East Meadow Living In 2023

2 Living In East Meadow www.liherald.com1223401 We are a community who loves God and our neighborhood. Calvary Lutheran Nursery School has been serving the East Meadow community for 40+ years! ENROLL NOW FOR FALL 2023 Where learning is fun, and fun is learning. • Nursery • Pre-K Program • Developmental Curriculum • Affordable Tuition • Staff CPR certified We are currently enrolling for the 2023-2024 school year! Please call to make an appointment. We look forward to meeting with you. 516 520-4067 36 Taylor Ave. East Meadow, NY [email protected] 2310 Hempstead Tpke, East Meadow, NY 11554 516.346.5090 | AFCUrgentCare.com/East-Meadow NO APPOINTMENT NEEDED HOURS: M-F: 8am to 10pm, S-S: 8am to 5pm 1225059 NO APPOINTMENT NEEDED HOURS: M-F: 8am to 8pm, S-S: 8am to 5pm

2023 - 2024 Living In East Meadow 3 SCAN HERE TO ADOPT TODAY! 25 Davis Ave., Port Washington, NY 11050 516.883.7575 • animalleague.org • RR006 FOLLOW US ON: North Shore Animal League America has a wide variety of pets to choose from. BRING HOME YOUR NEW BEST FRIEND! OPEN DAILY FOR ADOPTIONS: 10 AM – 6 PM N O RT H S H O R E A N I M A L L E A G U E A M E R I C A 1224723

FEATURED One little girl with a big idea 19 How the Jewish War Veterans help the community 22 East Meadow Kiwanis is the king of kindness 16 B'nai Torah............................................................................. 14-15 Chamber President's Message................................................8 Chamber of Commerce....................................................33-38 Clubs and Organizations.........................................................24 Elected Officials...........................................................................10 Important Numbers ......................................................................9 McVey Market.......................................................................26-27 Nice Things.............................................................................30-31 Places of Worship.......................................................................12 Publisher's Letter...........................................................................6 Pulsera Project.....................................................................28-29 Reach the Herald ........................................................................25 INSIDE On the cover: Emma Vulpi Photo: Tim Baker Cover design: Jeffrey A. Negrin THE COVER 4 Living In East Meadow www.liherald.com

2023 - 2024 Living In East Meadow 5 Project1_Layout 1 5/8/23 2:21 PM Page 1 1225795

We are pleased to present our annual Living In East Meadow, a special supplement to the East Meadow Herald. Those of us who live here know East Meadow is a wonderful, diverse community. Our annual guide is a testament to its post-pandemic resurgence. Not only does it include vital information about East Meadow, but it also gives you a look at some of the people and places that represent the best of the hamlet. Think of Living In East Meadow as an “owner’s manual” for newcomers and longtime residents alike. As you’ll see in these pages, there’s an amazingly rich social fabric here. An abundance of services and organizations are available to residents. No matter what your interests, age, religion or needs, the hamlet has much to off er. East Meadow is home to one of Nassau County’s biggest attractions, Eisenhower Park. The sprawling oasis boasts a golf course, catering hall, lakeside theater, and so much more. Minutes away from East Meadow Avenue, the lifeblood of the town, you’ll always fi nd people out and about in Eisenhower. It would be impossible to discuss East Meadow without mentioning the structure that dominates its skyline: Nassau University Medical Center, the county’s safety hospital. The teaching hospital has a renowned burn center, stroke center, and a two-level health science library. At 19 stories high, it is Nassau’s tallest building — a familiar Long Island landmark. The hamlet is well protected by the East Meadow Fire Department. The more than 200-member force is there to serve the community, no matter what. You’ll fi nd friends in the fi re department, or maybe over at East Meadow Kiwanis, an excellent organization that is committed to bettering the community. Whether you attended East Meadow High School or W.T. Clarke High School, the hamlet is vibrant and welcoming — a place that you want to live and take care of. Living In East Meadow is published in cooperation with the East Meadow Chamber of Commerce. We are honored to mark another year as the chamber's offi cial publication.  We hope that you fi nd this edition useful and informative, and that you enjoy reading the East Meadow Herald 52 weeks per year. Be well and be safe. Stuart Richner Publisher P.S. If you're not currently receiving the East Meadow Herald by mail each week, please help keep quality local journalism alive in your community by subscribing. See our ad on Page 18 for subscription information, or fi nd us online at LIHerald.com/subscribe, or call (516) 569-4000, Ext. 7. Stuart Richner PUBLISHER A letter from the Editor Jordan Vallone Publisher Stuart Richner Vice President of Sales Rhonda Glickman Executive Editor Michael Hinman Deputy Editor Jeff rey Bessen Features/ Special Sections Editor Karen Bloom Multi Media Marketing Consultants Robert Cummings Creative Director Designer Jeff rey Negrin A special supplement to the EAST MEADOW HERALD EAST MEADOW In Association with The East Meadow Chamber of Commerce CHAMBER OF COMMERCE EASTMEADOW 6 Living In East Meadow www.liherald.com

2023 - 2024 Living In East Meadow 7 Coupon: $5 OFF On any Over-the-Counter product with a new and transferred prescription Health and Wellness Center 378 Merrick Avenue, East Meadow, NY 11554 Tel: 516-280-6768 Fax: 516-280-6767 We Speak Your Language: Urdu, Hindi, Punjabi, English and Spanish OR TELL YOUR DOCTOR TO SEND YOUR PRESCRIPTIONS TO US! We accept Medicaid, Medicare, CVS Caremark, Express Scripts, OptumRX, United Healthcare and all major insurances. Surgical Supplies, Health and Beauty, in House Covid Tests, Blood Pressure and Blood Glucose Monitors, Wheelchairs, HALAL VITAMINS and much more! BRING YOUR VIALS IN, WE WILL HAVE YOUR PRESCRIPTIONS TRANSFERED EBM PHARMACY & SURGICAL Free Pick-up and Delivery 1225118 LONG ISLAND MONTESSORI SCHOOL IS NOW ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS FOR FALL ENROLLMENT. • Three Montessori-certified teachers • Nursery, pre-kindergarten, kindergarten programs • Emphasis on math and reading skills • Music, art and science enrichment, including special projects • Weekly Spanish instruction • Affiliated with the American Montessori Society 1224892 Long Island Montessori 718 The Plain Rd., Westbury, NY 11590 Phone: 516-997-0250 Office hours: 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Email: [email protected] Website: hǭp://www.longislandmontessori.com/ Facebook: hǭps://www.facebook.com/LIMontessori

Dear East Meadow Community: The East Meadow Chamber of Commerce and all our members are proud to be part of Living In East Meadow, and part of the community. The chamber's membership includes businesses, organizations and civic leaders who help, service and promote East Meadow.  We are celebrating our 69th year, and continue to grow.  We work together to improve our whole community. East Meadow and Salisbury are hamlets within the Town of Hempstead, and part of the East Meadow school district.  We help develop and maintain relationships, and act as a liaison between local businesses, various levels of government, and neighboring chambers.  In short, the East Meadow Chamber of Commerce strives to help businesses grow, and to create a business-friendly environment that ensures that our community will be a wonderful place to live, work, and raise a family.  The chamber — with the help and guidance of state and local officials — helped created the East Meadow Town Square at TOH Veterans Memorial Park, which has become a gathering place for residents to enjoy as well as a venue for local events such as the annual holiday lighting, and the installation of our snowflakes along the avenue, Easter egg hunt, 9/11 memorial service and National Night Out. This park is also the site of our brick campaign, which started in 2001 and continuing once again in 2023. We believe in order to make lasting memories, you must first pave the way.   We invite you to take a stroll along Town Square, where every brick tells a story. We are also looking forward to our upcoming fall carnival, networking events, "shop local" programs, Trunk or Treat, and East Meadow Committee Day. Between Memorial Day and Labor Day, American flags are installed to honor our veterans. Each year, we also present four scholarships to graduating seniors from East Meadow and W.T. Clarke high schools. The chamber holds regular monthly meetings — held primarily on the first Wednesday of the month — allowing members networking opportunities.  Please review the guide as a list of all our members who have supported us during the year. Our success allows us to give back to the community to sponsor Little League teams and many other worthy organizations.  If you would like more information, please call the chamber office at (516) 794-3727, or visit us at EastMeadowChamber.com. Thank you to the East Meadow community for helping and supporting our local businesses. This community is amazing! James P. Skinner President East Meadow Chamber of Commerce a message from the east meaDoW Chamber presiDent Courtesy East Meadow Chamber of Commerce East Meadow Chamber of Commerce board at the 2023 installation. 8 Living In East Meadow www.liherald.com

Important numbers east meadow Fire Department Emergency (516) 542-0576 Business (516) 542-0578 north bellmore Fire Department Emergency (516) 781-9200 Business (516) 409-4720 Westbury Fire Department Emergency (516) 334-7924 Business (516) 334-7968 police Department Emergency 911 Police jurisdiction in the East Meadow School District is divided among precincts of the Nassau County Police Department as follows: 1st Precinct (516) 573-6100 (Area south of Hempstead Turnpike) 2nd Precinct (516) 573-6200 (Levittown area east of Wantagh Parkway) 3rd Precinct (516) 573-6300 (Area north of Hempstead Turnpike) East Meadow Public Library (516) 794-2570 town of Hempstead Supervisor Don Clavin (516) 812-3260 Department of Sanitaton (516) 378-4210 Building Department (516) 538-8500 Town Hall (516) 489-5000 Parks and Recreation Department (516) 292-9000 Senior Enrichment (516) 485-8100 Veterans Services (516) 812-3506 Public Safety Department (516) 538-1900 Animal Shelter (516) 785-5220 Board of Appeals (516) 812-3004 2023 - 2024 Living In East Meadow 91224896 For further information please visit our website at: www.EastMeadowChamber.com or call us at 516-794-3727 KEEP IT IN THE MEADOW! East MEadow ChambEr of CommErcE “Neighbors DoiNg BusiNess with Neighbors” Businesses you can TRUST and DEPEND on!

