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HOLIDAY 2018

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HOLIDAY 2018 | Vol.1 No.4

Diocese Challenges St. Matthias Church’s Historical Significance

ttorney Christian Browne spoke before the Town of Hempstead’s Landmarks Commission recently to downplay the significance of St. Matthias Episcopal Church’s architectural and historical value, claiming that photos provided by advocates for landmarking the church were photo brushed to create a false impression of the church as an architecturally historical building. Representing the Episcopal Diocese of Garden City, he showed photos he had taken of the church up close that showed peeling paint, no sidewalk, a roof in disrepair and the steeple a mess of dangling wood, adding it was no more significant a historically or architecturally important building than any earlier Episcopal churches because it had leaded glass windows that do not display any religious articulation, such as the baby Jesus or other Biblical icons. He added that there had been no interest from parties to purchase the property since the landmarking issue arose, saying the diocese was being hampered in its efforts to administer to its more vibrant parishes to help them grow because of the potential loss of revenue a sale would bring.

Browne referred to the building as simple and undistinguished in its presentation on a plot of land that is now designated for residential housing.

SIMPLE DESIGN

Commissioner Mueller - one of five at the hearing - responded, saying Shaker houses are simple in design, fostering simplicity because Shakers were people who designed their houses for the simplicity they believed in. He said that while The Brush community of North Bellmore-Wantagh may no longer

exist, the simple single-shingle design of the church was built to reflect the values of the African-Americans who lived in the area at the time. “The building is an expression of the community that built it so it is also an expression of their religious beliefs,” acting commission Chairman Paul D. Van Wie told Browne. “Those windows are Gothic revival windows,” he continued, “so your suggestion that the church is architecturally undistinguished is just that: your opinion.” The exchange came during a second meeting to determine the historical, architectural and cultural significance of the St. Matthias Church after commissioners at the first meeting voted to land mark the church and send it to the Hempstead Town Board for ratification. But town attorneys threw it back to the Landmarks Commission for further discussion after the Episcopal Diocese hired attorney Browne. Rev. Andrew Dundraidge, bishop of the Diocese, next spoke before the commissioners to say there were procedural irregularities in dispensing with the original landmarking decision, and the diocese would

like to vigorously defend its claim that the church is not worthy of landmarking status. “We need proper research as to the building’s significant merit, we can’t respond without the proper research.” Commissioner Mueller told Rev. Dundraidge that the diocese could file an application, and that there was an enormous amount of material submitted at the first meeting that could be researched to help them develop a defense. When Rev. Dundraidge said that since the landmarking issue had been put on the landmark commission’s calendar, the diocese has had no offers for the property, inferring the landmarking issue was central to the diocese losing revenue for the property. “That’s your opinion,” Commissioner Mueller quickly shot back. Chris Wright, a board trustee of the Episcopal Diocese of Garden City, which oversees 135 Episcopal churches in Nassau, Suffolk, Brooklyn and Queens, said that AME is not a predecessor of the Episcopal Diocese, and is in fact a “separate denomination.” [CONT. ON PAGE 6]

Season's Greetings

Happy Holidays And Best Wishes for a Peaceful and Joyous New Year!

New York State Assemblyman DAVE MCDONOUGH Assembly District 14

Legislator TOM MCKEVITT Legislative District 13

Legislator STEVE RHOADS Legislative District 19

Councilwoman ERIN KING-SWEENEY Council District 5

Vol.1 No.4 | HOLIDAY 2018

HOLIDAY NEWS

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Wantaghâ€™s Wonderful T Winter Wonderland... he First Annual Wantagh Winter Wonderland is a creation of the Wantagh Chamber of Commerce with the design to bring all Wantagh residents together to celebrate the Holidays under one event â€“ featuring a great supporting cast of volunteers from the chamber. See you Same Time Next Year!

HOLIDAY 2018 | Vol.1 No.4

Your NewsMag

☞ TABLE OF CONTENTS PAGES 2 – 10: NEWS

Episcopal Diocese claims St. Matthias Church in Wantagh is not historically significant; first annual Wantagh Winter Wonderland comes to Wantagh; Merrick Road gets needed repairs; new Hempstead Town interactive road map directs residents to proper authority to get roads plowed or repaired; MacArthur head custodian wins award; Temple B’nai Torah gets new clergy open space law provides access for all

PAGES 10, 11: HOLIDAY SPIRIT

How to create a Holiday Atmosphere at home; simple tips to upgrade your next gathering

PAGES 14, 15: JONES BEACH

The Magic of Lights Extravaganza at Jones Beach West End Two Draws Huge Crowds

PAGE 15: SOUND ADVICE

Have you ever felt overcharged by an attorney?

PAGES 20: HOLIDAY RECIPES

A local facebook recipe group offers up a delectable cupcake just for champagne lovers, plus some easy-to-cook ideas

PAGES 21, 22: SCHOOL PERFORMANCES

MacArthur High School students perform “Hello Dolly!” while the Wantagh students draw a full house to see “Children of Eden”

WHO’S WHO AT YOUR NEWSMAG Advertising and Publishing

Editing and Reporting

Jill Bromberg

Contributing

Doug Finlay Bobbie Arnel, MItchell Rich, Esq.

