2272 Babylon Tpke. (516) 546-1544
perfectrunprinting@gmail.com
Perrino Family Dentistry Dr. Aldo Perrino 1808 Merrick Road (516) 378-7070
Perrinofamilydentistry@gmail.com
Polished Dental Care Lauren Greco 31 Merrick Avenue Suite 220 (516) 344-5353
polisheddentalcare@gmail.com
Popick Accounting & Tax Services LLC Justin Popick 1980 Broadcast Plaza (516) 608-8372 jpopick@popicktax.com
Printing Emporium Douglas Mills 14 Kees Place (516) 223-2220
dmills@printingemporium.com
Progressive Dentistry Steven Levy 2565 Beverly Road (516) 378-8600
stevenmlevydmd@gmail.com
Progressive School of Long Island Eric Jacobson 1425 Merrick Avenue (516) 868-6835 eric@progressiveli.org
Psychic Readings Theresa Ranko 1554 Jerusalem Avenue (516) 761-2272 zekekaslov123@gmail.com
Pure Pilates Kristine Schanstra 2285 Babylon Tpke. (516) 867-0008
purepilatesmerrick@gmail.com
Queen of Hearts Julie Marchesella 29 Merrick Avenue (516) 377-1357 juliemarc@optonline.net
R.K. Enterprises, Inc. Ajay Shah 1701 Merrick Rd. (516) 868-2342 ka7767@yahoo.com
Pat's Farms Marie Whitman 1142 Merrick Avenue (516) 481-5525 pats_farms@yahoo.com
Richner Communications, Inc. 2 Endo Blvd., Garden City, N.Y. 11530 (516) 569-4000
Pawfinity and Beyond Jenna Albala 1163 Merrick Avenue (516) 489-8200
Richner Printing and Mailing Services 2 Endo Blvd., Garden City, N.Y. 11530 (516) 569-4000
pawfinityandbeyond@gmail.com
www.richnerprinting.com
Risk Strategies Company Sean Rosenfeld 900 Stewart Ave., Suite 505 Garden City, N.Y. 11530 (516) 336-5962 srosenfeld@tsgfin.com
Roman Catholic Church of the Sacred Heart Steven Brigandi 720 Merrick Avenue (516) 379-1356 frontdesk@sacredheartnm.org
St. John's Lutheran Church Anita Fiedel 1 Van Roo Avenue (516) 379-3858
stjohnsmerrick@netzero.net
Sterling National Bank Lydia Edu-Daly 2090 Merrick Road (516) 379-3444 LEduDaly@snb.com
Salon Plush Mellissa Mennella 2150 Merrick Mall (516) 868-3900
Stop & Shop 2160 Merrick Mall (516) 867-9892 Suburbia Prime Meat & Fish Market David Feldman 2056 Merrick Road (516) 868-6550
Salon Speciale Christina Speciale 44 Merrick Avenue (516) 682-2464
Sufiya's Grill Sina Motamedi 2057 Merrick Road (516) 644-2201
Sandra G. Johnson, CPA PC Sandra G. Johnson 109 Bedford Avenue Bellmore, N.Y. 11710 (516) 409-1120
Summit Physical Therapy Graham Webb 209 Merrick Avenue (516) 867-0500
S. Robert Kroll, Esq. 25 Merrick Ave., 2nd fl. (516) 378-3051 srkroll20@aol.com
Salonplushny@gmail.com
salonspeciale@yahoo.com
sjohnson@sgjcpa.com
buddah333@gmail.com
info@sufiyasgrill.com
graham@summitpt.info
Sun Alteration & Dry Cleaner Andy Liu 397 Merrick Avenue (516) 868-5455
The Best Kept Secret Sheri Bleiwas 2769 Lindenmere Drive (516) 581-7825 sbleiwas@optonline.net
The Goddess Within Mary Ann Roncondino 2154 Merrick Road (516) 992-2503
goddesswithinspa@gmail.com
The Mindful Connection of Long Island Lauren Altchiler, Ph. D 1991 Smith St., Suite 200 (631) 513-2921
TheMindfulConnectionLI@gmail.com
The Needlepaint Nook Janice Tillis 2110 Merrick Mall (516) 623-0250 info@theneedlepaintnook.com
Therapeutic Solutions Physical Therapy Jamie L. Rockwin 1757 Merrick Avenue (516) 623-4388
jrockwin@therapeuticsolutionspt.com
Tiffany Dry Cleaners & Alterations Jeff Wenger 1623 Merrick Road (516) 377-0082 jeff@tiffanydrycleaner.com