ELECTED OFFICIALS Town oF HEMPSTEAD oFFiciAlS Don Clavin Town of Hempstead Supervisor Dennis Dunne Councilman 6th District Kate Murray Town Clerk Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman (R) 1550 Franklin Ave. Mineola, N.Y. 11501 (516) 571-3131 Nassau County Legislator District 13 Thomas McKevitt (R) 1550 Franklin Ave. Mineola, N.Y. 11501 (516) 571-6213 nASSAU coUnTY Nassau County District Attorney Anne Donnelly (R) 262 Old Country Road, Mineola, N.Y. 11501 (516) 571-3800 Nassau County Comptroller Elaine Phillips (R) 240 Old Country Road Mineola, N.Y. 11501 (516) 571-2386 NCComptroller@ NassauCountyNY.gov Nassau County Legislator District 15 John R. Ferretti, Jr. (R) 1550 Franklin Ave., Mineola, N.Y. 11501 (516) 571-6215 Nassau County Clerk Maureen O’Connell (R) 240 Old Country Road Mineola, N.Y. 11501 (516) 571-2664 FEDERAl United States Senator Charles E. Schumer (D) 757 3rd Ave., Suite 1702 New York, N.Y. 10017 (212) 486-4430 United States Senate 313 Hart Senate Office Building Washington, D.C. 20510 (202) 224-6542 United States Senator Kirsten E. Gillibrand (D) 780 3rd Ave., Suite 2601 New York, N.Y. 10017 (212) 688-6262 United States Senate 478 Russell Building Washington, D.C. 20510 (202) 224-4451 United States Representative 4th District Anthony D'Esposito 229 7th Street Garden City, N.Y. 11530 (516) 739-3008 1508 Longworth House Office Building, Washington, D.C. 20515 (202) 225-5516 STATE Governor Katherine Hochul (D) State Capitol Building Albany, N.Y. 12224 (518) 474-8390 State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli (D) 110 State St., Albany, N.Y. 12236 (518) 474-4044 State Assemblyman 17th District John Mikulin (R) 1975 Hempstead Tpke. Suite 212 East Meadow, N.Y. 11554 (516) 228-4960 State Attorney General Letitia James (D) NYS State Capitol Building Albany, N.Y. 12224 (518) 776-2000 Tom Muscarella Councilman 2nd District Nassau County Legislator District 1 1550 Franklin Ave. Mineola, N.Y. 11501 (516) 571-6219 State Senator 5th District Steve Rhoads (R) First Floor Massapequa, NY 11758 (516) 882-0630 10 Living In East Meadow www.liherald.com

2023 - 2024 Living In East Meadow 11 1222223 Nassau County Legislature 1550 Franklin Ave., Mineola, NY 11501 Tom mcKeviTT, Legislator, District 13 516-571-6213 AssemblymAn  John K. miKulin 17th District  516-228-4960 1221943 Leo F. Kearns, Inc. Funeral Directors 445 east Meadow avenue, east Meadow 516-794-0500 Family Owned thomas l. Kearns, Director FDic insured Pre-Plan trusts Burials - cremation - Memorial services www.leofkearns.com 1222221 HigH grade auto Body All Insurance Claims 1671 Prospect Ave. • East Meadow Justin: (516) 539-7601 FOR THOSE WHO WON’T SETTLE FOR ANYTHING LESS THAN EXCELLENCE AUTO BODY COLLISION REPAIR CENTER Approved Repair Shop For Leading Insurance Companies FREE INSURANCE ESTIMATES FACTORY TRAINED TECHNICIANS FOREIGN & DOMESTIC WE USE ONLY THE LATEST EQUIPMENT & TECHNOLOGIES IMPORT & DOMESTIC COLLISION REPAIR EXPERTS Hours: Monday-Friday 8am-6pm 1221944

PLACES OF WORSHIP Tim Baker/Herald file The longtime rabbi of the East Meadow Beth El Jewish Center, Ronald Androphy, celebrated his retirement with a gala in March. Next to him was his wife, Nancy, and their grandson, Nat Androphy. Religious Groups Knights of Columbus, Pope Pius XII Council 4422 P.O. Box 507, East Meadow (516) 781-5852 East Meadow Simcha Hadassah Chapter (516) 766-2725 Parish Outreach of St. Brigid’s Roman Catholic Church 75 Post Ave., Westbury (516) 334-0021, Ext. 108 Director: Yanira Chacon-Lopez Mosques Long Island Muslim Society 475 East Meadow Ave. East Meadow (516) 357-9060 President: Prof. Hussain S. Ahmad, MBA, MS St. Francis Polish National Catholic Church 1752 Harton Ave., East Meadow (516) 794-5189 The Rev. Andrzej Koterba St. Raphael’s Roman Catholic Church 600 Newbridge Road, East Meadow (516) 785-0236 Pastor Leo Song United Methodist Church 470 East Meadow Ave. East Meadow (516) 794-5855 The Rev. Dorett Johnson-Agu Synagogues Temple Sholom 675 Brookside Court, Westbury (516) 334-2800 Rabbi Simcha Zamir Temple B’nai Torah 2900 Jerusalem Ave., Wantagh (516) 221-2370 Rabbi Daniel Bar-Nahum Congregation Beth Ohr 2550 South Center Ave., Bellmore (516) 781-3072 Cantor Joshua Diamond Community Reform Temple 18 Tobe Lane, Jericho (516) 333-1839 Rabbi: Judith Cohen-Rosenberg East Meadow Beth-El Jewish Center 1400 Prospect Ave., East Meadow (516) 483-4205 Churches Calvary Lutheran Church 36 Taylor Ave., East Meadow (516) 735-1473 Christ Alive Church 493 East Meadow Ave., East Meadow (516) 794-4291 Pastor: Christian Preda Crossbridge Church 600 Bob Reed Lane, Westbury (516) 334-1832 Pastor: Nate Young Holy Trinity Orthodox Church 369 Green Ave., East Meadow (516) 483-3649 The Rev. Martin G. Kraus HTOCEM.org New Covenant Church 757 Bellmore Ave. East Meadow (516) 489-1600 Pastor: Rob Taormina New Hope Church 675 Brookside Court, Westbury (516) 726-2288 The Rev. Dan Olson Sacred Heart Roman Catholic Church 720 Merrick Ave. North Merrick (516) 379-1356 The Rev. Stephen Brigandi Jr. St. Brigid’s Roman Catholic Church 85 Post Ave., Westbury (516) 334-0021 Rev. John Sureau 12 Living In East Meadow www.liherald.com

2023 - 2024 Living In East Meadow 13 Welcome to YOUR Community Something for every stage of Jewish Life: • Mazel Tots (0-5) • Religious School (K-12) • Youth Groups (Grades 4-12) • Young Singles & Marrieds • Retirees • Social Action/Social Justice • Community Musical Theater • Softball Team • Book Clubs • Adult and Youth Choirs • Much, Much More • Vibrant and Engaging Shabbat, Holiday, and Lifecycle Services • Weekly Torah Study and Adult Learning Opportunities • On-site Giving Garden • Modern Worship Connected to Tradition • Ordained, Experienced Clergy 516-221-2370 2900 Jerusalem Ave, Wantagh tbtwantagh.org Contact us now: Welcoming to Interfaith Families 1223520 Early Childhood programming Kindergarten through Seventh Grade Teen programs Sisterhood - Men's Club Adult Education-Hazak (55+) Community Service and Activism Minyan - And so much more... Come Meet Our New Rabbi Rishe Groner & Our Energetic Community Congregation Beth Ohr All Memberships include High Holiday Tickets For more information, contact our office 2550 Centre Avenue ~ Bellmore NY 11710 (516) 781-3072 ~ www.cbohr.org Early Childhood programming Kindergarten through Seventh Grade Teen programs Sisterhood - Men's Club Adult Education-Hazak (55+) Community Service and Activism Minyan - And so much more... Come Meet Our New Rabbi Rishe Groner & Our Energetic Community Congregation Beth Ohr All Memberships include High Holiday Tickets For more information, contact our office 2550 Centre Avenue ~ Bellmore NY 11710 (516) 781-3072 ~ www.cbohr.org Early Childhood programming Kindergarten through Seventh Grade Teen programs Sisterhood - Men's Club Adult Education-Hazak (55+) Community Service and Activism Minyan - And so much more... Come Meet Our New Rabbi Rishe Groner & Our Energetic Community Congregation Beth Ohr All Memberships include High Holiday Tickets For more information, contact our office 2550 Centre Avenue ~ Bellmore NY 11710 (516) 781-3072 ~ www.cbohr.org Early Childhood programming Kindergarten through Seventh Grade Teen programs Sisterhood - Men's Club Adult Education-Hazak (55+) Community Service and Activism Minyan - And so much more... Come Meet Our New Rabbi Rishe Groner & Our Energetic Community Congregation Beth Ohr All Memberships include High Holiday Tickets For more information, contact our office 2550 Centre Avenue ~ Bellmore NY 11710 (516) 781-3072 ~ www.cbohr.org Early Childhood programming Kindergarten through Seventh Grade Teen programs Sisterhood - Men's Club Adult Education-Hazak (55+) Community Service and Activism Minyan - And so much more... Come Meet Our New Rabbi Rishe Groner & Our Energetic Community Congregation Beth Ohr All Memberships include High Holiday Tickets For more information, contact our office 2550 Centre Avenue ~ Bellmore NY 11710 (516) 781-3072 ~ www.cbohr.org Early Childhood programming Kindergarten through Seventh Grade Teen programs Sisterhood - Men's Club Adult Education-Hazak (55+) Community Service and Activism Minyan - And so much more... Come Meet Our New Rabbi Rishe Groner & Our Energetic Community Congregation Beth Ohr All Memberships include High Holiday Tickets For more information, contact our office 2550 Centre Avenue ~ Bellmore NY 11710 (516) 781-3072 ~ www.cbohr.org Early Childhood programming Kindergarten through Seventh Grade Teen programs Sisterhood - Men's Club Adult Education-Hazak (55+) Community Service and Activism Minyan - And so much more... Come Meet Our New Rabbi Rishe Groner & Our Energetic Community Congregation Beth Ohr All Memberships include High Holiday Tickets For more information, contact our office 2550 Centre Avenue ~ Bellmore NY 11710 (516) 781-3072 ~ www.cbohr.org Early Childhood programming Kindergarten through Seventh Grade Teen programs Sisterhood - Men's Club Adult Education-Hazak (55+) Community Service and Activism Minyan - And so much more... Come Meet Our New Rabbi Rishe Groner & Our Energetic Community Congregation Beth Ohr All Memberships include High Holiday Tickets For more information, contact our office 2550 Centre Avenue ~ Bellmore NY 11710 (516) 781-3072 ~ www.cbohr.org 1223185 Early Childhood programming Kindergarten through Seventh Grade Teen programs Sisterhood - Men's Club Adult Education-Hazak (55+) Community Service and Activism Minyan - And so much more... Come Meet Our New Rabbi Rishe Groner & Our Energetic Community Congregation Beth Ohr All Memberships include High Holiday Tickets For more information, contact our office 2550 Centre Avenue ~ Bellmore NY 11710 (516) 781-3072 ~ www.cbohr.org • Early Childhood programming • Kindergarten through Seventh Grade • Teen programs • Sisterhood – Men’s Club • Adult Education – Hazak (55+) • Community Service and Activism • Minyan And so much more... EAST MEADOW UPHOLSTERERS ~ Family Owned & Operated Since 1951 ~ COMMERCIAL • RESIDENTIAL WIDE SELECTION OF DESIGNER FABRICS Email Pictures for Estimates – [email protected] 371 East Meadow Ave • East Meadow Visit Our Website: www.emupholsterers.com (516)794-2546 • All Work Done On Premises • Antique Restoration • Cushions Restuffed • Dining Room Seat Specialist • Vinyl & Leather Recovering 1221945 DEAL DIRECTLY WITH THE OWNER & SAVE $$$ • We Guarantee All Work •

