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MERRICK KIDS FEST IS COMING TO TOWN

BELLMORE CHAMBER PRESENTS AWARDS

WELCOMING SPRING!

EASTER AND PASSOVER RECIPES

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NEWS

2022 | Vol.8 No.8

TAX GRIEVANCE CDC Recommends DEADLINE EXTENDED Second Booster TO MONDAY MAY 2, 2022 T I

f you pay taxes on property in Nassau County you have the right to appeal the property’s annual assessment. If you disagree with the most recent assessed value of your home as indicated on the 2023-2024 tentative notice of assessment you can file an application for correction by Monday, May 2, 2022. The Assessment Review Commission (ARC) will review your application.

To assist you in the process, there are over a dozen free workshops to help you review your property value and file a grievance if desired. A free video is also available at the Assessment

he Center for Disease Control and Prevention has updated its recommendations to allow certain immunocompromised individuals and people over the age of 50 who received an initial booster dose at least 4 months ago to be eligible for another mRNA booster to increase their protection against severe disease from COVID-19.

Separately and in addition, based on newly published data, adults who received a primary vaccine and booster dose of Johnson & Johnson’s Janssen COVID-19 vaccine at least 4 months ago may now receive a second booster dose using an mRNA COVID-19 vaccine. For updates on CDC recommendations visit

Review Commission webpage. Visit https://www.nassaucountyny. gov/1510/Assessment-Review-Commission

https://www.cdc.gov/media/releases/2022/s0328-covid-19-boosters.html.

Every home in the U.S. is eligible to order 2 sets of 4 free at-home COVID test kits. Visit COVID.GOV and order your test kits today. If you need help placing an order for the at-home tests call 1-800-232-0233.

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NEWS

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In and Around…

Easter Parade in Bellmore On Sunday, April 9, 2022 the Chamber of Commerce of the Bellmores invites you to participate in their annual Easter Event which includes a parade and photo opportunity with the Easter Bunny. Children up to 12 years old will receive filled Easter Eggs provided by the Chamber.

The Easter Bunny will be in front of a Spring-like setting, courtesy of Island Greenery, where parents will have a chance to take keepsake pictures of their children with the Easter Bunny.

The Chamber requests participants assemble in front of the Bellmore Movies & Show Place on Pettit Avenue at 12:00pm on Saturday, April 9, 2022.

Kaleidoscope Gem & Mineral Show On Saturday, April 9th from 10am to 5pm and Sunday and April 10th from 10am to 4:30pm, the Gem & Mineral Show will be at the Freeport Recreation Center located at 130 E Merrick Rd in Freeport. The theme of the show is “products produced by mother earth.”

The show features dealers selling minerals, gems, jewelry, beads and fossils.

Find meteorites from other worlds and fossils from our own. You can personally select gems and minerals from around the world and handcrafted silver and gold jewelry directly from the artist at great prices. Admission is $5.50 adults, children under 12 with parents are free. All proceeds go to the Freeport Recreation Center to support programs for children and seniors.

Merrick Kids Fest - The Merrick Chamber of Commerce annual Kids Fest will take place at the Merrick train station April 29 - May 1, 2022. There will be food, crafts, rides, magic, fun and games for all ages. Hours: Friday April 29 from 6pm - 11pm, Saturday April 30 from 11am - 11pm and Sunday 11am - 8 pm. Merchant/professional display hours are from 10am - 6pm.

Saturday and Sunday Children’s Magic/Illusion Show 12 Noon, 2pm & 4pm.

For a limited time only online SAVE $5 ON PRE-SALE RIDE BRACELETS $29.95! https://newtonshows.yapsody. com/event/index/721575/annual-kid-fest-merrick-chamber Town of Hempstead Job Fair On Thursday, April 28, 2022 there will be a job fair at the Freeport Recreation Center located at 130 East Merrick Road in Freeport. Hours for Veteran’s Only at 10am - 10:30am; General Admissions 10:30am - 3:00pm. To attend, register at: hempsteadworks.com/jobfairregistration. Bring several copies of your resume. For more information visit www.

HempsteadWorks.com or call 516-4855000 ext 1181.

