2023 Living In Rockville Centre

That Meets & Exceeds Your Expectations

A REVITALIZING REHABILITATION ENVIRONMENT

That Meets & Exceeds Your Expectations

That Meets & Exceeds Your Expectations

For over 40 years, The Grand Pavilion has served the community’s subacute rehabilitation and longterm care needs with distinction. Today, The Grand Pavilion is a stateof-the-art rehabilitation environment where you are assured a paradigm of comfort-enhancing amenities and customized therapies under the direction of leading physicians.

• Subacute Care

• Orthopedic Rehabilitation

For over 40 years, The Grand Pavilion has served the community’s subacute rehabilitation and longterm care needs with distinction. Today, The Grand Pavilion is a state-of-the-art rehabilitation environment where you are assured a paradigm of comfort-enhancing amenities and customized therapies under the direction of leading physicians.

For over 40 years, The Grand Pavilion has served the community’s subacute rehabilitation and longterm care needs with distinction. Today, The Grand Pavilion is a stateof-the-art rehabilitation environment where you are assured a paradigm of comfort-enhancing amenities and customized therapies under the direction of leading physicians.

• Pulmonary Rehabilitation

• Subacute Care

• Wound Care

• Subacute Care

• Orthopedic Rehabilitation

• Concierge Services

• Orthopedic Rehabilitation

• Pulmonary Rehabilitation

• Wound Care

• Pulmonary Rehabilitation

• Wound Care

• Concierge Services

• 24-Hour Skilled Nursing

• Concierge Services

• 24-Hour Skilled Nursing CALL

• 24-Hour Skilled Nursing

Valuing face to face consultation, that is a staple of any good neighborhood business, Rockville Centre Auto Service & Repair strives to make customers' lives operate with minimal disruption as they complete necessary repairs.

Whether your car is European, Luxury, Domestic or Economical; the Killelea's talent outperforms th ose found at New Car dealerships. They are Pronto Certified, working with brands such as Bosch, and Interstate Batteries. They search for the part that is best for the job. They stand behind their work, providing up to a 3 year 36k mile warrantee on any new part they provide. Pick-up and drop off shuttle, rounds out their superior customer service.

Not only is RVC Auto Service and Repair a staple in the neighborhood, they also give back to the community. They have worked with Toys for Tots, MADD, RVC Youth Council, Hope House, Food Drives, and St. Agnes Church, providing dinners to needy families on Thanksgiving. This commitment to people, and the cars they own, drives their business goals. Their success is due to their investment in their community, where they maintain quality, value and thoughtfulness.

With this commitment to great service, Rockville Centre Auto Service & Repair won the first place Long Island Choice Award for Best Auto Repair and Service shop on Long Island 2 years running!

PUBLISHER A letter from the

We are pleased to present our annual Living In Rockville Centre, a special supplement to the Rockville Centre Herald. Those of us who live here know Rockville Centre is a wonderful, diverse community with a rich history. Our annual guide is a testament to the village's post-pandemic resurgence. Not only does it include vital information about Rockville Centre, but it also gives you a look at some of the people and places that represent the best of the village.

Think of Living In Rockville Centre as an “owner’s manual” to the village, for newcomers and longtime residents alike. As you’ll see in these pages, there’s an amazingly rich social fabric here. An abundance of services and organizations are available to residents. No matter what your interests, age, religion or needs, the village has much to offer.

Throughout its 130-year history, Rockville Centre has maintained its identity as a commuter hotspot, while continuing to grow exponentially and flourish. It’s a truly one-of-a-kind community known for its thriving downtown business district. The many popular restaurants and eateries — from bars to bakeries — attract patrons from all over, earning the village’s title as the “restaurant hub of Nassau County.”

Among its many outstanding services, Rockville Centre maintains one of the largest volunteer fire departments in the state.

Rockville Centre is proud to be the home of St. Agnes Cathedral, the seat of the sixth-largest Roman Catholic Diocese in the nation, serving nearly 1.5 million people across its 134 parishes. It is also home to Molloy University, with its outstanding arts hub, the Madison Theatre; Catholic Health Mercy Hospital; and The Center for Science, Teaching and Learning. It shares its borders with Mount Sinai South Nassau Hospital in Oceanside and Hempstead Lake State Park.

Living in Rockville Centre is published in cooperation with the Rockville Centre Chamber of Commerce. We are honored to mark another year as the chamber's official publication.

We hope that you find this edition useful and informative, and that you enjoy reading the Rockville Centre Herald 52 weeks per year.

Be well and be safe.

Stuart Richner Publisher

P.S. If you're not currently receiving the Rockville Centre Herald by mail each week, please help keep quality local journalism alive in your community by subscribing. See our ad on Page 22 for subscription information, or find us online at LIHerald.com/subscribe, or call (516) 569-4000, ext. 7.

Senior Editor

Daniel Offner

Publisher

Stuart Richner

Vice President of Sales

Rhonda Glickman

Executive Editor

Michael Hinman

Deputy Editor Jeffrey Bessen

Features/ Special Sections Editor

Karen Bloom

Multi Media Marketing Consultants

Ron Rothenberg

Creative Director Designer Jeffrey Negrin

Stuart Richner

1000 Sunrise Hwy. Rockville Centre, NY 11570

Phone: 516.678.1100

Fax:

ROCKVILLE CENTRE

Brand New Lobby and Guest Rooms

1223309

Tap Room Receives a Warm Welcome in RVC

Representatives with the Village of Rockville Centre and the RVC Chamber of Commerce welcomed Tap Room, 47-51 N. Village Ave., into the downtown community with a ceremonial ribbon cutting last Wednesday afternoon.

September 9th, 2023

Spring 2024

Snowman HUNT

November 26 - December 23

Please join us this holiday season in supporting local businesses in Rockville Centre!

Our Snowman Hunt will begin on Small Business Saturday, November 25th and continue through Saturday, December 23rd. Children

Saturday, September 9 1222271

Rockville Centre

a message from the rockville centre chamber president

This year, we celebrate the 117th anniversary of the Rockville Centre Chamber of Commerce. I say 'celebrate' because our incredible village and its residents have supported our members for decades by shopping locally. Our business districts continue to not only thrive, but grow, as we welcome new businesses each year.

