On the first night of Chanukah, Sunday, December 18, 2022, the Chabad Center for Jewish Life was host to a Grand Menorah Lighting. Their 16th Annual Great Menorah Car
Parade of fire truck and cars including a 2012 Ford Boss 302 with roof top menorahs. They traveled from the Chabad parking lot on Benson Lane in Merrick to the Long Island Rail Road parking
lot where they kindled the Grand 12 ft Menorah near the gazebo.
Rabbi Shimon Kramer from the Chabad Center gave the honor of lighting the Shamash to Legislator and Senator-Elect Steve Rhoads who was joined that evening by Councilman Chris Carini, Assemblyman Dave McDonough and Congressman-Elect Anthony D’Esposito along with hundreds of community members. The celebrations included holiday treats, music, dancing and a special Chanukah show.
Bellmore’s Annual Christmas Tree Lighting & Holiday Extravaganza is a special old fashioned memorable Christmas experience for the entire family that includes a visit from Santa, performances from local choirs, horse and carriage and trolley rides while festive holiday music is played throughout
the village. The Chamber of Commerce of the Bellmores hosted the holiday extravaganza on December 2, 2022 and the annual menorah lighting that took place on Wednesday, December 21, 2022.
Chamber members along with elected officials including Hempstead Town
Clerk Kate Murray, Councilman Christopher Carini, Assemblyman Dave McDonough, Legislator Tom McKevitt, and Legislator and Senator-Elect Steve Rhoads joined the Chamber and community members to celebrate the holidays.
The Merrick Chamber Santa visit was held on December 3, 2022 at the Merrick Golf Club House where children were able to take keepsake photos with Santa and enjoy hot chocolate, cookies and candy.
Continuing holiday tradition, the Merrick Chamber of Commerce celebrated the holiday season with their annual Menorah and Christmas Tree Lighting on December 4, 2022 at the Gazebo on Merrick Avenue and Broadcast Plaza. Community members enjoyed hot chocolate and cookies and a special visit from Santa. Hempstead Town Clerk Kate Murray, Councilman Christopher Carini, Assemblyman Dave McDonough, Legislator and Senator-Elect Steve Rhoads joined the Chamber and community members to celebrate the holidays.
KIWANIS CLUB WRAPS GIFTS FOR CHARITY (PAGE 12); SPECIAL HOLIDAY REMEMBRANCE (PAGE 15)
SCHOOL HOLIDAY NEWS:: A GIVING OPERATION TAKES PLACE IN NORTH BELLMORE CLASSROOM; BIRCH STUDENT COUNCIL HOLDS TOY DRIVE (PAGE 6); GIVING SEASON IN FULL FORCE IN NORTH BELLMORE (PAGE 8); BELLMORE-MERRICK CHAMP BAKES COOKIES FOR A CAUSE (PAGE 12)
Each year our community celebrates the holiday season with the Chamber of Commerce annual Menorah and Christmas Tree lighting ceremonies with a special visit from Santa. These joyous events encour aged hundreds of residents to come out to participate in trea sured neighborhood celebrations. In addition to the tree and menorah lighting, there was an old fashioned holiday extravaganza in Bellmore Village complete with horse & buggy and trolly rides throughout the village.
The Chabad Center for a Jewish Life Grand Menorah lighting and Festival of Lights celebrations in Merrick was a fun and exciting celebration of Hanukkah. There were an impres sive number of residents that came out to enjoy the celebrations.
Thankfully, the holiday spirit of participating in community events has not been tarnished by the fears of COVID and we have all found a way to move forward and enjoy all that our town has to offer.
The holidays are a wonderful time of year however, they can be particularly difficult time to cope with the loss of a loved one. Clair S. Bartholomew & Son funeral home offers families they serve a special holiday remembrance guardian angel ornament to help cope with the first Christmas after loosing a family member.
Holiday time presents both challenges and happy moments. Are you planning on entertaining during this holiday season? Look for some must-have tools for entertaining with ease. If you are looking for more fun family friendly holiday experiences look inside for entertainment In and Around Town!
Kids of all ages participated in the tradition of holiday giving. From fulfilling Christmas wish lists to collecting toys for families in need, the schools have encouraged the value in giving during the holiday
season. The CHAMP (Culinary and Hospitality Applied Management Program) made beautiful gingerbread men cookies that were raffled off for a donation made to charity.
The children in our community are inspired by the adults they see donating their time to help those in need. The Bellmore Lions Club and Kiwanis Club of Merrick are two organizations that do a lot for the community during the holiday season and all through the year. Many of these organization members are people who work for and own local businesses. They also participate in the holiday events we’ve all come to look forward to each year. Please remember to shop locally and support the advertisers that support Your News Mag and the fun events in the community.