Merrick Chamber of Commerce 87th Annual Installation Dinner On Thursday May 5, 2022 the Merrick Chamber of Commerce will be honoring Merrick’s Man of the Year, Ira Reit-

er; Merrick’s Woman of the Year Femy Aziz; Merrick Merchant of the Year Kumon Math & Reading Center, Steve Dershowitz; And Merrick’s Professional of the Year, Seth Pitalke, Licensed Real Estate Salesperson at Douglas Elliman Real Estate. The Community Partnership Award will be presented to Investors Bank representatives Therese Mora and Dan Clayton. If you would like to show your support for the honorees by attending the dinner on Thursday May, 5, 2022 at 6:30pm, at the Chateau Briand located at 440 Old Country Road in Carle Place, New York visit merrickchamber.org click on “Events” where you can RSVP by April 18, 2022 and pay online. Attendance is $85 per person or $850 per table seating 10 guests.

Bellmore Friday Night Car Show The Bellmore Chamber Friday Night Car Show starts on May 6, 2022 and continues every Friday night, weather permitting, until the first Friday in October from 6pm to 10pm at the Bellmore LIRR Parking Lot on Broadway between Bellmore Avenue and Bedford Avenue. Free for spectators and admission to showcase a car is $5.00. Funds collected from car entry fees go back into the Bellmores and are used for the many improvements and events the chamber sponsors.

Spring Vendor Event at the Bellmore train station parking lot (between Bellmore and Bedford Avenues) on Saturday, April 23, 2022 from 10am until 6pm. Rain Date is April 30, 2022.

Are you looking for a special gift for Mother’s Day, Father’s Day or a graduating senior then this is the place for you! Check out the Chamber of Commerce of the Bellmores Spring Vendor Event!

Air Show at Jones Beach State Park The 2022 Bethpage Federal Credit Union Air Show at Jones Beach State Park will be held on Saturday. May 28 and Sunday, May 29 from 10am - 3pm this year. For more information visit https://bethpageairshow.com/

The Pit Stop Grand Re-opening The Merrick Chamber of Commerce organized a grand re-opening celebrating new renovations completed.

The Pit Stop is located at 1706 Sunrise Highway in Merrick. Owners Tony and Carolyn Rubano and staff were joined by Chamber representatives along with Nassau County Legislators Steve Rhoads and Tom McKevitt, Town Councilman Chris Carini and Town Clerk Kate Murray.

NextHome Supreme Realty Grand Opening NextHome Supreme Realty located at 217 Bedford Avenue, Unit C in Bellmore was welcomed to the Chamber of Commerce of the Bellmores with a ribbon cutting ceremony.

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☞ TABLE OF CONTENTS NEWS: Tax Grievance Deadline Extended to Monday, May 2 (page 2) ; Second Booster Recommended by CDC (page 2); Bellmore Chamber Presents Awards and Installs 2022 Board Members (page 6); Wedding Announcement (page 7); American Legion Merrick Post 1282 Law and Order Day (page 16); SCHOOL NEWS: Chatterton Four Graders Contruct KIND Wall (page 7); Student Success at LI Science & Engineering Fair (page 8); Kennedy REACH Team Named National Finalists (page 8); Bellmore-Merrick Broadcasting Earns Excellence Award (page 12); Winthrop Singing Club Returns to the Stage (page 17); Baseball Field Ground Breaking at Birch Elementary School (page 17) FOOD: Passover Recipes courtesy of Merrick Girls Weekday Recipe Facebook Group (page 14); Good Friday Fish and Easter Recipes courtesy of Merrick Girls Weekday Recipe Facebook Group (page 15) HEALTH MATTERS: 10 Doctor-Recommended Ways to Improve Your Overall Health (page 18); Fighting Stress During Uncertain Times

by Volunteering in Your Community (page 19 HOME & GARDEN: Landscaping Tips for Instant Curb Appeal (page 11) HOME IMPROVEMENT: Revive, Refresh and Reinvigorate Your Home (page 10)

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

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

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

Bellmore • Merrick

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Welcoming Spring!

’m so glad to finally hang up my winter coat and feel the freshness of spring in the air. It is time to get outside, get moving, get ready for the holidays and have fun!

Check out what is going on “In and Around” town for family fun! For example, the Easter Bunny will be visiting Bellmore. Join the Chamber of Commerce of the Bellmores annual Easter parade in Bellmore Village. On April 9, 2022 the Easter Bunny will lead the parade of children and their families wearing their favorite Easter bonnets. Bring your camera so you can take a keepsake picture with the Easter Bunny.

There will be a Gem and Mineral Show on Saturday, April 9th at the Freeport Recreation Center. The show features dealers selling minerals, gems, jewelry and beads. You may even find meteorites from other worlds and fossils from our own.

The Merrick Chamber of Commerce annual Kids Fest is coming to Merrick the last weekend in April.