B’Nai’s garden an anchor for many By Natalie DiFusco A number of years ago, Rona and Bob Kauffman attended a class in their Wantagh synagogue led by Rabbi Daniel Bar-Nahum and the Rev. Mark Genzsler. Bar-Nahum was their rabbi at Temple B’Nai Torah, while Genzsler was the spiritual leader of St. Francis Episcopal Church in Bellmore. The two compared interfaith scriptures, and during all of that, the subject of the garden at St. Francis came up. Intrigued, the Kauffmans met with Susan Salem — the garden’s creator and coordinator — and would eventually become regular volunteers there, where parishioners grow fresh produce to fight local hunger. Salem and the Kauffmans wanted to bring that effort to Temple B’nai Torah, and this interest grew stronger when the temple’s youth group was brought to the St. Francis Garden in 2019 for Sukkot. A year later, when the pandemic hit, B’nai Torah took action: Salem and the Kauffmans knew they should go forward with their plan immediately, since food pantries were struggling. It turned out B’nai Torah had a playground no longer in use, so that spot was chosen for the garden. There, sandboxes became garden beds for growing vegetables, and harvested with love for the sole purpose of going to those who needed it most. Still busy with her own garden in Bellmore, Salem continued to lend her skills, which were passed down from her grandfather. While she brings her gardening prowess to the project, Rona Kauffman, a co-chair of the temple’s social action committee, coordinates all of the volunteer efforts. It was important to ensure that although the garden was at the temple, it was truly a Photos courtesy Edwin Chavez Top Photo: Joyce Rappaport and Ronni Fauci at Temple B’Nai Torah’s annual garden party. Bottom Photo: Charles Timman with Cantor Rica Timman at Temple B’Nai Torah’s garden. community garden, Salem said. B’nai Torah did this by following in the footsteps of St. Francis, which named its efforts the Garden at St. Francis instead of the St. Francis Garden. The Wantagh do-gooders used that inspiration to call their operation the Garden at Temple B’nai Torah. You don’t have to be a member of the synagogue to volunteer or contribute to the garden. Or even to benefit from its bounty. The vegetables grown in the garden include artichokes, sweet peas, radishes, cucumbers, Swiss chard, lettuce, beets, turnips, onions, garlic, Top Photo: Rabbi Daniel Bar-Nahum, far left, with Rona and Bob Kauffman and Susan and Phil Salem. The Kauffmans and Susan Salem are in charge of the Garden at Temple B’Nai Torah. Bottom Photo: The community garden is bustling with goodwill, and the need to serve those in need. It receives tremendous support from Temple B’Nai’s congregants. lettuce and carrots. The temple typically donates its produce to the Island Harvest warehouse in Uniondale as well as the Bethany House of Nassau County, Hempstead village’s Community Solidarity, and various homes of synagogue members. There have now been four seasons of harvest at the Garden of Temple B’nai Torah, which its team of volunteers celebrated with a garden party, bringing everyone from Wantagh, Seaford, Bellmore, Merrick and East Meadow together to honor the hard work for a good cause. 14 Living In East Meadow www.liherald.com

B’Nai’s garden an anchor for many By Natalie DiFusco A number of years ago, Rona and Bob Kauffman attended a class in their Wantagh synagogue led by Rabbi Daniel Bar-Nahum and the Rev. Mark Genzsler. Bar-Nahum was their rabbi at Temple B’Nai Torah, while Genzsler was the spiritual leader of St. Francis Episcopal Church in Bellmore. The two compared interfaith scriptures, and during all of that, the subject of the garden at St. Francis came up. Intrigued, the Kauffmans met with Susan Salem — the garden’s creator and coordinator — and would eventually become regular volunteers there, where parishioners grow fresh produce to fight local hunger. Salem and the Kauffmans wanted to bring that effort to Temple B’nai Torah, and this interest grew stronger when the temple’s youth group was brought to the St. Francis Garden in 2019 for Sukkot. A year later, when the pandemic hit, B’nai Torah took action: Salem and the Kauffmans knew they should go forward with their plan immediately, since food pantries were struggling. It turned out B’nai Torah had a playground no longer in use, so that spot was chosen for the garden. There, sandboxes became garden beds for growing vegetables, and harvested with love for the sole purpose of going to those who needed it most. Still busy with her own garden in Bellmore, Salem continued to lend her skills, which were passed down from her grandfather. While she brings her gardening prowess to the project, Rona Kauffman, a co-chair of the temple’s social action committee, coordinates all of the volunteer efforts. It was important to ensure that although the garden was at the temple, it was truly a Photos courtesy Edwin Chavez Top Photo: Joyce Rappaport and Ronni Fauci at Temple B’Nai Torah’s annual garden party. Bottom Photo: Charles Timman with Cantor Rica Timman at Temple B’Nai Torah’s garden. community garden, Salem said. B’nai Torah did this by following in the footsteps of St. Francis, which named its efforts the Garden at St. Francis instead of the St. Francis Garden. The Wantagh do-gooders used that inspiration to call their operation the Garden at Temple B’nai Torah. You don’t have to be a member of the synagogue to volunteer or contribute to the garden. Or even to benefit from its bounty. The vegetables grown in the garden include artichokes, sweet peas, radishes, cucumbers, Swiss chard, lettuce, beets, turnips, onions, garlic, Top Photo: Rabbi Daniel Bar-Nahum, far left, with Rona and Bob Kauffman and Susan and Phil Salem. The Kauffmans and Susan Salem are in charge of the Garden at Temple B’Nai Torah. Bottom Photo: The community garden is bustling with goodwill, and the need to serve those in need. It receives tremendous support from Temple B’Nai’s congregants. lettuce and carrots. The temple typically donates its produce to the Island Harvest warehouse in Uniondale as well as the Bethany House of Nassau County, Hempstead village’s Community Solidarity, and various homes of synagogue members. There have now been four seasons of harvest at the Garden of Temple B’nai Torah, which its team of volunteers celebrated with a garden party, bringing everyone from Wantagh, Seaford, Bellmore, Merrick and East Meadow together to honor the hard work for a good cause. 2023 - 2024 Living In East Meadow 15

By Mallory Wilson “Kiwanis should be a positive infl uence in communities worldwide,” Diane Krug said. And the East Meadow Kiwanis — for which she serves as president — is just that. Throughout the year, Kiwanis plans event after event to raise funds for those in need. And when it’s not their event, they’re always there to lend a hand. For the holidays, Kiwanis members got together for their annual meal and gift drive-by. The event used to be a dinner, but since the coronavirus pandemic, the club has shifted and made the event more accessible. Before it event starts, the club hosts its Secret Snowfl ake Toy Drive through December to collect toys and provide some great Italian meals from Borrelli’s for each family. Gift cards are collected as well to give to the older kids. Stew Leonard’s donated cookies last year to complete each meal. Kiwanis partners with the school district to identify the families that are in need, which typically number anywhere between 75 and 100. Social workers from the schools came out to drop off any meals and presents that weren’t picked up. “This is all about the holiday spirit,” David Rothman, a Kiwanian who has been involved with the event for more than 20 years, said. “It’s sad when you see the same people on the regular, and they have something going on in their life that they just can’t get out of. But knowing we helped somebody in need is just great.” Courtesy Kevin Kamper Top Photo: Kiwanis members and their helpers cooked up a tasty Thanksgiving meal on Nov. 20 for their annual Senior and Military Dinner. Maureen Lennon/Herald Bottom Photo: From left, Catherine Razzano, Michael Simms, Donna Goldstein and Graham Reinhardt all helped out by making pancakes at East Meadow Kiwanis’s annual pancake breakfast. Before the academic year begins, Kiwanis runs a school supply drive so kids who need it can start the school year off right with fresh supplies. This past year, some 160 kids in the East Meadow School District were given a new backpack with everything they could need. Supplies and money are donated from local politicians, neighbors, and other organizations. “I’ve seen the generosity go up over the years,” said Jennifer Reinhardt, the immediate past president of East Meadow Kiwanis. “Any time that we do this, the community comes together — the businesses, organizations. I’m always so fl oored at the generosity of our community.” The club gets a list from each school in the district with how many backpacks they need. Once the backpacks are done, they get dropped off at the Leon Campo Salisbury Center, where they are then distributed to students who need them. In the summer, there’s no stopping the club. They host a pancake breakfast that collects funds for Kiwanis scholarships for deserving high school seniors, and to send underprivileged children to Kamp Kiwanis. Photos courtesy East Meadow Kiwanis Top Photo: Richie Krug Jr., left, and Steve LaSala teamed up to pack multiple backpacks at a time. The cost of back-to-school supplies rose more than 25 percent over the past fi ve years, meaning more students might have gone without. Bottom Photo: The club also hosts food drive in November to collect some of the traditional table off erings for Thanksgiving. East Meadow Kiwanis The king of In August, the club holds its annual Steven J. Eisman Memorial Golf Outing. Kiwanians and their friends show up to hit the links in Eisenhower Park to raise money. Last year, the club used $5,000 from the event to stock the McVey Mighty Market, a food pantry in McVey Elementary School for community members in need. : 16 Living In East Meadow www.liherald.com