On the cover: Children are mezmerized watching the American Legion Wantagh Pipe Band at the first-ever Wantagh Winter Wonderland. Photo by Jill Bromberg

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

Bellmore • Merrick

Reveling in the Holiday Spirit The premiere Wantagh Winter Wonderland event kicked off the festivities of the season with a Christmas tree and menorah lighting at the Wantagh Railroad Museum. The Wantagh Chamber of Commerce created a magical fairytale scene for families to enjoy with Holiday music playing in the background and Santa inviting children to sit on his lap to hear their Christmas wishes. Vendors were on-site providing an opportunity to shop for holiday gifts and decorations. And all were silent as the fabulous American Legion Wantagh Pipe Band mesmerized the crowd. The Wantagh chamber continued its efforts to bring Holiday cheer to Wantagh with the 24th annual Five-Mile Snow Ball Run. It was an exciting day for runners, with over 200 running under the watchful eyes of professional race announcer Terry Bisogno, “The Voice of Long Island Racing.” The magic of the Jones Beach State Park decorative light show is spectacular! In addition to the light displays you can view from the warm comforts of your car on a chilly winter’s night, the Jolly Holiday Village draws you in to walk through and enjoy hot coco, eat S’mores by a fireplace, listen to music, take a picture with Santa and more. The decorative light displays and Jolly Holiday Village will be up through Sunday, December 30. The fifth annual Jingle All The Way 5K run benefitting the John Theissen Children’s Foundation was a big success, with some 1000 running the course. Enthusiastic participants were bundled up wearing holiday sweaters, hats and even some with antlers displaying their Holiday cheer. In addition to participating in the race, many brought new unwrapped toys for sick and underprivileged children to donate to the John Theissen Children’s Foundation Annual Toy Drive. Visit www.jtcf.org to make a donation and learn about upcoming events. As always, Holiday school productions enchant their audience. Wantagh Middle School acted out scenes from “A Christmas Carol” and Wantagh High

School theatre performed “Children of Eden.” Meanwhile, MacArthur students performed “Hello Dolly.” Are you interested in classic films, want to participate in the Wantagh High School Key Club Relay for Life, need to register your child for kindergarten … and want to find out more about what is going on “In and Around” Wantagh? Then look for our special column entitled “In and Around” to learn more. A local foodies group once again shares its recipes with Your NewsMag readers. Perhaps you would like to ring in the New Year with Champagne cupcakes or try one of their other wonderful suggestions. Much needed Merrick Road repairs are underway and expected to continue through the New Year. In addition, if you see pot holes or snow removal problems this winter reporting them will become easier than ever with a new interactive online map at Hempstead Town’s website that identifies which town or county agency is responsible for that street or road. Your NewsMag is delivered to all homes in Wantagh 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 holiday photos of community events and visit yournewsmag.com for updates throughout the month. Happy Holidays and Best Wishes for a Wonderful New Year! Jill Bromberg PUBLISHER 516-633-8590 Jill@YourNewsMag.com

Vol.1 No.4 | HOLIDAY 2018

NEWS

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Merrick Road Repairs Through the New Year

Merrick Road from Newbridge Road in Bellmore east through Wantagh to the Suffolk County line is undergoing $1 million in minor repairs to sections of buckling concrete slabs using part of the county’s 2016 budget, a budget that was stalled while legislators were embroiled in an internal bottleneck. Legislator Steve Rhoads (19th LD) told Your NewsMag that sections of concrete that make up the concrete roadway have been compromised in recent years, with buckling and fissures that have made the roadway unsafe. He expects the repair work to carry through to the new year. Compromised sections of the con-

crete are being cut, then lifted and removed by backhoe. The spaces are then filled with asphalt, said Rhoads. Traffic patterns on the road during portions of the day have been reduced to one lane, sometimes in both directions. He maintained that teams from the county’s Department of Public Works have been on hand once the concrete slab is lifted to view the underlying road bed to look for further structural damage. “If the road bed underneath the slabs is determined to have caused the buckling or deteriorating condition,” then the entire area underneath the slab will have to be replaced. Rhoads said. Simple cracks in the concrete leading to water getting underneath the slab to

further crack it or buckle it would not be considered as serious. Once the Department of Public Works has determined the precise reasons that led to buckling the roadway and causing the deteriorating conditions, another $6.7 million will be required to repair any underlying conditions that exist at the areas and then pour new concrete into those areas to create new slabs. All asphalt fills along the roadway will be ultimately filled once again with concrete. The $6.7 million was expected to come from the 2019 capital improvement budget. “Concrete, while more expensive than asphalt, is more cost-effective because it will last much longer than asphalt as a road base,” Rhoads said. Compounding the slab-cutting is having to work with Long Island Power Authority to determine where electrical lines may be situated under the slabs to prevent the wires from being sliced. He said funding to finally put in new curbs – after new asphalt was put down

in 2015 – was to come from an amendment to the 2015 capital budget. Rhoads further noted that improvements were coming to Wantagh Avenue from Park Avenue in downtown Wantagh up to Island Road. “New curbs are being planned for that street as well,” but may not take place until 2020, he said. Areas of Merrick Road to be dug up and replaced with asphalt can be seen with white numbers painted on them or close to them. Merrick Road had extensive work done several years ago, when new pavers and benches were put down along both sides of the street, along with new lampposts that have brightened the roadway at night.

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When Commissioner Soren told Wright that the church had changed denominations from Episcopal to Baptist before it burned down in the late 1800s – and had put the information on when filing an application to landmark it, Wright said to Soren, “You are recused, aren’t you?” Your NewsMag reported in July that the Episcopal Diocese was added to the deed “in trust” in 1904 after the newly built church was originally deeded to the congregants, some of who were descendants of the prominent African American Jackson family, who had settled in The Brush. The Rev. Lawton Bryant, who served as pastor of the congregation for the last 10 years up until April 15 of this year, said that the diocese won a court case for ownership of the church and land because once the diocese’s name was put on the deed, according to Episcopal Canon Law, it became their property, and the courts agreed.