Discount ride bracelets are available online only. See inside and follow the link to take advantage of this special offer. The Kids Fest has something for the entire family. It’s a great opportunity to be outside and see friends from the neighborhood, walk through the fair and craft areas, meet local merchants, get a bite to eat and don’t forget the rides!

The Merrick chamber hosts the Kids Fest to raise money to give back to the community in scholarships for students in the Bellmore-Merrick Central High School District.

Students in the Bellmore-Merrick Central High School District have earned recognition for excellence. Read about talented bright students in our community.

The Chamber of Commerce of the Bellmores presented awards for Lifetime Achievement, Outstanding Community Member and Chamber Member of the Year at their annual Chamber board installation dinner. Meet the well deserved honorees and learn why the chamber selected these distinguished recipients.

The American Legion Merrick Post 1282 hosted their annual Law and Order Day honoring Law Enforcement and First Responders who served the community during the past year. Thank you for your service making our community a safe and great place to live work and play!

Passover and Easter holidays are just around the corner and families and friends are already making plans to share a holiday meal. There is nothing quite

as special as sharing traditional holiday comfort foods with our closest friends and family. Our neighborhood facebook foodies group, Merrick Girls Weekday Recipe group has some delicious ideas for you to try. I plan on trying a few myself!

After all that holiday cooking a special Mother’s Day meal out will be a great treat! And if you want a delicious seafood meal look no further than one of 2022 Best of LI Chef Steven Rosenbluth’s restaurants. He is the owner of the 2022 Best of LI Best Seafood Restaurant Anchor Down NY in Merrick and Anchor Down Dockside in Seaford. Anchor Down Dockside will be reopening for the season on April 20, 2022.

As spring emerges take a walk around the house and look for home improvement projects needed to spruce up for spring. Painting contractor, Marc Bromberg has some tips on keeping your home investment in tip top shape.

Keep your body and mind in tip top shape. Read the “Health Matters” section for tips to improve your health and fight stress.

Your NewsMag is now optimized for viewing on any device and social sharing. Read digital stories and follow live links for an exciting interactive experience.

Your NewsMag is keeping up with the times delivering community news digitally so you can enjoy Your NewsMag when you want, where you want and from your cell phone, iPad or desktop. Would you like to get Your NewsMag sent directly to your inbox? Email jill@ yournewsmag.com and follow us on Facebook where you can let us know which stories you like. I hope you enjoy reading this edition of Your NewsMag. Happy Easter & Happy Passover!

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

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Bellmore Chamber Presents Awards And Installs 2022 Board Members

The Chamber of Commerce of the Bellmores held their annual board installation dinner at the of Chateau Briand in Carl Place on March 3, 2022. Chamber Vice President Gene Judd presented awards to Lifetime Achievement recipient Robert Alweis, Outstanding Community Member of the Year James Marinello and Chamber Member of the Year Last Minute Details owner Joseph LoPresti.

CHAMBER OF COMMERCE OF THE BELLMORES 2022 BOARD President: Jim Spohrer Vice President, Gene Judd Secretary, Nancy Hiler Treasurer, Kristen Robertson Board of Directors: Robert Alweis Sal Briganti Jill Bromberg Greg Conneely Paul Danziger Hector Granados Joseph LoPresti Aldon Magloire Michael Pittakas Robert Saylor Danielle Spina Dan Yngstrom

LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD

Robert Alweis: Robert Alweis is the President and

CEO of Robert Alweis Engineering, Inc. Robert began his career as a draftsman and then in 2007 he became a licensed professional engineer in NYS, expanding his role and responsibility in the residential and commercial sector of the building industry. After many years of hard work and dedication, Robert created two other companies that provide services in building science and home energy solutions using diagnostic testing tools and infrared imaging. Robert is a Home Energy Rater for new and existing homes where homes are inspected for quality installation practices, HVAC design, and overall energy efficiency.

Robert gives back to the community by offering an internship program to the local high school students providing guidance in developing rudimentary Autocad skills, basic drafting knowledge and professional office ethics. Robert is also a longtime supporter of St. Judes Children’s Research Hospital and the American Heart Association.

Robert Alweis, PE, PC licensed professional engineer in NY, CT, NC and OH. ICC certification in Structural Steel & Bolting, Residential Energy Inspection/Plans Examiner and licensed Home Inspector. He is a member of the American Society of Civil Engineers, Associate member of the AIA and Building Inspector Association of Nassau & Suffolk Counties. In 2015 he received the NCCC Small Business Person of the Year Award.

years he has dedicated his life to the emergency services, both as a career and volunteer. For the past 2 years he has been a volunteer with the Bellmore Merrick Emergency Medical services as one of the directors and advanced life support providers.