By Mallory Wilson “Kiwanis should be a positive infl uence in communities worldwide,” Diane Krug said. And the East Meadow Kiwanis — for which she serves as president — is just that. Throughout the year, Kiwanis plans event after event to raise funds for those in need. And when it’s not their event, they’re always there to lend a hand. For the holidays, Kiwanis members got together for their annual meal and gift drive-by. The event used to be a dinner, but since the coronavirus pandemic, the club has shifted and made the event more accessible. Before it event starts, the club hosts its Secret Snowfl ake Toy Drive through December to collect toys and provide some great Italian meals from Borrelli’s for each family. Gift cards are collected as well to give to the older kids. Stew Leonard’s donated cookies last year to complete each meal. Kiwanis partners with the school district to identify the families that are in need, which typically number anywhere between 75 and 100. Social workers from the schools came out to drop off any meals and presents that weren’t picked up. “This is all about the holiday spirit,” David Rothman, a Kiwanian who has been involved with the event for more than 20 years, said. “It’s sad when you see the same people on the regular, and they have something going on in their life that they just can’t get out of. But knowing we helped somebody in need is just great.” Courtesy Kevin Kamper Top Photo: Kiwanis members and their helpers cooked up a tasty Thanksgiving meal on Nov. 20 for their annual Senior and Military Dinner. Maureen Lennon/Herald Bottom Photo: From left, Catherine Razzano, Michael Simms, Donna Goldstein and Graham Reinhardt all helped out by making pancakes at East Meadow Kiwanis’s annual pancake breakfast. Before the academic year begins, Kiwanis runs a school supply drive so kids who need it can start the school year off right with fresh supplies. This past year, some 160 kids in the East Meadow School District were given a new backpack with everything they could need. Supplies and money are donated from local politicians, neighbors, and other organizations. “I’ve seen the generosity go up over the years,” said Jennifer Reinhardt, the immediate past president of East Meadow Kiwanis. “Any time that we do this, the community comes together — the businesses, organizations. I’m always so fl oored at the generosity of our community.” The club gets a list from each school in the district with how many backpacks they need. Once the backpacks are done, they get dropped off at the Leon Campo Salisbury Center, where they are then distributed to students who need them. In the summer, there’s no stopping the club. They host a pancake breakfast that collects funds for Kiwanis scholarships for deserving high school seniors, and to send underprivileged children to Kamp Kiwanis. Photos courtesy East Meadow Kiwanis Top Photo: Richie Krug Jr., left, and Steve LaSala teamed up to pack multiple backpacks at a time. The cost of back-to-school supplies rose more than 25 percent over the past fi ve years, meaning more students might have gone without. Bottom Photo: The club also hosts food drive in November to collect some of the traditional table off erings for Thanksgiving. East Meadow Kiwanis The king of In August, the club holds its annual Steven J. Eisman Memorial Golf Outing. Kiwanians and their friends show up to hit the links in Eisenhower Park to raise money. Last year, the club used $5,000 from the event to stock the McVey Mighty Market, a food pantry in McVey Elementary School for community members in need. : 2023 - 2024 Living In East Meadow 17

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By Mallory Wilson E mma Vulpi has proven you’re never too young to start making a difference. The 11-year-old sixth-grader at W.T. Clarke Middle School has donated more than 1,000 toys to children at local hospitals. And last year, she decided to share the wealth with the John Theissen Children’s Foundation in Wantagh. Emma started donating toys when she had just turned 7. It was during a car ride with her mother in 2019, Emma decided what she wanted to do with the rest of the gift cards she received for her birthday that year. “She said, ‘Ma, I know what I want to do with my gift cards,’, like out of nowhere. It was just weird because it was already January, and she hadn’t used any of them,” her mother, Michele said. “I thought she was going to say ‘slime,’ because slime was huge back then. But instead, she asked if we could use the gift cards to buy toys for sick kids in the hospital.” The idea originated from an ad Emma saw on Youtube about pediatric cancer patients at St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital. The ad was asking for donations, and that really stuck with the young Emma. “I saw it and was like, ‘Oh, I really want to donate,’” Emma said. “I have everything I already wanted, I have everything I need, and other kids don’t have that.” Emma started by donating toys to NYU Winthrop Hospital in Mineola where her aunt worked. The toys and crafts she bought with her gift cards went for the kids in the Child Life Program at the hospital, Continued on page 20 One little girl with a Mallory Wilson/Herald file Photo: Last year, Emma Vulpi decided to share the wealth with the John Theissen Children’s Foundation in Wantagh 2023 - 2024 Living In East Meadow 19

which provides care and treatment for pediatric patients as well as space for playtime and crafts. And every year since then, Emma hasn’t asked for any gifts for herself, only gift cards and toys for her to donate. Last year, Emma received more than $3,000 for her birthday so she could buy toys for kids. Emma and her mother chose Theissen’s foundation this year in hopes to share the wealth with places that might not get as many donations. They shopped at Walmart, Target, Carter’s and other stores to get a variety of gifts for all ages. Emma — along with her mother, aunt, Mallory Wilson/Herald file Top photo: Emma Vulpi, a sixth-grader at W.T. Clarke Middle School, has donated more than 1,000 toys to children at local hospitals. Continued from page 19 grandmother and grandfather — went and dropped off bags and bags of toys at Theissen’s foundation headquarters three days before Christmas. Theissen was excited to meet a young girl who was as passionate about toy-giving as he was. “You’re a saint, and you’re so far ahead of where I was at 11 years old,” Theissen said. “Think about it. If you stick with this, you can make so much of a difference by the time you’re my age.” Emma’s toy donations are not the only way she and her family give back. Together, they have donated food during holidays, adopted and shopped for families, and have cooked for people in shelters. The toy idea, though, was all Emma. “She’s just that type of kid,” Michele said. “Me and her dad joke like, ‘Where did she come from,’ but she’s so great.” Each year Emma looks forward to collecting money and going to shop for toys for kids. She enjoys helping people just because she knows they are just a small representation of those who are not as fortunate as her. “Helping people shows that you’re not selfish,” Emma said. “It’s not because you want to go on the news or anything. It’s because you feel good after. You feel better.” Mallory Wilson/Herald file Top photo: Now, Emma Vulpi asks for toys and gift cards — all with the intention of donating them. Courtesy Michele Vulpi Right photo: Her efforts began when she was young. At 7, Emma Vulpi decided to use her gift cards from her birthday to buy toys for kids in hospitals. 20 Living In East Meadow www.liherald.com

which provides care and treatment for pediatric patients as well as space for playtime and crafts. And every year since then, Emma hasn’t asked for any gifts for herself, only gift cards and toys for her to donate. Last year, Emma received more than $3,000 for her birthday so she could buy toys for kids. Emma and her mother chose Theissen’s foundation this year in hopes to share the wealth with places that might not get as many donations. They shopped at Walmart, Target, Carter’s and other stores to get a variety of gifts for all ages. Emma — along with her mother, aunt, Mallory Wilson/Herald file Top photo: Emma Vulpi, a sixth-grader at W.T. Clarke Middle School, has donated more than 1,000 toys to children at local hospitals. Continued from page 19 grandmother and grandfather — went and dropped off bags and bags of toys at Theissen’s foundation headquarters three days before Christmas. Theissen was excited to meet a young girl who was as passionate about toy-giving as he was. “You’re a saint, and you’re so far ahead of where I was at 11 years old,” Theissen said. “Think about it. If you stick with this, you can make so much of a difference by the time you’re my age.” Emma’s toy donations are not the only way she and her family give back. Together, they have donated food during holidays, adopted and shopped for families, and have cooked for people in shelters. The toy idea, though, was all Emma. “She’s just that type of kid,” Michele said. “Me and her dad joke like, ‘Where did she come from,’ but she’s so great.” Each year Emma looks forward to collecting money and going to shop for toys for kids. She enjoys helping people just because she knows they are just a small representation of those who are not as fortunate as her. “Helping people shows that you’re not selfish,” Emma said. “It’s not because you want to go on the news or anything. It’s because you feel good after. You feel better.” Mallory Wilson/Herald file Top photo: Now, Emma Vulpi asks for toys and gift cards — all with the intention of donating them. Courtesy Michele Vulpi Right photo: Her efforts began when she was young. At 7, Emma Vulpi decided to use her gift cards from her birthday to buy toys for kids in hospitals. 2023 - 2024 Living In East Meadow 21

Jewish War Veterans help community By Jordan Vallone If you ask Gary Glick what plagues modern military veterans most, he’d describe the number of people who do not know or understand what benefi ts they are entitled to after service. Helping veterans — whether they live in or outside of the immediate community — is the mission of the Jewish War Veterans. Especially at Post 652 — which serves Bellmore, Merrick, Wantagh, Seaford, East Meadow and surrounding communities — which has made an eff ort to remain active on community issues. Members can often be seen at veteran events, and well as helping Boy Scout troops complete community service projects. Just last year, for example, the group helped an aspiring Eagle Scout restore a World War I Memorial in Merrick. Although not well-known, the national Jewish War Veterans group has been around since 1896. Glick, Post 652’s commander, spends a lot of time dispelling myths like Jews never served in confl icts like the Civil War. In fact, some 8,000 Jewish men served. On both sides. “Our biggest concern is to get the word out that we exist,” said Ed Freeberg, a lifetime member of the organization. “The Jewish War Veterans has existed for about 127 years, and very few people know about it. So, our job is to do a tremendous amount of outreach.” Post members are often seen at commemorative events on Veterans Day and Memorial Day, and in public schools. Members help conduct ceremonies for Jewish soldiers and establish working relationships with local rabbis. In the past, Glick has responded to calls from Kate Nalepinski/Herald fi le Top Photo: The Jewish War Veterans recognize members when they hit milestones. Eric Spinner, left — joined by Hempstead town clerk Kate Murray — helped Murray Steinberg celebrate his 99th birthday. Courtesy Ed Freeberg Bottom Photo: The Jewish War Veterans Post 652 is always doing its part to help veterans, and is often seen out in the community. At a Hanukkah celebration last year, Cmdr. Gary Glick joined Rabbi Shimon Kramer to help celebrate. veterans dealing with mental health crises from untreated post-traumatic stress disorder, and worked with additional organizations to help provide housing or food to veterans in need. The more outreach the group can provide, the better off veterans are. “There’s 130,000 of us out here” on Long Island, Glick said, ‘and I’ll tell you right now, there’s Courtesy Ed Freeberg Top Photo: Partnering with the Daughters of the American Revolution, the local Jewish War Veterans chapter help deliver blankets and wraps at the Long Island State Veterans Home. Jordan Vallone/Herald fi le Bottom Photo: The local Jewish War Veterans post works to make sure veterans across Long Island know and understand benefi ts they are entitled to. It also takes part in community projects, such as the restoration of the World War I Memorial in Merrick for an Eagle Scout project. Eric Spinner helped clean and restore the stonework. maybe a handful that know what’s going on.” Despite the seriousness of their cause, the group also takes part in holiday celebrations as well as milestone birthdays for veterans. And while the eff orts of the group consist of diligent, hard work for everyone involved, it is truly a labor of love. Visit We-Are-Vets.us. : 22 Living In East Meadow www.liherald.com

