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WREATHS TO HONOR FALLEN HEROES

COSMETOLOGY SHOWCASE

HOLIDAY TRADITIONS

SAVORY HOMEMADE SOUP

NEWS

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2021 | Vol.8 No.6

Bellmore-Merrick Students Honor Fallen Heroes with Wreaths O

n Dec. 18, several students in the Bellmore-Merrick Central High School volunteered to honor and remember the lives of fallen heroes at Pine Lawn Cemetery with Wreaths Across America. The student participants are involved in the Civil Air Patrol cadet program. Before each cadet presented the wreath, they gave reverence to each fallen hero by saying their name aloud and saluting. Merrick Avenue Middle School technology instructor, Carl Yannuzzi, who also serves as the

squadrons aerospace education officer and is a First Lieutenant, participated as well. Some of the students who participated include: Cadet Staff Sergeant, Dalton Chen – eighth grader at Grand Avenue Middle School; Cadet Staff Sergeant, Dashiell Chen – 10th grader at Wellington C. Mepham High School; Cadet 2nd Lieutenant Lauren Gomez-Nieto – 11th grader at John F. Kennedy High School; and Cadet Senior Airman Paige Gomez-Nieto – ninth grader at Kennedy.

On Dec. 18, several Bellmore-Merrick students volunteered to honor and remember the lives of our fallen heroes at Pine Lawn Cemetery with Wreaths Across America. Photos courtesy of the Bellmore-Merrick Central High School District

NEWS

2021 | Vol.8 No.6

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Bellmore-Merrick Partners with Lions for Polar Express Success

ith the help and partnership of the Bellmore-Merrick Central High School District and the Community Cupboard, the Bellmore Lion’s Club once again arranged for its annual Polar Express in and around the administrative building’s auditorium in North Merrick. The Lions Club Holiday Polar Express event for children is a free event and in years’ past, the Lions have hosted close to 750 children. The Lions Club, as well as the Bellmore-Merrick school community has been preparing for the event for months. The school communities collected toy and gift card donations, the CHAMP (culinary arts and hospitality) program baked and decorated 500 cookies and volunteered at the Dec. 4

event. This annual event takes places under direction and guidance of Lion Past District Governor, Nina Lanci, who has chaired the event for the past seven years. “There are families who were struggling in our area before the pandemic just to put food on their table every day, and now, with so many families hit hard by Covid, this event has become even more important,” stated Lanci, who also serves as a member of the North Bellmore and Bellmore-Merrick Central High School District

school boards. “This day also gives their parents, many who are now out of work or others who are working two and three jobs just to support

Students from the district’s CHAMP (culinary arts and hospitality) program baked 500 cookies for the Polar Express holiday party.

Photos courtesy of the Bellmore-Merrick Central High School District

Legislator Steve Rhoads, Town Councilman Chris Carini and student volunteers at the Polar Express event

their family, the components necessary to make their child’s holiday a happy one. You can’t put a dollar amount on that.

Event chair and Lion’s Club member Nina Lanci addressed attendees

Santa and Mrs. Claus made an appearance at the Polar Exprss holiday party.

2021 | Vol.8 No.6

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Holiday Traditions

☞ TABLE OF CONTENTS

Each year our community celebrates the holiday season with the Chamber of Commerce annual menorah and Christmas tree lighting ceremony. NEWS: Bellmore-Merrick Students Honor Fallen Heroes with Wreaths (page 2); Lions Polar Express A Success (page 3); Telling Tales of Traditions at Newbridge; Birch First Graders Have Indoor Snowball Fight (page 6); Calhoun Leadership Students Organize Toy Drive; CHAMP Program Hosts Open House and donate creation to local children’s charity (page 9); Cosmetology Program Showcase (page 12) FOOD: A Healthy Homemade Soup to Jumpstart the New Year (page 10)

Kennedy High CHAMP (Culinary and Hospitality Applied Management Program) donated gingerbread creations to a local children’s charity.