CHAMBER MEMBER OF THE YEAR Last Minute Details

OUTSTANDING COMMUNITY MEMBER OF THE YEAR James Marinello

James is a lifelong Bellmore resident who started his volunteer career in 1988 with the Bellmore Fire Department. He became a figherfigher/ EMT when he was a senior at Mepham High School. For the past 34

Last Minute Details owner Joseph LoPresti has dedicated many hours assisting the chamber in running community events including his weekly participation in helping to run the Bellmore Friday Night Car show at the train station parking lot.

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Wedding Announcement H empstead Town Clerk Kate Murray (left) officiated the wedding of North Bellmore residents Jade James and Cary Cook – joined by their children, Harley, Dustin and Charlie – on March 11, 2022 at Hempstead Town Hall. Residents interested in obtaining their marriage license and/or scheduling a wedding ceremony should call the Office of the Town Clerk at (516) 812-3014 or visit hempsteadny. gov/marriage.

Chatterton Fourth Graders Construct KIND Wall

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ourth graders in Karin Frongillo’s class are really getting into their school work. They recently created a colorful KIND wall in the Chatterton School main hallway, where students can insert themselves as the “I” in KIND. The bulletin board came about after a monthlong celebration of kindness.

“Students read picture books, studied kindness quotes and wrote about how kindness starts with them, and how they can show kindness throughout the day,” explained Frongillo. “They helped assemble the bulletin board and left their handprints.”

Photo courtesy of Merrick Union Free School District

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Student Success at LI Science & Engineering Fair Bellmore-Merrick Central High School District is proud to announce the achievements of three of its students at the Long Island Science & Engineering Fair.

Chris Prainito of John F. Kennedy High School earned first place in the LISEF for his project, “Development of a Polydiacetylene-Based Paper Biosensor for Naked-Eye Detection of COVID-19 in Saliva.” The 12th grader will be traveling to Georgia May 7-13 to compete in the International Science and Engineering Fair.

Kennedy’s Michelle Brown, 12th grade, earned an honorable mention medal for her project, “The Concurrent Effects of Metformin and Dietary Restriction on Parkinson’s Disease in a Drosophila melanogaster Mode.”

Sanford H. Calhoun High School se-

nior Julie Moehringer also earned honorable mention for her project, “Retinal Ganglion Cell Functional Recovery After Intraocular Pressure Lowering Treatment Using Prostaglandin Analogs in Glaucoma Suspects.”

Photo courtesy of Bellmore-Merrick Central High School Districtф

Kennedy REACH Team Named National Finalists The John F. Kennedy High School ITEEA REACH (International Technology and Engineering Educators Association) team received their poster award after being named finalists in the competition.

This is the highest award the district has ever won in this national competition.

They were challenged to create an adaptive and assistive device. They created a Thermal Kinetic Therapeutic Glove to help individuals with Raynaud’s Disease. The team won a STEM Grant, a gift card and STEM supplies.

View their video here; https://youtu. be/S9rS36Us9aA. The REACH Challenge is an impactful Adaptive and Assistive Technology design thinking project for middle school, high school and college STEM programs. Teachers are provided a toolkit

of curriculum and resources to lead their students to create a viable adaptive or assistive technological solution to help someone in their community.

Projects can then be submitted to ITEEA for an opportunity to earn awards and funding for their STEM program.

Photo courtesy of Bellmore-Merrick Central High School District

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HOME IMPROVEMENT

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Revive, Refresh and Reinvigorate Your Home

pring is the perfect time to take a good look at your home, assess for damages and create a wish list of improvements.

Start at the curb and look around the entire house. Has time changed your view on the curb appeal of your home?

Painting the exterior can do wonders for renewing pride in your home and making it beautiful once more.

When picking colors, consider the elements that will remain constant such as stone work or brick and then select complementary colors to match.

Accent features of the house by using different colors for the body, trim and the shutters. Consider expressing your personality and make a bold statement with a brightly painted front door. Choose complimentary colors that coordinate and contrast with the scheme which will add character and make your home stand out.

Once inside, starting with your foyer, think of how you want to welcome people into your home. Light colors keep entryways looking airy and neutrals provide seamless color flow into a room. From creating a tranquil to a dramatic look, a fresh

result in structural damage. Professionally painted and stained woods prevent termites from making their way into your home. So, beauty is not the only benefit of painting.