[CONT. FROM PAGE 2]

AN INTEGRAL COMMUNITY STRUCTURE

Tom Watson, a trustee of the Wantagh Preservation Society, disagreed with the attorney and Rev. Dundraige as to the church’s undistinguished structure. “A Quaker house is a simple structure,” he said, referring to the landmarked St. John’s of Jerusalem

HOLIDAY 2018 | Vol.1 No.4

Assemblyman McDonough Applauds Bill Signing that Protects Private School Students

Church on Wantagh Avenue. “Nor do I think it’s in major disrepair.” He called the early St. John’s church an abolitionist church. He said that while St. Matthias history may be Black history, “it is still the history of our area.” Gary Hammond, retired Nassau County Museum historian who has worked at the Cradle of Aviation and helped move the old Wantagh railroad station to Wantagh Avenue, said he assumed “St. Matthias was already landmarked.” He said the church shouldn’t be considered a “blight on the neighborhood” because it served as an important instrument in advancing the African American heritage within the area. Paul Daly, a lifelong Bellmore resident who is a historical preservationist and a preservationist for the New York City Parks Department, called the church a “major initiative in African American history.” He said any peeling paint could be fixed with a fresh coat of paint, any entangled boards could be re-nailed, and the gothic windows and single-shingle style were all planned accordingly to needs and tastes of the era. Commissioner Mueller wanted it known on the record that he has not been swayed by Commissioner Soren’s application to land mark to church. With that statement, he adjourned the meeting.

ssemblyman Dave McDonough (R,C,I-Merrick, 14th AD) authored legislation that was recently signed into law by Governor Andrew Cuomo, which mandates that private school administrations must report allegations of abuse as is currently the case with public schools (A.8485-B). Assemblyman McDonough first authored the legislation in 2016 and worked across the aisle with Chair of the Assembly Education Committee Catherine Nolan (D-Queens), of which he is a member, to pass a version identical to his that was authored by a Democrat in the Majority. Republicans in the Assembly often hand off legislation to Democrats in the Majority to have a better chance of it surviving the legislative process. This measure passed both the Assembly and Senate unanimously. “I applaud Governor Cuomo, Education Chair Catherine Nolan and my col-

leagues in the Assembly and Senate for continuing to push this crucial bill all the way to the governor’s desk and beyond,” McDonough said. “Although I originally introduced this bill in 2016, I was content with working across the aisle and garnering Democratic support to see that these protections were realized for the sake of hundreds of thousands of private school students across the state. Assemblyman McDonough was further heartened when learning a student at Chapin School in New York City who collected over 12,000 signatures requesting that Governor Cuomo sign this bill into law. “Although much of government can seem gridlocked and divisive, this is a beautiful example of how bipartisanship and good government can produce beneficial results, and I am proud to have spearheaded such a victory,” McDonough concluded.

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Vol.1 No.4 | HOLIDAY 2018

New Interactive Town Map Helps Residents Get Help Fast

he Town of Hempstead has unveiled a new interactive town map, accessible on the town’s website, so residents can more easily determine which municipality is responsible for maintenance of roads. With the new map, residents are able to search for any address within the town, and will be informed of which government body to contact with any question or concern regarding road maintenance. This becomes critical during the winter months, as snow removal concerns are heightened. In response to the thousands of calls that the town receives each year regarding street issues, Hempstead Town Supervisor Laura Gillen worked in conjunction with the town's Engineering Department Commissioner Doug Tuman, to develop the new system of informing residents to the proper channels for dealing with road related concerns. The town was able to build this functionality through a shared services agreement with Nassau County in order to foster greater inter-municipal cooperation, whereby the county gave the town free access to its Geographic Information Systems mapping software. “The Town is often the first call for residents who have questions, concerns or complaints about their roads, but the

problem is that with many different layers of government, overseeing many different types of roads, finding the right answers can often not be easy,” Supervisor Gillen said. Many residents who call the Town of Hempstead regarding street issues, such as potholes and snow removal, are re-routed to a different government agency. The new map will save thousands of residents who call and email the Town every year much wasted time and hassle, especially as snowier months approach. “Having passable streets that emergency vehicles can navigate on during emergency events is of the utmost importance, and our town residents are on the front lines of informing us whenever there is a problem,” Supervisor Gillen said. Most municipalities, especially on Long Island, have not implemented this type of public-facing technology for its residents. Hempstead is the first town on Long Island to make this kind of tool widely available for the community to utilize. “This administration is delivering on its process to modernize the Town of Hempstead,” Town Clerk Cabana said. Residents can access the map at www. hempsteadny.gov/map.

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Head Custodian Receives Award Michael Gunn, head custodian, MacArthur High School, was recently selected as the recipient of the 2018 Excelsior Award from the New York State Public High School Athletic Association and the Civil Service Employees Association. Gunn earned the prestigious award based on his dedication and support for school athletics, as well as his ability to promote and foster athletic spirit at MacArthur High School. Gunn, a resident of Levittown who

was born with cerebral palsy, has been working in the Levittown Public Schools for more than 40 years. He was a cleaner at Levittown Memorial High School, head custodian at Northside Elementary School and Wisdom Lane Middle School and for the past 26 years has served as head custodian of MacArthur High School. As a head custodian, Gunn has numerous responsibilities behind the scenes to help keep the building at its best and help the students and staff in any way he can. [CONT. ON PAGE 16]

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In & Around …

ELAY FOR LIFE: The Wantagh Kiwanis Club’s Key Club at Wantagh High School will hold a Relay for Life event on Sunday, January 13, from 9 a.m.- 12 noon at Wantagh High School. The team event, which will use the school track to walk around, looks to raise funds for and awareness of the American Cancer Society. The event will celebrate cancer survivors as it remembers loved ones and fights back against cancer. To become involved go to www.crowdrise.com/rflwantagh or join on January 13 … NEW “CLASSIC” FILM SERIES: The Wantagh Public Library will hold a new “Classic Film Series” showing two of Marlon Brando’s classic films, “A Streetcar Named Desire” and “On the Waterfront.” Streetcar will be shown on Friday, January 18, with showings from 2-5 p.m. and again from 6-8 p.m.; and Waterfront will be shown on Friday, February 8, with 2-5 p.m. and 6-8 p.m. showings. Both films will be followed by an in-depth discussion by local film critic Chris Woods, who promises a lively debate on the merits and social impact of each film. The library is also calling on all local poets to dig into their files or pen a new poem that could be read as the library celebrates Poetry Month in April. As T.S. Eliot may have said to fellow poets: “Let us go then / you and I ..” The Wantagh library