Jewish War Veterans help community By Jordan Vallone If you ask Gary Glick what plagues modern military veterans most, he’d describe the number of people who do not know or understand what benefi ts they are entitled to after service. Helping veterans — whether they live in or outside of the immediate community — is the mission of the Jewish War Veterans. Especially at Post 652 — which serves Bellmore, Merrick, Wantagh, Seaford, East Meadow and surrounding communities — which has made an eff ort to remain active on community issues. Members can often be seen at veteran events, and well as helping Boy Scout troops complete community service projects. Just last year, for example, the group helped an aspiring Eagle Scout restore a World War I Memorial in Merrick. Although not well-known, the national Jewish War Veterans group has been around since 1896. Glick, Post 652’s commander, spends a lot of time dispelling myths like Jews never served in confl icts like the Civil War. In fact, some 8,000 Jewish men served. On both sides. “Our biggest concern is to get the word out that we exist,” said Ed Freeberg, a lifetime member of the organization. “The Jewish War Veterans has existed for about 127 years, and very few people know about it. So, our job is to do a tremendous amount of outreach.” Post members are often seen at commemorative events on Veterans Day and Memorial Day, and in public schools. Members help conduct ceremonies for Jewish soldiers and establish working relationships with local rabbis. In the past, Glick has responded to calls from Kate Nalepinski/Herald fi le Top Photo: The Jewish War Veterans recognize members when they hit milestones. Eric Spinner, left — joined by Hempstead town clerk Kate Murray — helped Murray Steinberg celebrate his 99th birthday. Courtesy Ed Freeberg Bottom Photo: The Jewish War Veterans Post 652 is always doing its part to help veterans, and is often seen out in the community. At a Hanukkah celebration last year, Cmdr. Gary Glick joined Rabbi Shimon Kramer to help celebrate. veterans dealing with mental health crises from untreated post-traumatic stress disorder, and worked with additional organizations to help provide housing or food to veterans in need. The more outreach the group can provide, the better off veterans are. “There’s 130,000 of us out here” on Long Island, Glick said, ‘and I’ll tell you right now, there’s Courtesy Ed Freeberg Top Photo: Partnering with the Daughters of the American Revolution, the local Jewish War Veterans chapter help deliver blankets and wraps at the Long Island State Veterans Home. Jordan Vallone/Herald fi le Bottom Photo: The local Jewish War Veterans post works to make sure veterans across Long Island know and understand benefi ts they are entitled to. It also takes part in community projects, such as the restoration of the World War I Memorial in Merrick for an Eagle Scout project. Eric Spinner helped clean and restore the stonework. maybe a handful that know what’s going on.” Despite the seriousness of their cause, the group also takes part in holiday celebrations as well as milestone birthdays for veterans. And while the eff orts of the group consist of diligent, hard work for everyone involved, it is truly a labor of love. Visit We-Are-Vets.us. : 2023 - 2024 Living In East Meadow 23

Clubs & OrganizatiOns East Meadow Chamber of Commerce P.O. Box 77 (516) 794-3727 President: James P. Skinner EastMeadowChamber.com East Meadow Kiwanis Club P.O. Box 9 President: Diane Krug EastMeadowKiwanis.org Knights of Pythias East Meadow lodge 774 Alliance PDGCG Sir Marty Nyer Community association of stewart ave. 34 Mist Lane, Westbury 11590 (516) 997-6299 President: Helen Meittinis Council of East Meadow Community Organizations P.O. Box 532 (516) 542-7609 President: Joseph Parisi lakeville Estates Civic association 1477 Beech Lane (516) 485-3818 President: Alan Schneidman nassau Cultural Center of Workmen’s Circle (516) 794-0506 Director: Staci Davis Wenwood Oaks Civic association 799 Wenwood Drive (516) 483-7916 Veterans groups american legion Post 1082 (516) 579-8781 american Merchant Marine Veterans, north atlantic Chapter (631) 669-6805 CEO: Anthony DiMattia Disabled in action (646) 504-4342 Contact: Jean Ryan Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 2736 292 Bellmore Road Commander: Stephanie Rosetti Political groups Mid-nassau Democratic Club 2464 Jefferson St. (516) 343-5733 Club chair: Dan Checkla East Meadow republican Club 170 Maple Ave. (516) 695-9544 Leader: Wayne Solar nassau County Democratic Committee County Headquarters 500 Old County Road, Suite 103 Garden City 11514 (516) 294-3366 Chair: Jay Jacobs nassau County Young republican Club P.O. Box 7672, Garden City 11530 (516) 984-7068 Chair: David Carl Youth groups High school Hockey league of nassau County (516) 242-4213 President: Jim O'Gara IslandersHighSchoolHockey.net East Meadow baseball softball association (516) 481-0943 Commissioner: Steve LaSala Challenger Division: Lee Cook EMBSA.net P.O. Box 185 [email protected] [email protected] Central nassau athletic association (917) 703-5947 President: Joseph Aloi East Meadow soccer Club (516) 221-8957 President: Michael Cartier EastMeadowSoccer.com levittown red Devil Football/ Cheerleading league 3661 Howard Lane Wantagh 11793 (516) 532-0310 Commissioner: Dennis Machado Mallory Wilson/Herald file American Legion Post 1082 out of East Meadow has a plethora of services available for veterans. In January, club members helped World War II veteran Charlie Franza celebrate his 100th birthday. Tim Baker/Herald file St. Raphael’s CYO Basketball program has a Winter Classic tournament every year where players from other Long Island CYO programs come to compete. In February, Austin Wolff from St Ignatius Church in Hicksville played a great defense for his team. girl scouts of nassau County 110 Ring Road W. Garden City 11530 (516) 741-2550 GSNC.org big brothers/ big sisters of long island 25 Carle Road, Westbury (516) 731-7880 CEO: Mark Cox BBBSLI.org boy scouts of america (Theodore Roosevelt Council) 544 Broadway, Massapequa 11758 (516) 797-7600 TRCBSA.org Mid island Y-JCC 45 Manetto Hill Road Plainview 11803 (516) 874-0345 Owner: Brett Suffis MIYJCC.org Police activity league - East Meadow unit Special Activities Building, Eisenhower Park (516) 996-9903 24 Living In East Meadow www.liherald.com