Coordinating with the mayor’s office, our membership committee celebrates new businesses when they join the chamber with a ribbon cutting attended by our mayor, deputy mayor and chamber members. Our 'live' informal and fun videos on social media during the ribbon cutting introduce each new business and the owner to the community. Our social media presence has grown tremendously, and is a wonderful resource for chamber members and village residents. I encourage you to like and follow us if you have not already done so!

Another wonderful resource is our chamber website where you can find a list of our current members and our chamber community events. You can find us at RockvilleCentreChamberOfCommerce. com.

The Rockville Centre Chamber is committed to giving back to the community and support our local students’ education. Through our membership dues, raffles and sponsorship funds, we award $1,000 scholarships to three South Side High School

seniors each year, who will pursue an interest in business and entrepreneurship when they attend college in the fall.

On Sept. 9, the chamber will host our fourth annual Playing on the Porch Day. This event was a great success last year with 35 local entertainers performing all over the village. We raised $4,400 for The RVC Public Library through donations received at each house during the event. Donations collected this year and in the future will benefit our SSHS Scholarship Fund.

The holiday season begins with our eighth annual Snowman Hunt returning on Small Business Saturday, Nov. 25. This family-fun event invites children 12 and younger to find hidden snowmen at participating merchants throughout the village Nov. 26 through Dec. 22. Please continue to shop small and local this holiday season!

Our RVC Chamber family fun day, Eat Shop Rock will be held next spring.

I would like to thank our chamber executive board and all chamber members who work all year to continue to connect commerce with the community in a positive and beneficial way.

Thank you to Mayor Francis X. Murray, Deputy Mayor Kathy Baxley and the entire Rockville Centre Village Board who work together with us to help our community continue to thrive. And I personally thank you for supporting our wonderful businesses in Rockville Centre.

Lisa Umansky Chamber of Commerce president

Tim Baker/Herald

Members of the Rockville Centre village board of trustees and Rockville Centre Chamber of Commerce cut the ceremonial ribbon during the grand opening of the Little Doll Studio in Rockville Centre..

MAYOR'S MESSAGE

Dear Neighbors,

Rockville Centre remains one of the most desirable communities to live, work, and raise a family on Long Island. Our award-winning schools, recreation programs for our youth and seniors, safety, thriving downtown, and overall quality of life is second to none. I am proud to be your mayor, and I am committed to keeping our village affordable while delivering the great services our residents have come to expect.

Rockville Centre is a highly coveted community, in part because we are self-sustainable. Few communities in America enjoy their own reliable electric and water department at a fraction of the cost. We have our own highly trained police force with a new state-of-the-art headquarters, and one of the largest dedicated volunteer fire departments and emergency personnel in all of New York state.

Our village employees are second to none, focusing their time on the needs and betterment of our community. Our vibrant downtown business district features a variety of top-notch restaurants, services, and charming retail shops that make Rockville Centre truly unique. Residents and visitors alike enjoy activities in our business districts throughout the year.

My administration has worked diligently to bring about fiscal discipline to the operation of our village while not impacting services. Once again, the Village of Rockville Centre received the highest possible bond rating from one of the top credit rating services. Standard & Poor’s Global Ratings has affirmed Rockville Centre’s AAA rating for public improvements bonds. The exemplary rating means the village can secure a lower interest rate on bonds, reducing the cost to taxpayers. We continue to be aggressive

in going after major grants and gifts to benefit the village, and hold the line on taxes.

During my tenure, we have secured over $51 million dollars in federal, state, and local grants and gifts to make improvements in our village.

The Board of Trustees and I are always available to you. We are committed to communicating with you and to responding to you because we believe that a receptive and accountable village government is an important reason why Rockville Centre continues to be such a desirable community in which to live. I encourage you to log onto our website at RVCNY.gov and follow the village on our social media pages, including Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram to learn about news and upcoming events.

I consider it a privilege to be the mayor of Rockville Centre. And while I am proud of what has been accomplished, I remain committed to serving each and every resident, as well as our merchants. With an abundance of activities always being offered, I look forward to seeing you and your family.

Sincerely,

Francis X. Murray Mayor, Incorporated Village of Rockville Centre

Tim Baker/Herald

Mayor Francis X. Murray welcomes new chamber of commmerce board members at the 2023 ceremony.

Parking information

meter fees:

Effective at lot consoles and on-street parking

5 cents for four minutes

10 cents for eight minutes

25 cents for 20 minutes

75 cents for one hour

• Most meters have a limit of two hours.

• All resident and employee parking spaces are available for use by shoppers after 4 p.m. and all weekend.

• There is no fee for parking in the downtown business district after 6 p.m.

Parking Permits:

Residents: $236

Employee (full-time): $257

Quarterly: $71

Overnight: $249

Non-resident: $338

Daily parking (field 14 only)

• Permits are available at the cashier’s window in Village Hall.

• All permits are pro-rated if purchased during the active period.

• Permits enforced weekdays from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Sharon’s Pantry

the community

unger impacts tens of thousands of people on Long Island each and every day. To help combat this crisis, a group of volunteers with the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Community Center in Rockville Centre have worked to provide food to those who otherwise would be left hungry.

Sharon Sheppard created the local food pantry at the start of the coronavirus pandemic, providing food to those in the community who were struggling with financial hardships during what were then uncertain times.

“It was in my heart and passion to help those in need during a time when nobody knew what was going on or going to happen,” said Sheppard, who also is the assistant director at the MLK Center.

While life overall has certainly improved since then, with Covid-19 no longer on the forefront of many people’s minds, the need for the food pantry is more important than ever.

Rena Riback and Judy Rattner, co-founders of the Anti-Racism Project, found at the beginning of their volunteer work at the pantry that only a couple dozen families needed help. Today, that count has topped 115 families relying on the pantry to provide food each week.

Sharon’s Pantry strives to help those in the community so that no family — no child — goes hungry. Even though Sheppard is still an instrumental part of what makes the pantry run, she was diagnosed with breast cancer in July 2020, and was forced to step back. But her sister, Karen Mobley, and nephew De’Juan Bacchas now help serve the community every Friday morning.

