Your NewsMag November 2017 Full Edition

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VOLUME 5, NUMBER 2

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NOVEMBER 2017

REMEMBERING OUR VETERANS

BROTHERHOOD SINGS TO THE SEASON

School Pantry: Reaching Out

SERVING HOLIDAY APPETIZERS

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NEWS

Your NewsMag

2017 | Vol.5 №2

Bellmore Vets Park Gains New Monument

“I

’m honored to see this memorial stone,” remarked Marlon Ramirez, solder with the 69th Fighting Irish of the 10th Mountain Division of the United States Army after the newest memorial stone that honors Iraq, Afghanistan and Cold War soldiers and participants was unveiled during ceremonies at Bellmore’s Veterans Memorial Park annual November 11 Veterans Day salute.

Ramirez told Your NewsMag he was stationed around Baghdad in 2004-05, and seeing the new memorial stone was an “excellent” way to honor those who

Inscriptions on the new monument Pet Holiday Photos!

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Iraq War Veteran Marlon Ramirez with Boy Scout John Benson III had served in these surroundings.

The newest monument marks the fifth one erected at Bellmore Veterans Memorial Park, which now honors and memorializes all major world and regional conflicts the U.S. has been involved in since the beginning of 1900: WWI; WWII; Korea; Vietnam; and the Cold War, Iraq and Afghanistan conflicts.

The monument is the achievement of Boy Scout John Benson III of Troop 192 of the Bellmore Presbyterian Church, in

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working toward his Eagle Scout badge.

A junior at Mepham High School, he spent roughly six months raising $6000 from local fundraising events and efforts to garner the funds to turn a great notion into … “stone.”

With his grandfather having served in Vietnam and his father having served in the Cold War, the idea to honor soldiers not yet memorialized for their accomplishments – in stone - came naturally to John.

Once he was sure of his vision, he approached Scout Leader Richard Czarnecki to develop plans and proposals. The plans, in turn, went to the church Scout committees, which gave their support. He went next to Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 2770 on Bedford Avenue, where he garnered their support as well.

Chris Peterkin, of VFW 2770, told Your NewsMag John’s memorial “Is a wonderful idea, because it makes veterans continually proud of what they accomplished and also proud of our youth” in helping to carry the torch for future

Certificate of Appreciation from the Bellmore Preservation Group, The Bellmore Community Cleanup Crew and the Bellmore Moms and Dads Facebook Group, presented by Bellmore attorney Jeff Gold and Wendy Yao. generations of veterans.

Mr. McGovern, a WWII veteran and veteran of the Bellmore Fire Department, was impressed with the turnout of more than 50 residents to witness the unveiling, adding that the “monument will show future generations the sacrifices made” on past battlefields for the country’s freedoms.

John also approached and met with [CONT. ON PAGE 6]

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HOLIDAY NEWS

Vol.5 №2 | 2017

Your NewsMag

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BELLMORE CHRISTMAS TREE LIGHTING & HOLIDAY EXTRAVAGANZA

T

he annual Christmas Tree Lighting and Holiday Extravaganza sponsored by the Chamber of Commerce of the Bellmores will be held Friday, December 1, from 6-10 p.m. at the Bellmore Veterans Memorial Park at the corner of Bedford Avenue and Broadway, in the Bellmore Village.

Festivities include the Christmas Tree Lighting at 7 p.m., the Horse and Carriage* rides from 6-9 p.m., trolley rides* from 6-10 p.m., a visit from Santa, and festive Holiday Music and a live Nativity enactment. Refreshments* will also be available. *denotes slight fee

BELLMORE MENORAH LIGHTING

The Bellmore Menorah Lighting will take place on Wednesday, December 13, beginning at 6 p.m. at the Bellmore Veteran's Memorial Park.

Religious leaders from local synagogues will lead in prayer as the 10-foot silver Chanukah Menorah is

Santa Arrives in Merrick The Merrick Chamber of Commerce will officially kick off the spirit of the Holiday Season on Saturday December 2, at Broadcast Plaza near the Merrick Gazebo with Santa's visit from 11 a.m. to 12:45 p.m.

Join your neighbors for the annual visit by Santa and bring your cameras, or buy a professional photo from Serengeti Designs as part of this fundraiser event.

lit. This year's celebration will include the singing of traditional Chanukah songs, led by Hebrew and nursery schools. There will be chocolate gelt and Chanukah giveaways compliments of the Chamber of Commerce of the Bellmores.

CHRISTMAS TREE AND MENORAH LIGHTING

The holiday spirit continues the next night, Sunday December 3, at 5 p.m. when the chamber invites the community to watch the Christmas tree and Menorah lighting at Broadcast Plaza. Stay for the community holiday cheer, with snacks and refreshments donated by local business owners and music by talented singers from the Merricks.

GIFT WRAPPING

The annual Merrick Kiwanis Club Gift Wrapping fundraiser runs from Thursday, December 7 ‘til Christmas Eve and is located on the main level of Roosevelt Field Mall outside of Macys by the Nordstrom entrance.

All proceeds are used by Kiwanis to fund its many projects during the year. The Merrick Kiwanis Club is the service organization in Merrick that serves the children of our community.

MORE HOLIDAY MAGIC

Holiday Boat Parade Jones Beach Light Display The Freeport 2017 Holiday Boat Parade will be held on Saturday, December 2.

Starting about 7 p.m. boats will gather along the Woodcleft canal and follow the lead boats down the canal. Lead boats will be The Captain Lou, The Starstream and The Miss Freeport. Dockage and viewing is available at the Esplanade or any of the restaurants along the canal. The route the boats take goes past Sea Breeze Park, down Randall Bay, the canal between South Long Beach Avenue and Westside Avenue, and back again …

The Jones Beach Magic of Lights light extravaganza is once again being held at the West End of Ocean Parkway at Jones Beach until December 31. Hours will be Sunday through Thursday, from dusk ‘til 10 p.m., and Friday and Saturday, from dusk ‘til 11 p.m. Pile everyone into the car and experience the festive one-and-one-half mile drive through the light displays, including the enchanting tunnel of lights,

the hay maze, top-flight animation and your favorite holiday characters, and more! Also, take in the Holiday Festive Village and get photos taken with Santa.

Cost is$25 cash at the gate, or purchase tickets in advance online for $20. Proceeds go to help the charities Rock Can Roll, Lexibean Foundation and MADD New York. Visit www.jonesbeach.com for available coupons.

Twenty-eight Chamber of Commerce of the Bellmores members and Friends of the Chamber throughout the Bellmores are again serving as collection sites for the “Toys for Tots” program.

If you would like to be a part of making a child’s holiday brighter, you may drop off a new, unwrapped toy by Friday, December 15 anywhere you see a “Toys for Tots” poster displaayed.

Or, you may drop off your new unwrapped toy to one of the following locations: All About Spanish – 1894 Newbridge Road As You Wish Parties – 418 A Bedford Avenue Bedford & Mane – 305 Bedford Avenue Unit C Bellmore Fire Department - 230 Pettit Avenue Bellmore Movies – 222 Pettit Avenue Cherrywood Foot Care Group – 2791 Jerusalem Avenue Chocolate Works of Bellmore Merrick – 2350 Merrick Road Crunch Fitness – 2212 Center Avenue The Dirty Dawg - 1867 Newbridge Road The Fleischer Dental Group – 2085 Bellmore Avenue Hair Effex – 304 Bedford Avenue Healing Grotto – 1762 Newbridge Road ILoveKickboxing.com – 2716 Merrick Road Inch by Inch Child Care – 2016 Newbridge Road King Kullen – 2730 Sunrise Highway Law Office of David Paul Weiss – 406 Bedford Avenue Martin Avenue School - 2616 Martin Avenue Assemblyman David McDonough – 404 Bedford Avenue Metromodes – 1850 Newbridge Road Moonflower Yoga - 2093 Bellmore Avenue Old Mill Nurseries – 1862 Newbridge Road Piccolo Ristorante – 2770 Sunrise Highway Phountain – 2793 Jerusalem Avenue Ridgewood Savings Bank – 2080 Bellmore Avenue Rosegarden Daycare & Preschool – 2611 Pettit Avenue Roslyn Savings Bank – 2641 Merrick Road Saf-T-Swim of Bellmore - 2050 Bellmore Avenue Winthrop Avenue School – 580 Winthrop Avenue

Music in the Schools!

The high schools and the middle Schools will hold their Holiday concerts open to residents of the community, in which musical groups from the schools will perform. The schedule is as follows: Tuesday, December 12: Middle Schools Winter Concert 1 – Merrick Avenue, 6:30 p.m. and 8 p.m.; Grand Avenue, 7 p.m.