And this year was no exception. The Mer-

The winter holiday season is always bet-

rick and Bellmore Chambers made sure

ter with a cup of homemade soup.Check

they could safely continue the tradition

out the recipe inside for a delicious easy

of taking pictures with Santa, enjoy hot

hot meal the entire family will enjoy.

cocoa and watch the town menorah and Christmas tree light for all to see and enjoy. Another tradition is to honor and remember

Health Matters! Do you have undiagnosed diabetes? Read this article for important information. Interested in ways to boost your wellbeing? There are some new

the lives of fallen heroes during the holiday season by

year, new you simple resolutions to help you with your

laying a wreath at their headstone. Bellmore-Merrick

daily schedule in the new year.

student volunteers and Wreaths Across America con-

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tinued that tradition this year at Pine Lawn Cemetery.

device and social sharing. Read digital stories and fol-

Community organizations are always looking for

low live links for an exciting interactive experience.

ART:

ways to help their neighbors. Since 1947 the Bellmore

Your NewsMag is keeping up with the times delivering

“Create A Buzz” for Art! Expo Boasts Hands-on Experienc-

Lions Club has been bringing cheer by working on a

community news digitally so you can enjoy Your

es (page 15)

variety of projects to answer the needs and challenges

NewsMag when you want, where you want and from

within the community. The Bellmore Lions Club Hol-

your cell phone, iPad or desktop. Would you like to get

iday Polar Express event was a big success. The Lions

Your NewsMag sent directly to your inbox? Email jill@

in partnership with the Bellmore-Merrick Central

yournewsmag.com and follow us on Facebook where

High School District and the Community Cupboard

you can let us know which stories you like. I hope you

collected toys and gift card donations for community

enjoy reading this edition of Your NewsMag.

HEALTH MATTERS: Do You Have Undiagnosed Diabetes? (page 13): 5 New Year, New-You Resolutions to Boost Your Wellbeing (page 14)

members that are struggling. This wonderful holiday tradition brings much joy to families in need. To learn

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

more about the Bellmore Lions visit www.bellmorelions.org Telling tales of family traditions and customs was a great lesson for the students at Newbridge Road Ele-

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

mentary School. At Birch Elementary School teachers used the tradition of a winter snow ball fight to create a winter wonderland spirited math lesson.

Jill Bromberg PUBLISHER

You’ve probably heard the familiar adage, “It is bet-

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ter to give than to receive.” It would be difficult to find

516-633-8590

someone who would say otherwise. The Leadership class at Calhoun must be feeling pretty good as they

Bellmore • Merrick

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

conducted a toy drive to support the Family and Children’s Association of Long Island. And, Students at

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2021 | Vol.8 No.6

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2021 | Vol.8 No.6

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Newbridge Road Elementary School kindergartners, from left, Michaela Miskiewicz, Kalel Sitzman, Colette Xenakis, Paul Sloven and Stella Mizel, wrote about their favorite holiday traditions. Photos courtesy of the North Bellmore School District

Telling Tales of Traditions at Newbridge H oliday traditions are all about family, so that’s exactly who kindergartners turned to for their writing projects at Newbridge Road Elementary School in the North Bellmore School District. The youngsters were tasked with writing about their favorite holiday tradi-

tions. The assignments were done at home so they could tap into the knowledge of those who most know about those important family customs. Students then brought in their finished writing pieces, complete with illustrations, to have discussions with their

Birch First Graders Have Indoor Snowball Fight Kelley Merkle, Allysa Meirowitch and Kathy Savino’s classes at Birch School got into the winter wonderland spirit. The children and teachers competed in an indoor snowball fight complete with team names, colors and cheer. “We incorporated our math skills by estimating the number of snowballs on each team,” explained Meirowitch. “We then practiced using tally marks to represent the score,” added Merkle. “To our surprise it was a tie.”