Wood decks take a hard hit during the winter. Inspecting and keeping up with painting or staining can save on costly repairs like replacing deck boards.

Check around the skylights and look at the interior ceiling for water damage. You will notice this damage as round tan-colored stains on the ceiling or dried drip marks running down the skylight. Because hot air rises, a white ceiling can begin to look tired and grey around the corners from the heat that heats your home. coat of paint can go a long way in restoring your appreciation for the beauty in your home.

AVOID STRUCTURAL DAMAGE

Use a pair of binoculars to take a close look at the upper floors for damage caused by the winter elements. Water, mold and mildew of poorly painted or exposed wood can cause softening and decay, which may

SELECTING PAINT

Choosing interior paints go beyond color.

You will be happier with your selection if you follow some simple paint finish guidelines. If you are painting a kitchen or bathroom, select a washable matte finish for the walls. For an elegant look in the living room, dining room or bedroom a flat finish is the best selection.

Regardless of the room you are painting,

semi-gloss is best for doors and trim because it is both washable and shiny.

Painting is one of the least expensive ways to add vibrancy and reinvigorate the beauty of your home. You will be amazed how a fresh coat of paint can affect your mood, confidence and comfort. A simple shade of paint can turn any room in your home into an extraordinary space that looks current and inviting.

A knowledgeable painter can help you select the best color combinations, but it you want to get a head start on selecting colors, the local paint store is a good place to begin.

Paint manufacturer brochures have color combination recommendations for traditional, contemporary and modern style homes to help narrow and define the best color palette choices.

Your home is a valuable investment that should be enjoyed every day. Capturing the spirit of spring with a fresh coat of paint goes a long way in preserving and enjoying your home for many years to come.

Marc Bromberg, owner/operator of Marc Bromberg Painting in Merrick 516-378-0391 • mtpbromberg@aol.com

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HOME AND GARDEN

Landscaping Tips for Instant Curb Appeal

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ne of the best ways to achieve instant curb appeal, according to the experts, is to effectively layer shrubs, plants and flowers in your front yard.

Doing so can create a cohesive visual experience that naturally guides visitors to the front door.

Landscape designer Doug Scott describes plant layering in art terms: “Just like in a painting, you need to have a background, a middle ground and a foreground. Each layer serves a purpose, and there’s no more important place for them to be on full display than your home’s entrance.”

To help homeowners understand the purpose of plant layering and identify the best types of plants for each layer, Scott has joined forces with Exmark, a leading manufacturer of commercial mowers and equipment for landscape professionals and serious DIY-ers. Here they break it down for you: 1. Background: The background layer should consist of taller evergreen shrubs to ensure that no matter what’s in front of them, you and your visitors will always have something green to look at. This layer provides a cohesive backdrop and a bit of living color in every season.

2. Middle Ground: Here’s where to step it down a notch in height and add interesting shapes, colors or stripes that provide contrast against the darker green of the background layer. Herbaceous perennials, like lavender, are a good choice for this purpose.

3. Foreground: Finally, the foreground layer should help transition the planting beds to your lawn space or sidewalk, and should therefore be lower than the back two layers. It’s also where you can keep things fresh and get your hands dirty throughout the year by changing out annuals with the seasons. Or, if you want a lower-maintenance entrance, you can choose smaller perennials, evergreens or creeping ground covers. Use the foreground layer as an opportunity

to add pops of color at ground level and draw attention to your home’s entrance.

Scott lays out a few other important tips to keep in mind: • Choose plants consistent with your home’s style. For instance, if you have a craftsman home, you should probably skip tropical plants. Or, if your home is more minimalist, avoid an overabundance of different plants.

• Don’t obstruct views of your front door from the street with plants. Likewise, visitors shouldn’t have to maneuver around plants as they make their way down the sidewalk. Neither is convenient or welcoming, so you’ll either need to keep pruning plants to size, or choose plants that won’t overgrow their space without a ton of pruning.

• To make your entrance “the star” it should be, the plant material in the rest of your front yard shouldn’t be distracting. Rather let it frame the intended view.

Scott offers more plant layering tips in “Making an Entrance,” a recent episode of “Done-In-A-Weekend Projects,” an original series from Exmark. To watch the video, visit Backyard Life, which is part of a unique multimedia destination with a focus on helping homeowners make the most of outdoor spaces. There you can also download additional tips and view other Exmark Original Series videos, including “Dream Yards,” “Living Rural,” “Prime Cuts” and “Done In a Weekend – Extreme Projects.”