stay connected with the we are just a away! CLICK, CALL OR LETTER In many ways, putting out a newspaper each week is an interactive process. We need your participation to do our job, so we offer you — our readers and partners — a reminder of how and when to reach us. To tell us what’s going on in your community, or news of upcoming events sponsored by civic, service, religious or community organizations, the deadline is noon the Friday prior to publication. Notices are printed free of charge, and should be emailed to the editor at the address below, at right. We also welcome the news of your family life, your business life and your social life. We accept, at no charge, obituaries and Neighbors in the News items, including awards, honors, births, graduations, marriages and promotions. We value your opinions, and provide a forum for them in our popular Letters to the Editor space. The Herald also offers tours of its Garden City headquarters and printing plant for schools, scouts and other community groups. To schedule a tour, contact Michael Romero at (516) 569-4000 ext. 235 or email [email protected]. Mallory Wilson • Editor family life, your business life and your social life. We Salisbury moms play ball Page 3 East Meadow board reorganizes Page 9 HERALD _______________ east meadow ______________ Check out the all-new Stepping Out and The Scene calendar inside STEPPINGOUT By Karen Bloom [email protected] Hb are rh y in C d h u ap s, in b ’u s tragic death is now decades t his music and philanthropy are forever enshrined in Long Island’s collective consciousness. Stuart Markus, a longtime fixture on the local folk and acoustic scene, maintains his role as guardian of Chapin’s legacy, organizing the yearly memorial concert in Eisenhower Park. Markus, who is based p in Malverne, remains just as m assionate about Chapin’s usic and his humanitarian zeal as when he began this N tribute event 19 years ago. ow in its 17th year at t C h hapin’s namesake theater in w e park, some 30 musicians M ill gather with fans on W onday, July 18, for “Just ild About Harry.” Despite the years that have passed since Chapin’s death on the Long Island Expressway en route to his ill-fated performance in Eisenhower Park in July 1981, the man and his music still resonates — especially here on Long Island. In fact, several show regulars were among the crowd, according to Markus, when what was supposed to be a joyo “ uH s event turned into a vigil. arry is so beloved in memory on Long Island,” Markus says. “You don’t have to look too hard to find someone who met him, whose school he did a benefit for, or someone who’s been helped by one of his charities. It’s so meaningful for the music community to come together and, in efA fen cd t c , d o om te h t eo cg o e ncert he might have given.” ther they do — year after year. “I never ‘All Shook Up’ l It’ itt s 1955, and into a square sta le town in a square little yo te rides a guitar-playing e ung man who changes h verything and everyone Sh e ameets. Loosely based on this kespeare’s ‘Twelfth Night,’ fun fo jukebox musical is surefire o r rock ‘n’ roll rebels c f all ages, featuring such ‘H lao su sics n as ’Heartbreak Hotel,’ d Dog,’ ‘Jailhouse O Rock,’ and ‘Don’t Be Cruel.’ riginally produced on M Broadway, it arrives at the Ju adison Theatre, Thursday, 10 ly 14, through July 31. 00 Hempstead Ave., 4 R 4 o 4 ck4 ville Centre. (516) 323- or MadisonTheatreNY.org. Jessie’s Girl Drag out that neon and ‘ g d iveo your hair its best ‘80s — a . Those crazy days return pu s only Jessie’s Girl can top ll off. The band of NYC’s sing rock/pop musicians and th ers gets everyone into vib a e t ‘Back To The Eighties!’ four . With a lineup including the d pop-rock vocalists, this is Throw efinitive ‘80s experience. choreo on top of that: Exciting graphy, audience a p n ad rti co cipation, props, costumes a pa nfetti — and you have wan rty that audiences don’t h t to leave. Jessie’s Girl re an s mastered over-the-top mo ditions of some of world’s wh st unforgettable songs, all cha ile dressed up as the iconic Th racters of that decade. co eater meets live music, vered in ‘80s glitz. $ Fr2 id 5 ay, July 15, 8 p.m. $30, 37 , $15. The Paramount, 0 New York Ave., o H r u T n ick tington. (800) 745-3000 etMaster.com or ParamountNY.com. OUT M ex a p r e k cu t s ed it would go on this long,” conce says. “It is such a wonderful time rt and everyone has a great grea , which is a tribute to what a t man Chapin was.” is creat The t iv roubadour’s song catalogue act, w ely interpreted by each ho make honor it their own, while amazin ing Chapin. “We’ve had some to g arrangements, from folky roc c k,” ad ountry, torch-song style to hard ds Markus. “It’s really en inter cou esting to see what they do. I fresh rage them to make songs them . Th t ey’re not just reproducing he way Harry did.” of th T e h a is year’s lineup includes staples re rea’s music community; Fra tu n r k nW ees Roger Street Friedman, Fricker, R ao lker, Patricia Shih & Stephen Lynn binson Treacher, Debra Med e & Lora Kendall, Joe Iadanza, M iaCrime, Judith Zweiman, G artha Trachtenberg, Robin G reenstein, Christine Solimeno, Se rand Folk Railroad, and Russ wh eo ger. They are joined by Markus, trio G p a e th rforms with his longtime folk country ering Time, and newcomers Famous gD uitarist JD Leonard and the popula r. Scanlon Band, who are sound. r for their acoustic Americana and As is their signature, Markus ag Gathering Time will once an e ain perform “Taxi.” “It’s such his pic ballad,” he says, “and ma breakthrough song. It’s just a sterwork of songcraft.” Forever ‘Wild about Harry’ les Besides Chapin’s big hits, his due ser works are also given their “Sho , o a t nd other favorites, including a ing Star” and “Story of tr Lu ife.” And, as always, in the sho ew spirit of Harry Chapin, the grou concludes with the entire of p on stage in a rendition c “Circle,” Chapin’s traditional losing. More than just a concert, d th r e free event involves a food brin iveg . Concertgoers are asked to items donations of nonperishable C to support Long Island an ares, the regional food bank fou d humanitarian organization nded by Chapin in 1980. trib “The annual Harry Chapin spe ute concert is always a very Islan cd ial event for all of us at Long o Cares because so many ex f Harry’s fans attend and are Isla tremely supportive of Long to a n s d s Cares and the work we do Long ist the more than 316,000 dom Islanders struggling with insec estic hunger and high food o urity,” Paule Pachter, the o rganization’s chief executive fficer, said in a statement. The concert, held rain or F sa hine, will be livestreamed on cebook. Photos courtesy Robert Berkowitz, RSB ImageWorks h To is p fel le lo ft:w Gm atu h s ering Time’s Stuart Markus leads Bo icians in the spirited tribute. Har t ry tom Ch ra igpin ht: Everyone gathers to salute closes the con during the rousing finale that cert. When: Monday, July 18 7:15 p.m. Admission is free Where: Harry Chapin Lakeside Theatre, Eisenhower Park, East Meadow les Besides Chapin’s big hits, his due ser works are also given their “Sho , o a t nd other favorites, including a ing Star” and “Story of tr Lu ife.” And, as always, in the sho ew spirit of Harry Chapin, the grou concludes with the entire of p on stage in a rendition “Circle,” Chapin’s traditional Splendid serpents Bring the kids to Long Island Children’s Museum for World Snake Day, Saturday, 12-2 p.m. Learn about ball pythons and create a snake bracelet to take home. Among the fascinating facts to be discovered: Ball Pythons are also known as Royal Pythons due to the fact that many African rulers were known to wear live pythons as jewelry. Long Island Children’s Museum, Museum Row, Garden City. (516) 224-5800 or LICM.org. JuLy 16 JuLy 17 At The Lake with Monet Always wanted to learn to paint? Join Painting with a Twist as they guide you step by step in painting a Monet-inspired lake scene. The class is $32- 35 depending on which size canvas is selected at the event takes place at 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m. at 855 Merrick Rd. Baldwin Car Meet Night (every Thursday) Don’t’ have a classic car, but like to hang out and appreciate them? No problem! Car not a show winner? No problem. As long as you have an interest you are welcome to join the weekly Hook & Ladder Company Two “Every Thursday Night” car meet. The meet will be at Fireman’s Field on Atlantic Avenue from 5-9 p.m. on July 14, for directions call (516) 860-4298. How to work as a Private Investigator (Part 1) Learn the skills and techniques required to work as a Private Investigator. This Baldwin Public Library program teaches the various aspects of the skillset needed to work as a private investigator including, interview and interrogation techniques, equipment and tools needed, taking signed statements and affidavits, report writing, missing persons, cases and investigations, New York State laws, and much more. This workshop will be presented by Don Longo, a seasoned licensed private investigator from 7 to 8:30 p.m. on July 20 over Zoom; register online at BaldwinPL.org. Mindful mornings Practice the “art” of looking at art at Nassau County Museum of Art, Wednesday, July 20, 10:30-11 a.m. Mindful looking invites you to observe, and calmly reflect in a relaxed and supportive environment free of distraction. Join an educator for a new opportunity to experience and enjoy the art in the galleries or sculpture garden, together. Registration required. Also July 27. Nassau County Museum of Art, 1 Museum Dr., Roslyn Harbor. (516) 484-9337 or NassauMuseum.org. Nearby: The Backstreet Boys: DNA World Tour is kicking off at Jones Beach July 16-17. Read more on JonesBeach.com. ‘One of these nights’ Eagles tribute band Desert Highway rocks Eisenhower Park as summer heats up, Saturday, July 16, 8 p.m. Their acclaimed performance is a nonstop journey through numerous radio hits, Top 10 singles and favorite solo works of The Eagles — from the country-inspired “Take It Easy” to the soaring guitar rock anthem “Hotel California”. Bring seating. Harry Chapin Lakeside Theatre,Eisenhower Park, East Meadow. ‘One of Friends of the Library meeting Baldwin Public Library Friends of the Library meetings are currently scheduled for the second Thursday of each month at 8 p.m. and all meetings are currently virtual. If you have questions or would like to learn more about becoming involved with the Friends, they may be contacted at (516) 223- 6228 ext. 199 or friends@ BaldwinPL.org or visit us online at BaldwinPL.org/friends. Email friends@BaldwinPl. org for Google Meet login information. Having an event? Items on The Scene page are listed free of charge. The Herald welcomes listings of upcoming events, community meetings and items of public interest. All submissions should include date, time and location of the event, cost, and a contact name and phone number. Submissions can be emailed to [email protected]. Find your zen at Sands Point Preserve Take a meditative forest bathing walk, led by certified guide Linda Lombardo, and experience the lush preserve in a new way. Based on the Japanese tradition of Shinrin- Yoku, a wellness practice developed in the 1980s, this unique walk inspires mindful connections with the natural elements of the woods for a range of healthful benefits. As Lombardo explains: “Take this time to be present, lower the stress you may be experiencing, and connect with nature, which naturally boosts your immune system.” Saturday, July 16, 9:30– 11:30 a.m. Held monthly through December. Spaces are limited, for adults only, and pre-registration is required. 127 Middle Neck Rd., Sands Point. Register online at SandsPointPreserveConservancy.org or call (516) 304-5076. St. Christopher’s Parish Feast Enjoy live entertainment, rides, food, games and more, July 21-24, at the annual St. Christopher’s Parish Feast, located behind St. Christopher’s school on Merrick Road. For more information go to StChrisBaldwin.org or call (516) 223-0723. THESounds o SCENE f summer The popular Nassau Pops Symphony Orchestra, led by longtime Music Director Louis Panacciulli, welcomes summertime, on Friday, July 15, at 8 p.m., at Harry Chapin Lakeside Theatre, Eisenhower Park, East Meadow. Enjoy an evening light classical favorites, medleys from the great Broadway shows such as “My Fair Lady,” “Phantom of the Opera,” “Les Miserables,” and more, along with music from the movies and TV, and marches by John Philip Sousa. The orchestra’s vivacious style appeals to all ages, drawing everyone into their performance with their intense energy and dynamic musical style. As always, bring seating. For information, visit NassauCountyNY.gov/parks. JuLy 15 Your Neighborhood VOl. 22 NO. 29 JUlY 14 - 20, 2022 $1.00 By MAllORY WIlSON [email protected] The morning sun shined bright on Lydia Lane and Valen tines Road in Salisbury Jul - just in time f y 9 or the dedicatio Lydia n of Lane to Fire Departm New Yor ent k Firefighter D Monahan. aniel “He was afraid people wouldn’t remember him when he died,” Geri Monahan, Da wife said. “But nny’s I would Danny, nob say, ‘Oh ody will ever fo you.’” Danny rget died July 11, 20 at the age 14, of 57 after a b Septembe attle with r 11 related Leukemia. He started and raised his fam ily in Salis - bury on Lydia Lane. Now, family, friends, town off cials and m iembers of the FDNY gathered for the ceremony to have that street forever carry his name and to remember all the good he did. Danny first volunte East Mead ered at the ow Fire Department before passing the FDNY test a 21. He star t ted out with Engine 45 in the South Bronx in 1978 befo moving to Ladd re er 38 where he stayed until he retired in 1998. Danny and Geri were m in 1980 whe arried re they rais daught ed their er, Meaghan Gray. “My father was a man of few emotions and even fewer words, but he was a man of heart, ambit a lot of ion and dedication,” Gray said. “My father was e thing every veryone and myself need ed to fee - l safe, be rescued times of nee in d and be taken care of any emergency challeng incident he was e or called.” Gray, and her husband Brian, got the ball rolling last year to have the street named Danny. The after two announc news to ed the Geri at Christma year wh s last en 5-year-old Cono Geri’s gran r, dson, gave he ing. “I had r a draw- it upside dow wasn’t rea n, so I lly sure what it Geri said. “ was,” And then I looked and I realized it was a street sign a it said L nd ydia Lane and then it said Daniel M. Monahan.” Geri held off for eight years asking the Town of Hempstead for a street dedication beca she wasn’t sure use if it was what Danny would’ve wanted. “He was so humble about the fire depart ment an - d things that he Geri sai did,” d. “Anyone who kno the fire depart ws ment knows that they don’t consider themselves heroes and don’t really w be known fo ant to r that.” Both Geri and Gray said a soon as Se s ptember 11 happene Danny was d, right there to help out with wh He spent six atever was needed. months helping with recovery efforts. Nick Arrigan, Danny’s cousin said that Danny was like a brother a big nd his childhood hero. “Growing up, I spent so much Continued on page 15 Remembering firefighter Daniel Monahan on Lydia Lane Katrina O’Brien/Herald ThE CORNEll COOpERATIVE Extension of Nassau hosts its farmers markets on Saturdays in Eisenhower Park. Fresh produce is available from numerous vendors across Long Island. Fresh food, grown right around here The Cornell Cooperative Extension of Nassau promotes local agriculture By MAllORY WIlSON [email protected] Local agriculture and fr food are i esh mportant to the health and economy of Lon Islanders, and g the Cornell Cooperative Extension of Nas sau County is - committed to making them available to everyone. CCE Nassau, with its main office in Eisenhower Park a a farm on nd Merrick Avenue, pr oritize ithe sale of goods duced by lo procals all over Long Island. A farmers market it runs is open Saturdays through October in Eisenhower Pa Field 8. It ma rk’s de its debut Saturday. last The market is a part of CCE Nassau’s food systems a agriculture “ nd pillar,” which just one asp is ect of what it does. The big picture is that C has a cooperat ornell ive extensi office in each on county in New York and in the five boroughs, totaling more than 50 office statewide. s It has programs in 4-H youth development, encouragin youth to g explore science, tech nology, engi - neering and math. Continued on page 10 Email: [email protected] Mail: East Meadow Herald, 2 Endo Blvd., Garden City, N.Y. 11530 Website: www.liherald.com Editor: Mallory Wilson ([email protected]) (516) 569-4000 ext. 328 Advertising Account Executive: Robert Cummings ([email protected]) (516) 569-4000 ext. 212 Subscriptions: (516) 569-4000, press "7," or online at www.liherald.com/subscribe. 2023 - 2024 Living In East Meadow 25 A Long Island Family Tradition Since 1955 1580 Hempstead Turnpike, East Meadow (1/4 mile East of Nassau Coliseum) Hours: Tues - Thurs & Sun 11am - 11pm Fri - Sat 11am - Midnight Event Planner: Courtney Let Us Cater Your Next Special Event Private Party Room Available for Up to 120 People 516-794-0190 • www.borrellisrestaurant.com The Original Wood Fired Pizza Borrelli’s 1222224 • Corporate Events • Graduations • Birthdays • Family Reunions • Parties • Take-Out • Mobile Pizza Kitchen • Indoor/ Outdoor Dining • Gift Cards … and more! AJ Petroleum Service Station @ the Shell Gas Station 1880 Front Street, East Meadow, NY 11554 516-794-3241 Open Mon.-Fri. 8am-6pm, Sat. 7am-3pm Celebration! FREE Tire Rotation With a Full Synthetic Oil Change Exp. 10/31/23 1225764