Photos courtesy of the Merrick Union Free School District

2021 | Vol.8 No.6

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2021 | Vol.8 No.6

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Calhoun Leadership Students Organize Toy Drive

he Leadership class at Sanford H. Calhoun High School conducted a toy drive to help support the Family and Children's Association of Long Island. FCA is a non-sectarian, nonprofit organization that aids Long Island’s most vulnerable children, families, seniors and communities. “With the help and support of the school and community, the Leadership students were able to collect enough toys to fill a van,” explained Christina Cone, a district

social studies chairperson. The toys will be distributed to those most in need throughout Nassau County. Photo courtesy of the Bellmore-Merrick Central High School District

Thurston O'Neill of FCA, Calhoun Leadership teacher Brian Joyce and students from the Calhoun Leadership class.

CHAMP Program Hosts Open House CHAMP students at John F. Kennedy High School in the Bellmore-Merrick Central High School District hosted an open house for middle schoolers on Dec. 15 to educate them about the Culinary and Hospitality Applied Management Program.

The program, led by instructors Meredith Ober and Michael DiGiovanni, is offered to all in district high school students and features a state-of-the-art kitchen facility. Photos courtesy of the Bellmore-Merrick Central High School District

Vincent Piscazzi, Andrew Soel and Georgios Rekkas displayed gingerbread creations that were donated to a local children’s charity.

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FOOD

2021 | Vol.8 No.6

A Healthy Homemade Soup to Jumpstart the New Year When sweater weather arrives, there’s nothing quite as comforting as a pot of something savory and delicious simmering on the stove. As you turn to hearty soups this winter, having the right seasonal staples means you’ll be well on your way to having piping hot meals on the table, quickly and hassle-free. Keep your pantry and fridge stocked with essential ingredients like onions, carrots and celery, along with a collection of earthy, zesty spices and versatile, all-purpose seasonings. You’ll also need a rich and all-natural stock handy, such as Kitchen Basics Unsalted Chicken Stock. Simmered all day with chicken, vegetables and McCormick herbs and spices, this deeply flavored stock can bring a burst of savory warmth to countless dishes. It’s low on sodium so it’s a good-foryou start to many delicious meals beyond soup, like rice, sauces, and more. To help you embrace the colder weather, try a recipe for a hearty classic loaded with tender veggies, chicken, egg noodles and robust flavor that puts this stock -- aka “liquid gold” -- front and-center. Yep, you guessed it, Savory Homemade Chicken Noodle Soup. Nostalgic and nourishing, all you need is 10 minutes of prep time and 20 minutes cooking on your stovetop. Ingredients: • 2 tablespoons vegetable oil • 1 cup chopped yellow onion

• 1 cup chopped carrots • 1 cup chopped celery • 2 tablespoons McCormick Garlic, Herb and Black Pepper and Sea Salt All Purpose Seasoning • 1/2 teaspoon McCormick Ground Turmeric • 1 pound boneless skinless chicken breast • 2 cartons (32 ounces each) Kitchen Basics Unsalted Chicken Stock • 2 cups uncooked medium egg noodles • 1/2 cup frozen peas Instructions: 1. Heat oil in large saucepan on medium heat until shimmering. Add onion, carrots and celery; cook and stir 3 minutes or until softened. Stir in seasoning and turmeric; cook 30 seconds until fragrant. Add chicken and stock. Bring to boil. Reduce heat; simmer, covered, 15 to 20 minutes until chicken is cooked through and tender. 2. Transfer chicken to medium bowl; shred using two forks. Set aside. Stir noodles into broth; cook 6 minutes or until tender. Return shredded chicken to saucepan. Gently stir in peas. Sprinkle with parsley to serve, if desired. For more great ways to warm up this season, visit mccormick.com/kitchen-basics. During the short, dark days of winter, healthy soups like this will feed your body and warm your soul.~StatePoint

