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LIIFE GOES ON WITH VIRTUAL & DRIVE-IN MOVIES!

BACK TO SCHOOL... BACK TO BUSINESS

WITH ENTHUSIASM & HEALTHY PRACTICES 9-11 MEMORIAL CEREMONIES HELD IN MERRICK & BELLMORE

SMALL BUSINESS COMING BACK STRONG!

NEWS

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2020 | VOL.7 NO.4

9-11 Remembrance We can never forget the community members whose lives were lost in the 9-11 terrorist attack. Ceremonies continue to be held to recognize those whose lives were cut short on

this day of infamy, including many of whom rushed into harm’s way to save countless others, only to pay with the ultimate sacrifice themselves. The Merrick and Bellmore Fire Departments held 9/11 memorial ceremonies remembering the victims and first responders.

MERRICK - IN MEMORY OF:

• Herman Charles Broghammer, 58 years old, Aon Corp., Tower II • Ronnie E. Gies, 43 years old, FDNY • David Joseph Grimner, 51 years old, Marsh & McLennan, Tower II • Aram Iskenderian, 41 years old, Cantor Fitzgerald, Tower I • Sean Patrick Lynch, 36 years old, Cantor Fitzgerald, Tower I • Katherine Marie McGarry-Noack, 30 years old, Telekurs USA, Tower I • Brian Edward Sweeney, 29 years old, FDNY • John Damien Vaccacio, 30 years old, Cantor Fitzgerald, Tower I • Frank J. Vignola Jr., 44 years old, Cantor Fitzgerald, Tower I

BELLMORE - IN MEMORY OF:

• Lawrence Ira Beck, 38 years old, Cantor Fitzgerald, Tower I • Gary R. Box, 37 years old, FDNY • Michael Joseph Cawley, 32 years old, FDNY • Joni Cesta, 37 years old, A.L. Sarroff Lic, Tower II • William Esposito, 51 years old, Cantor Fitzgerald, Tower I • Bruce Henry Gary, 51 years old, FDNY • Manuel D. Mojica Jr., 37 years old, FDNY

• Kevin M. Prior, 28 years old, FDNY • Adam David Rand, 30 years old, FDNY • Karen Helene Schmidt 42 years old, IQ Financial Systems, Tower II • Andrew J. Stern, 41 years old, Cantor Fitzgerald, Tower II • Lonny Jay Stone, 42 years old, Carr Futures, Tower I • Michael Andrew Tamuccio, 37 years old, Fred Alger Management, Tower I • Steven Weinberg, 41 years old, Baseline Financial Services, Tower II

2020 | VOL.7 NO.4

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Bellmore-Merrick Greets Students for 2020-21 School Year

After six months of being home due to the COVID-19 pandemic and summer break, the Bellmore-Merrick Central High School District has welcomed back students into its six buildings. “Although this school year will look different from any other year, we are planning on providing all students with a memorable and engaging learning experience,” remarked Wellington C. Mepham High School Principal Eric Gomez. New protocols include mask wearing, social distancing, one-way hallways and stairwells, staggered release times from class and the completion of a daily health screening questionnaire. “I held a Zoom meeting with approximately 100 members of the senior class where we discussed the importance of the safety and social distancing guidelines being implemented at our school,”

explained John F. Kennedy Principal Gerard Owenburg. “I shared a similar message with the rest of the student body during a Cougar Crier Instagram Live interview as well.” Students started the year in a hybrid mode, with half of the student population each attending in-person instruction two days per week. Full in-person learning starting on Sept. 25. Students who opted for the alternate learning virtual model will receive instruction via Google Classroom and follow the in-person bell schedule. “The CHSD is committed to providing a safe and orderly online school environment where students will receive instruction and services without disruption,” explained Superintendent John DeTommaso. This combined effort to safely reopen

schools was a massive undertaking that required the cooperation of multiple departments and resources. “We are so appreciative of our school and parent partnership in working to keep our kids and staff members safe,” added Merrick Avenue Principal Katelyn Dunn. “This year, I have no doubt that we will be staying strong together.” Bellmore-Merrick CHSD Superintendent of Schools, John DeTommaso said, "I have never been more proud of our students and staff and the ways in which they have navigated the first two weeks, adapted to our new routines and procedures, and abided by the new health and safety protocols." The district has and will continue to monitor the infection rates everyday on Long Island and in the Bellmores and Merricks. Along with following guidance from