NEWS is also looking for new members for its Friends of the Library organization to sponsor author luncheons, book sales, trips and more. Contact the Wantagh Public Library for more information at 221-1200 … KINDERGARTEN REGISRATION: North Wantagh parents residing in the Levittown School District with children born between December 2, 2013, and December 1, 2014 will have their children eligible

INSTALLATION BREAKFAST: Nassau County Legislators Steve Rhoads (19thLD) and Tom McKevitt (13thLD) join in a Celebratory Installation Breakfast for clergy, including cantor Rica Timman and Rabbi Daniel Bar-Naham, at B’Nai Torah in Wantagh

HOLIDAY 2018 | Vol.1 No.4

for kindergarten for the 2019-2020 school year. Please contact Arlene Mege at 434-7058, central registration, at Levittown Memorial Education Center, to place your name on the list to receive a kindergarten package for registration. All packages will be mailed out at the beginning of January …

DJ’S CLAMSHACK JOINS CHAMBER: DJ’s Clamshack at 3255 Sunrise Highway celebrated a ribbon cutting as it joined the Wantagh Chamber of Commerce recently. Included are chamber President Patrick Benot, county Legislator Steve Rhoads, town Councilwoman Erin King Sweeney, DJ’s Clamshack Managing Partner Paul Riggio and several employees.

NEWS

Vol.1 No.4 | HOLIDAY 2018

Open Space Access Law Will Benefit Residents

assau County lawmakers have signed into law a requirement to open public access to all active parkland and open space in Nassau County purchased between 2004 and 2006 under the county’s Environmental Bond Act, where appropriate. County Executive Laura Curran included funding to support the local law in the county’s 2019 capital budget. “I support access to Nassau County’s beautiful parks and open space. We need to ensure that our residents’ rights to safely enjoy these precious county resources are protected,” said County Executive Curran. “This amended legislation affords our public access to parkland and open spaces while managing these county assets in a fiscally and environmentally responsible way.” Nassau County has 6000 acres of open space or active parkland that are open to the public. Although all public

land purchased during the bond will become accessible to all county residents, some areas will remain protected for environmental and public safety considerations, including critical fresh and tidal wetland. A bill originally introduced by the Majority was amended after consulting with the Curran Administration and officials from the Department of Public Works. Local acreage purchased under the bond act and falling under the new law include Fruggie’s Farm on Merrick Avenue and Luddington Road, now used for the Cornell Cooperative Extension program for agriculture; the Gold Property on Island Channel Road in Seaford, abutting Cedar Creek Park, which stands empty; and a new small parcel of unused land at the Brooklyn Water Works property on Sunrise Highway in Freeport. Through the new law, the county will conduct a 60-day assessment of open

space to determine necessary accessibility and signage. Additional information will be offered online, which residents can utilize when planning to visit a park or preserve. “Open space in Nassau County is limited and precious, and it is critically important to embrace every opportunity to preserve these natural assets,” said Minority Leader Kevan Abrahams. “This legislation strikes the right balance.” “I am pleased to have worked with my partners in the Legislature on this local law, [which is] responsible, bipartisan government,” said Curran. The county will move to quickly evaluate all active parkland and open space owned or operated by the county to determine where openness and accessibility to the public may be inappropriate due to the nature and characteristics of the property and parking requirements.

Your NewsMag

Wantagh Chamber of Commerce To Install New Officers

he annual installation of officers and trustees of the Wantagh Chamber of Commerce will take place on Thursday, January 17, at The Riviera, 200 East Shore Road, Massapequa, from 7-10 p.m. The new alignment of members is as follows: PRESIDENT: Cathy McCrory Powell, Universe Home Services FIRST VICE PRESIDENT: Karen Lofgren, Karen’s Sweet Addiction SECOND VICE PRESIDENT: Marilynne Rich, social media consultant CORRESPONDING SECRETARY: Matthew Kondrup, Merry K Travel/Castle Vacations RECORDING SECRETARY: Judy Cunningham, resident member FINANCIAL SECRETARY: Mitchell Rich, Mitchell J. Rich, Esq. [CONT. ON PAGE 16]

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HOLIDAY

Wantaghâ€™s Annual Snowball Run! The Wantagh chamber-sponsored run celebrates its 24th year

HOLIDAY 2018 | Vol.1 No.4

Vol.1 No.4 | HOLIDAY 2018

Your NewsMag

How to Create a Holiday Atmosphere at Home

reating festive cheer at home for the Holidays is easy and fun. Here are some great ways to transform your space into a winter wonderland. • Get cozy: During the chilly holiday season, decorate with comfort in mind. Light the fireplace. Add throw pillows to sofas. Turn off overhead lamps and use soft lighting instead. Consider how texture and warmth can contribute to your holiday decorating scheme. • Screen festive flicks: From “It’s a Wonderful Life” to “Home Alone,” keep your favorite Holiday films playing all the time to create a festive Holiday atmosphere, or host a special movie night and select a few classics. With the right projector, you can turn any room of the house into a home theater experience. Select a portable projector for the Holiday season that will sense ambient light in the room and automatically adjust the projection accordingly, so you won’t need to blow out candles or unplug holiday lights. Those from Casio’s SLIM Series

are lightweight and portable, combining a laser and LED light source to create a high-brightness mercury-free projector that uses half the amount of power per unit than its traditional lamp-based counterparts. Or, you can see when your favorite Holiday movies will be airing on broadcast, satellite or cable TV and keep them turned on • Fire up the oven: There’s no better time of year to roll up your sleeves and knead out some dough. One of the best ways to create a Holiday atmosphere is with scent, and the aroma of baking cookies, cakes and other Holiday desserts will do the trick. If you’re worried about having all those extra sweet treats around the house just before kicking off your New Year’s resolutions, consider volunteering to bring dessert to potluck and parties you attend this season or donating the product of your labors to a holiday bake sale raising money for a charitable cause. • Make music: Get the Holiday cheer