Wednesday, December 13: – All high schools, Winter Concert 1, at 7 p.m.

Thursday, December 14: Middle Schools Winter Concert 2 – Merrick Avenue, 7 p.m.; Grand Avenue, 6:30 p.m. and 8 p.m.

Tuesday, December 19 – Mepham High School Winter Concert 2, 7 p.m.

Wednesday, December 20: Calhoun and JFK Winter Concert 2, 7 p.m.

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2017 | Vol.5 №2

Your NewsMag

☞ TABLE OF CONTENTS PAGES 2-8: NEWS

Bellmore Vets Park places new memorial monument; news of Holiday events around the Bellmores and the Merricks – and beyond; Rockin4Rescue charity is saving abused and abandoned pets; St. Barnabas Church food pantry serves all of Bellmore; In & Around; CHSD vote on selling Jerusalem Avenue school is December 5

PAGES 10, 11 AND 16: COVER STORY

The Bellmore- Merrick Central High School District is celebrating the one-year anniversary of its nascent Community Cupboard food pantry that it hopes can reach out to all families in the communities with temporary food insecurities to help keep them whole

PAGE 14: BROTHERHOOD

The annual Brotherhood Concert before Thanksgiving is a right-of- passage into the joyous Holiday Season

PAGE 20: FOODS

Appetizers are a glorious way to begin a Holiday dining experience – or just for throwing a fabulous party!

PAGE 22: LETTERS

Nassau County Legislator Steve Rhoads gives thanks for the community’s support, while one resident believes the sale of district school property will leave residents poorer for it

PAGE 23: BOOKS

Bellmore native and author pens a compelling memoir of growing up in the basement of a Bellmore home – after mother disappears and father turns indifferent to their peril

WHO’S WHO AT YOUR NEWSMAG Advertising and Publishing

Editing and Reporting

Jill Bromberg

Online

Doug Finlay Erin Donohue

Contact us with story ideas and news at: edit@yournewsmag.com info@yournewsmag.com To advertise, Jill@yournewsmag.com

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

Bellmore • Merrick

Tis the Season for Giving, Sharing, Celebrating Student Ambassadors from our middle and high schools recently came to talk to the Bellmore chamber at an open meeting. I was particularly taken by their passion and excitement to keep food on the shelves of family homes within the communities by locating a district food pantry in the district's administrative offices – to stock those family shelves. They each took a turn explaining why they are involved in this mission and the things they are doing to accomplish their goal of keeping families whole during - for some - financially challenging times. Their mission is to collect enough food to keep the community cupboard shelves stocked – and family homes - not only for Holidays, but year ‘round.

To this end, the One Voice, One Message Student Ambassador Program includes all schools and levels in collecting or doing something to make a contribution to this one, central location. The cupboard is now celebrating its second year and taking on a fabulous direction to help families in our communities.

The Brotherhood Council Festival of Music was, as always, a fabulous success. This annual event is one of my favorites in the community that I look forward to each year. Student and adult local choirs sang to a packed audience.

The Merrick Brotherhood Council mission statement is worth repeating: It seeks to foster mutual respect among people of all ages, from diverse backgrounds, cultures and creeds, and to encourage greater understanding and harmony within the community. As the entire community joins in song at the end of the festival, one can’t help but feel brotherhood and pride in our community.

Exciting events are still to come in our neighborhood. From Menorah lightings to Santa’s visit, the Bellmore and Merrick chambers of commerce have a beautiful way of celebrating with the community. The more celebrations the better! Attend both town events and then leave some time to check out the Jones Beach

light display and holiday boat parade in Freeport. Also, still to come, are the middle and high school holiday concerts, which are open to the community. Whether you have kids in the schools or not, consider attending. I guarantee you will be thoroughly entertained.

Will you be entertaining guests this Holiday season and trying to figure out what appetizers to serve that will help make your party a success? Look no further, the Merrick Girls Weekday Recipe Facebook foodies group has several suggestions for you. Executive Chef and owner Stephen Rosenbluth of Anchor Down in Merrick and Cardoon Mediterranean, in Seaford, shares his thoughts about appetizers.

And, let us never forget our war veterans, especially those who sacrificed with their lives in far-off lands so that we remain a free and strong society. Their memories are never far from us, in the forms of memorials and ceremonies we hold to honor them in parks we build in Bellmore and Merrick … to keep those memories fresh, and close.

Your NewsMag is delivered to all homes in the Merricks and Bellmores free of charge because you live here and are part of the community. Advertising support pays for Your NewsMag, so please support participating businesses by shopping locally. If you know of something that is newsworthy, please let us know. If your business is having an anniversary or someone in your family is celebrating a special occasion, we want to know. After all, your news is our news. Join us on Facebook to see more photos of community events and visit www.yournewsmag.com for updates through the month.

I hope you enjoy reading Your NewsMag. Jill Bromberg PUBLISHER 516-633-8590 Jill@YourNewsMag.com

Vol.5 â„–2 | 2017

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NEWS

Your NewsMag

BELLMORE VETS PARK GAINS NEW MONUMENT [CONT. FROM PAGE 2] Hempstead Town Councilwoman Erin King Sweeney, who told Your NewMag in an email that "We are so fortunate in the Town of Hempstead to have devoted Boy Scouts like John Benson.”

COLD WAR ALSO HEIGHTENED TENSIONS

Desert Storm, and the Iraqi and Afghan conflicts may still be fresh in the minds of many Americans, as they

Nassau County Legislator Steve Rhaods' bouquet of flowers to the Vets

2017 | Vol.5 №2

Remembering Our Veterans

came into homes through the television nightly. But little is understood of the Cold War, a war that was waged to protect the country from the Soviet Union, now Russia.

“I joined the military when I was 17, had my training and was stationed in Fairbanks, Alaska,” remarked John Benson Jr., John’s father, who was in the Cold War. A cold, hard fact, “Our job was to protect the country from a nuclear invasion from the Soviet Union over northern Canada,” he continued.

He trained in the bleakness of the frigid Bering Sea, near the top of the world.

A skin tattoo on his arm bears the insignia of an Arctic Warrior. “The Soviet Union got the nuclear bomb, had become Communist” and thought it could take over the world, said Benson Jr. Begun in 1945, the Cold War ended in 1991, with the demolition of the Berlin Wall.

Indeed, in the cool bleakness of Veterans Day, John Jr. felt “at home.”

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NEWS

Vol.5 №2 | 2017

Rockin’ to Save Abused and Abandoned Pets

“R

ockin 4 Rescue” is a new charity founded by Bobbie and Curt Arnel of Merrick. Curt Arnel runs a music jam every Sunday at KJ Farrells in Bellmore, and the Arnel family has adopted two dogs who were rescued from bad situations.

The charity was created as a bridge for the music community to assist in raising funds to donate to worthy animal rescue groups on Long Island.

The Arnels’ adoption experiences made them aware of the plight these helpless pets experience, and who are too often abused and/or abandoned.

“We have come to appreciate the selfless and thankless work of the wonderful people who actively rescue, foster and facilitate the adoption of these pets into loving homes,” remarked Bobbie Arnel.

Early this month “Rockin 4 Rescue” gave its first donation to a local animal rescue, “A New Begin-

Wendy Caldwell flanked by Bobbie and Curt Arnel ning Animal Rescue.” Wendy Caldwell, founder, was on hand to accept a $500 check from Rockin 4 Rescue, as well as an additional $175 collected that evening at the jam. “A New Beginning Animal Rescue” specializes in senior and infirm dogs that most other rescues will not take.

The Arnels appreciate the generosity and support of the Long Island community, many of whom are pet owners and care about animals in need of rescue.

If you would like to become involved, or have a fundraising opportunity to help support abused pets, you can “like,” “follow” and share their page www.facebook.com/rockin4rescue with those you know.

Your NewsMag

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St. Barnabas Social Ministry Food Pantry Serves Bellmore

W

ith a food pantry that serves up to 50 families a month with food sustenance to help them overcome any food insecurities they encounter through fiscal challenges, the St. Barnabas Roman Catholic Church’s Social Ministry food pantry welcomes donations of several types of foods.

Alice Witt, coordinator of the food pantry located in the basement of the church rectory on Bedford Avenue, tells Your NewsMag that the food pantry, which serves only the residents of Bellmore, is busiest during the Thanksgiving, Christmas and Easter Holidays, but the pantry remains sufficiently stocked throughout the year to provide for Bellmore families.

“The residents of Bellmore are very gracious and generous in their continued support of our pantry,” said Witt. The support, she said, enables the pantry to provide additional Holiday baskets of food for just the day – on a specific day, such as Thanksgiving or Easter - in addition to the foods they are scheduled to receive regularly.