Governor Como's office and the NYSDOH, the district will remain in close contact with the Nassau County Health Department through the school year. The Bellmore-Merrick Board of Education approved full in-person learning while maintaining safety protocols starting on Friday, September 25. If at any point, the Board of Education and school district personnel determines that full 5 day in-person instruction is not manageable and/or if cases in the area spike or the infection rates in Nassau County rise, there will be a return to the hybrid model of learning. The district will take guidance from the Governor's Office, the NYSDOH and the Nassau County Deptartment of Health. For updates visit http://www.bellmore-merrick.k12.ny.us/district/coronavirus_information

High Spirits, Healthy Practices as North Bellmore Schools Reopen Desks throughout the North Bellmore School District had new clear plastic barriers, but they also had students for the first time since mid-March after the five elementary schools opened on Sept. 9. While the 2020-21 school year began during the COVID-19 pandemic, the district created a thorough reopening plan to ensure that students and staff could return to a healthy and safe learning environment. At the entrances to each school, teachers showed students how to use touchless thermometers that took their temperature by holding up their wrists. After students were settled in their classrooms, Saw Mill Road Principal Jeff

Rosof addressed the school over the public address system for some welcoming remarks, the Pledge of Allegiance and a few announcements. “It’s going to be different, but we know it’s still going to be a great school year,” he said. “We know there are smiles underneath those masks.” In AnnMarie Gilroy’s class, her sixth graders spoke excitedly about being reunited after nearly six months of remote instruction and summer break. Many of them have set goals for the year, both in terms of academics and personal growth. Alyssia Bedessi summed up the feelings of her class, which is ready to

embrace the changes and determined “to try to make the best of the year.” The district is also offering an alternate virtual learning model for students,

with online classes taught by certified North Bellmore teachers and following the same curriculum as in-person instruction.

2020 | VOL.7 NO.4

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☞ TABLE OF CONTENTS NEWS PAGE 2: 9-11 Remembrance Ceremonies PAGE 3: BMCHD Greeting Students for 2020-21 School Year; High Spirits, Healthy Practices as North Bellmore Schools Reopen PAGE 6: BMB Broadcasting Maximized On-Air Capabilities

PAGE 7: Calhoun Senior Named Distinguished Young Woman of Merrick PAGE 8: Bellmore-Merrick Seniors Named All-State Musicians; Newbridge Poets Write About Autumn Acrostic Style PAGE 11: Bellmore-Merrick Students Named National Merit Semifinalists CHINESE AUCTION FUNDRAISER PAGE: 10: Code 91 for Fire Commissioner Bob Taylor ENTERTAINMENT PAGES 12 -14: LIIFE Goes On with Two Ways to See Movies - Virtual & Drive-In! BUSINESS NEWS PAGE 15: Help Wanted…; Small Business Coming Back Strong! School photos courtesy of the Bellmore-Merrick Central High School District and the North Bellmore School District.

WHO’S WHO AT YOUR NEWSMAG Advertising and Publishing Jill Bromberg

Phone: 516-633-8590 P.O. Box 15, Bellmore, New York 11710

Bellmore • Merrick

Finding Our Way to the New Normal This has been quite an unusual year so far with COVID-19 changing the way we do everything in order to stay safe and healthy. We’ve gone from shortage of supplies in supermarkets to schools and businesses closing followed by trying to figure out what exactly constitutes “safe behavior” and then reopening in stages. Our community festivals and car show have been cancelled this year and limitations have been placed on how we vacation, socialize, celebrate and worship. The new normal is wearing a masks and keeping social distance. It feels a little like a scene from out of a science fiction move. But, instead of getting down, people have gotten creative using a variety of masks ranging from surgical, N95 respirator, homemade and fashion styles. And business owners use their entrepreneurial spirit to find new ways to conduct business safely in a COVID environment. That’s the American way! We Americans don’t give up, we get creative and find ways to make the best of a situation and figure out new ways to communicate, share, experience, shop and grow. Zoom and other social media formats have kept us connected and will likely be incorporated into the new way of doing things way beyond our recovery from this crazy virus. Both Bellmore and Merrick Fire Departments held 9-11 memorial ceremonies as a reminder and tribute to those whose lives were lost in the 9-11 terrorist attack. The names of our community members whose lives were cut short on that day of infamy are listed inside. Schools in our area are now open with classes being held from remote to in- person and hybrid experiences. It’s certainly a challenge to function between plexiglass and follow the protocols while still creating a memorable and engaging learning experience. When the schools shifted to remote BMB Broadcasting out of Mepham High School sent their reporters on Zoom interviews and kept the cameras rolling throughout the summer. Now, back in school they continue to use technology presenting the illusion of