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going in your home by making music. Now you can get the sound of a 9-foot concert grand piano with the Privia PX-160, a portable digital piano, making it easy to gather round for a sing-a-long of all your favorite seasonal tunes in any room of the house.. • Add some flora: Holly, poinsettias, mistletoe -- decking the halls with traditional Holiday plants adds color and vitality to side tables, mantels, dining areas and staircases and more. Those with pets and small children should take heed, as certain plant species are toxic -- so avoid these plants or be sure they are displayed well out of reach of curious children and animals. Preparing your home for the Holiday season takes a little thought and energy, but the end result is a cheerful and warm atmosphere to make memories while spending time with loved ones. - Courtesy of State Point

ZONE AWARDS: From left, Wantagh High School seniors Samantha Sparta and Ethan Herman received the Nassau Zone Award. Wantagh High School seniors Ethan Herman and Samantha Sparta were recipients of the Nassau Zone Award. Sponsored by the New York State Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance, this award recognizes one male and one female Nassau County high school senior from each school district who exemplify outstanding scholastic ability, physical education performance and leadership qualities. The district congratulates Ethan and Samantha on this outstanding accomplishment.

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HOLIDAY 2018 | Vol.1 No.4

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Simple Tips to Upgrade Your Next Casual Gathering F

rom special occasions to everyday get-togethers, you can upgrade any gathering without a lot of extra work by serving delicious pairings of small bites and sparkling wines. Be advised that when it comes to great bubbly, you don’t need to spend a lot of money to get a great bottle. For a delicious, wallet-friendly option, try serving Cava, or similar, a Spanish sparkling wine made using the same traditional method as champagne. One Cava producer offering top-quality sparkling wines is Poema, a family-owned producer that farms its grapes sustainably. To help you plan your next gathering, check out the winery’s suggested food pairings for some of its top wines. These will have you covered for each course of the meal:

GETTING THINGS STARTED

Remember that guests often arrive hungry, so have your appetizer spread ready to go. Look for a sparkling wine that’s versatile enough to pair nicely with most tapas and light appetizers,

and fresh. Whether you’re serving a casual meal of build-your-own sandwiches with cold cuts and lightly smoked fish, or you’re barbecuing lean meats, this versatile wine will work for many casual style meals. For an added bonus, consider a picnic style theme with a checkered table cloth.

A FIZZY SWEET FINISH

such as Poema Cava Brut ($12.99), or similar, a sparkler boasting fresh citrus, mineral and Granny Smith apple aromas with toasted bread notes. Before your guests sit down, start them off with this Brut-style Cava alongside favorite light bites such as roasted potatoes, olive tapenade, jamón and Manchego cheese served with fresh crusty bread, stuffed mushrooms,

shrimp fritters or even oysters and other seafood.

THE MAIN COURSE

Consider a wine that pairs well with different main course options, such as Poema Cava Rosé ($12.99), or similar, which features fresh notes of strawberry, raspberry and rose petals and a balanced acidity that keeps the wine light

Don’t disappoint those with a sweet tooth by neglecting the dessert course! Whether you’re serving creamy custard, sponge cake, chocolate truffles or brownies, consider pairing with the sweeter-tasting Poema Cava Dulce ($12.99), or similar, which can be enjoyed alongside dessert, or served alone as a refreshing aperitif. Upgrading your next gathering doesn’t have to require a lot of time or stress. The addition of some high-quality sparkling wine will make an everyday gathering more festive and more memorable. - Courtesy State Point

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JONES BEACH

HOLIDAY 2018 | Vol.1 No.4

Magic of Lights Extravaganza at Jones Beach West End Draws Crowds T

he magic of decorative Holiday lights ablaze in the cool night air when driving safely through a familiar course is being experienced once again as Live Nation and FunGuys Events sponsor Long Island’s own special Holiday tradition with The Magic of Lights at Jones Beach State Park through Sunday, December 30. Unofficial tallies put the turnout at the Jolly Holiday Festival Village at anywhere between 2000 and 3100 cars packing into the village throughout the day during weekends, creating a “teeming” village of Holiday revelers out to see the lights and the festivities. George Gorman, deputy regional director of NYS Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation, told Your NewsMag that “Last year the Magic of Light Show saw approximately 250,000 attendees.” He said the program is now a popular holiday program that is looked forward to by Long Islanders every year. “It is now a tradition and we look forward to our partnership with Live Nation and the Magic of Lights for years to come,” he concluded. The Magic of Lights, presented by New York Community Bank, features new themed light displays using the latest LED technology and digital animations, including Candy Cane Lane, Snowfake Forest and more, as well as returning favorites including 12 Days of Christmas, Winter Wonderland and The Night Before Christmas. Other themed displays include the universe, construction and unique Nativity scenes. Families and friends can experience the Magic of Lights from the comfort of their own cars as they wind through its course in one of New York’s most beautiful natural settings, the Jones Beach West End Two drive.

JOLLY HOLIDAY VILLAGE

A special feature of the 2018 Magic of Lights at Jones Beach is the Toyota

Jolly Holiday Festival Village, located at West End Two, where guests walk through a winter wonderland of hot cocoa, S’mores by the fire pit, holiday music and movies, a hay maze, pictures with Santa himself and much more. The village is where Holiday revelers gather once driving past many of the decorative light displays. “Live Nation is excited to have Magic of Lights back at Jones Beach to once again light up this Holiday season,” said Alan Ostfield, president of Live Nation North Atlantic. “We look forward to continuing to be a part of our Long Island communities’ holiday traditions.” “I encourage New Yorkers to make a visit to the enchanting Magic of Lights show at Jones Beach State Park a part of their holiday celebration,” State Parks Commissioner Rose Harvey said. “We are thrilled to partner with Live Nation to continue this wonderful family event again this season.” Magic of Lights is open each day from dusk and runs through 10 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and until 11 p.m. on Friday and Saturday. Some exclusions may apply - please visit www.magicoflights.com for a complete schedule. Admission is $25 per vehicle Monday - Thursday and $30 Friday – Sunday (including fees). Special bus and limo pricing is also available. Visitors can receive $3 off weekday admission when they bring at least two non-perishable food items benefiting Long Island food banks. Other charity nights will be announced in the coming weeks. Last year Magic of Lights’ philanthropy made a meaningful impact in local communities by donating more than $150,000 in cash to local organizations in addition to collecting non-perishable food items, toys, books, coats and more for those who need it most. Tickets are available on sale now at www.ticketmaster.com. For more information and a complete schedule visit www.magicoflights.com.