She said the pantry is not an open pantry, no one can come in from the street and request foods. “We will accept those who request foods,” she said, regardless of their religious belief or ethnic background, but the

pantry administration will research the background of the family to understand the food requests, for example.

“Neither will we judge a family on whether they have an expensive car, or house,” Witt continued. “Our work is to help keep families together and to keep them whole” with sustainable foods.

The pantry accepts both perishable and non-perishable foods, as it has a freezer to help store some items. It looks for canned goods such as soups, vegetables and sauces and boxed goods, such as pancake mixes, cake mixes, pastas. Flours, oils, nuts, bagged goods, cereals, rices and all manner of other foods are also accepted – as well as monetary donations to help defray the costs of food purchases to keep the pantry stocked.

Witt says the food pantry is one aspect of the church’s social ministry. The social ministry, she said, can also help residents to find resources to help themselves, such as provide information to contact the town or county for transportation, or for medical assistance or other social service they may be in need of.

The pantry is open Mondays and Fridays.

1:30-5:30 p.m., and Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays, 9 a.m.-2 p.m. For information about the pantry, call 785-6243.

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NEWS

Your NewsMag

In & Around …

K

ICKLINE CLINIC: Mepham High School varsity kickline team will host its winter kickline clinic for children in kindergarten-through-eighth grade on Saturday, December 16, from 9:30 a.m. to noon in the gym at Brookside School, 1260 Meadowbrook Avenue in North Merrick. Various forms of dance will be taught and attendees will perform what they’ve learned at the end of the clinic. The cost of attending the clinic is $30 and includes two hours of dance instruction, a T-shirt and bagel breakfast. Registration must be submitted by Wednesday, December 13. Contact coach Kerry Dennis at Mepham at 992-1500 or kdennis@bmchsd.org with questions … STRESS REDUCTION WORKSHOP FOR TEENS: The Bellmore-based Children’s Sangha will offer a special Mindfulness for Stress Reduction Two-Part Workshop with Debbie DeBetta on Fridays, December 8 and 15, from 7-8:30 p.m. at the Garden at St. Francis, 1692 Bellmore Avenue. This workshop is open to all young adults ages 13 and up interested in minimizing stress and anxiety, gaining insight into mind-body health/wellness, learning how to incease attention and focus, and more. For information you can visit http://thechildrenssangha.

com/, or call. 783-1920 .. MUSIC FOR MITTENS CHARITY: KJ Farrell’s on Petit Avenue in Bellmore will hold a Music for Mittens and More event on December 16, from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., with live music all day. Music for Mittens and More will collect gloves, mittens, scarves, hats, boots and coats for homeless veterans. This year it will also collect warm winter clothing for children. Several bands will donate their efforts, some popular to the Long Island area. There will also be food and raffles, and is held for the Long Island Coalition for the Homeless. For information call the club at 804-9925 … IRVIN BERLIN, AN AMERICAN INSTITUTION: Temple BethOhr of Bellmore will present a lecture on Irvin Berlin, a master of the American songbook, on Monday, December 4, a t 1:30 p.m. While songwriter Jerome Kern expressed the opinion that Irvin Berlin had no place in music, Berlin wrote songs such as “God Bless America,” White Christmas,” “Putting on the Ritz,” “A Pretty Girl is Like a Melody” and “There’s No Business Like Show Business” to secure his place in the pantheon of great American songwriters. Lecturer Marty Schnei will discuss how the Russian immigrant came to America and went from ragtime-to-riches, publishing some 1500 songs. Free to temple members, $5 for guests. Contact Lucille Safir at 221-4207 for information.

2017 | Vol.5 №2

Residents to Vote on Sale of School Building

B

ellmore and Merrick residents in the four component school districts of Bellmore, Merrick, North Bellmore and North Merrick will go the polls to determine whether to keep the Jerusalem Avenue School building on North Jerusalem Road in North Bellmore within the Central High School District, or sell it to Nassau County BOCES, the tenant of the building for the last 20 years.

Voting will take place on Tuesday, December 5, between the hours of 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. If residents approve of the sale through the vote, all Nassau County residents would then vote on behalf of BOCES to approve - or disapprove – of the purchase.

According to earlier reports in Your NewsMag, BOCES has been a tenant of the old school building going on 20 years, at a rent of $1.3 million per year. BOCES has agreed to purchase the building for $12 million, with that $12 million then going toward reducing yearly tax levies for nine years, and other appropriations.

In a special meeting held by the CHSD board in the spring, DeTommaso said the building presently was in need of $15.3 million in capital improvements to bring it up to other district school building architectural standards.

Any agreement to sell the school building to

BOCES is contingent on the district being able to maintain ownership of the five-acre athletic field on the property’s western flank for the district’s athletic teams.

DiTommaso said the other fields surrounding the school building – the school field in back of the building that holds the annual Strawberry Festival and other PAL activities – would become BOCES property, and usage subject to BOCES approval.

DiTommaso added that all verifiable and reliable metrics for measuring population growth and spikes suggested there will not be sufficient growth in the Bellmore-Merrick communities to warrant reopening Jerusalem Avenue School in the future.

Eric B. Schultz, BOCES board president , remarked on repeated concerns that BOCES could sell the property in the future at a loss to CHSD, that “BOCES has no intention of selling the school building in the future.”

He said the school is centrally located in providing services to residents, and to sell the property would require the approval of all school districts that pay for BOCES services. “We want to see if we can actually build up and out” with the school building by adding new facilities, he concluded.

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Vol.5 â„–2 | 2017

Your NewsMag

Over 117 Homes CI/UC So Far 2017!

Over $74 Million Transaction Volume 2017!

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Your Success is our Success. Thanks for an Amazing 2017!

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Your NewsMag

COVER STORY

2017 | Vol.5 №2

School Food Pantry Reaches Out to 100 Families in the District DOUGLAS FINLAY

Community Cupboard Looks to Keep Them Whole

after that meeting she quickly cont began organically enough. tacted several school principals and For years students at the Central social workers of the idea, and next High School District’s Meadowbrook took the idea to the district’s AmbasAlternative Program were ensconced in sador students. assisting members of the Rock and Wrap As a committee, the Ambassadors It Up Foundation in Cedarhurst during are composed of several students the Holiday seasons to recover leftover from each of the five schools that sit and unused foods and distribute them to as a “think tank” to decide how to ima special location in Roosevelt called the plement – across the schools – ideas Rosa Parks House, a sanctuary home for given to them by Dr. Bollettieri. It is single mothers. they who decide and develop the proThe notion to MAP students of recovgrams that have far-reaching impact in getting students involved for good ering unused foods that could be reused causes. Of a food pantry that could be by residents who faced fiscal challenges a location to store collected foods for or food insecurities at the moment was School District student Ambassadors, from left, consistent with the students’ growing Amanda La Rossa, Dylan Lipman and Sabrina Jones residents of the comidealism and developing compassions. munities, the Ambasin the pantry They helped in recovering foods from the sadors enthusiastically district’s middle schools and other food estabseason. “Buildings did their own food drives for approved of the plan. district food pantries,” said Karin MacMahon, a “It was they who came up lishments to distribute for Thanksgiving and food pantry co-founder (along with Darlene with the name of the CommuniChristmas preparations , for example.

But for the approaching 2016 holiday season Boden, Tiffany Rzempoluch and Catrina Chris- ty Cupboard,” remarked Boden.

– and after the successes with the Rock and tenson) and physical education teacher at both Your NewsMag spoke with Wrap It Up organization - many MAP students’ MAP and Mepham. Students even collected for three Ambassadors while visitthoughts turned to something more … radical: specific families within the neighborhood. ing the Community Cupboard: Why not turn their focus toward helping resiThe precedent was clearly there for MAP stu- Amanda La Rossa, a senior at Mepham High School and a Medents to turn their skills toward the community, as was the steady need to pham cheerleader; Sabrina help those with temporary fiscal chal- Jones, an eighth-grader at Merlenges. rick Avenue Middle School; and “Students also needed credits for Dylan Lipman, a freshman at Kennedy High their social studies classes and other School. community courses they were taking, Sabrina said the Ambassadors generally of course,” remarked Boden, nurse at meet at the district's administrative offices to MAP and co-founder of the food pan- discuss topics for the year that are presented to them by Dr. Bollettieri ,and it is a big confertry – known formally as the Community Cupboard.. ence comprising several students from the five The students envisioned recovering schools. foods from the district’s middle school Dylan said that two topics put forth for this cafeterias – as they had with Rock and year by Dr. Bollettieri included cyber bullying ..