being in the same room so they can report without wearing a mask. Watch BMB Broadcasting’s back to school special that highlights the changes made in the schools for keeping it safe. Although things are a bit different this year student success continues. Bellmore-Merrick All-State Musicians will be participating in a virtual performance. And Calhoun senior, Jamie Cabán was named Distinguished Your Woman of Merrick. Six students from Bellmore/Merrick have been named National Merit Semifinalists. LIIFE goes on with two ways to see movies. The film festival is usually held at the Bellmore Movies on Pettit Avenue in Bellmore. Since movie theaters are still closed the Long Island International Film Expo team put on their thinking caps and came up with a virtual and drive-in way to celebrate independent film makers from across the globe. Now you can buy tickets to virtual or drive-in movie blocks. See the full schedule and ticket information inside. Your NewsMag is now optimized for viewing on any device and social sharing. Read digital stories and follow live links for an exciting interactive experience. Your NewsMag is keeping up with the times delivering community news digitally so you can enjoy YourNewsMag when you want, where you want and from your cell phone, iPad or desktop. Would you like to get YourNewsMag sent directly to your inbox? Email jill@yournewsmag.com and request your free digital edition delivered directly to your inbox. Visit www.yournewsmag.com and follow us on Facebook where you can let us know which stories you like. I hope you enjoy reading this edition of Your NewsMag.

Jill Bromberg PUBLISHER Your NewsMag 516-633-8590 jill@yournewsmag.com

2020 | VOL.7 NO.4

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2020 | VOL.7 NO.4

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Bellmore-Merrick Broadcasting Maximizes On-Air Capabilities When school shifted to online only in March due to the pandemic, the Bellmore-Merrick Broadcasting program made a collective decision to keep the cameras rolling. They posted 163 videos during the 90day stay at home period. “I became the director and producer of our daily update show,” explained senior Andrew Fried, who is now the news director. “I was up late working on the videos for each day and it was a great learning experience. Along with the daily show, I also continued to host the morning announcements show.” BMB students then volunteered to produce the livestreams of the 18 graduation ceremonies from all three of the district’s high schools during the course of three days in late June. Even though the 2019-20 school year ended on June 13, the broadcasting pro-

gram continued throughout the summer, with editorial board Zoom meetings and a midsummer beach meet up. In late August, the students of BMB created a back to school special that highlighted the changes that students and parents would expect in the district’s six buildings. With the school year ramping up, BMB has returned to its studio housed at Wellington C. Mepham High School it is resuming its busy production schedule. “We really just want to continue what we’ve been doing and make it better,” added Fried. “We want to show the district that we can’t be put down by challenges. We take what is given to us and we work with it to get the job done.” The school year’s first morning announcements show was produced Sept. 11 and the team came up with a clever way to socially distance. “We appropriated our one studio into

two areas,” explained Broadcasting teacher Stuart Stein. “We connected the two studios using network technology so it can appear that our hosts are together but they're actually in separate rooms allowing them both to be unmasked but to appear to be on camera together.” In addition to the weekly update show, the team had to fill a scheduling void left by the cancellation of fall sports. “We have a monthly, three-show shooting schedule,” explained senior Sean Petraitis. “One week, we will film our show, Sports Talk, where we will discuss professional sport leagues. “Another week we will film, Talking Cookies, an interview-based show about what is going on at Mepham. Lastly, we will shoot What's Poppin Pirates, a comedy show that promotes school events. We will have our hands full of content for Mepham students and students all around the district to enjoy.”