2021 | Vol.8 No.6

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2021 | Vol.8 No.6

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Bellmore-Merrick CHSD Hosts Cosmetology Program Showcase

isitors were invited to observe and received salon-level services performed by Cosmetology students in the Bellmore-Merrick Central High School District. Housed at Sanford H. Calhoun High School, the program is offered to students in all high schools, the Cosmetology classroom is a full functioning salon where the students develop the skills necessary to begin their careers in the beauty industry upon graduation. Students are being trained in hair cutting, coloring, styling

and removal, makeup artistry, nails and more. Highlights include utilizing curriculum to learn fundamentals and prepare for New York State Licensing Exam, partnering with local salons to learn most up to date and current trends in beauty enhancement and having local salon professionals serve as mentors and provide internship opportunities. The second-floor facility was modified to create a revitalized and modern working salon on campus. A New York State Board Practical Exam will also

be offered on site. The program is overseen by Assistant Principal Mark Melkonian and instructor Jaime Pendl. “Cosmetology students will have personalized instruction and hands-on learning,” explained Melkonian. “They will learn state of the art trends in styling, hair coloring, nail enhancement, and skin care, and have the opportunity to turn their passion into a lifelong career.” Photos courtesy of the Bellmore-Merrick Central High School District

Mepham student Aryanna Miller applied eye makeup to Summer Marfani, also of Mepham.

Calhoun student Gianna Caroli blew out Gabby Aieboli’s hair.

2021 | Vol.8 No.6

HEALTH MATTERS

Do You Have Undiagnosed Diabetes? D iabetes is a chronic condition that leads to serious life-threatening complications, however many people go undiagnosed and are undertreated -- a situation being further exposed by the COVID-19 pandemic. For this reason, understanding risk factors, symptoms and the importance of early diagnosis and action is essential. More than 34 million people in the United States are affected by diabetes, and one-in-five of them are undiagnosed, according to estimates from Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Health services organization Cigna reports that between January 2020 and June of 2021, nearly 800 of its patients who were diagnosed with COVID-19 were found to have undiagnosed diabetes. Only 14% of those people had previously been diagnosed with pre-diabetes. So why are so many people living with diabetes going undiagnosed? Cigna claims data shows that those at higher risk of having social or economic obstacles to health, also had a higher risk of undiagnosed diabetes and COVID-19, which can compound problems. “As is the case with many medical conditions, timely diagnosis and treatment of diabetes is impacted by persisting health inequities that affect certain communities and populations,” says Dr. Mandeep Brar, Cigna medical director and board certified endocrinologist. “Factors such as race, ethnicity, access to healthful food, education, health care coverage and language barriers, to name a few, all contribute to undiagnosed cases of diabetes.” However, according to Dr. Brar, early diagnosis is critical for everyone: “When diabetes is left untreated, it will progress, causing complications such as neuropathy, kidney disease, diabetic ulcers and wounds, amputations and other serious and life-threatening issues. If you’re living with diabetes, the sooner you’re aware of that, the more quickly you can learn to manage your condition and prevent it from advancing.” According to Cigna, here are three steps everyone can take today: 1. Understand signs and symptoms.

Sharing any new symptoms with your primary care provider can be crucial in early detection and proper, timely treatment. Symptoms can include frequent urination, excessive thirst or hunger, unexpected weight loss, cuts or bruises that are slow to heal, frequent infections, very dry skin, extreme fatigue, and blurry vision, according to Dr. Brar. 2. Get screened. Schedule an annual preventive check-up or diabetes screening. Regardless of symptoms, one of the most powerful ways to detect diabetes is to be screened for this disease with a simple blood test by your primary care provider. If diagnosed with prediabetes, there are a number of lifestyle changes you can make to reverse prediabetes and prevent or delay Type 2 diabetes and other serious health problems. These changes include eating healthfully, increasing physical activity, losing weight and managing stress. 3. Assess risk factors. Some people are more likely to develop diabetes than others. In addition to being 45 years or older, risk factors include being overweight, having a parent or sibling with Type 2 diabetes and being physically active fewer than three times a week. Additionally, African Americans, Hispanics, Native Americans, Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders are at higher risk than white people for developing Type 2 diabetes. If you have any of these risk factors, request a screening test with your primary care provider, regardless of your age. For a quick, online Type 2 diabetes risk test, visit diabetes.org/risk-test. Get savvy about the disease. Understanding symptoms and risk factors can mean early detection and better outcomes. ~StatePoint