Since the pantry relies on monetary and food donations, it’s not hard to run out of supplies. While not always able to keep up with demand, the pantry is there otherwise to help out, and

Daniel Offner/Herald

Photo: De’Juan Bacchas, right, helps hand out turkeys and chickens donated by Island Harvest to patrons at the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Community Center food pantry.

will provide gift cards to families when they run out of stock.

Raised money goes toward purchasing meat, produce and other items, while food donations — collected through community-organized food drives — help stock the shelves with canned goods and other nonperishable food items.

But food costs are on the rise, and inflation has only added to the problem. To try and keep up with the growing demand, the food pantry has partnered with Island Harvest food bank, a leading organization focused on ending hunger and reducing food waste on Long Island.

Volunteers encourage neighbors to pitch in by posting some of the most requested items on social media every Monday morning.

Anyone interested in donating food can

drop off items at the MLK Center, 150 N. Centre Ave., in Rockville Centre, every Friday morning between 8:30 and 11.

Monetary donations can also be made via the Anti-Racism Project, 30 Seaman Ave., in Rockville Centre. Or at the Sisterhood of Central Synagogue Beth Emeth, 430 DeMott Ave., in Rockville Centre. Or electronically via Zelle at antiracismprojectli@gmail.com.

— Daniel Offner

Daniel Offner/Herald photos

Top photo: Sharon Sheppard, assistant director of the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Community Center — and founder of Sharon’s Pantry there — provides produce to neighbors facing hunger.

Bottom photo: Food items provided by Sharon’s Pantry are donated or purchased with funds donated by individuals and community organizations.

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. Email all event items to thescene@ liherald.com. The deadline is 10 a.m. the Friday before publication.

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 before 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.

Daniel Offner • Senior Editor

Email: rvceditor@liherald.com

Mail: Rockville Centre Herald, 2 Endo Blvd., Garden City, N.Y. 11530

Website: www.liherald.com

Senior Editor: Daniel Offner (doffner@liherald.com) (516) 569-4000 ext. 234

Advertising Account Executives: Kevin McCleneghan (kmcCleneghan@liherald.com) (516) 569-4000 ext. 273

Subscriptions: (516) 569-4000, press "7," or online at www.liherald.com/subscribe.

eugene J. murray VIllage Hall

number: (516) 678-9300

Congratulations to our Mount Sinai South Nassau 2023 Castle Connolly Top Doctors!

Our doctors were peer-nominated and selected based on extensive research, careful review and screening conducted by Castle Connolly’s physician-led research team. Nationally, only 7% of more than 850,000 practicing doctors in the United States earned Castle Connolly “Top Doctors” designation this year.

Ann Buhl, MD Director, Gynecologic Oncology

Rajiv Datta, MD Department Chair, Surgery Director, Gertrude & Louis Feil Cancer Center Director, Surgical Oncology/ Head & Neck

Steven Harris, MD Urology

Jay Itzkowitz, MD Department Chair, Emergency Services

Carlos MontoyaIraheta, MD Chief, Pediatric Cardiology

Matthew Rifkin, MD Department Chair, Radiology

Neil Soskel, DO Family Medicine

Alan Garely, MD Department Chair, Obstetrics & Gynecology Director, Urogynecology

Sherry Megalla, MD Cardiology

ELECTED OFFICIALS

ROCKVILLE CENTRE BOARD OF TRUSTEES

TOWN

Town of Hempstead Supervisor

Don Clavin (R) One Washington St. Hempstead N.Y. 11550 (516) 489-6000 donclavin@hempsteadny.gov

COUNTY

gshaughnessy@rvcny.gov

FEDERAL

Nassau

Town of Hempstead 4th District

Laura Ryder (R) One Washington St. Hempstead N.Y. 11550 (516) 812-3252 lryder@hempsteadny.gov

STATE

Governor Katherine Hochul (D)

State Capitol Building

Albany, N.Y. 12224

(518) 474-8390

Nassau County District Attorney Anne Donnelly (R) 262 Old Country Road, Mineola, N.Y. 11501 (516) 571-3800

Nassau

Nassau County Legislator - 7th District

Howard Kopel (R) 1550 Franklin Ave. Mineola, N.Y. 11501 (516) 571- 6207

United States Senator Kirsten E. Gillibrand (D) 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 Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli (D) 110 State St., Albany, N.Y. 12236 (518) 474-4044

State Senator - 6th District

Kevin Thomas (D) 990 Stewart Ave., Suite LL45A Garden City, N.Y. 11530 (516) 739-1700

New York State Senate

Legislative Office Bldg., Room 947, Albany, N.Y. 12247 (518) 455-3260 thomas@nysenate.gov

State Assembly - District 21

Brian Curran (R) 74 N. Village Ave. Rockville Centre, N.Y. 11570 (516) 561-8216

New York State Assembly

Albany, N.Y. 12247 (518) 455-5801 curranb@nyassembly.gov

United States Senator Charles E. Schumer (D) 780 Third Ave., Suite 2301 New York, N.Y. 10017 (212) 486-4430

United States Senate 322 Hart Senate Office Building Washington, D.C. 20510 (202) 224-6542

United States Representative 4th District Anthony D'Esposito (R) 229 7th St., Suite 102 Garden City, N.Y. 11530

(516) 739-3008

1508 Longworth House Office Building, Washington, D.C. 20515 (202) 225-5516

Francis X. Murray Mayor fmurray@rvcny.gov

Katie Conlon Trustee kconlon@rvcny.gov

Emilio Grillo Trustee egrillo@rvcny.gov

Kathleen Baxley Deputy Mayor kbaxley@rvcny.gov

Greg P. Shaughnessy Trustee

When

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Clubs & OrganizatiOns

a merican l egion Post 303

197 Maple Ave. (516) 766-9740

a nti- racism Project

AntiRacismProject.org

Center for s cience teaching and l earning

1450 Tanglewood Road (516) 764-0045

CSTL.org

Coalition for Youth

P.O. Box 193 (516) 313-9041

RVCYouthCouncil.org

info@rvcyouthcouncil.org

CYO - Diocese of rockville Centre

50 North Park Ave. (516) 678-5800

Economic Opportunity Council inc. of rVC

140 N. Centre Ave. (516) 764-4500

Subsidies counseling, legal aid, food stamps, immigration assistance and other services funded by the federal government.