Through effective plant layering, you can boost curb appeal and give your home the grand entrance it deserves. ~StatePoint

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Bellmore-Merrick Broadcasting Earns Excellence Award

he Bellmore-Merrick Broadcasting program in the Central High School District has been named a 2022 Student Television Network Broadcast Excellence Award winner.

The Broadcast Excellence award honors a select number of schools across the nation for their “student-produced programs that meet a standard of excellence. Programs are evaluated holistically based on one show entry, as well as the program’s website and social media channels.”

“This award is STN’s highest honor as it recognizes not only the contributions of a select few students who may have worked on a single project, but instead celebrates the contributions of every member of the program,” explained Program Director Stu Stein. “It is quite remarkable that in only our sixth year in existence, BMB has joined 13 programs from across the country including pe-

rennial powerhouses like Carlsbad High School in San Diego and Christopher Columbus High School in Miami in winning this award.”

This recognition is born from the hard work, passion, and dedication of current crop of amazing broadcasters who have worked tirelessly throughout the year to take all of the broadcasts from the weekly (Morning Announcements, Midweek Update and This Week at BMB) monthly (Talkin’ Cookies, Sports Talk and Film Festival) and live event coverage to a previously unimaginable level, he explained.

“Getting to this point so quickly would not have been possible without the contributions of our first few classes and the work they did to get us to this point,” added Stein. “In just the short

clip shown at the award ceremony, we saw graphics made by Kyle Santagato (2020) and Rocco Law (2020), a segment launched by Mike “The Storm” Daniels (2019) the anchor desk made famous by AJ Fried (2021) and Michele Spiller (2021) and we heard the iconic BMB theme originally put together by Jason Spiller (2018). It also has to be

said that we could never have reached this point without the contributions of Sean Petraitis (2021), Louie Saraceni (2021) and Mike Galfano (2021) who not only kept us on the air during the darkest days on the pandemic but actually lit a path for all of our current students to follow that has led directly to this moment.”

In addition to Stein, BMB is led by teachers Lisa Kalish, Jaclyn Kratzer and Matthew Russell.

Photos courtesy of Bellmore-Merrick Central High School District

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FOOD Gefilte Fish Jordan Erlich Levine

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Passover Recipes

Grind 6 lbs. of white fish then grind a small carrot and onion. Mixed it well.

For every pound you add one egg. Each time you add an egg you mix well with the spoon. Intermittently add 1/2 cup of cold water. Keep mixing. Add about 2 tablespoons of Matzo Meal. The more you mix it in the less you need. Then add sugar, white pepper and salt to taste. Fill pot about 1/4 - 1/2 full of water. Add fish heads and some bones to the water. Slice an onion and two carrots cut on the diagonal. Add some salt, white pepper and sugar to the water.

Make the fish patties oval then put them in the boiling water and cook about 1.5 hours to 2 hours. Delicious!!!

Add onions to the drippings in the skillet. Saute over medium heat until onions start to brown. Stir in garlic, and cook for 2 or 3 more minutes. Pour over the brisket in the Dutch oven. Empty one package of dry instant onion soup mix over the browned onions and meat.

Arrange all of the apricots on top of the soup mix. Surround meat with carrots and potatoes then add water. Pour enough water around outside of meat, not on top, to cover the sides of brisket.

Cover. Bake at 325 degrees F for 1 hour.

Check liquid, if dish is starting to look dry, add a bit more water around the meat. Cover, and cook another hour.

Remove lid, and stir apricots into gravy.

Leave uncovered and cook for another hour. Stir gravy again and add more water if the gravy is too thick. Meat should be tender. If needed, bake for an additional 1/2 hour. cut across grain to serve.

Chocolate Chip Mandelbrot- Kosher for Passover Allison Heidingsfelder Dorman

Brisket with Apricots Syndi Goldman-Reibman

6 pounds of Beef Brisket 2 tablespoons vegetable oil 4 onions chopped 2 lb. carrots 4 potatoes 2 (1 once) package dry onion soup mix 1 lb. dried apricots diced In a large heavy skillet, heat oil over medium heat. When the oil is hot, brown the beef on all sides. After searing, rub with onion soup mix then place meat in a large Dutch oven with a lid.

3 eggs ½ cup vegetable oil 1 cup sugar 3 Tablespoons water 2 cups chocolate chips ¼ teaspoon salt 1 cup matzo meal 1 cup matzo cake meal Preheat oven to 375 degrees. In a bowl, beat eggs and sugar until lemon colored. Stir in oil and water.