By Mallory Wilson When the coronavirus pandemic struck and the world shut down, some families found themselves struggling with money, and finding even the most basic necessities, like food. Instead of sitting idly by, Kerry Dunne decided to do something. The McVey Elementary School principal opened a pantry — dubbed the McVey Mighty Market — as a way to help those in the community get food if they were struggling to afford it. Amanda Napolitano, the school’s social worker, oversees the pantry. When the pandemic slowed down, the need for the market did not, Dunne said. And so the Mighty Market remains. “We just kind of started the pantry just to help our families in need, and we didn’t realize it was going to be post-pandemic,” Napolitano said. “We’re just happy to be able to help our community as best as we can.” The Mighty Market is open every Tuesday from 10 a.m. to noon, and is manned by volunteers or Dunne herself. Families can come in and shop for what they need. When the stock is low, however, families are limited as to how much they can take. Napolitano likes to keep the market “grocery store style” so families can pick and choose what they need and want. Mallory Wilson/Herald file photos Top Photo: East Meadow Kiwanis helps keep the McVey Mighty Pantry stocked. Last year, the club donated $5,000 worth of food to the pantry after its annual golf outing. Bottom Photo: Siena Reyes, left, and Ella Giordano — both from Woodland Middle School —  came out to help Kerry Dunne restock the shelves at the pantry. There’s more than just canned food in the pantry. There’s also produce and meat when available, feminine hygiene products, diapers, toiletries and clothes. Most of the donations come from neighbors, but sometimes the Mighty Market gets donations from Island Harvest and local religious institutions, like New Hope Church. Dunne isn’t sure whether inflation is what keeps the need for the pantry going, but the principal also sees an uptick once school ends and students aren’t getting fed anymore on campus. East Meadow Kiwanis donates food whenever it can. Last August, after its annual golf outing fundraiser, the club used $5,000 of its raised funds to buy food for the pantry. “We’re thrilled that we were able to transform what we raised right into something into the hands, for the people in the communities,” Kiwanian Ted Rosenthal said. “Specifically the kids, because I think it’s tough stuff. I’ve been a member of East Meadow Kiwanis for almost 35 years, and we do lots of wonderful things. But when you’re able to step back and actually do something like this, and see and think about what firsthand some of these people go through — where they have to choose whether they can feed their child or do something else — it’s just unbelievable.” Dunne never wants families to feel awkward or Top Photo: McVey Elementary School principal Kerry Dunne points out how shelves are stocked in the school’s food pantry for the needy. Bottom Photo: The pantry is open every Tuesday from 10 a.m. to noon, and is manned by volunteers or Kerry Dunne. uncomfortable coming to the Mighty Market. She just wants people to utilize it if they really need it. “I remember when we first opened, a family saw me and I could see the look on their face, like ‘I can’t believe this is where I’m at,’” she said. “I said, ‘I can’t believe this is where I’m at, so just go ahead and feed your family.’" neighbors stay fed Neighbors 26 Living In East Meadow www.liherald.com

By Mallory Wilson When the coronavirus pandemic struck and the world shut down, some families found themselves struggling with money, and finding even the most basic necessities, like food. Instead of sitting idly by, Kerry Dunne decided to do something. The McVey Elementary School principal opened a pantry — dubbed the McVey Mighty Market — as a way to help those in the community get food if they were struggling to afford it. Amanda Napolitano, the school’s social worker, oversees the pantry. When the pandemic slowed down, the need for the market did not, Dunne said. And so the Mighty Market remains. “We just kind of started the pantry just to help our families in need, and we didn’t realize it was going to be post-pandemic,” Napolitano said. “We’re just happy to be able to help our community as best as we can.” The Mighty Market is open every Tuesday from 10 a.m. to noon, and is manned by volunteers or Dunne herself. Families can come in and shop for what they need. When the stock is low, however, families are limited as to how much they can take. Napolitano likes to keep the market “grocery store style” so families can pick and choose what they need and want. Mallory Wilson/Herald file photos Top Photo: East Meadow Kiwanis helps keep the McVey Mighty Pantry stocked. Last year, the club donated $5,000 worth of food to the pantry after its annual golf outing. Bottom Photo: Siena Reyes, left, and Ella Giordano — both from Woodland Middle School —  came out to help Kerry Dunne restock the shelves at the pantry. There’s more than just canned food in the pantry. There’s also produce and meat when available, feminine hygiene products, diapers, toiletries and clothes. Most of the donations come from neighbors, but sometimes the Mighty Market gets donations from Island Harvest and local religious institutions, like New Hope Church. Dunne isn’t sure whether inflation is what keeps the need for the pantry going, but the principal also sees an uptick once school ends and students aren’t getting fed anymore on campus. East Meadow Kiwanis donates food whenever it can. Last August, after its annual golf outing fundraiser, the club used $5,000 of its raised funds to buy food for the pantry. “We’re thrilled that we were able to transform what we raised right into something into the hands, for the people in the communities,” Kiwanian Ted Rosenthal said. “Specifically the kids, because I think it’s tough stuff. I’ve been a member of East Meadow Kiwanis for almost 35 years, and we do lots of wonderful things. But when you’re able to step back and actually do something like this, and see and think about what firsthand some of these people go through — where they have to choose whether they can feed their child or do something else — it’s just unbelievable.” Dunne never wants families to feel awkward or Top Photo: McVey Elementary School principal Kerry Dunne points out how shelves are stocked in the school’s food pantry for the needy. Bottom Photo: The pantry is open every Tuesday from 10 a.m. to noon, and is manned by volunteers or Kerry Dunne. uncomfortable coming to the Mighty Market. She just wants people to utilize it if they really need it. “I remember when we first opened, a family saw me and I could see the look on their face, like ‘I can’t believe this is where I’m at,’” she said. “I said, ‘I can’t believe this is where I’m at, so just go ahead and feed your family.’" neighbors stay fed Neighbors 2023 - 2024 Living In East Meadow 27