Twenty-four freshmen joined the program this fall. Stein, along with colleagues Lisa Kalish and Matthew Russell, are seeking ways to create opportunities for upperclassmen to share what they’ve learned while maintaining social distancing protocols. “Like everyone, BMB is adjusting to this new reality and we're just taking things one day at a time,” Stein added. “For our students, we treat our shoots as hands-on real-world experience and we really want our underclassmen to have an opportunity to learn on location from our seniors before they move on at the end of the school year.” Photos courtesy of the Bellmore-Merrick Central High School District

2020 | VOL.7 NO.4

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Calhoun Senior Named Distinguished Young Woman of Merrick The Bellmore-Merrick Central High School District is proud to announce that Calhoun senior Jamie Cabán has been named a Distinguished Young Woman of Merrick after participating in the Distinguished Young Women of New York At-Large program, a statewide scholarship program for high school girls. Jamie will now compete in October against other New York seniors for the opportunity to represent the state as the Distinguished Young Woman of New York for 2021. Throughout the year, Jamie will represent the community at various public events and serve as a role model to young people by spreading the program’s national outreach message of “Be Your Best Self.” The outreach pro-

gram is designed to encourage self-esteem and excellence in all young people through its five principles: Be Healthy, Be Involved, Be Studious, Be Ambitious and Be Responsible. Founded in 1958, Distinguished Young Women is a free program that encourages participants to reach their full individual potential. The organization’s mission is to empower young women by providing more than $1 billion in scholarship opportunities, developing their self-confidence and participating in the district’s Life Skills Workshops that prepare them for success after high school. The district congratulates Jaime on this outstanding achievement! Photos courtesy of Bellmore-Merrick Central High School District

2020 | VOL.7 NO.4

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Bellmore-Merrick Seniors Named All-State Musicians

Seniors from the Bellmore-Merrick Central High School District have been selected to participate in the New York State School Music Association All-State Music Festival. • Tara Fusillo (*two-time participant), String Ensemble – Viola (John F. Kennedy High School, teacher – Robert Salzer) • Jordan Novak, Vocal Jazz Ensemble – Alto (Sanford H. Calhoun High School, teacher – Sanford Sardo) • Jack Parr, Mixed Chorus – Tenor 2 (Sanford H. Calhoun High School, teacher – Sanford Sardo) • Jessica Sarubbi – Vocal Alternate (John F. Kennedy High School, teacher – Jeanette Pincus) The All-State Performance Ensembles

are honors groups comprised of the top students from school music departments across the state. To be considered, students must receive a certain high score on their NYSSMA solo performance as well as receive a nomination by their teacher. “This year, the COVID-related cancellation of the 2019 NYSSMA adjudications made the process a little more complex,” said Cheryl Fontana, director of the fine & performing arts. “Since no festivals took place this past spring, students were evaluated based on their 10th-grade scores.” While the usual in-person concert and winter conference will not be taking place, students will be participating in a professionally produced virtual performance.

Newbridge Poets Write About Autumn Acrostic Style With a hint of summer still in the air, third graders at Newbridge Road Elementary School in the North Bellmore School District grabbed their clipboards and ventured outside to write about the new season just two days old on Sept. 23 – autumn. Students learned about acrostic poems from teachers Ashley Firestone and Caitlin Pugliese, understanding how the first letter of each line spells a word. They then created their own poems using seasonal words such as acorn, fall, leaf and pumpkin, with their natural surroundings serving as inspiration. Grayden Urtheil’s poem has one line for each letter in “fall.”

2020 | VOL.7 NO.4

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2020 | VOL.7 NO.4

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CODE91 for Commissioner Bob Taylor Earlier this year, Ex-Bellmore Fire Commissioner Bob Taylor was diagnosed with a rare condition called Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease. CJD is a terminal degenerative brain disease with no cure and affects less than 1,000 people per year. Bob joined the Bellmore Fire Department as a junior firefighter at the age of 14 and spent 35 years as a member of the Fire Department Engine Company No. 2 in Bellmore. He is a two time Ex-Chief and has been Chairman of the Board of Fire Commissioners. After 35 years of serving the Bellmore community, his family can now use support from the community. On Saturday, October 10, 2020 from 4:00pm - 9:00pm Bellmore Engine

Company No. 2 will be hosting a Chinese Auction fundraiser at the Four Towns Training Center located at 1640 Merrick Road in Merrick. They will be donating 100% of the proceeds directly to the Taylor Family @Code91forBob. Their goal is to raise money to offset Bobâ€™s mounting medical bills and to provide scholarship for his two youngest sons, ages 8 and 9, in Bobs eventual absence. Join Bobâ€™s extended family, Bellmore Engine Company 2, at the Chinese Auction or donate directly using Venmo @Code91ForBob or by check to Bellmore Engine Co. No. 2, 2670 Bellmore Ave., Bellmore NY 11710. For more information call 516-633-8088 or email Code91forBob@gmail.com