In another bowl, combine salt, matzo meal and cake meal. Then add in chocolate chips. Let the batter stand for 10-15 minutes. Grease cookie sheets (I use parchment paper instead). Divide batter into portions.

Form into strips about 12” long and 1 ½ inches wide. Bake for 20-25 minutes. Let the Mandelbrot cool for 5-8 minutes, then slice at an angle

FOOD

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Good Friday Fish & Easter Recipes FLOUNDER COOKED IN FOIL

GREEK SHISH-KEBAB

Choose any fish filet, seal it in foil with sliced garlic, a little EVOO, little chicken broth, little white wine, salt, pepper, lemon, veggies of your choice (asparagus and red pepper), herbs of your choice (thyme and parsley). Bake at 400 for 20 minutes, more for a thicker cut fish. Photo is before baking. Served over brown rice. Easiest, healthiest dinner!

Lamb kebabs marinated in lemon juice, olive oil, salt, and onion. Chicken kebabs marinated in apple cider vinegar, orange juice, olive oil, and salt.

Laura Carroll Viola

Joan Mylonas

EASTER SUGAR COOKIES DECORATED WITH CHOCOLATE Filomena Crocco Dowlng

BRAISED LAMB SHANKS IN RAGU SAUCE Melinda Sheridan

Brown lamb in olive oil in Dutch oven for 4 minutes each side and remove from pan.

Saute 1 chopped onion, 2 cut carrots and 3 minced garlic cloves in same Dutch oven.

Add in 2 tablespoons tomato paste, can of tomato sauce, 3 cups beef broth, 2 sprigs rosemary and salt & pepper.

Put lamb back in pan. Cook about 2 -2 1/2 hrs at 350 degrees. Meat should fall off bone! Serve over rice, mashed potatoes, polenta

1 1/2 cups butter softened 2 cups sugar 4 eggs 1 1/2 tsp vanilla 5 cups flour 2 tsp. baking powder 1 tsp salt Cream butter and sugar. Add eggs and vanilla and mix until combines. Add flour, baking powder and salt. Mix until combined. Roll dough out onto floured surface and cut into desired shapes.

Bake at 350 degrees until light brown

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American Legion Merrick Post 1282 Law and Order Day

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n Sunday, March 27, 2022 the American Legion Merrick Post 1282 hosted their annual Law and Order Day honoring Law Enforcement and First Responders who served the community during the past year.

Hempstead Town Clerk Kate Murray, TOH Receiver Jeanine C. Driscoll, Assemblyman Dave McDonough, Legislator Steve Rhoads, Legislator Tom McKevitt and Councilman Chris Carini were there to congratulating the honorees.

North Merrick Fire Dept. Chief Christopher Fasano accepted the American Legion Merrick Post 1282, Law and Order Commendation on behalf of the North Merrick Fire Department Covid Responders

MTA Police Officers Kenneth Johnson and Michael Graziose

Honorees from the Bellmore-Merrick EMS were recognized for their service to the community on Law and Order Day.

American Legion Merrick Post 1282, Law and Order 2022 Honors NY State Troopers Paul Sabo and Michael Milbauer at Law and Order Day at the American Legion Merrick Post 1282, in Merrick. Sgt. Fred NY State Police, Eric Spinner and elected officials congratulate honorees.

National Vietnam War Veterans Day

March 29, 2022 Thank you for your service!

2022 | Vol.8 No.8

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Winthrop Singing Club Returns to the Stage T hird and fourth graders in the Singing Club at Winthrop Avenue School in the Bellmore Public School District performed several songs in the auditorium in recognition of Music in Our Schools Month.

Students showed dedication by volunteering to rehearse for the performance during their recess time. Under the direction of music teacher Susan Gallo, boys and girls sang several upbeat songs along with choreographed body movements, which they learned from choreographer and physical education teacher Mallory Aronoff. Students also stood at the podium to intro-

duce and narrate the entire show, demonstrating their leadership and speaking skills.

Photos courtesy of Bellmore Public Schools

Field Groundbreaking at Birch Elementary

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empstead Town Councilman Chris Carini, Town Clerk Kate Murry, Nassau County Legislator Steve Rhoads and Birch Elementa-

ry School Principal Kerri Galante helped break ground on a new baseball field at Birch Elementary School on March 4, 2022.

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HEALTH MATTERS

2022 | Vol.8 No.8

10 Doctor-Recommended Ways to Improve Your Overall Health

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hile investing in your health and wellness can sound like an overwhelming goal, doctors say that there are easy, tangible steps you can take to feel your best and better protect your health.