Photo by Joshua Soren

SOUND ADVICE

Vol.1 No.4 | HOLIDAY 2018

Have You Ever Felt Overcharged by an Attorney? By Mitchell J. Rich, Esq.

n an effort to provide a fair and expeditious resolution of fee disputes between clients and their attorneys, the New York State court system instituted a program called the Part 137 Fee Dispute Resolution Program. This program was set up to broadly cover many types of fee disputes. However, it does not cover criminal defense matters, contingency fee matters such as personal injury or medical malpractice, matrimonial matters in which the person wishing to arbitrate the fee was ordered by the court to pay the legal fee for their spouse, situations where the attorney is from out of state and does not have a New York office or where the legal services were not rendered in New York. Other limitations are that the fee amount in dispute must at least $1000. The amount cannot be more than $50,000, unless both parties have consented to an amount over $50,000. Also the claims must be solely fee related and not questions of legal malpractice or misconduct. Once a client requests an arbitration hearing under this program, the participation of the attorney is required. If the amount in dispute is less than $10,000 the matter will be determined by one arbitrator who must be an attorney. For disputes regarding more than $10,000, a panel of three arbitrators will hear the dispute, which will include at least one non-attorney. During the arbitration hearing, it is the responsibility of the attorney to prove he or she is entitled to the requested fee. Until the attorney proves this, it is not necessary for the client to prove anything. Should the attorney be able to prove his/her entitlement to the requested fee amount, the client may be able to rebut that. Both sides may bring in any witnesses and documents of their choosing to the arbitration, however, it is within the power of the arbitrator(s) to determine issues such as the relevance of any documents and credibility of the parties and any witnesses. If either the client or attorney is dissatisfied with the determination of the

arbitrator(s) they may, within 30 days after the decision, bring a court action to have hearing before a Supreme or District Court Judge, unless both parties had agreed prior to the hearing that the determination would be final and binding. However, if such a new hearing is held, neither side may present the amount of the award from the Part 137 arbitrator(s) as evidence and the arbitrator(s) may not be called as witnesses. Clients who wish to arbitrate a fee dispute may do so quite easily by contacting the Alternate Dispute Resolution Office located in the Supreme Court Building at 100 Supreme Court Drive in Mineola. As this program has been in operation for many years, it has a proven track record of success in resolving these types of fee disputes with relatively few cases being pursued in the court system after an arbitration decision. With regard to the speed of the process, most cases are assigned to an arbitrator or panel of arbitrators within one to two months after a request to arbitrate is received by the court and the hearing is usually held within two months after that. The arbitrator(s)â€™s decision is usually received within one month of the hearing.

WHAT TO KNOW

Should you be a client who wishes to participate in this program, there are a few things that you should do both in your application to enter the program and during your hearing to improve your position. Most importantly, always keep in mind that the purpose of the program is strictly limited to the reasonableness of the fee and not whether the attorney committed malpractice, treated the client rudely, neglected to return telephone calls or engaged in some form of misconduct. A clientâ€™s insistence in making unsupported negative comments regarding the competency of the attorney may very well result in having a critical issue such as the credibility of the client decided against him or her. That leads directly into the next point. [CONT. ON PAGE 16ďƒ¨]

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HOLIDAY 2018 | Vol.1 No.4

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HEAD CUSTODIAN RECEIVES AWARD

WANTAGH CHAMBER OF COMMERCE TO INSTALL NEW OFFICERS

[CONT. FROM PAGE 7] Among his many duties with the athletic department, Gunn and his crew help set up football games, all the activities and any events in the school’s gymnasium. He credits a professional crew that works with district administrators for being able to do what he does on a daily basis. His colleagues are equally grateful to work with him. Keith Snyder, director of physical education, health and athletics, nominated Gunn for the 2018 Excelsior Award. In his nomination letter, Snyder reflected on how Gunn is an inspiration to all. “Mike is a task master, often taking on additional responsibilities not included in his job description,” said Snyder. “He is a champion of kid’s needs, helping with the band, clubs and in particular with the Athletic Department. Our athletic program is robust and without Mike’s help in the many facets of our program we would be truly lost.” MacArthur High School Principal Joseph Sheehan also praised Gunn for his tremendous efforts and the amazing individual that he is.

[CONT. FROM PAGE 9]

PAST PRESIDENT: Patrick L.Y. Benot, SwiftLife Computers New trustees include: Chris Brown, Mid-Island Medical Supplies Connie Conway, resident member Rosemary DeMaio, Mama’s Custom Cookies Ira Reiter, Merrick Dodge Chrysler Jeep Peter Spanos, Tavolo Kitchen + Pizza Tom Splecia, The Nook Restaurant 2019 AWARD RECIPIENTS INCLUDE Mitch Rich - National Council of Chambers Small Businessperson of the Year Wantagh Preservation Society – Organization of the Year Beautification: Garden of Hope – Numa’s Florist President’s Choice: Marilynne Rich Leadership Award: Chris Brown Citizen of the Year: Karen Lofgren Lifetime Achievement: Tony Smith – SAS Real Estate Special Recognition: Judy Cunningham – resident member

HAVE YOU EVER FELT OVERCHARGED BY AN ATTORNEY? [CONT. FROM PAGE 15] Always stick to the core issues of whether the attorney provided the legal services that relate to the bill in dispute, whether the fee requested by the attorney is in accordance with your fee agreement and whether the amount of time spent on your case claimed by the attorney was necessary, reasonable and in accordance with the scope of his/her representation of you. Keep in mind that a calm, thoughtful and focused presentation of your point of view is much more likely to result in a favorable determination than loud histrionics. As a result of the success of the Part 137 Program, fewer fee disputes clog the court system and consume resources that lead to higher state expenses in maintaining the court system which is certainly a major issue in these times of huge State budget deficits.