Friends of Mercy Hospital

Facebook.com/friendsofmercyrvc

Hispanic b rotherhood of rVC

59 Clinton Ave. (516) 766-6610

Knights of Columbus

St. Agnes Council 2548 (516) 766-0205

lions Club of rockville Centre P.O. Box 382 (718) 810-4749

RVCLions.com

l ong island s cottish rite

28 Lincoln Ave. (516) 678-3232

Mayor's Youth task Force

P.O. Box 950

RVCNY.gov

Mercy l eague

Fundraising for Mercy Hospital (516) 705-2620

national Council of Jewish Women

South Shore Section

P.O. Box 544

(516) 766-1796

NCJWSouthShore.org

Odd Fellows l odge 279

Merrick Road

OddFellows279.blogspot.com

Order of the Eastern star

Cassiopeia Chapter 453

28 Lincoln Ave.

(516) 764-08345

cassiopeia453@gmail.com

PhillipsHouseMuseum/rockvilleCentre

Historical s ociety

28 Hempstead Ave.

(516) 764-7459

rockville Centre

b asketball l eague

(516) 434-8989

RVCBL.com

rockville Centre

b reast Cancer Coalition

RVCBCC.org

info@rvcbcc.org

rockville Centre

Choral s ociety

P.O. Box 172 (516) 668-5996

rockville Centre

Chamber of Commerce

P.O. Box 226 (516) 766-0666

rockville Centre

Citizens a ssociation (516) 765-6783

rockville Centre

Democratic Club

social@rvcdems.com

rockville Centre

guild for the a rts

P.O. Box 950

(516) 984-4620

rockville Centre

l acrosse Club

P.O. Box 618

RVCLacrosse.com

rockville Centre

little l eague

P.O. Box 833

rvclittleleague.org

rockville Centre library Friends

(516) 766-6257

RVCLibrary.org

rvcfriendspresident@gmail.com

rockville Centre

republican Club (516) 236-3700

rockville Centre s occer Club

RVCSoccer.net

rockville links

600 N. Long Beach Road

(516) 766-9200

RockvilleLinks.com

rosa l ee Young Childhood Center

180 N. Village Ave.

(516) 536-5674

rosaleechildhoodcenter.org

rVC b lue speaks

BlueSpeaks.org

rvcbluespeaks@gmail.com

sibsPlace

510 Merrick Road

(516) 374-3000

st. a gnes Parish Outreach Center

1 Quealy Place (516) 678-1854

t he b ackyard Players and Friends

215 N. Long Beach Road

(516) 581-2018

BYPAndFriends.com

t he Dr. Martin luther King Jr. Community Center

150 N. Centre Ave.

(516) 678-9236

Tim Baker/Herald

The parlor of the Philips House Museum, a restored Victorian style home built in 1882, features a ‘Mary Had a Little Lamb' motif settee set, with a marble top table, tea service and toy dolls.

All addresses are in Rockville Centre, N.Y. 11570 unless otherwise noted.

What’s happening in the

It’s been a staple of the Rockville Centre community providing an inclusive space for teens and young adults to share ideas, joy and creativity through the arts for more than a decade.

This is, of course, the Backyard Players and Friends. The communityoriented nonprofit has grown to provide all that and a whole lot more, all while still maintaining its founding principles — to provide arts-based programming for people of all abilities and walks of life without uniformity or fragmentation.

Founded in 2012 by Ellen White, Cristine Daly and Ryan Delaney, the Backyard Players was born out of the Centre Stage program at South Side High School. That program made its own mark, where general and special education students worked together each year to produce a stage performance for the community.

“We never realized that after our actors graduated, that there was a lack of social and recreational

opportunities,” White said. “I wasn’t aware of the situation … how after graduation, families were left to scramble to find programs to put their students in. So, I called up the local church and got a room, and the next day we held a theatre class.

“Little by little, people kept coming through the door. So, we started to add more classes.”

What began with a single theatre class at St. Mark’s Church on Hempstead Avenue quickly grew into a rotation of different arts-based programs held at different locations across the community. Places like the Knights of Columbus Hall, the Rockville Centre Public Library, the John A. Anderson Recreation Center, and what is now Molloy University.

But when the coronavirus pandemic hit, Backyard Players found itself in a bind. As an “outside group,” they could no longer continue to operate from these different venues. With the help of community fundraising efforts, however, the Backyard Players were able to continue through a permanent home opened

Tim Baker/Herald photos

Photo: The Backyard Players and Friends co-directors Cristine Daly, left, Ellen White and Ryan Delaney.

We’re always open to do new things.

Ellen White co-director, Backyard Players and Friends

on Long Beach Road in 2021.

“This was all thanks to the tremendous generosity of the community,” White said. “We love the fact that we’re here, and in the middle of the block, because that is where our population should always be. And it really helps give us a sense of belonging.”

Today, the Backyard Players and Friends offers a wide variety of different classes including programs in theatre, film, hip-hop and dance, photography, yoga, fitness, creative writing and culinary arts.

It has also grown with the addition of two new community service initiatives. “Love, Nana” is a donation-based organization assisting local families in need by providing gently used clothing for newborns while offering skills training and experience for volunteers.

Participants help collect clothing, baby books and accessories to create care packages that are then donated to young mothers and families throughout the community. Volunteers help out by washing, drying, folding and sorting clothes for each baby bundle, which are distributed through its partnership with local hospitals, social ministries and schools.

And, just this past year, the Backyard Players launched a new initiative right next door to its main headquarters called The Front Porch Market.

Continued on page 30

Top photo: Vanessa Burgie and Kathleen Carrie participate in making crafts with the Backyard Players and Friends.

Middle photo: Ellen Schleyer kneads dough in the Backyard Players prep kitchen.

Bottom photo: Participants in the Backyard Players culinary program enjoy the fruits of their labor by taking a bite out of some fresh pastries.