Wrap It Up - that were unopened, and poverty. It is up to the Ambassadors to dehadn’t been used and were not likely velop programs they can bring to Dr. Bollettieri to be put out again for consumption, so that she, in turn, can contact the various Rare healthy seedlings are sprouting in the and turn it into what they would call a school administrators to discuss plans for imgreenhouse food pantry. They then took the idea plementing the themes. of a pantry to MacMahon and Rzempoluch, But Amanda brought to the Ambassadors a dents and families within the school district itanother teacher at MAP. clear human dimension to the notion – and self? they asked. They were certainly well The two teachers, in turn, took the students’ need - of a community wide food pantry for versed over many years helping Rock and idea to Dr. Mara Bollettieri, deputy superinten- families throughout the district.

Wrap It Up on how to acquire foods, how to She did not shy away in telling Your Newswrap or box them and how to find places that dent of the district. MacMahon remembers Dr. could use the foods.

Bollettieri listening to their idea, saying little Mag she was once one of those families that Of course, as these events took place yearly and looking pensive, deep in thought. needed assistance in obtaining foods from a loat MAP, the district’s other schools had, for sevcal food pantry in order to continue as a family.

Because of temporary fiscal challenges, she eral years each Holiday season, been collecting AMBASSADORS WEIGH IN foods for families as part of the students’ collec“Pensive is the right word,” Dr. Bollettieri said said that a local church pantry provided them with goods that kept them stable and as a famitive process in charitable giving for the Holiday of the meeting. She told Your NewsMag that

I

ly unit.

“I am very grateful for what I received from the community through the pantry, and now I am enthusiastic about working to pack items for families who are in a similar circumstance that I was once in,” she maintained.

Each of the ambassadors explained that they are always eager to fill the bags and boxes up with foods that can be taken to families that have requested them.

Sabrina noted that she can get exhausted from the excitement of working to fill the bags and boxes. “But it’s a good tired,” someone in the room announced to laughter.

UP AND RUNNING

Once the idea of the food pantry, or community cupboard, had been accepted, MacMahon said the MAP students were excited to get the

pantry up-and-running. “We paired with our middle schools to drop off sealed or unused foods” that could be used as preparations for Thanksgiving dinners, she said.

Meanwhile, Dr. Bollettieri met with a facilities manager where the district’s administrative offices reside, and began choosing rooms that could be used as pantry space for collecting foods. There are now two rooms in operation with shelves for placing non-perishable boxes and cans, and for packing foods into bags and boxes, many with family names on them.

Superintendent John DeTommaso’s new communication that the district should promote a unified idea of “One Voice, One Message” throughout the schools took front-andcenter in a suddenly expanding movement to collect foods and place them in one central location within the district to house all the collections of food from the schools. The food pantry became that central location.

SEASONAL NO MORE

One consequence of a food pantry is that, while there may be scores of donations from [CONT. ]

COVER STORY

Vol.5 №2 | 2017

[CONT.] residents during the big Holiday seasons, such as Thanksgiving, Chanukah and Christmas, it runs a real risk of remaining bare much of the rest of the year.

“Our shelves are cleaned out and the pantry looks fairly skeletal,” Boden said of the “empty” feeling during the summer months, for example.

At the Community Cupboard meeting Catrina Christenson, another co- founder of the food pantry involved with student personnel at the school, explained that for the last two years the district has held a Martin Luther King Jr. Day that specifically addresses the need to collect foods that can essentially be stored in the pantry to be available all year.

Mepham Principal Eric Gomez added that each of the grades in each of the five schools is assigned a specific type of food to bring in, such as ninth grade collecting cake mixes, 11th grade collecting dessert mixes, seniors collecting cans of vegetables, and so on. When all grades throughout the district contribute something different-yet-substantial the potential volume of foods increases, he inferred.

When the question of dessert mixes was raised, for example, as to whether such confections should be considered of health value to the families requesting the donations, Christenson said that young family members may have birthdays or wish to throw parties. “As a

food pantry we will not make a judgment as to what they should receive,” she said. “With this food pantry we want to give them as normal a life as possible,” and cakes and sweets and parties are part of that full life.

This year the Stop & Shop supermarket in North Bellmore “adopted” the school district’s food pantry for Thanksgiving. At the register cashiers collected donations from shoppers toward the food pantry, promising to match the donations it received.

Katey Pastore, an assistance manager at the supermarket, told Your NewsMag that each year the store looks for a food pantry to share proceeds with. “We had been looking for a pantry to give to,” and when attending a recent Chamber of Commerce of the Bellmores meet-

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ing she was introduced to school district ambassadors and volunteers, who told Pastore of the food pantry’s operations.

“I was so impressed by the students that had set up the pantry,” she said, and specifically to Amanda, who was recently a recipient of a food pantry and who was now “paying it forward.”

The store raised $500, which was matched by the corporation with another $500. The funds then went to purchase more foods for the pantry - potentially increasing its volume for the year.

With the increasing volume, Boden said the food pantry was now poised to serve well over 100 families in the district with food items to help them prepare for big dinners such as Thanksgiving and Christmas - and beyond.

Perhaps the most intriguing aspect of the community cupboard - in grasping the significance now assigned to the community cupboard - is the development of a garden within the courtyard at 1260 Meadowbrook Road in Merrick that will soon act as an integral operation toward providing fresh and wholesome foods to provide pantry recipients with ingredients to cook their own dinners.

Just begun, the garden will go into the winter months with students eager to nurture young seeds to be ready for spring planting into a real garden in the courtyard.

Mary Sweeney, a science teacher at MAP, told Your NewsMag that she teaches students to grow seeds in class. “These are heirloom seeds,” she said, rare seeds that may be out of existence one day but can be kept for growing anew each year.

The idea by students to begin a garden for the nascent food pantry grew “organically,” leading to building the first garden-in-a-box in the courtyard that features radishes, Swiss chard and dill.

Jordan Ladd, a senior at MAP, wrote and received an $800 grant from Youth Service America to purchase seeds and other items necessary to begin a garden.

While Jordan works the rain barrel and the [CONT. ON PAGE 16]

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y sented b ents Pre merce v E y a d li m Ho ber of Co The Cham Bellmores of the

The Chamber of Commerce of the Bellmores ADVERTISING & MEDIA Bellmore Herald Life.................... 569-4000 Newsday Media Group ................ (631) 843-3038 Sign Up Now ............................... 221-3394 Tepper Marketing Promotional Products ................. 826-5067 Vital Signs Plus Inc. ..................... 223-3080 Your NewsMag ............................ 633-8590 Arts, Culture & Entertainment All About Spanish........................ 462-7777 As You Wish Parties, LLC .............. 590-7878 Bellmore Movies & The Showplace ............................ 783-3199 Billy Deans Showtime Café.......... 783-0003 New York Musician’s Center ......... 515-0236 Party Train DJ’s ............................ 442-0971 South Shore Art Center................ 679-7716 The Rock Underground ................ 221-7625 AUTOMOTIVE, MARINE & TRANSPORTATION A&L&J Service Center Inc............. 409-4433 All Island Yellow Cab of Bellmore.785-0412 Andersen’s Spring & Welding Corp...785-7337 Bellmore Automotive Inc. ........... 783-1188 D & P Auto Sales Inc. ................... 781-5641 Doc Side Marine .......................... 221-9818 Executive Limousine.................... 826-8172 Jerry’s Auto Center ...................... 785-8400 Parts Authority ............................ 221-5700 Village Auto ................................ 785-7763 BUSINESS & PROFESSIONAL SERVICES Allied Account Services, Inc ......... 783-9500 Century 21 American Homes ....... 679-0133

Clair S. Bartholomew & Son Inc. .. 785-0225 Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage.................................... 809-1000 Creative Arts Design Studio ......... 606-6217 David Paul Weiss, Esq. ................. 783-0330 Gary Marc Designs....................... 680-0144 Gold Benes, LLP........................... 512-6333 Inner-Circle Debt Solutions ......... 804-5867 Law Office of Cheryl Kitton .......... 826-1100 Newbridge Coverage Corp. .......... 781-9000 Organize Me! of NY, LLC ............... 783-9084 Phoenix Medical Billing & Consultant Services, Inc............... 783-6692 Pilot Drafting & Consulting ......... 679-4731 Realty Connect USA..................... 458-6882 The Accounts Retrievable System, Inc.................................. 783-6566 The Conneely Allstate Agency ..... 781-7722 Vintage Agency Inc ..................... 781-1407 Zagarino Realty ........................... 785-0013 COMMUNITY, CIVIC & RELIGIOUS ORGANIZATIONS Bellmore Knights of Columbus #3689 ......................... 785-9407 Bellmore LionsClub ..................... www.Bellmorelions.org Bellmore Memorial Library ......... 785-2990 Bellmore Merrick Democratic Club................... www.bellmoremerrickdemocraticclub.com Bellmore Republican Club ........... 783-0330 Bellmore United Methodist Nursery School ............................ 221-1483 Bellmore-Merrick United Secondary Teachers ..................... 992-1068 Community Parent Center ........... 771-9346