Your News Mag is optimized for viewing on any device and social sharing. Read digital stories and follow live links for an exciting interactive experience.
Your News Mag is keeping up with the times delivering community news digitally so you can enjoy Your News Mag when you want, where you want and from your cell phone, iPad or desktop. Would you like to get Your News Mag sent directly to your inbox? Email jill@yournewsmag.com and request your fee digital edition delivered directly to your inbox. Don’t forget to follow us on Facebook where you can let us know which stories you like.
I hope you enjoy this issue of Your News Mag and have an opportunity to participate in some of the fun community events.
First graders are learning why it’s called the “season of giving” at Martin Avenue Elementary School in the North Bellmore School District. Students in Nicole Huttner’s class took part in the United States Postal Service’s Operation Santa.
The program helps make holiday wishes come through for children. Ms. Huttner went online and selected the letter of a woman who was looking to provide presents for her seven grandchildren. Each student in the class provided a gift, which included books, jewelry, toys and gift cards.
On Dec. 15, students wrapped the presents and wrote personalized letters to the family, so they could be shipped in time for the holidays.
Photo courtesy of the North Bellmore School District
Birch Student Council members partnered with Merrick Kiwanis Club and The Little Saint Nick Foundation to collect toys for families in need this holiday season.
Teachers Jessica Giovino and Debra Vernice serve as faculty advisers for the Student Council.
Founded by Ray Mohler at age 6 in 2004, the nonprofit organization aims to “inspire kids to help kids in and out of hospitals.”
Photo courtesy of the Merrick Union Free School District
Hempstead Town Clerk Kate Murray recently officiated the wedding of North Bellmore residents Riya Chakraborty and Ali Usman and Merrick residents Aaron Valentin and Samantha Rodriguez at Hempstead Town Hall.
Residents interested in obtaining their marriage license and/or scheduling a wedding ceremony should call the office of the Town Clerk at 516-812-3014 or visit http://www.hempsteadny.gov/marriage.
Students throughout the North Bellmore School District have been involved in charitable initiatives for the past several weeks. They have embraced the giving spirit to help others near and far.
Saw Mill Road Elementary School continued its long-standing partnership with the Stephen Siller Tunnel to Towers Foundation. Leading the effort was North Bellmore resident and retired FDNY firefighter Tom O’Connor, whose grandchildren attend Saw Mill Road. The annual toy drive, organized by the Students Against Destructive Decisions club, will benefit children in Florida impacted by Hurricane Ian.
The partnership began in 2005, when toys were collected in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. Since then, Saw Mill students and staff have donated toys to help children impacted by disasters across the country, including Hurricane Harvey in Texas and Hurricane Sandy in New York, among others.
On Dec. 6, Mr. O’Connor and his fellow volunteers came to Saw Mill to pick up the toys, filling 10 large bags, which were then loaded into the back of a pickup truck for a long journey down south. Social worker Jo Ann Signorelli, co-adviser of SADD with school counselor Keara McNamara, said that this effort helps fulfill the district’s mission in contributing to the global community with creativity and compassion.
Ms. Signorelli also noted that by having the children meet with the volunteers who bring the toys to impacted children, it helps them better understand the value of their charitable acts.
“After everything that’s happened in Florida,” sixth grader Sophia Hoffman said, “this is going to help a lot of kids and bring a little more joy into their lives.”
About a mile away, the SADD club at Martin Avenue Elementary School is holding a holiday toy drive for the John Theissen Children’s Foundation, based in neighboring Wantagh. Toys will be distributed to sick and underprivileged children across Long Island, from infants to 17 years old.
Martin Avenue’s toy drive runs from Nov. 28 to Dec. 15, with students encouraged to leave new, unwrapped toys in donation boxes in the lobby.
Park Avenue Elementary School hosted a successful Thanksgiving food drive, which ran from Nov. 14 to 18. In just one week, donations filled several boxes in the lobby, which were then donated to the Bellmore-Merrick Central High School District’s Community Cupboard at the Brookside School.
In order to ensure a variety of donations and to fulfill the most urgent needs, students from every grade level were asked to bring in certain items. Kindergartners contributed cereal, second graders donated paper goods and fifth graders were tasked with canned goods. Donations of pet food were also welcome.
courtesy of the North Bellmore School District
The Bellmore-Merrick Business Challenge on Dec. 15 invited students from all three high schools to participate in a competition. During this business competition, teams planned, presented and defended a position in one of the five business categories. The categories Sports Marketing, Retail Marketing, Tourism, Entrepreneurship, and Graphic Design & Branding. Many distinguished professionals served as judges from both the academic and private sectors.