Continued from page 29

This one-of-a-kind marketplace was conceived with the goal of providing a retail outlet for neurodiverse craftmakers, artists, authors and entrepreneurs to produce and sell their wares.

The Front Porch Market gives participants offering unique handmade crafts and curios for purchase the opportunity to learn customer service and marketing skills by interacting directly with those who would ultimately buy what they had to offer.

“We have had great success connecting with our participants and following their lead to add new classes,” White said. “We’re always open to

do new things. We would love to have an online business, and we would love to create our own neurodiverse entrepreneurs. Maybe even work with the local colleges on programming to learn about marketing and what is needed to create something with just an idea.

“Kind of like what we did with the Backyard Players.”

— Daniel Offner

Tim Baker/Herald photos

Top photo: Some of the different products created by the Backyard Players’ neurodiverse entrepreneurs are on sale at the Front Porch Market.

Bottom left photo: Backyard Players co-director Ryan Delaney helps Jonathan DeLuca prepare some delectable scones.

Bottom right photo: Charlie Kosina, left, gets ready to cook with codirector Ellen White and Jake Lunney.

Changing the narrative on

uicide is a serious public health problem. Each year, more than 700,000 people around the world take their own life, according to the World Health Organization. It’s a shocking statistic. However, it is can be preventable with timely, evidence-based intervention.

Suicide is not an easy topic to discuss. But for Rockville Centre’s O’Shea family, talking can be a way to heal, and to help others suffering from self-destructive tendencies. For the last four years, the Ryan Patrick O’Shea Foundation has been leading the effort to promote suicide awareness and prevention with a focus on mental health, support and education.

The nonprofit was created by John and Mary O’Shea in memory of their son, Ryan, a South Side High School graduate and basketball star, who died by suicide in 2019. It helps fund and promote school programming that focuses on improving the social and emotional wellness of students in the district.

To help others understand and identify suicide risk factors, the foundation provides support for those in crisis.

Among its efforts, it funds the school disrict's participation in Sources of Strength, a national suicideprevention program that takes a proactive approach toward mental health issues, ensuring students have access to resources that can help them become stronger, healthier, more connected, and more resilient.

“Suicide is 100 percent preventable,” John O’Shea said. “We are providing the tools to understand that there is hope and there is a way past your pain. That you’re not alone, and that there are people and places you can turn to when you’re struggling.”

In his senior year, Ryan O’Shea was named captain of the South Side High School Cyclones, leading the team in scoring and rebounds. He was also a first team All-County selection. After graduating from South Side High School in 2018, he attended Iona College.

Following a successful first semester at Iona,

Courtesy Ryan Patrick O’Shea Foundation

Photo: The Ryan Patrick O’Shea Foundation board, from left, includes Lisa Pino, Lorraine Smyth, Michael Smyth, Mary O’Shea, John O’Shea, Kathy LaMacchia and Karen Bohn. They honor the memory of Ryan O’Shea during the annual 3-on-3 basketball tournament and suicide awareness walk held each summer around his birthday.

he found himself searching for a new path, and after thoughtful consideration — and with the support of his family — planned to transfer to a local college.

The foundation also continues to honor Ryan’s legacy each year with its annual 3-on-3 basketball tournament and suicide awareness walk at Lister Park. Ryan was a passionate basketball player who competed in several leagues and would help volunteer with Hoops for All, a local basketball program for children and teens with special needs.

“He was popular, had an amazing family and strong friendships,” according to the foundation’s website. “He was well-liked, and would light up any room with his smile. He was someone all the kids his age wanted to be friends with, and who younger people aspired to be."

“Ryan shared himself with the people he valued most, and gave to those in need without mention.”

The foundation's initiatives are not limited to Rockville Centre. It's bringing the Sources of Strength program to the Bethpage school district. It also plans to expand programs at Sacred Heart Academy and the Lynbrook school district.

“The response has been unbelievable,” John O'Shea said. “It’s a great thing when (they) can find hope when they feel hopeless. It is all thanks to the support of the community. It would be impossible to do what we do without the community around us.”

In addition to programs in the schools, the Foundation has also started to provide funding for the Assist program with the Rockville Centre Police Department, which addresses mental health concerns. As a result of its overwhelming success, John O’Shea hoped to expand it by working with all members of the police department, as well as other emergency services.

To learn more about the Ryan Patrick O’Shea Foundation, suicide awareness, or to make a donation, visit RyanPatrickOSheaFoundation.org.

— Daniel Offner

Donovan Berthoud/Herald file

Photo: Ryan O’Shea was a passionate basketball player and captain of the South Side High School Cyclones during his senior year in 2018. He died Jan. 11, 2019 when he was only 18.

PLACES OF WORSHIP

Churches

Episcopal Church of the Ascension

The Rev. Kevin Morris

71 North Village Ave. (516) 766-0693

AscensionNYC.org

Holy Trinity Lutheran Church

Pastor David Grainson 240 Lincoln Ave. (516) 766-2815

Rockville Centre Spanish

Seventh-day Adventist Church

Pastor Dante Godeau

280 Lakeview Ave. (516) 536-8293

Diocese of Rockville Centre

Bishop John O. Barres

992 N. Village Ave.

(516) 678-5800

DRVC.org

The Cathedral of St. Agnes

Rector Fr. Michael Duffy

29 Quealy Place (516) 766-0205

StAgnesCathedral.org

St. Mark’s United Methodist Church

Pastor Robert Grimm

200 Hempstead Ave. (516) 766-2080

St.

The Rev. Chris Brown, Pastor 34 Rhoads Lane

West Hempstead (516) 536-8375

Shiloh Baptist Church

Rev. Herman Washington 96 North Centre Ave. (516) 764-8311

SBCRVCNY.org

United Church of Rockville Centre (United Church of Christ) Rev. Scott Ressman, pastor 430 Morris Ave. (516) 766-2975

UCCRVC.org

Vineyard Christian Fellowship

Pastor Ray Longwood

251 Merrick Road (516) 678-7888

TheExperienceVC.com

Synagogues

Central Synagogue Beth-Emeth

Rabbi Michael Cohen

430 DeMott Ave.

(516) 766-4300

CentralSy.org

Temple B’Nai Sholom-Beth David Rabbi David Lerner 100 Hempstead Ave. (516) 764-4100

CBSBDRVC.org

Mosque

Islamic Center of Long Island 835 Brush Hollow Road Westbury 11590 (516) 333-3495

ICLINY.org

St. Agnes Cathedral was built in 1935 and serves as the seat of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Rockville Centre.