“It is always the right time to consider your personal goals, and how you can make positive health choices,” says American Medical Association (AMA) president, Gerald E. Harmon, M.D. “Small lifestyle changes today can have a lasting effect in improving your health.”

Not sure where to start? Consider these tips from the AMA: 1. Make sure your family is up-todate on their vaccines, including the annual influenza vaccine for everyone age six months or older and the COVID-19 vaccine for everyone age five and older. Anyone with questions about the COVID-19 vaccines should speak with their physician and review trusted resources, including getvaccineanswers.org.

2. Learn your risk for type 2 diabetes by taking a simple online 2-minute self-screening test at DoIHavePrediabetes.org. Steps you take now can help prevent or delay the onset of type 2 diabetes.

3. Be more physically active. Adults should do at least 150 minutes a week of moderate-intensity activity, or 75 minutes a week of vigorous-intensity activity.

4. Know your blood pressure numbers. Take the time to visit ManageYourBP.org to better understand your numbers and take necessary steps to get high blood pressure -- also known as hypertension -- under control. Doing so will reduce your risk of heart attack or stroke.

5. Reduce your intake of processed foods, especially those with added so-

dium and sugar. Also reduce your consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages and drink more water instead.

6. If your health care professional determines that you need antibiotics, take them exactly as prescribed. Antibiotic resistance is a serious public health problem and antibiotics will not make you feel better if you have a virus, such as a cold or flu.

7. If consuming alcohol, do so in moderation as defined by the U.S. Dietary Guidelines for Americans -- up to one drink per day for women and two drinks per day for men, and only by adults of legal drinking age.

8. Talk with your doctor about tobacco and nicotine use and quit. Declare your home and car smoke-free to eliminate exposure to secondhand smoke.

9. If you are taking prescription opioids, follow your doctor’s instructions, store them safely to prevent diversion or misuse, and properly dispose of any leftover medication.

10. Manage stress. A good diet and daily exercise are key ingredients to maintaining and improving your mental health, but don’t hesitate to ask for help from a friend or mental health professional when you need it.

More health resources and tips can be found my visiting ama-assn.org.

For a happy, healthy future, consider making these 10 doctor-recommended tips for improved wellness. ~StatePoint

HEALTH MATTERS

2022 | Vol.8 No.8

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Fight Stress During Uncertain Times by Volunteering in Your Community

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ew research suggests that Americans are volunteering to give back to their communities and fight stress during uncertain times.

A recent KEEN/Harris Poll Survey found that a majority of Americans see the direct benefits of volunteering, with 86% feeling helping others reduces stress. It’s no surprise then that 59% of respondents say they plan to volunteer in the next two months. But if you’re among the 47% of those who say they struggle to find volunteer opportunities near them, there’s good news. A new partnership between footwear brand KEEN and Points of Light, a nonprofit that mobilizes people to take action that changes the world, is connecting individuals with local opportunities to make an impact in their neighborhoods and communities.

To provide easier access to volunteer

opportunities large and small, KEEN is enabling everyone to search for local or national volunteer opportunities via KEEN Corps’ Volunteer Finder tool at keencorpsvolunteer.com. The tool can help you search among tens of thousands of volunteering opportunities each day with nonprofit organizations, schools and other local agencies. Now tapping into Points of Light’s massive database, you’ll be sure to find a volunteer opportunity that aligns with your passions and needs.

“A great many volunteer positions don’t require any particular skills, just heart,” says Erik Burbank, vice president, The KEEN Effect, the team that leads the brand’s social and environmental justice efforts. “Volunteering can be as simple as picking up plastic at the beach or as involved as restoring a wetland. Every action makes a differ-

ence.”

Interested volunteers may want to consider taking their efforts a step further by joining The KEEN Corps, the brand’s loyalty program and platform for helping others, which rewards participants for doing good deeds. Since its

U.S. launch in September 2021, KEEN Corps has grown to over 18,000 members and counting. As of November 2021, over 10,000 volunteer hours have been logged by Corps members.

Through the program, the more you volunteer, donate and shop, the more lives you affect, and the more points you earn. Plus, KEEN Corps volunteers receive limited edition gear, member pricing, and special access to all things KEEN. To learn more or to become a member, visit keenfootwear.com/keencorps.

“Our recent data confirms that many of us are exhausted and looking for ways to relieve stress and feel in control in these unpredictable times,” says Burbank. “Volunteering in our communities has the dual benefit of giving back and leaving us feeling more fulfilled, empowered and happy.” ~ StatePoint

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2022 | Vol.8 No.8