Danielle Fortune served as keynote speaker on behalf of the Energeia partnership at Molloy College. She talked about advancing in her career and encouraged students to pay close attention when around someone they can learn from.
“It was watching [a former mentor] navigate the business world on a daily basis where I gained the most knowledgeable experience,” she noted to students.
The day’s events also included a college fair and a virtual enterprise mini trade fair in which three firms from Calhoun, Kennedy and Mepham high schools competed for best booth and best pitch.
Calhoun’s VE team, NaturalBOWLS, is on a journey to minimizing food waste while serving innovative and delicious bowls. Kennedy’s VE team, Patch Attach, is a company that encourages consumers to express themselves through their customizable shoes via patches. Mepham’s VE team, Environmental Apparel, serves as streetwear out of recycled polyester made from plastic waste found in oceans.
Winners: Sports Marketing: Team #2- Amir Ibrahim (Calhoun), Sam Kalish (Kennedy), Sarah Koenig (Mepham)
Entrepreneurship: Team # 3- Matthew Sferratore (Calhoun), Ben Margulies (Kennedy), Jenny Marmol (Mepham)
Tourism:
Graphic Design & Branding- Team # 3Giavannah Posner (Calhoun), Chase Krinsky (JFK), Haluk Yavas (Mepham)
Retail Marketing- Team #2- PJ Kakalos (Calhoun), Michael McKeon (Kennedy), Dean Amin (Mepham)
Virtual Enterprise winners: Best Pitch: NaturalBOWLS- (Calhoun) Best Booth: Patch Attach- (Kennedy)
The event was organized by Mark Melkonian, an assistant principal at Calhoun and the district business department chairperson. Teachers Kerri Frend, Linda Leonardo, Stu Litwin, Peter Palazzo, Laura Rojas, Andrew Slattery, Jenna Tumminelli and Morgan Wing also assisted.
CHAMP teacher Mike Digiovanni, the students of CHAMP and the Valenti family of Piccolo Ristorante of Bellmore provided food. Stu Stein and Bellmore-Merrick Broadcasting students provided coverage of the event. Kelly Friedmann led students from the Calhoun orchestra ensemble in a performance.
Additionally, local elected officials Hempstead Town Councilman Chris Carini, Legislators Steve Rhoads and Tom McKevitt were on hand to assist with judging.
Photo courtesy of the Bellmore-Merrick Central High School District
Students in the CHAMP program in the Bellmore-Merrick Central High School District baked and decorated 18” long gingerbread men cookies that were raffled off for charity on Dec. 20.
Pastry Chef Instructor Meredith Ober oversaw the baking project in the CHAMP kitchen housed at John F. Ken-
nedy High School throughout the week. Nearly $450 was donated to UNICEF, which is an agency of the United Nations responsible for providing humanitarian and developmental aid to children worldwide.
Photo courtesy of the Bellmore-Merrick Central High School District
The Kiwanis Club of Merrick members wrapped gifts for charity at the Roosevelt Field Mall. The Kiwanis Club of Merrick is dedicated to serving Merrick and the Global Community one
child, one community at a time. To learn more about the Kiwanis Club of Merrick and participate in future charitable events events visit https://www. facebook.com/KiwanisClubOfMerrick.
‘Tis the season for gatherings galore. Whether you’re an all-star entertainer or a first-time host, having the right tools will set you up for success— meaning you can spend less time in the kitchen and more time with loved ones. Here are a few must-haves to add to your holiday shopping list:
Create memorable cocktails or mocktails that everyone will be talking about with uniquely shaped craft ice. Tovolo offers a variety of craft ice molds to fit every occasion—from spheres and sports balls to novelty and holiday ornament shapes. The easy-touse, durable, stackable molds are dishwasher safe for easy clean-up. Plus, the slow-melting shapes keep drinks cool for longer. So, drop them in for fun and festive drinks at your next gathering.
Popsicles aren’t just for summertime. In fact, they’re a great option for a holiday crowd since you can prep them well in advance, and they make for a light dessert after a night of feasting. With Tovolo Stackable Pop Molds, simply puree some fruit – strawberries, kiwis, etc. – pour the mixture into the molds, stack them in the freezer, and voilà, you’ve got a delightful treat that basically made itself. Better yet, guests can add the fruity pops to a glass of champagne or cocktail of choice to add flavor and keep drinks cool.
When hosting a dinner party, dishes will inevitably pile up in the sink. One way to cut down on dirty dishes is to use a set of kitchen utensils that is both stylish and attractive, so you can go from the stovetop to the dining table without needing to dirty any additional tools. Another tip is to make the meal family style, which allows your guests to choose what they want and reduces the need to portion out individual
servings, ultimately giving you more time to enjoy the party.