Matthew AME Zion Church

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Mary Ruchalski was a seventh-grader at St. Agnes Cathedral School in Rockville Centre when rhabdomyosarcoma a rare form of cancer that affects muscle tissue tragically cut her life short.

There is not much money around to pay for research on how to treat rhabdomyosarcoma, which afflicts 1 child or adolescent per each million according to the National Cancer Institute, so progress to combat the cancer is slow. Survival depends on where the cancer starts, the tumor size and whether the cancer has spread, according to the Mayo Clinic.

For Mary, it was not good news. After a 14-month-long battle and intensive treatments, she died in March 2018 — just two days before her 13th birthday.

In memory of her daughter, Carol Ruchalski created The Mary Ruchalski Foundation. Its goal? Raising awareness of the pediatric cancer while also raising money to help better combat it for others.

Money raised by the foundation supports research at the Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory

in Laurel Hollow, where scientists are working on new pharmaceutical treatments specifically for rhabdomyosarcoma. To date, the foundation has raised nearly $500,000, giving more than $100,000 to families of childhood cancer patients facing financial hardships.

Mary is remembered throughout the community for her passion to learn and her love of sports. She enjoyed playing soccer, softball, lacrosse, basketball, and also was a talented swimmer. She was a member of the Rockville Centre 10-and-under Police Activity League softball team that played in the 2016 state championship.

To support the foundation, Mary's close school friends and teammates, helped launch the Play 4 Mary campaign in 2020. What started with charity lacrosse games has grown over the past three years to include football, basketball, volleyball, and soccer charity matches and clinics.

Ben Strack/Herald file

Photo: Mary Ruchalski’s friends made photo collages in her memory for her family and loved ones after she passed away from pediatric cancer. The Mary Ruchalski Foundation is named in her honor.

There really is something about

More than 3,000 young athletes have since participated in Play 4 Mary events.

These efforts have even motivated others to get involved, including members of the St. Agnes Catholic Youth Organization swim team, along with additional friends who created the Be Like Mary campaign with the goal of spreading kindness to others.

Each September, Rockville Centre village officials decorate the tree in front of Village Hall with gold lights to “Light it up Gold” for Childhood Cancer Awareness Month. They do this not just for Mary, but also for the many youngsters who have lost their lives to pediatric cancer.

The tree-lighting ceremony has since spread across nine different villages including Malverne, Lynbrook, East Williston and Mineola and seven different schools, each of which holds its own community events. Gold bows are

placed in front of homes and businesses throughout the communities. And friends, family and community members light luminarias to show support for the foundation’s message. If there is one message Carol Ruchalski hopes people will take away from their experience with the foundation, it is “the love a family (has) for a child.” “Even if we don’t raise any more money, but people come away and say that Mary Ruchalski was the kindest, sweetest, loving person I want to be like that then maybe we’ve done our job," she said.

For more information on The Mary Ruchalski Foundation and opportunities to donate to fight pediatric cancer, visit TheMaryRuchalskiFoundation.org.

— Daniel Offner

Courtesy Kathy Paesano

Middle photo: Junior varsity lacrosse teams from Sacred Heart Academy and Kellenberg Memorial High School celebrated Mary Ruchalski’s life with a charity match in her honor. Mary died from pediatric cancer, and The Mary Ruchalski Foundation is operated in her name.

Courtesy the Ruchalski Family

Top photo: Mary Ruchalski was 12 when she died after a hardfought battle against rhabdomyosarcoma, a rare cancer that affects muscle tissue.

Daniel Offner/Herald

Bottom photo: Carol Ruchalski, of The Mary Ruchalski Foundation, offered remarks in memory of her daughter, Mary, and for others who have died of pediatric cancer, at an annual village event in her honor.

No one likes to get sick. And no one wants their children to be impacted by severe illness. When the two intersect, SIBSPlace, an organization supported by Mount Sinai South Nassau Hospital, is there to help.

SIBS — Survivorship in Brothers and Sisters is a program dedicated to helping children cope by teaching them strategies to deal with their lives when someone close to them is diagnosed with a severe illness.

“We work with children who are coping with a loss,” said Joanna Formont, executive director of SIBSPlace in Rockville Centre. “Any type of loss, whether it be a caregiver or a parent. Even if it's sudden or unexpected, we will work with that family as well."

Siblings of those struggling with life-altering diagnoses can sometimes feel isolated or disappointed. SIBSPlace helps them identify confusing emotions such as fear, jealousy, sadness, anger, guilt, embarrassment, anxiety and provides them with strategies to help them understand and cope with these feelings.

“SIBSPlace is this hidden gem that offers services to children who are dealing with these different illnesses," Formont said. "We want them to be able to know that there is a service out there that offers free peer support, mental

health support, mental health prevention, and teaches coping skills.”

Founded in 2000 by Hewlett Harbor resident Michael Schamroth in partnership with what was formerly known as South Nassau Communities Hospital, SIBSPlace provides more than 300 between the ages of 5 and 18 opportunities to interact with others going through similar experiences. Here they have a safe space to express their feelings, and to have them validated through verbal, artistic and musical activities.

Originally headquartered in Hewlett, SIBSPlace relocated in late 2021 to its current facility on Merrick Road in Rockville Centre.

Courtesy SIBSPlace

Top photo: SIBSPlace staff and kids celebrate the 2023 prom with a big group photo.

Formont, a licensed mental health counselor who has worked with children and families in crisis for more than 19 years, first joined SIBSPlace in 2004 as assistant director.

Following the departure of her boss, Suzanne Kornblatt, Formont has played an instrumental role in expanding SIBSPlace’s mission.

SIBSPlace was officially recognized as its own nonprofit organization in 2015. By doing so, Formont said, it was able to extend programs and services to any child or family, no matter where their relative is being treated.