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Vol.1 No.4 | HOLIDAY 2018

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SALK-MACARTHUR STUDENTS COLLECT TOYS TO HONOR LATE STUDENT

HONORING LORENZO FERNANDEZ: From left: MacArthur High School students Noah Acerenza, Danny Conigliaro, Salk Middle School Principal John Zampaglione, MacArthur student Kara DeBlaiso, MacArthur High School Principal Joseph Sheehan, Lorenzo’s mother Laura Fernandez, Michael Conigliaro, Kathy Conigliaro and Lorenzo’s sister and Salk eighth-grader Amelia Fernandez.

RECIPIENT: The group surrounded by donated toys at the Columbia Presbyterian Children’s Hospital

Salk Middle School Principal John Zampaglione (left) and MacArthur High School Principal Joseph Sheehan helped load up the trucks with toys.

TIPS TO AVOID WEIGHT GAIN BY BOBBIE ARNEL

he holidays are here, which translates to five weeks of temptations from the end of November through New Year’s Eve. Well-meaning friends and business associates leave cookies, cakes and candies at our workplaces, and holiday party invitations abound. The result is a substantial weight gain for many people during the holidays. Here are tips to keep weight gain to a minimum: • If going to a party, don’t arrive hungry; eat a healthy snack like pretzels and drink a glass of water before you leave your home; bring a nutritious dish that will be appreciated by health-conscious party-goers, and this way, you know there will be something healthy for you to eat; go easy on the alcohol, and drink a glass of water in between each alcoholic beverage • At your family holiday dinner, just have a taste of your favorite foods, like your aunt’s famous apple pie or your mom’s special stuffing recipe. Don’t deprive yourself, but go for a few bites, instead of a huge slice or chunk • At a buffet, survey the entire buffet first; load up on salad and veggies; avoid fried foods and anything in a heavy sauce; eat fruit for dessert

• Add additional exercise to combat the extra food. 3500 calories equals one pound. Therefore, if you eat 3500 extra calories, you need to burn an additional 3500 calories above your normal routine in order to not gain a pound. Some suggestions to burn more calories: add 15 minutes to your regular exercise sessions, take a walk after every meal, take the stairs at work instead of the elevator, wear an exercise tracker, like a Fitbit, and challenge a co-worker to a daily or weekly steps competition • Keep fitness a priority in your schedule. With all the extra parties and vacations, be sure to schedule in time to exercise. If you miss an exercise class or gym workout because of an office party, do push-ups, tri-cep dips, lunges, squats and/or abdominal crunches at your home or office This time of year can be stressful. Allow the exercise to ease the stress--don’t let exercise become another stress. Exercising is the only way that you will be able to eat your favorite foods this holiday season, and not gain weight. Enjoy the holidays, and get moving! Bobbie Arnel is an ACE certified personal trainer. Contact her at bfit516@aol.com.

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Fifth Annual Jingle-All-The-Way Run a Big Hit! More than 1000 runners joined in the annual 5K race at Cedar Creek Park sponsored by Race Awesome to benefit the John Theissen Children's Foundation

Wishing you a beautiful Holiday Season and a New Year of Peace and Joy. Thank you for your continued support. ElysE Whiton

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HOLIDAY RECIPES

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HOLIDAY 2018 | Vol.1 No.4

sour cream and champagne and mix on medium speed just until smooth. Do not over mix. Fill cupcake liners a little more than half way. Bake 18-20 minutes. Allow to cool for 1-2 minutes, then remove to cooling rack to finish cooling. (You may notice little bits of butter in the batter, but that’s ok. They will melt into the cupcake as they bake.) Frosting: Combine the butter and shortening and mix until smooth. Add two cups of powdered sugar and mix until smooth. Then add champagne and mix until smooth. Follow by adding the remaining powdered sugar and mix until smooth. If needed, add a little more champagne until desired consistency is reached. Top the cupcakes with frosting.

GRANDMA’S BUTTER COOKIES Maria Furia

LOCAL FOODIES GROUP CREATES NEW INSPIRATIONAL FOODS FOR THE HOLIDAYS, THE NEW YEAR OR ANY TIME! If you are interested in exchanging recipes, the Merrick Girls Weekday Recipe Facebook group with over 20,000 followers invites men and woman with roots to long Island to join the fun

CHAMPAGNE CUPCAKES Susan Kennel

Makes 12-14 cupcakes

SHRIMP SCAMPI

Lisa J. Demars

Picnic bay shrimp with tagliatelle pasta, cannoli beans and spinach. Broth made from shrimp shells, celery leaves, piece of onion, smashed clove of garlic and 2 small bay leaves. Strain into pot of spinach and 3 cloves garlic. Cook till wilted, add shrimp. 2 to 3 minutes and you’re done. Serve over any kind of pasta.