From cookie batters to mashed potatoes, everyone needs a quality spatula to whip up their favorite holiday dishes. And now you can add both fun and function to your feast with Spatulart Spatulas featuring double-sided holiday designs and puns. With a nylon core, these high-quality spatulas provide strength for the heaviest mixing jobs and silicone edges that remain flexible for easy scraping. Plus their FSC-certified wood handle makes them an environmentally-conscious way to add a touch of whimsy to the kitchen roster.
Functional and Fashionable Bowls
Despite the name, mixing bowls can be one of the most versatile kitchen tools, used for mixing, prep, storage, and if you choose a stylish design like stainless steel, even serving! Why dirty multiple dishes when you can opt for one-bowl recipes? When it comes to entertaining, it’s best to work smarter, not harder.
Having the right tools makes all the difference when you’re preparing to be the host with the most. Be sure to equip yourself right for a season of easy and festive holiday prep, and don’t forget that when it comes to hosting, versatility is the name of the game. ~ StatePoint
The holidays are a wonderful time of year; however, they can be a particularly difficult time to cope with the loss of a loved one. As the holiday season quickly moves in, and the year draws to a close, the staff at Clair S. Bartholomew & Son, Inc. expresses their gratitude to families they serve and their heartfelt wishes for a peaceful holiday season.
The first Christmas without a loved one is especially challenging. With that in mind, each year, Clair S. Bartholomew & Son funeral home offers the families they serve a special holiday remembrance Christmas tree ornament in memory of their loved one. Beginning December 1st, a memorial Christmas tree will be on display at their funeral home adorned with special “Guardian Angel” ornaments. These lovely glass angel ornaments are personalized, one for each family they’ve served this past year.
A letter is sent to each family they serve inviting them to visit the funeral home to view this magnificent tribute to
their loved one and to all those whom they served this year. At the time of the family member visit, they are presented with their own “Guardian Angel” ornament for their family to place on their own tree or to be otherwise displayed in commemoration to their loved one.
Family members are invited to visit the tree any day of the week, between the hours of 10am and 4pm, beginning December 1, 2022 and ending January 6, 2023.
Todd W. Althenn, Owner of Clair S. Bartholomew & Son, Inc. quoted Charles Dickens who once said, “No one is useless in this world who lightens the burden of it for anyone else.” He explained that he hopes this gesture is able to lighten the burden during one of the greatest times of need. For those that are unable to make it to the funeral home during the holiday season, alternative arrangements can be made for receiving an angel.
Clair S. Bartholomew & Son funeral home located at 302 Bedford Avenue in Bellmore, NY is family owned and operated since 1914.
BEACH STATE PARK Ongoing through to December, 30, 2022.
Sun – Thur: 5:00 -10:00pm | Fri - Sat: 5:00 -11:00pm. Magic of Lights is a dazzling, drive-through holiday lights experience featuring favorite holiday scenes and characters of the season using the
latest LED technology and digital animations. Experience Magic of Lights from the comfort and safety of your own car as you wind through the sparkling path of Long Island’s favorite holiday tradition. One carload, one price. After the Magic Light Show visit Toyota Holiday Village where you can buy refreshments and holiday treats at the concession and see the illuminating holiday mega tree with 240 ft. of lights and music! Advance ticket purchase online Santa Saver $20 tickets for a standard vehicle good any night. https://magicoflights.com/events/jonesbeach/ Tickets also available at the gate: Standard vehicle weekday, Monday - Thursday $30; Weekend, Friday - Sunday $40.
LUMINO CITY FESTIVAL at Eisenhower Park is “Pure Magic” delivering state-of-the-art production that brings art, light and color to life through remarkable displays every Wednesday to Sunday from 4:30pm - 9:30pm starting November 9 all the way through January 8, 2023. Festival goers can take a walking journey through light-art installations from Wildlife Safari, Dinosaur Adventures, Magic Kingdom, Alice’s Enchantment, Winter Wonderland, Holiday Land and more! This family friendly immersive outdoor event covers 17+ Acres of Long Island’s own historic Eisenhower Park. For Tickets visit http:// www.luminocityfestival.com/reserve-tickets
CHRISTMAS HOUSE https://christmashouselongisland.com/ Christmas House Long Island is an indoor, one of a kind, fully immersive Christmas Experience. Everything you love about Christmas, all in one place. All of your favorite Christmas sights, sounds, and smells come to life in Christmas House Long Island! Over 12 rooms including the first ever Snow Room (where it's really snowing!), The Buddy The Elf Room, The North Pole, and many more! Visit the Christmas House at the Smith Haven Mall, 313 Smith Haven Mall,Lake Grove, New York.