tra363@gmail.com
Sunrise Chiropractic & Wellness Office Dr. Fred Jones 2260 Hewlett Avenue (516) 378-0404
Tomato & Basil Pizzeria Frank 1692 Merrick Road (516) 377-9500 Valley Ornamental Iron Works Joseph and Susan Volpe 411 Babylon Tpke. Freeport, N.Y. 11520 (516) 377-6684
Signature Premier Properties Kathy Viard 324 Merrick Avenue (516) 223-9463
sunchiro@aol.com
jvalleyiron@aol.com
Tara Notrica 2830 Bay Drive (516) 546-8618
WIN Home Inspections Steven Enella (516) 221-2023
tazielove13@yahoo.com
senella@wini.com
lkarp@signaturepremier.com
Teachers Federal Credit Union Joan Flannery 1638 Merrick Road (631) 698-7000 x6944
Signature Premier Properties Marian Fraker-Gutin 12 Bedford Avenue (516) 868-6660
Temptations for Her Jeff & Randi Grann 2165 Merrick Road (516) 623-5772
Xpress Coups 2 Endo Blvd., Garden City, N.Y. 11530 (516) 569-4000 Yussel's Place Michael Freiser 30A Merrick Avenue (516) 223-7050
Serengeti Design Studios Femy Aziz 45 Merrick Avenue (516) 623-2828 prints@sdsportraits.com
Shamrock's Bar & Grill Tracy Flynn 708 Merrick Avenue (516) 992-1818
kviard@signaturepremier.com
Signature Premier Properties Lynn Karp 324 Merrick Avenue (516) 659-2291
mfrakergut@aol.com
Sip & Say Craft Wine & Spirits Dawn Vieira 2067 Merrick Road (516) 992-8111 dawn@sipsay.com
South Merrick Community Civic Association Joe Baker 2642 Colonial Avenue (516) 978-8310 jalan6111@optonline.net
norman5786403@hotmail.com
joanf@teachersfcu.org
jeff@temptationsforher.com
The Annex Wellness & Fitness Center Jamie Rockwin 1757 Merrick Ave. Suite 100 (516) 623-4386 jamie@theannexwellfit.com
The Art Academy of Long Island James Anzalone 69 Merrick Ave N (516) 605-3600
james@artacademyli.com
yusselsplace@gmail.com
IT TAKES A SPECIAL PERSON TO SAVE A SPECIAL PET YOUR MONTHLY PET SPONSORSHIP WILL:
Help fund major operations and provide ongoing medical care.
Ensure that abused, neglected, or abandoned animals receive constant love and attention.
Make you an essential part of a grateful pet’s life!
DON’T WAIT - ACT NOW! Choose a special pet to sponsor today! sponsor @ animalleague.org animalleague.org/sponsorapet
MER Cover.indd 3
1098892
1.877.BE.MY.PAL (1.877.236.9725)
8/14/20 5:10 PM
LOOKING FOR A GREAT ACTIVITY
FOR YOUR CHILD? The Nassau County Police Activity League, Merrick Unit, provides organized sports, crafts and other activities for the youth of our community. Our goal is the development of good citizenship through positive interaction between youth and police officers. Our unit holds a variety of programs for the children of our community. We hope every child in our community participates in one or more of our programs. We also ask that you consider volunteering your time to our children and help make our community a better, safer and more enjoyable place to live, work and play. To learn more about our programs or to find out how you can volunteer, click through the website .......................................................
WWW.MERRICKPAL.ORG ....................................................... and see what we have to offer. If you need more information please call the Merrick PAL office at
516-867-6279
Merrick Unit 2276 City Place Merrick, NY 11566
(516) 867-6279
MER Cover.indd 4
1098892
Nassau County Police Activity League
8/14/20 5:10 PM