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HEALTH MATTERS

2021 | Vol.8 No.6

5 New-Year, New-You Resolutions to Boost Your Wellbeing

t’s already the time of year to reassess where the past 12 months took you and decide what you want to improve, change or start doing in 2022. Coming up with meaningful resolutions can be hard. To help simplify this process and get started toward becoming a better you, here are five things to consider working into your daily schedule in the new year: 1. Cut screen time for better sleep. Multiple studies show if you stop using screens an hour or two before bedtime, you’ll likely have a more restful night’s sleep. Unplugging also allows you to relax and decompress after a busy day. Your energy levels will rise, your brain and body will thank you, and it will be easier to start fresh in the morning. 2. Add more fresh foods to your diet. Fruits and vegetables are loaded with vitamins and nutrients, so why not kick off 2022 with a resolution to eat more of them? Try a new kind of lettuce. Eat berries with your oatmeal. Take an apple to the office. Be realistic about how much you can eat in a week. Don’t overstock your refrigerator, but definitely add more fresh produce to your shopping cart. 3. Allow your favorite spaces to bloom. Adding a flowering plant to your favorite room, such as an easycare Just Add Ice Orchid, inexpensively brightens your décor. Research shows that having plants boosts mood, productivity and well-being. Plants, including orchids, also remove toxins from the air. Orchids are particularly good at eliminating xylene, a chemical that causes nose and throat irritation and potential neurological issues.

4. Walk it off. Walking daily for even 15 minutes burns extra calories and improves your mood. Longer walks, such as vigorous hikes, build physical and mental endurance and strengthen cardiovascular health. If you’re crunched for time, take that short walk or even a couple short ones throughout the day if your schedule allows it. The benefits are worth it. Don’t forget to bring your favorite walking buddy with you! 5. Sing in the shower, the car or the kitchen. Research has shown that people feel happier after actively singing than they do when simply listening to music. If joining a choir isn’t your thing, never fear. Breaking into song in the car, shower or while you’re cooking can provide the same kind of lift. It doesn’t matter where you sing, it just matters that you do. Harmonizing with friends makes it even more fun. As you read this list, you might be inspired to come up with a few other encouraging ways to become your best self in 2022. Go for it. Kick off this new year with better focus, renewed enthusiasm and a fresh approach to the days and weeks ahead of you! ~StatePoint

2021 | Vol.8 No.6

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"Create a Buzz" for Art! Expo Boasts Hands-on Experiences

he Calhoun High School art department hosted its Calhoun Art Expo in the school’s gymnasium. The theme, "Create a Buzz" for Art!, had students and art teachers collaborating to bring visitors a day of creativity and exploration. In total, more than 150 volunteers and six teachers took over three months to organize this event. “Students were able experience works as finished products, observe demonstrations, participate in the creation of a work of art or collaborate with experienced art students,” explained art teacher Jessica Conte, who organized the event along with the rest of the department. Also involved were art teachers Joan Gonzalez, Nancy Scott, Michael Goldberg, Heather Lohr and Linda Seckler. Stations were set up with all hands on activities including art games, painting, drawing, architecture, pho-

tography, STEAM, and computer arts. Check it out on YouTube https:// www.youtube.com/embed/4t9Acj3kfDs?rel=0&autoplay=1&modestbranding=1” Photos courtesy of the Bellmore-Merrick Central High School District

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2021 | Vol.8 No.6