In the years since, the organization has continued to enhance services to include parent support groups with the goal of helping families bond, while discussing medical concerns and developing coping skills that encourage resilience and foster empowerment.

Looking ahead, SIBSPlace will soon launch a new program that will adapt its existing curriculum to assist families with loved ones diagnosed on the autism spectrum.

Through this program, children and teenagers dealing with autism will have the same opportunities to participate in age-appropriate discussion groups, art therapy, field trips, and take part in other engaging activities that include Zumba and yoga.

For more information SIBSPlace, visit SIBSPlace.org or call (516) 374-3000.

— Daniel Offner

Tim Baker/Herald

Top photo: SIBSPlace Counselor Toni Mugnai, left, Executive Director Joanna Formont, Development Associate Courtney Riiska and Assistant Coordinator Lauren Cummings.

Courtesy SIBSPlace

Middle photo: SIBSPlace, a free after-school therapeutic program facilitated by Mount Sinai South Nassau, celebrates the opening of its new location in Rockville Centre in 2022.

Courtesy SIBSPlace

Bottom photo: Vic and Judie Horowitz visit the kids at SIBSPlace with their pet therapy dog, Daisy.

ROCKVILLE CENTRE Chamber of Commerce

Accent on Eyes

Bruce Mirkin (516) 766-2800

Advance Formal Wear

Kevin Upton (516) 678-3555

Aflac, NY

Jeffrey Sacks (347) 313-8386

Allstate Insurance -

The Anderson Agency

Alex Anderson (516) 544-2021

Anton's Car Care Center

Anton Parisi (516) 678-2064

Art Flowers

Keith Linsalata (516) 766-2461

Bagelry RVC Corp

Catherine Reyes (516) 766-9207

Balance Podiatry

Elizabeth Piselli (516) 344-5553

Bareburger RVC

Lara Khattab (516) 442-4090

Better Home Health Care

Greg Schaefer (516) 763-3260

Bigelow's New England Fried Clams

Anthony Andreolas (516) 678-3878

Bitton Orthodontics

Natalie Bitton (516) 766-0012

Body & Brain Yoga and Taichi

Jackie Magelssen (516) 481-2526

Budget Print

Mike Goldberg (516) 764-4222

Buoy 4 Clothing Company

Kenneth Owens (516) 852-4767

Capezio Dance Theatre Shop

Lisa Darcy (516) 764-1199

Champion Elevator Corp.

Donald Gelestino (718) 292-4430

Colour Bar Hair and Raypath Eco

Izabela Saboski (516) 255-9777

Compass Brian Maguire (516) 703-3378

Coquette

Lisa Smith (516) 608-0886

Core & Co.

Rachel Dennenberg (917) 414-2193

Crossfit Seize the Day

Jeff Blasko (516) 782-8558

Daniel Gale

Sotheby's International Realty

Amy Williamson (516) 678-1510

Daniel J Hannon & Associates Inc

Dan Hannon

(516) 766-8800

Dime Community Bank

Scott McGrath (516) 594-1303

Douglas Elliman Real Estate

Donna O'Reilly Einemann (516) 669-3700

Dr. Doug Orthodontics PLLC

Douglas Palaganas

(516) 442-3390

Edward JonesCharles Silecchia,FA

Charles Silecchia (516) 594-8022

Elements Massage

Diane Panin

(516) 544-4400

Energy Fitness

Josh Haan (631) 710-0757

Floor Decor

Glenn Altarac

(516) 764-4466

Flora Beauty LLC

Christine Koehler (516) 246-5824

Flushing Bank

Thomas Bogue

(516) 282-7483

Front Street Bakery

Jeff Wohlfarth (516) 766-1199

GAZ Realty Inc

Alan Abizeid

(516) 536-5500

George Martin

Suzanne Raspanti (516) 678-7272

Giftologist

Kerry Punzi

(516) 766-2296

Go Nuts for Sweets

David Thomas (516) 548-7131

GoForIt Martial Arts

Matthew Larrea

(516) 306-0328

Got Mojo RVC

Alex Marquetti (516) 208-5650

Hampton Inn & Suites

Cristina Velez (516) 599-1700

Home and Hearth

Real Estate

Nancy Achstatter (516) 544-4200

Hot Yoga 4 You RVC

Karina Blackstone

(516) 432-7777

House of Health - Chiropractic and Alternative Healthcare

Caitlin Brown (516) 321-0397

Howard Hanna Coach Realtors

Carol O'Leary (516) 205-4220

Hue Studio Arts

Laura Montaruli (516) 226-0430

ImmixID Consulting

Susan Gatti (516) 492-0269

Intuitive Integration

Samantha Prashad (516) 474-7081

iSchool of Music and Art

Yi Qian (516) 442-2230

J. Novack Design

Jeff Novack

(516) 764-5321

Jeannine's Gifts

Jeannine Pallidino (516) 536-7467

Jerome R. Caiati, MDPC

Jerome Caiati, MD (516) 764-6605

Jillian's Circus

Jillian Weston

(516) 208-9061

JMD Auto Care Ltd.

Sudesh Chohan (516) 766-7777

Kevin McCleneghan/Herald Marisol Rosales (from left), Denise Barle, Jim Barle, Chris Barle, Joseph Barle, Stephanie Barle, James Barle, and Matt Barle join members of the Rockville Center Chamber of Commerce for the ribbon cutting of Trident Physical Therapy, located within Energy Fitness.

ROCKVILLE CENTRE Chamber of Commerce

Continued from previous page

John G Hubler & Sons

Roofing & Construction

John Hubler Jr. (516) 764-6437

Joshua Bratt DMD PC

Denise McDonald (516) 7647-333

Jovia Financial Credit Union

Monica Callier (516) 561-0030, Ext 7501

Jus Adventures Travel Services

Samantha Hammond (800) 423-9107

Kasey's Kitchen and Cocktails

Anthony Geraci (516) 766-5049

Kashi Sushi Lounge

Jasmine Zou (516) 442-7600

KiDS NEED MoRE

John Ray (631) 747-5518

Leatherman Homes

Kevin Leatherman (516) 362-1828

Lenox and Park

Mike Griffo (516) 442-1299

Little Doll Studio

Frances Cuomo Perpero (516) 238-6159

Liv Interiors

Julie Urrego (516) 9712455

Long Island Dental Excellence

Dr. Michael Rechter (516) 766-0122

Long Island Pickleball Pros

Frank Milillo (516) 384-5124

Lost Dog Art & Frame Co.