2020 | VOL.7 NO.4

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Bellmore-Merrick Students Named National Merit Semifinalists

Connor Gibson

Stamatia Papazis

Lucas Ahrens

Dakota Guo

Samantha Green

Tyler O'Neill

Six students in the Bellmore-Merrick Central High School District have been named National Merit Semifinalists in the 2021 competition. Connor Gibson and Stamatia Papazis from John F. Kennedy High School, Lucas Ahrens and Dakota Guo from Sanford H. Calhoun High School, and Samantha Green and Tyler O’Neill of Wellington C. Mepham High School were all included on the list. “Once again we are in awe of the academic accolades achieved by our students,” said Superintendent John DeTommaso.

The National Merit Scholarship Program is an academic competition for recognition and scholarships that began in 1955. High school students enter the National Merit program by taking the Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test. Approximately 16,000 students, or approximately one-third of the 50,000 high scorers, qualified as semifinalists. Finalists will be notified in February 2021 and scholarship winners will be announced in the spring of 2021. Photos courtesy of the Bellmore-Merrick Central High School District

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ENTERTAINMENT

2020 | VOL.7 NO.4

LIIFE Goes On With two ways to see movies Virtual and Drive-In!

The Long Island International Film Expo (LIIFE) is the premiere filmmaker community on Long Island, and one of the most respected festivals of its kind in the world; showing almost 200 short and feature-length films in many different genres each year. Sponsored by the Long Island Film-TV Foundation (LIFTF), the County of Nassau, the Nassau County Industrial Development Agency and Gold Coast Studios, this year the 23rd Annual installment will be held from September 30th - October 8th 2020 and will include two nights of drive-in movies on Friday October 2nd and Saturday October 3rd at 7 PM and 10 PM the at Samanea Mall, 1504 Old Country Rd, Westbury NY. This year, LIIFE’s films will also be shown vir-

tually and will feature films from around the globe. The Long Island International Film Expo will also be honoring Port Jefferson’s own Maurice DuBois, the Emmy award winning news anchor for WCBS-TV in NY, who will be awarded the LIIFE “Excellence in Newscasting” Award. Actress Katherine Narducci (The Irishman) will be honored with an “Excellence in Film and TV” Award and Director Jeremiah Kipp (Grave Discoveries) will be honored with a “Creative Achievement Award”. The ceremony, including appearances by presenters like Kevin Brown (30 Rock) and Brian O’ Hallaran (Clerks) will be held virtually for participating filmmakers, sponsors, honorees and Gold Pass Holders during the virtual closing ceremony on Thursday October 8th at 7:30 p.m. EST. Perhaps, COVID-19 willing, the Festival will be able to present something special

at their usual home for the past 22 years the historic Bellmore Movies, 222 Pettit Ave, Bellmore, NY - as well! Check the website for updates. You can also learn more about specific showings/times and purchase tickets at: www.longislandfilm.com Festivals of the past have included such luminaries as the late Danny Aiello, Ed Asner, Blue Bloods’ Robert Clohessy and Abigail Hawk, Ralph Macchio, John

Amos, Ally Sheedy, 30 Rock’s Kevin Brown, Cathy Moriarty, Steve Buscemi, Ed Burns, William Sadler, Ilene Kristen, and so many more. LIIFE has become a must attend festival for serious filmmakers; with local and foreign film screenings, celebrity appearances, entertaining and informative panels, a star-studded awards ceremony, Q & A with filmmakers from the world over and networking galore.

2020 | VOL.7 NO.4

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2020 | VOL.7 NO.4

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Small Business Coming Back Strong! The entrepreneurial sprit lives large in our community with Blue Iris expanding into a larger space and Metro Physical Therapy opening a newly renovated

facility. Both celebrated with a chamber of commerce ribbon cutting joined by family and staff, elected officials and Bellmore Chamber board members.

Help Wantedâ€Ś Auto Technician (Merrick) Immediate opportunity for a Tech/ Foreman and other mechanic positions in the automotive industry. Looking for highly skilled technicians

with a lot of experience. Salary wide open for the right person who has the right skill set, attitude and willingness to work with others. Please call 516-871-5641.

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2020 | VOL.7 NO.4