Congregation Beth Ohr................ 781-3072 Giovanni Caboto Lodge #2372..... www.GiovanniCaboto.com Inch by Inch Childcare Center ...... 783-3636 Long Island Crisis Center/ Pride for Youth ............................ 826-0244 Nassau-Suffolk School Boards Association, Inc. .......................... 781-2053 Neighborhood Assembly of God .. 221-3719 North Bellmore Public Library ..... 785-6260 Rosegarden Daycare .................... 783-9698 South Shore Country Day School & Camp ..................... 785-3311 St. Francis Episcopal Church ........ 679-1184 The Kiwanis Club of the Bellmores ....... www.BellmoreKiwanisClub.com W.C. Mepham High School Alumni Association www.MephamAlumni.org COMPUTERS & TELECOMMUNICATIONS CWC Security LLC......................... 889-3600 T-Mobile of Bellmore................... 900-1616 Keen Insites Internet Services ..... 205-4114 Overview Computer Service LLC .. 210-2000 Right Click Computer Solutions, Inc. ............................. 665-9313 Urban Digital Solutions .............. 620-5812 FINANCE & INSURANCE A. C. Miller Financial Advisory Services ...................................... (347) 545-1039 Angelo L. Buonomo, CPA ............. 993-3085 Brucia, Tom, Certified Financial Planner ...................................... 521-7362 Cohen & Mason CPA’s .................. 679-1970 Dime Community Bank .............. 221-6000

Edward Jones .............................. 783-3046 Income Tax Plus........................... 785-3046 Island Federal Credit Union ......... (631) 851-1100 Meyerowitz & Meyerowitz Certified Public Accountants ....... 379-2770 Ridgewood Savings Bank ............ 785-0385 Robert F. Schade, CPA, PC ............ 679-2495 Roslyn Savings Bank ................... 826-9100 Sandra G Johnson, CPA, PC .......... 409-1120 Sklar, Heyman, Hirshfield & Kantor, LLP............................... 826-4300 The First National Bank of Long Island ............................. 679-6200 Til Galvani Tax Preparation ......... 409-6950 HEALTH CARE Advantage Acupuncture Therapy PC ................................. 313-5052 Keith B. Annapolen DDS P.C. ........ 826-7272 Bellmore Village Chiropractic & Wellness .................................. 809-9191 Michael Berkenfeld DDS .............. 221-6262 Centore Chiropractic .................... 679-0900 Cherrywood Foot Care Group....... 826-9000 ChiroMom ................................... 221-1212 CVS.............................................. 783-5493 Finker Wellness .......................... 765-3272 Garfinkel Family Chiropractic ...... 783-8300 Island Wide Speech ..................... 415-2751 Kaizen Centre for Health and Wellness ............................... 781-9555 Kee-Zac Pharmacy ...................... 221-4022 Dr. David H. Krinsky, DMD ............ 785-2171 Livingston Foot Care Specialists... 826-0103

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The Chamber of Commerce of the Bellmores (516) 679-1875 • info@bellmorechamber.com www.belllmorechamber.com • 2700 Pettit Avenue, Bellmore NY 11710 Long Island Ophthalmic Concepts (LIOC) ........................... 783-0300 Gerard H. Menzies, DMD, PC ........ 783-7151 Metro Physical Therapy ............... 745-8050 North Bellmore Dental Associates P.C. ............................. 221-2271 Northwell Health ........................ 719-2418 Phountain ................................... 654-9400 Precision Pharmacy .................... 785-4774 Rite Aid Pharmacy....................... 826-3100 Dr. Christopher R. Scheno, OD,PLLC ....................................... 409-2020 Silverman & Associates ............... 781-9700 The Fleischer Dental Group.......... 826-3520 The Geller Dental Group, P.C. ....... 785-4744 Dr. George Wollman ................... 785-4483 HOME & GARDEN A Step Above Stairbuilders, LLC ... 679-2622 AG Electrical Supply Co Inc .......... 221-2209 Ammel Construction Corp............ 221-4081 Bryker Heating and Discounted Fuel Oil Corp. ............................... 826-0300 Built Well Solar Corp.................... 695-1000 Cary Construction, Inc. ................ 679-5107 Centigrade Heating & Cooling Corp. ............................... 826-9273 Family Fence ............................... 783-4904 High Tech Design Plumbing & Heating, Inc. ............................ 805-6040 Hillside-Lane Electric................... 221-7074 Holzhauer Plumbing & Heating... 858-0268 Indigo House Interiors ................. 660-1124 Island Greenery ........................... 785-0349 Kenco Designs, Inc....................... 785-8866 Old Mill Nurseries ........................ 679-6228

Panther Siding and Windows ...... 679-6620 S & M Concrete ............................ 546-4976 Servpro of Bellmore/ Wantagh .... 809-9600 Topnotch Construction ................ 826-6002 W.A.W. Creative Construction ...... 679-8393 PERSONAL SERVICES & CARE Bedford & Mane .......................... 221-5253 Bellmore Hand & Stone ............... 308-0999 Hair Effex..................................... 221-2022 Healing Grotto............................. 221-7258 Isagenix ...................................... 351-3005 Mary Kay Cosmetics- Nekk Lang ................. 781-2629 Mary Kay Cosmetics - Tatiana Mishkina ..................................... 499-1838 Massage By Sharon .................... 783-4102 Medwell Spa and Yoga Studio ..... 755-5855 Nick Nanos Oriental Martial and Healing Arts ............. 221-2503 Olga’s Hair Design ....................... 826-0139 Reset Sauna & Detox Studio ........ 781-8500 PETS &VETERINARY Bellmore Veterinary Hospital ...... 308-4050 Canine Couture............................ 221-3134 The Dirty Dawg ........................... 785-2442 Worldwide Puppies & Kittens ...... 679-7880 RESTAURANTS, FOOD & BEVERAGES Arby’s ......................................... 308-4535 Batter Up!.................................... (631)796-0378 Bedford Ave Deli.......................... 783-0155 Bedford Wine & Liquor ................ 785-0268 Carvalhos Restaurant ................. 679-3300 Danny’s Chinese Kitchen.............. 783-9000 Elisa’s Restaurant......................... 679-4805 Energy Fuel ................................. 221-3835

Jenn’s Place ................................. 864-3430 Jersey Mike’s Subs ....................... 612-8372 Komo Asian Cuisine ..................... 781-1899 Kona Ice of LI South Shore ........... 342-5757 Maui Wowi Smoothies & Catering ................................... 521-4008 Mediterranean Diner ................... 221-8721 Moe’s Southwest Grill ................. 590-7400 Morning Rose Café ...................... 884-4588 Mr. Softee.................................... 884-8419 Oak Chalet................................... 826-1700 Picantes Mexican Italian Grill ...... 503-8074 Piccolo Ristorante........................ 679-8787 Ralph’s Italian Ices ....................... 221-3230 Red Robin Gourmet Burgers and Brews ...................... 631-982-9774 Sal’s Lunch Box ............................ 263-0344 Spuds .......................................... 665-8333 The 3rd Rail ................................. 590-7220 The Bellmore Bean Cafe .............. 804-4624 The Big Cheese ............................ 236-7533 Umbertos of Bellmore ................. 409-1400 Vincenzo’s Pizza........................... 308-4350 Wow Brands ................................ (631) 457-9922 Zorns ........................................... 826-8000 SHOPPING & SPECIALTY RETAILING Bedford Stationery ...................... 221-2234 Bellmore Florist: The Petite Florist Inc. .................. 221-3749 Clothesline Clothing Company .... 557-2162 Costello’s Ace Hardware............... 221-0010 Cozy Cocoon ................................ (212) 660-9935 Dear Little Dollies Ltd. ................. 679-0164 Euphoria Psychedelic Gift Shop ... 781-4200 Furniture Gallery of L.I. ............... 308-7041 Gennaro Jewelers ........................ 785-0134

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Come Celebrate The Festival of Lights

December 13 at 6pm Veteran’s Memorial corner of Broadway & Bedford Avenues in Bellmore Village Our religious leaders from the local Synagogues will lead us in prayer as we light our beautiful 10 foot, silver Chanukah Menorah. This year’s celebration will include the singing of traditional Chanukah songs lead by student of the Hebrew and nursery schools. There will be chocolate gelt and wonderful Chanukah giveaways compliments of the Chamber of Commerce of the Bellmores.