Ingredients: • 1- 2/3 cups all purpose flour • 1 cup sugar • 1/4 tsp. baking soda • 1 tsp. baking powder • 3/4 cup salted butter, room temperature • 3 egg whites • 1 tsp. vanilla extract • 1/2 cup sour cream • 1/2 cup + 2 tbsp. champagne Frosting: • 1/2 cup butter • 1/2 cup shortening • 4 cups powdered sugar • 4-5 tbsp. champagne Instructions: Preheat oven to 350 degrees and prepare a cupcake pan with liners. Whisk together flour, sugar, baking soda and baking powder in a large mixing bowl. Then add butter, egg whites, vanilla,

14 large eggs 4 sticks butter 3 cups sugar 4 tsp. vanilla 8 cups flour 8 tsp. baking powder Icing: 1/4 stick butter 2 cups confectionery sugar 2 tsp. vanilla milk (add until spreadable but not too thin) about 6 tsp. Cream butter, sugar, vanilla and eggs. Add 2 cups of flour to mixture to thicken. Build a well with the remaining flour. Pour rest of mixture into well and work in gradually. Form dough into a ball. Let rest for 15-20 minutes covered with damp towel. Put into small pieces and roll into shapes. Bake at 375 degrees until slightly brown on bottom. Note: if dough is too sticky or loose, add flour and baking powder in equal portions.

MAGIC COOKIE BARS Joelle De Criscio

1/2 cub butter, melted 1 1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs 1 (14 ounce) can Eagle Brand Sweetened Condensed Milk 2 cups semisweet chocolate chips 1 1/3 cup flaked coconut 1 cup chopped walnuts

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Coat a 9 x 13” baking pan with no-stick cooking spray. Combine the graham cracker crumbs and butter. Press into bottom of prepared pan. Pour sweetened condensed milk evenly over crumb mixture. Next, layer evenly with chocolate chips, coconut and nuts. Press firmly down with a fork. Bake 25 minutes or until lightly browned. Cut into bars or diamonds.

SCALLOPS

Hildy Lippert-Teplitz In a large heavy-bottomed skillet, heat the oil and half of the butter over medium-high heat until mixture starts to brown. Transfer half of the scallops to a very hot skillet and cook without moving until seared. You can check the bottom of one to confirm before flipping the rest – if it hasn’t browned wait a little longer. Gently flip and sear on other side until caramelized (this side will cook more quickly). Remove from skillet; add remaining scallops and butter. Cook in the same manner as the first batch. Once the second batch of scallops is finished cooking, return the first batch to the skillet and give a quick, gentle toss. Remove skillet from heat. Add garlic, lemon juice, wine and capers. Next, season with salt and pepper. Give a gentle toss and finish with parsley and lemon zest. Serve immediately.

Vol.1 No.4 | HOLIDAY 2018

SCHOOL PERFORMANCES

Wantagh Students Draw Full House to Perform “Children of Eden” content, the play was focused on the universal themes of family and love. The play’s success in large measure came not only from the on-stage talent, but from choreographed numbers with puppetry and lyrics, including “Let There Be,” “A World Without You” and “Ain’t It Good?”

Seniors Kayla Burke, Carlo Tobia, Brandon Schroh, Cella Hurley, Bella Ninivaggi, Olivia Swanson, Meghan Kirk, Marisa DeVito and Dylan Goldstein

student cast and crew drew a full house during performances of John Caird’s “Children of Eden,” held in the Wantagh High School auditorium recently. Under the guidance of play director Heather Naughton, vocal director Jennifer Alessi and choreographer Kim Davis, the cast performed the two-act musical

with lyrics by Stephen Schwartz. Based on the Book of Genesis, Act I told the story of Adam (Carlo Tobia) and Eve (Bella Ninivaggi), and Cain (Owen Huber and John Sileo) and Abel (Aidan Schroh), while Act II tells the story of Noah (Brandon Schroh) and the flood. Assistant Principal James Brown played the part of Father. Although biblical in

Wantagh High School Assistant Principal James Brown (Father) and Bella Ninivaggi (Eve) put in strong musical performances

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WANTAGH MIDDLE SCHOOL STUDENTS ACT OUT SCENES FROM “A CHRISTMAS CAROL”

Seventh-grade students in Kim Davis’ English language arts class at Wantagh Middle School have a deeper understanding of Charles Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol.” The students have been acting out scenes of this beloved holiday favorite as part of a study on the genre of drama. “Acting out ‘A Christmas Carol’ makes Dickens more approachable for students,” Davis explained. “The students also learned about stage direction, monologue and dialogue and how the different elements of a drama interact.” The students were responsible for preparing everything that each scene requires, including limited props and sound effects downloaded from their Chromebooks. As they acted out the scenes, they noted new vocabulary and nuances in the way words are phrased and discussed the author’s intended message.

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HOLIDAY 2018 | Vol.1 No.4

MacArthur Students Perform “Hello Dolly!”

cians to perform. The classic musical spotlights widow and matchmaker Dolly Levi (Isabella Vasile-Cozzo). Among her clients is wealthy Horace Vandergelder (Lyle Greene). While helping him find a woman to marry, she secretly schemes to have him marry her. Dolly’s scheming also involves Horace’s employees, Barnaby Tucker (Kenny Galo) and Cornelius Hackl (Jake Schauder) as well as New York hatmaker Irene Molloy (Niko-

lette Dempsey), as she tries to cover up her own secret romantic designs. Members of the pit orchestra provided the music throughout the production while the production, stage, lighting and sound crews made the story come to life. The cast charmed audience members with their acting, singing and dancing abilities as they performed songs such as “Call on Dolly,” “Put on Your Sunday Clothes,” “Before the Parade Passes By” and “Hello Dolly.”

Hello Dolly was a dazzling production

he auditorium of MacArthur High School was transformed into 1890 New York City as the high school’s Drama Club opened the curtains to its musical production of “Hello, Dolly!” Senior citizens in the MacArthur community enjoyed a matinee performance on December 5, while the public experienced the show in the evenings from December 6-8.

The musical was a collaborative effort. With the guidance of director Lisa Levenberg, producers Carisa Wellenreuther and Mallory Oboikovitz, pit orchestra director Iris Winter, assistant director Helen Papayannakos, choreographers Ryan Nolin and Jennifer Malin and lighting and sound advisers Chris Brown and Lisa Cristallo, all led the way for the talented cast, crew and musi-

Pit orchestra director Iris Winter (left) and members of the pit orchestra during the performance

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