James McDonald (516) 415-7370

Lucky Finds Boutique Ltd

Shannon McComb (516) 442-4600

MacArthur Park

Thomas Mahoney (516) 766-8375

Magical Dad Vacations

Keith Voets (860) 916-5129

Making Memorease

Chris Guzzo (917) 560-5373

Maple Lanes RVC

Joe LaSpina

(516) 678-3010

McDonough Electric Inc

Rich McDonough

(516) 678-7333

Merrill Lynch-Bresnahan/ Bosch Group

Brian Croutier (631) 361-3240

Minuteman Press

George Domani

(516) 763-3222

Miss Colleen's Elite Dancentre

Colleen Gunn

(516) 536-1720

Moderne Communications Inc.

Pat Mastrocovi

(516) 594-1100

Molloy University

Cynthia Metzger

(516) 323-4701

Monaghan's Restaurant

Niall Gunn

(516) 318-5948

Montemarano

Plumbing and Heating

Thomas Montemarano

(516) 632-8400

Mother Kellys RVC

Glenn Gobetz

(516) 865-2430

Mt. Sinai South Nassau Hospital

Dana Sanneman

(516) 377-5371

New York

Life Insurance Company

Donna Melega (516) 329-4334

New York Musician's Center RVC

Dr. Talonda Thomas

(516) 406-8923

North Village Wash Dry & Fold

Stephen Gregoretti (516) 665-2404

Nosh on Park

Ivan Sayles

(516) 282-5566

Orangetheory Fitness

Rockville Centre Studio

(516) 586-6555

Palmieri Orthodontics

Joan Cook

(516) 766-1300

Personal Training Institute

Rosie Santana

(516) 823-3005

PH Consulting & Media LLC

Phillip Hammond

(516) 786-3360

Pioneer VR

Christopher Fonte

(516) 304 1644

Polka Dot Pound Cake

Lisa Umansky

(516) 544-2253

Press 195

John Annachino

(516) 536-1950

Pride Services

Danny O'Leary

(516) 528-3432

Prudential Borrowing

Eric Forte

(516) 405-3918

Revolution Yoga

Amanda DiGiovanna

(516) 619-6421

Richner Printing Services

Michael Karff

(516) 569-4000 ext. 288

Rockville Centre Coalition For Youth

Ruthanne McCormack

(516) 313-9041

Rockville Centre

Education Foundation

Eric Mingorance

(917) 225-1068

Rockville Centre Herald

Rhonda Glickman

(516) 569-4000, Ext. 250

Rockville Centre Lions Club

Ed Asip

(516) 468-9363

Rockville Centre Public Library

Catherine Overton

(516) 766-6257

Rozu RVC

Chris Puleo

(516) 208-3110

RVC American Legion Post 303

Joseph Scarola

(516) 766-9740

RVC Breast Cancer Coalition

Erin O'Sullivan

(516) 884-3923

School of Rock Rockville Centre

Monica Rubin

(516) 599-5909

Shenker Zacarese & Marks CPAs

Michael Shenker

(516) 536-7100

SIBS Place

Joanna Formont

(516) 374-3000

SightMD

Melissa Damon

(855) 295-4144

Signature Dentistry of RVC

Bradley Portenoy

(516) 764-4386

Signature Premier Properties

Peter Calabrese

(516) 766-7900

Simple Fine Foods

Lisa Lowe

(516) 298-8409

SMP Graphics Design & Printing

Mike Cameron

(516) 828-2647

South Shore Vein

David Jacobs

(516) 865-1234

SST Custom Embroidery

Ronni Trutt

(516) 678-0978

State Farm Insurance

Diane McGrath

(516) 678-8282

Stoosh Images

Patrice Fernandez

(646) 942-8237

Sugarberry Bakery

Peter Kambitsis

(516) 764-2881

Summit Health

Vanessa Desiante

(516) 454-1996

Continued from previous page

Sweet Lime Ink Communications

Iyna Bort Caruso (516) 594-8578

Tap Room

Phil Smith (516) 594-4000

The Art Studio RVC

Danielle Barbaro (516) 3189651

The BackYard Players & Friends

Ellen White (516) 581-2018

The Centre Lock Shop Inc.

Steven Frey (516) 766-2326

The Church of the Ascension

Kevin Morris (516) 766-0693

The Experience Vineyard Church

Marina Carter (516) 678-7888

The Fitting Curve

Stephanie Vincent (516) 208-6587

The Grand Pavilion for Rehab and Nursing

Simon Fuerst (516) 536-7730

The Phoenix Public Adjusters Group

Jason Greenberg (646) 425-3711

Mayor Francis Murray and Deputy Mayor Kathy Baxley join the Chamber’s newly appointed board member Phil Hammond of PH Consulting and Media, left; Rhonda Glickman, of Herald Community Newspapers; Donna O'Reilly Einemann, Douglas Elliman Realty; Jeff Novack, of J. Novack Design; Jillian Weston, Jillian’s Circus; Tom Bogue, Flushing Bank; Iyana Caruso, Sweet Lime Ink Communications; and new board member Joshua Haan, of Energy Fitness, at the annual installation.

Thomas A. Glynn & Son Funeral Home

John Glynn (516) 766-4700

Tim Daniels

Plumbing and Heating Group, Inc. (516) 594-1509

T-Mobile

Yoly Paulino (516) 342-4010

Touch Of Silver

Anupma Singh (516) 600-9430

Trident Physical Therapy

Matthew Barle (631) 846-0269

Valenti Pharmacy

Anthony Valenti (516) 705-8282

Valley Bank

Adrienne Greene (516) 678-6000

Waxing By Nadia

Nadia Battaglia (516) 388-4711

Wild Ginger RVC

Michael Teng (516) 442-2225

Within Natural Health

Esther Jimenez (516) 868-8100

Tim Baker/Herald

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