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14

HOLIDAY MUSIC

Your NewsMag

2017 | Vol.5 №2

Annual Brotherhood Concert a Right of Passage into the Joyous Holiday Season

I

t is still a community highlight after 50 years — the Annual Merrick Brotherhood Council's Annual Thanksgiving Music Festival.

Alternating between community voices singing the “Thanksgiving Hymn” and “The Star Spangled Banner,” and more than 100 performers from the community and our public schools, this year’s edition was — by every measure - a hit. The program was hosted by co-presidents Rita Gilley and Lawrence Garfinkel.

In addition to the music, shout-outs were given to our own long-term New York State Assemblyman David McDonough in attendance and to the several power couples of husbandsand-wifes who have given so much to our communities.

Among these were Gladys Kruh and the late Louis, who was remembered as being in a photo with Ralph Caso as they together proclaimed Merrick as The Town of Brotherhood; the musical Richard and Rita Gilley; and the Garfinkels—Lawrence, program emcee and also Merrick Historical Society president, and wife Adrienne, a Merrick Woman of the Year for her contributions to the schools’ cultural arts support and long-term board member of the Brotherhood who conceived our successful Taste of Brotherhood gatherings.

Also saluted were the journalists of our community — Jill Bromberg, publisher, and her editor for the monthly magazine Your News Mag, Paul Laursen representing the Laursen Family--long time owners of Merrick Life.

Musically, highlights were reached in every performance. The Merrick Chorale regaled us with songs from Irving Berlin's “Annie Get Your Gun,” while Cantor Dan Rosenfeld of Temple Beth Am of Merrick and Bellmore led the very essence of a brotherhood group in four diverse pieces. His temple group was augmented in this

Calhoun Choir performance by members of the Seventh Day Adventist Church of Manhasset.

But the adult groups were only table setters for the remarkable contributions that next came

Temple Beth Am Choir with Seventh Day Adventist Church Choir of Manhasset from the youngsters of our district's public schools.

The MAMS Group, led by teacher Dana Bradwein, cheered us with their renditions of "No" and “Somebody I used to Know."

Certainly their equal, the Grand Avenue Middle School singers, dressed in pristine white blouses, were led onstage by educator Amanda Cantwell.

They regaled us with "Rise" and "Give Us Hope."

The host group, the Calhoun High School Concert Choir - who were among the performers at that first Festival 51 years ago - once again " wowed" the audience with their precision vocalizing, led by their stalwart leader-- Sanford Sardo. This splendidly "huge" group entertained

the assembly with diverse selections—“Daniel,” “Daniel Servant of the Lord,” “Run to You” and a unique rendition of “When Love Takes Over” — displaying the versatility that this unusually talented group has displayed through the years.

Cantor Dan delivered a heartfelt Benediction, placing a final thoughtful message for all of us-no matter our faith for this beautiful season.

As has been the custom, the audience filed out offering donations for Long Island charities feeding the many worthy families that find it difficult to celebrate this holiday on their own.

One felt the happiness in the air as people departed the Calhoun Auditorium — perhaps with the thought that next year's celebration is already on the calendar!

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COVER STORY

During a wrapping session in the Brookside cafeteria, in which students from the high schools and middle schools wrapped foods for over 100 families to be provided, Tiffany Rzempoluch, social studies teacher at MAP and co-founder, said the community cupboard now serves 30 families in the community twice a month. Under the school initiative of “One Voice, One Message,” all schools would bring their family collections to the community cupboard, and reach those 100 families, and more.

While packing, she said a mother came into the cafeteria and requested a bag of food, explaining she needed it for her family.

“We will give not only these boxes of mixes, but will also provide larger red bags with cans of goods and a $25 gift certificate, provided by an anonymous donor,” said Karin MacMahon.

The students , co-founders, teachers and administrators all involved in the cupboard maintain a strong inner sense that the school community cupboard is an idea whose time has finally come to fruition.

Our purpose here on earth … is to help one Students from the schools all help in wrapping foods another - The Dalai Lama

[CONT. FROM PAGE 11] compost, Emily Roses, another senior, has recently learned how to work on a winter garden from instruction provided by Susan Salem and others at The Garden at St. Francis in North Bellmore.

“I wanted to contribute in some way to help those families who may need help,” Emily said.

Not knowing anything about gardening, she says after going to the Garden at St. Francis for instruction she is confident she can work the soil.

In the courtyard there is also a hut for gardening implements that houses seedlings in specific containers for spring planting. Outside the hut sits a composter for unconsumed foods from the cafeteria.

2017 | Vol.5 №2

Kosher Pantry Seeks Donations at Holiday Time, Serves all of Nassau The Alex Rubinger Kosher Food Pantry at Congregation Beth Ohr in Bellmore has been located at the temple for over a year, having been re-located from the Temple Beth-El of Massapequa when it joined with the former Bellmore Jewish Centre congregation at 2550 Centre Avenue to become Congregation Beth-Ohr. Iris Astrof, coordinator of the pantry, says it serves all of Nassau County. “We are open Monday through Thursday, from 10 a.m. to noon,” she said, and will serve up to 12 requests for food during each day the pantry is open.

In service since 1998, the pantry collects and accepts donations of non-perishable canned goods as well as boxed goods, and is always grateful for monetary donations, which help to purchase more food items to keep the shelves stocked.

“We are grateful for canned vegetables, beans, fruit, tomato sauces, pancake mixes, sugar, cereal, soups, tuna fish, pastas and other non-perishable items to help with families with food insecurities at the present time.

She said it is important to understand that the food pantry will not judge a person or family by the car it may drive to pick up food items, or the types of food items it may request, such as cake or pancake mixes.

“We have no idea of whether a person driving a late model car has just lost their job, or whether the family member would like to throw a birthday party for their children,” she said. “It is not for us to judge” the requests being made.

There are four items that families will only be provided for once a month, and they include oils, sugar, flour and rice, she said.

To donate to the food pantry, or to request assistance, you can call Congregation BethOhr at 781-3072, or visit www.congregationBethOhr.org.

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Your NewsMag

17

MERRICK

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2017 | Vol.5 №2

Your NewsMag

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Town Waives Pet Adoption Fees for Holidays

P

reparing for the holiday season can be hectic and expensive, but through the Town of Hempstead’s “Home for the Holidays” pet adoption program, adopting a welcomed furry friend into your home for the Holidays is as “simple as apple pie.” In fact, it is even simpler and more affordable than “apple pie,” because loving people who adopt a cat or dog from the Hempstead Town Animal Shelter through Wednesday, January 3 can get the gift of “furry love” for free!

Through the “Home for the Holidays” program, all pet adoption fees are being waived at the Town of Hempstead animal shelter. What’s more, all adoptions include free spaying/neutering, age-appropriate vaccinations and microchipping.

“During this holiday season, consider bringing one of our shelter’s cats or dogs ‘home for the holidays’,” said Supervisor Santino. He said it’s easier than ever before to adopt a pet at the Hempstead Town Animal Shelter through the “Home for the Holidays” program. In addition to all adoptions being free

through January 3, the shelter will also provide spaying/neutering and age-appropriate vaccinations all free of charge.

The town has also partnered with Grooming By Rachel in Bellmore and the Island Trees Veterinary Hospital in Hicksville to provide free Holiday gifts for each pet adopted from the town shelter during the Home for the Holidays program.

Neighbors can get a head start on the adoption process by visiting the Animal Shelter’s website at www.toh.li/animal-shelter, where they can view cats and dogs that are up for adoption. Staff and volunteers are also available to assist prospective adopters who visit The shelter, located at 3320 Beltagh Avenue in Wantagh. For more information, please call the shelter at 785-5220.

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Your NewsMag

Owl sculptures mirror literature

L

introduce personal narrative writing and Martin Waddell’s “Owl Babies” to demonstrate the use of quotation marks. Also read were Marjorie Weinman Sharmat’s mystery book “Nate the Great and the Owl Express,” National Geographic’s “Hoot, Hoot, Hooray!” about the rescue and caring of baby Eastern screech owls, and the nonfiction book by Gail Gibbons called “Owls” to introduce the students to nonfiction writing.

“Creating themes is a fun way to teach children to read and write across the curriculum,” said teacher Marisa Demarzo.

After owl sculptures were created with Model Magic clay, the students used colored markers and water to paint their creations. They also reviewed the informaCharles A. Reinhard Early Childhood Center art tion learned in class, includteacher Michelle Block and student teacher David ing the purpose for an owl’s large eyes, talons and whisShear are pictured with second-grade students per-quiet flying techniques. and their painted owl sculptures.

iteracy and art came together as second-grade students at the Charles A. Reinhard Early Childhood Center in the Bellmore School District painted colorful owl sculptures.

An English language arts unit introducing various writing techniques and genres preceded the art unit. The students read Jane Yolen’s “Owl Moon” to

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20

FOOD

Your NewsMag

Appetizers Can Usher in a Fabulous Holiday Dinner Experience

“A

ppetizers start your dinner and provide an impression of what it will be,” remarked Stephen Rosenbluth, executive chef and owner of Anchor Down in Merrick, and the newer restaurant Cardoon Mediterranean in Seaford.

It’s what dinner guests first see and experience, and begins the expectation of what the main course will be about, he further explained. “It gets people ready to eat.”

But appetizers have also become about smaller plates, too, he continued. Whether at a restaurant for a Holiday dinner or at a Holiday cocktail party, trends are toward tasting a little bit of everything without having a filling amount of just one thing.

He says he provides more appetizers at his Cardoon restaurant such as dips and tapas, than at Anchor Down, because he has found that often diners will order more appetizers and share them, and not partake in dinner afterward. In that case, he makes sure to have sufficient choices of appetizers diners can fill their tummies

with.

Not to mention that appetizers are the finger foods one starts a dinner party off with, which provides an opportunity to start conversation with a guest or friend over an aperitif before sitting down.

“If dinner is about socializing, then you want an atmosphere to initiate the socialization” aspect of an evening out at dinner, he inferred.

Appetizers have their seasons, too, just as much as fashions and recreational sports have theirs.

In winter months Rosenbluth will provide plenty of comfort foods that are slightly heavier, such a baked brie, and soups, he said. While in spring and summer months he will forgo soups in favor of vegetable-type appetizers and seafood preparations.

He told Your NewsMag his fish tacos have become popular and he now has them back as appetizers in winter months, in addition to offering them as entrees.

He’ll soon introduce a Taco Tuesdays, in fact.

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he following appetizers for the Holiday season were provided specifically for Your NewsMag by members of the Merrick Girls Weekday Recipe facebook page. Thank you, ladies!

ROASTED MUSHROOMS WITH PINE NUTS AND PARMESAN

Carol Schmertzler Siegel • 1 tablespoon pine nuts (I used a bit more) • 1 pound cremini or button mushrooms, cleaned and trimmed • 2 tablespoons butter, melted • 1 tablespoon olive oil • 1 tablespoon chopped fresh thyme, or use less dried thyme • salt and pepper, to taste

2017 | Vol.5 №2 RECIPES • Parmigiano-Reggiano • Preheat the oven to 425°F. Toast the pine nuts in a small, dry skillet over medium-low heat for about 2 minutes, until lightly golden brown. Watch them carefully, as they tend to burn rather quickly. Transfer to a plate to cool. Chop them if you like. I leave them whole.

Put the mushrooms in a mixing bowl and drizzle with melted butter and olive oil.

Sprinkle with the chopped thyme. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Toss the mushrooms to coat. Spread the mushrooms in a single layer on a rimmed baking sheet.

Place in the preheated oven and roast for about 10 minutes. Turn them and then roast for another 5 to 10 minutes.

Transfer the mushrooms to a serving dish and toss with the pine nuts. Grate the cheese over and serve.

PETER BATTALIGIA’S BUFFALO CHICKEN MEATBALLS

Robin Niad Canarick Makes: about 36 meatballs TIME: 1 hour 15 minutes or so • 1 1/2 lbs. ground chicken meat • 1 small onion finely diced • 1 egg, beaten • 1/8 cup grated pecorino cheese [CONT. ]

FOOD

Vol.5 №2 | 2017

Your NewsMag

21

RECIPES [CONT.]

• • • • • • •

1/8 cup bleu cheese crumbles 3 tbsp. Frank's hot sauce 1/8 cup finely diced celery leaves 1/8 cup plain Italian breadcrumbs 1/2 tsp. freshly grated nutmeg 1 finely minced clove of garlic olive oil, butter For sauce: • 1 stick of unsalted butter (why unsalted? because there’s plenty of saltiness in Frank’s Hot Sauce, no need to add more) • 3/4 of bottle of Frank's hot sauce (the 12 oz. size) • 2 tbsp. finely diced celery stems and leaves • 1/8 cup bleu cheese crumbles In a large bowl combine all the meatballs and blend well so that each bite of that meatball will consistently have the same flavor. No short cuts!. When that’s well blended, cover and chill in a freezer for 10 minutes. Don’t forget it! Form into about 36 no-bigger- than-golfball-sized meatballs.

Ground chicken has a very odd feel to it and its soft (that’s why we chilled it before rolling the balls). Tip: Keep your hands wet slightly while rolling them, it will make it easier.

In a large non-stick skillet, add 1 1/2 tbsp.

olive oil and 1 tsp. of butter. Let this heat up and begin to fry the meatballs on all sides, until they are lightly browned. This should take about 12 minutes, about 4 minutes on each side. Don’t move them for at least 3-4 minutes because you want that crust to form. Remove all the meatballs to a platter and keep covered. In the same pan, now empty, add the 3/4 of the bottle of Frank’s Hot Sauce with the flame on medium.. Do not let this boil. Then add the stick of butter, stirring slowly on it. If you let it boil the whole thing will separate. Be gentle! When the butter has completely melted and you’ve blended it in nicely, add the meatballs back in and make sure they are well coated all around with the sauce. Let this cook together on low for 10 minutes. Then, turn off the flame and let them rest for another 10 minutes. At this point you can serve them or let them cool down and store overnight. My choice? Overnight. The flavors bloom, pop, awake and explode overnight.

When serving, add more Frank’s if necessary and top with the garnishes of the chopped celery and the bleu cheese crumbles.

STROMBOLI

Syndi Goldman-Reibman 1 pizza dough room temp, stretched out

until all sides cover a medium baking sheet; 1/2 lb. of pepperoni or salami sliced thin; 1 lb. of mozzarella sliced thin or shredded.

Make layers of cheese, meat, cheese and meat; Roll up like a very long jelly roll/snake.

Place on a tin foil lined baking sheet. Spray with olive oil and season the top with garlic, onion, basil and pepper; Heat oven to 400.

Bake 35-45 minutes until nice and brown.

Turn off oven and leave in oven another 20 minutes. Remove and slice on a bias cut to showcase.

Also: • 1 lb. fake crab meat shredded a bit • 1 8 oz. container whipped cream cheese • 1 bottle cocktail sauce Mix crab meat and cream cheese. Chill.

Cover with cocktail sauce. Serve with fancy large, sturdy crackers.

BAKED BRIE IN PHYLLO CUP

Kathy Regan Simone Buy phyllo cups in freezer section, chop up brie into bitesize pieces to fit in cup.

Top brie with a high quality jam or chutney.

Favorites include black raspberry or nango chutney. Bake as per phyllo cup directions.

Serve as individual baked bries.

Alison Casey Ingredients: • Fresh figs • Goat or blue cheese • Prosciutto • Fig jam • Bruscetta toasts Take 1/2 a fig, stuff with a little cheese, wrap with 1/2 slice prosciutto and brush with heated fig jam. Bake at 350 degrees for 10-15 minutes. Serve on bruscetta toasts.

Yum!

MAPLE WALNUT BACON BRIE

Randi Baris Slaper 8 slices bacon, chopped; 1/4 cup real maple syrup; 1 whole brie cheese; 1 sheet puffed pastry (defrosted); 3 tbsp. chopped walnuts; egg wash; crackers Preheat oven to 375. Cook bacon in skillet until crispy. Drain. Add maple syrup and stir.

Put puff pastry on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Place brie on top and top with all but 2 tbsp. of maple bacon mixture.

Fold up each corner of pastry and brush whole thing with egg wash. Top with walnuts and remaining maple bacon mixture. Bake 15 minutes or until golden brown. Serve with good crackers.

Enjoy!!!!!

22

LETTERS

Your NewsMag

Thank You for your Vote

TO THE EDITOR

I

wanted to take this opportunity to thank the residents of the 19th Legislative District for your overwhelming support on Election Day. I am honored and humbled that you have continued to place your trust in me to represent your interests in Mineola.

From the time I was elected in March 2015, I have tried to put constituent service at the heart of my tenure. It is important for everyone privileged to work in government to remember that we are the temporary servants of the people we represent, not the other way around. Whether it’s fighting for programs or legislation that will benefit our communities, or chasing down answers to a call for help from a resident, I will never lose sight of that fact.

It is one of the reasons why I am so pleased that my staff and I have responded to over 2000 constituent contacts in my short time here and why I pledge that if you call or write with a question or concern, I may not have all of the answers or solutions for you, but you’ll get an honest effort to help.

Sale of District School is Short Sighted

When the Legislature’s new term begins in January, we will have a new County Executive in Laura Curran and I congratulate her on her victory. I’ve had the opportunity to work with Laura during our time on the Legislature on key issues such Superstorm Sandy Fee Relief and on several community projects.

Having a County Executive and a majority in the County Legislature from different political parties does not have to be a formula for gridlock. Instead, it provides an exciting new opportunity for both sides to work together to find common ground and continue to fix the county’s finances; end NIFA control; rebuild our infrastructure; create jobs and move our county forward. I’m looking forward to doing just that.

Again, thank you for your support and for the trust you have continued to place in me. I will continue to work every day to earn that trust. Best wishes for a happy and healthy holiday season, and a wonderful new year to come.

Steve Rhoads Nassau County Legislator 19th Legislative District

TO THE EDITOR

I

write of the proposed sale of the former Jerusalem Avenue Junior High School by the Bellmore-Merrick Central High School District to BOCES (see page 8), with a vote taking place on December 5. The public is voting on two things: whether to sell the property and whether to sell it to BOCES. In my judgment, sale of this asset is greatly short sighted. The school district superintendent says the sale will be mutually beneficial to B.O.C.E.S. and the community. But I see no long-term benefit to the community. Right now, the Jerusalem Avenue School provides a recurring revenue stream, and will do so for years to come. Sacrificing that recurring revenue stream for a one-shot payment is not a good idea unless the one-shot payment is overwhelmingly large.

While the Bellmore-Merrick community may get fair market value for the building and land, at the current lease rate of $1.3 million per year for the building, it comes to at least $52,000,000 in lost revenue over the next 40 years.

If we are selling anything to B.O.C.E.S. it should be just the building and the parking lots, and not the immediate surrounding land.

The district will retain ownership of the main athletic field and track, However, to my knowledge, the athletic field and track do not yield income.

The proposed sale at $12 million amounts to nine

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2017 | Vol.5 №2

years’ worth of rent. The district would use the money to minimize tax levies and to fund future appropriations. Yes, for the next nine years. After that, the communities get no rent, forever, and will be unable to minimize or fund anything.

The district further claims that the current and projected enrollment is stable, with no foreseeable increases in student population. The district said if there is a spike in population, then those students could be located to Brookside School, which houses the district’s administrative offices. Where would they relocate to and what would the annual costs be to the community should spikes emerge?

B.O.C.E.S. is a good tenant and I also value them as an educational partner within the community. But, there are other tenants that would lease this property, and for perhaps the revenue the community now gets.

The contract for the sale of the property should include a clause that if B.O.C.E.S sells the property, it can only sell it back to the Central High School District. At the very least, the district should have first right of refusal on any proposed sale.

Additionally, should B.O.C.E.S. ever sell the property the community will have absolutely no say in that sale.

Stu Weinstein President, North Bellmore Civic Association

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Vol.5 №2 | 2017

Your NewsMag

23

A Few Minutes with Bellmore Author Heather Seigel Y our NewsMag first discovered Bellmore native and author Heather Siegel at the recent Indie Book Day sponsored by the Bellmore Memorial Library. Having attended several book forums and sat on panels, she was delighted at the interest and crowds at this event. A psychologist picked up her book, intrigued by the subject and title, asked questions and purchased it, for example.

She tells a compelling story of growing up in Bellmore in her new memoir Out From the Underworld. It is a story of subterranean basement living in a family whose mother disappeared at a young age, of being in and out of foster care because of it, of an indifferent father and of developing a life rich in imagination that would help her survive moments when she didn’t even know what day or what time it was.

What schools in Bellmore did you go to?

I went to Jerusalem Avenue Junior High, which is no longer called that, and to Mepham High School.

Where was the house with the basement you lived in?

The house I lived in was on Sawmill Road.

When did you discover you had a talent for writing?

I don’t know that I believe in talent as much as I do persistence and hard work.

I was drawn to writing as a teenager. I can remember displaying a penchant for writing in high school creative writing class. I also kept a journal. I have a memory of scribbling down who-knows-what nonsense as I rode in the backseat of a taxi, late to school. I was always late to school. That was part of the problem of living in a basement. It was perpetual nighttime down there. My circadian rhythm had no shot of normalizing.

Before I gravitated toward writing, however, I was a reader. Needing to make sense of the absurdity around me, or maybe trying to escape it, I devoured books. I read anything I came across.

Fluff and literature, fiction and nonfiction, it made no difference to me. With equal, rapt attention, I turned the pages

TEMPLE BETH AM THE REFORM CONGREGATION OF MERRICK AND BELLMORE FRIDAY DECEMBER 8, 2017 SHABBAT SERVICES 7:30PM INSTALLATION OF RABBI MICKEY BAUM

of Wanderlust by Danielle Steele and The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin, walking away from both with the same message: There was a big, wide world out there. People were doing fantastic things, embarking on impressive lives, overcoming hurdles—and I wanted to be one of them, despite my circumstances.

What circumstances to you speak of?

Besides all that I describe in the book my mother's mysterious disappearance, foster care, subterranean living - there was a victim mentality that the adults around me shared: a tendency to blame others and shirk responsibility. There was also no guidance. No goals or aspirations.

That's why reading became so important for me - especially nonfiction stories.

There were people who had it way worse, and they had overcome. Their stories lit a pathway for me. Literature, you could say, became my therapy. For my sister, earning money was her way out. For my brother, it was music. There came a point when the three of us, without ever saying it out loud, understood, that the victim mentality would end with our genera-

tion. We would take responsibility and own our lives.

So, for you, memoir writing is really confessional writing?

Some memoir is confessional. But the genre is much wider than that. There are transformative memoirs, travel, trauma, inspirational, medical, professional, coming of age, experimental and so on.

No matter the category, my interest is in the literary memoir.

What do you do now?

I'm putting the finishing touches on two other books, and shopping them with a literary agent. I enjoy writing personal essays about pretty much anything, and mostly about nothing—so long as it needles my curiosity. The slime my daughter makes—why!? The bake sale I recently ran—good lord, why did I sign up for that? Parenting, beauty, marriage… At some point I hope to put them together in an essay collection. In the meantime, you can read some on my website www. heathersiegel.net All my links are on the site as well: Amazon, goodreads, facebook, twitter and other online sites.

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Temple Beth Am invites the community to come and join the celebration as Rabbi Mickey is formally installed as the new head Rabbi of our wonderful synagogue.

The installation is a prescribed format and will take place during the regular Shabbat service. There will also be a short program with guest speakers.

Following services, join together to further celebrate with and congratulate Rabbi Mickey at an incredible super oneg.

This FREE event is open to all members of the Beth Am Family, their guests and members of the community.

Anyone wishing to make a donation in honor of Rabbi Mickey’s installation, please make checks payable to: TEMPLE BETH AM, 2377 MERRICK AVE., MERRICK, NY 11566. Mark the memo area: RABBI MICKEY INSTALLATION Due to the nature of the oneg, we must have a head count. Please RSVP to the temple office at 378-3477 by December 1, 2017.

Jeff Newman – Committee Chairman

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24

2017 | Vol.5 â„–2

Your NewsMag

DO YOU SUFFER FROM HEEL PAIN?

BY Dr. Leon Livingston, Dr. Douglas Livingston and their Associates at Livingston Foot Care Specialists.

New technology to treat painful heel spurs, plantar fasciitis and other painful conditions is now available at Livingston Foot Care Specialists, 1685 Newbridge Road, North Bellmore.

This new technologically advanced modality can eliminate your pain without surgery and without complications associated with surgery and affords you immediate return to normal daily activity.

Recalcitrant heel pain that has not responded to conservative measures has traditionally been treated with surgical intervention. Now the pain associated with these common conditions can be eliminated through shock wave therapy. This treatment blocks the transmission of pain signals and renders patients asymptomatic in most cases.

With minimal discomfort and virtually no significant complications, patients are ambulatory the same day and return to normal activities immediately. Patients have little or no discomfort following the procedure and often feel immediate improvement.

Shock wave therapy is an extremely effective method for treating heel pain and other conditions such as tendinitis and fasciitis that have not responded to traditional conservative measures. It provides a unique non-invasive modality that usually prevents surgery in the treatment of heel pain, fasciitis and tendinitis.

Shock wave therapy provides doctors and patients with a simple effective alternative to surgical intervention and its possible complications.

If you want to keep doing everything you love to do, this new treatment modality will allow you to do so. The doctors at Livingston Foot Care Specialists 1685 Newbridge Road, North Bellmore, 516-826-0103 have introduced this technology to their practice to help their patients.

Happy Holidays Dr. Douglas Livingston Dr. Leon Livingston Dr. Brandon Naing Dr. Alison Graziano Dr. Merlan Ellis Dr. Eugen Manno Dr. Edward D' Amico Associate of the American College of Foot Surgery

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