At EMHS, raising funds to help others By Mallory Wilson When Rebecca Saltzman was thinking about fundraising ideas for the Spanish Honor Society, she knew she wanted to explore something beyond the normal way of doing things. The East Meadow High School Spanish teacher took over as the honor society advisor this past year, and wanted to show her students the importance of raising money for others. Enter the Pulsera Project, a nonprofit organization based in West Chester, Pennsylvania, that connects artists from Guatemala and Nicaragua with schools in the United States. The artists create pulseras — “bracelets” in Spanish — with colorful threads. The organization hires the artists, and the bracelets are sent to participating American schools, where students sell them. All the money is sent back to the Guatemalan and Nicaraguan communities, allowing them to earn fair wages for their work. More than $5 million has been raised through those efforts over the years, according to the Pulsera Project website, creating jobs and educating Central Americans at the same time. “I wanted to give the students an opportunity to raise money for other people, and not necessarily have to do a fundraiser to raise money for ourselves,” Saltzman said. “I just thought it would be a good experience to have the students be able to give back to the Hispanic community.” Saltzman found the Pulsera Project online, and couldn’t wait to introduce it to her students. “I thought it was really cool,” said Samantha Photo courtesy East Meadow School District Top Photo: Students from East Meadow High School’s Spanish Honor Society sell bracelets for the Pulsera Project, an organization that employs artists in Nicaragua and Guatemala, paying them fair wages. Bottom Photo: The Pulsera Project bracelets were handmade with colorful threads, representing the creativity of its Central American artists. Flores, a senior at the school and member of the Spanish Honor Society board. “When we first started talking about activities that we were going to do throughout the year, (Saltzman) brought it up and I was like, ‘Oh my God, this is a perfect opportunity.’” With a poster board that travels from school to school along with a box of bracelets, the students went to work, manning a table in the school’s lobby throughout the day. Each bracelet cost $7, and came with a small tag showcasing Top Photo: More than $5 million has been raised through the Pennsylvania-based Pulsera Project, according to its website, creating jobs and educating Central Americans who benefit from efforts. Bottom Photo: Each bracelet from the Pulsera Project costs $7, and comes with a tag showcasing its Central American creator. The Spanish Honor Society wound up selling 290 out of the 500 bracelets, raising more than $2,000 for the organization. its creator. The honor society sold more than half of the 500 bracelets delivered to them, making more than $2,000 for the artists a continent away. Both teachers and students "thought it was an amazing cause,” Flores said. “They asked us what it was and where the money’s going towards. "When we told them that nothing came back to us and it was all back to (the artists), they wanted to buy more.” 28 Living In East Meadow www.liherald.com

At EMHS, raising funds to help others By Mallory Wilson When Rebecca Saltzman was thinking about fundraising ideas for the Spanish Honor Society, she knew she wanted to explore something beyond the normal way of doing things. The East Meadow High School Spanish teacher took over as the honor society advisor this past year, and wanted to show her students the importance of raising money for others. Enter the Pulsera Project, a nonprofit organization based in West Chester, Pennsylvania, that connects artists from Guatemala and Nicaragua with schools in the United States. The artists create pulseras — “bracelets” in Spanish — with colorful threads. The organization hires the artists, and the bracelets are sent to participating American schools, where students sell them. All the money is sent back to the Guatemalan and Nicaraguan communities, allowing them to earn fair wages for their work. More than $5 million has been raised through those efforts over the years, according to the Pulsera Project website, creating jobs and educating Central Americans at the same time. “I wanted to give the students an opportunity to raise money for other people, and not necessarily have to do a fundraiser to raise money for ourselves,” Saltzman said. “I just thought it would be a good experience to have the students be able to give back to the Hispanic community.” Saltzman found the Pulsera Project online, and couldn’t wait to introduce it to her students. “I thought it was really cool,” said Samantha Photo courtesy East Meadow School District Top Photo: Students from East Meadow High School’s Spanish Honor Society sell bracelets for the Pulsera Project, an organization that employs artists in Nicaragua and Guatemala, paying them fair wages. Bottom Photo: The Pulsera Project bracelets were handmade with colorful threads, representing the creativity of its Central American artists. Flores, a senior at the school and member of the Spanish Honor Society board. “When we first started talking about activities that we were going to do throughout the year, (Saltzman) brought it up and I was like, ‘Oh my God, this is a perfect opportunity.’” With a poster board that travels from school to school along with a box of bracelets, the students went to work, manning a table in the school’s lobby throughout the day. Each bracelet cost $7, and came with a small tag showcasing Top Photo: More than $5 million has been raised through the Pennsylvania-based Pulsera Project, according to its website, creating jobs and educating Central Americans who benefit from efforts. Bottom Photo: Each bracelet from the Pulsera Project costs $7, and comes with a tag showcasing its Central American creator. The Spanish Honor Society wound up selling 290 out of the 500 bracelets, raising more than $2,000 for the organization. its creator. The honor society sold more than half of the 500 bracelets delivered to them, making more than $2,000 for the artists a continent away. Both teachers and students "thought it was an amazing cause,” Flores said. “They asked us what it was and where the money’s going towards. "When we told them that nothing came back to us and it was all back to (the artists), they wanted to buy more.” 2023 - 2024 Living In East Meadow 29

One man’s act of kindness spread throughout the community By Lara Murray-Sterzel The embodiment of East Meadow has become stronger over the years because of one act of kindness made by a man through his Facebook page. Todd Weinstein is the founder and administrator of the East Meadow Facebook page Nice Things That Happen in East Meadow, a popular social media space where neighbors capture highlights in their town and promote making a difference. Weinstein’s work on Facebook has received recognition throughout the years, where he has helped donate school supplies, used clothing, toys, food and other necessities. The origins of this great change started seven years ago when Weinstein noticed a lot of various community pages on the social media platform attacking local businesses. Upset by this, Weinstein wanted to change the tone of the conversation, directing people away from the negativity to instead focus on the nice things around town. It was about bringing a sense of kindness back to the community. “I never thought it would grow to this magnitude where it’s made such an impact around town,” Weinstein said. “I just thought it would be a group of people who could share pictures and stories. But over the years we’ve taken on a lot of different fundraising efforts for community groups.” Through this Facebook page, Weinstein’s partnered with the Mary Brennan Interfaith Nutrition Network, the McVey Elementary School food pantry, and others — efforts which actually landed him talking about everything on the Courtesy Dana Lopez Top Photo: Jack Halley, left, Todd Weinstein, Dana Lopez and state Sen. Kevin Thomas helped organize supplies at the Mary Brennan Interfaith Nutrition Network back-to-school drive sponsored by Weinstein’s Facebook page, Nice Things That Happen in East Meadow, in 2021. Courtesy Todd Weinstein Bottom Photo: Stew Leonard Jr. donated 50 containers of pasta, sauce, olive oil, beans and chicken broth as well as ice cream coupons for the food drive Todd Weinstein ran in his Facebook group for his 50th birthday in 2022. syndicated “The Drew Barrymore Show” last year. “It was very powerful, very emotional, that here we were trying to do a little bit of good, and they’re counting on us for our actions,” Weinstein said. “Thankfully, the people of East Meadow, every year, respond.” Weinstein continuously sees the good in people who want to participate. This year, at East Meadow Community Day, Weinstein spoke about how successful efforts were thanks to the active members who helped promote every event, every drive. In this direction, he hopes to see more communities on Long Island do the same thing. Want to join in? Visit Weinstein’s Facebook page at tinyurl.com/NiceThingsEastMeadow. Photos courtesy Todd Weinstein Top Left Photo: People drop off supplies at Todd Weinstein’s house, or donate money that Weinstein then takes to buy supplies with, as part of the various drives to help others through his Facebook page, Nice Things That Happen in East Meadow. Top Right Photo: Todd Weinstein hosts various charitable drives through his Facebook page, Nice Things That Happen in East Meadow, where members of the social media group post photos of their children with their donations — like Matthew Esslinger, who has donated from the very beginning. Bottom Photo: Andrew, a worker at Stew Leonard’s, Inn donations manager Jason Tessler, joined Nice Things That Happen in East Meadow Facebook group founder Todd Weinstein along with some associates from Stew Leonard’s to accept donations from the grocery store ahead of Weinstein’s birthday food drive last year. 30 Living In East Meadow www.liherald.com

One man’s act of kindness spread throughout the community By Lara Murray-Sterzel The embodiment of East Meadow has become stronger over the years because of one act of kindness made by a man through his Facebook page. Todd Weinstein is the founder and administrator of the East Meadow Facebook page Nice Things That Happen in East Meadow, a popular social media space where neighbors capture highlights in their town and promote making a difference. Weinstein’s work on Facebook has received recognition throughout the years, where he has helped donate school supplies, used clothing, toys, food and other necessities. The origins of this great change started seven years ago when Weinstein noticed a lot of various community pages on the social media platform attacking local businesses. Upset by this, Weinstein wanted to change the tone of the conversation, directing people away from the negativity to instead focus on the nice things around town. It was about bringing a sense of kindness back to the community. “I never thought it would grow to this magnitude where it’s made such an impact around town,” Weinstein said. “I just thought it would be a group of people who could share pictures and stories. But over the years we’ve taken on a lot of different fundraising efforts for community groups.” Through this Facebook page, Weinstein’s partnered with the Mary Brennan Interfaith Nutrition Network, the McVey Elementary School food pantry, and others — efforts which actually landed him talking about everything on the Courtesy Dana Lopez Top Photo: Jack Halley, left, Todd Weinstein, Dana Lopez and state Sen. Kevin Thomas helped organize supplies at the Mary Brennan Interfaith Nutrition Network back-to-school drive sponsored by Weinstein’s Facebook page, Nice Things That Happen in East Meadow, in 2021. Courtesy Todd Weinstein Bottom Photo: Stew Leonard Jr. donated 50 containers of pasta, sauce, olive oil, beans and chicken broth as well as ice cream coupons for the food drive Todd Weinstein ran in his Facebook group for his 50th birthday in 2022. syndicated “The Drew Barrymore Show” last year. “It was very powerful, very emotional, that here we were trying to do a little bit of good, and they’re counting on us for our actions,” Weinstein said. “Thankfully, the people of East Meadow, every year, respond.” Weinstein continuously sees the good in people who want to participate. This year, at East Meadow Community Day, Weinstein spoke about how successful efforts were thanks to the active members who helped promote every event, every drive. In this direction, he hopes to see more communities on Long Island do the same thing. Want to join in? Visit Weinstein’s Facebook page at tinyurl.com/NiceThingsEastMeadow. Photos courtesy Todd Weinstein Top Left Photo: People drop off supplies at Todd Weinstein’s house, or donate money that Weinstein then takes to buy supplies with, as part of the various drives to help others through his Facebook page, Nice Things That Happen in East Meadow. Top Right Photo: Todd Weinstein hosts various charitable drives through his Facebook page, Nice Things That Happen in East Meadow, where members of the social media group post photos of their children with their donations — like Matthew Esslinger, who has donated from the very beginning. Bottom Photo: Andrew, a worker at Stew Leonard’s, Inn donations manager Jason Tessler, joined Nice Things That Happen in East Meadow Facebook group founder Todd Weinstein along with some associates from Stew Leonard’s to accept donations from the grocery store ahead of Weinstein’s birthday food drive last year. 2023 - 2024 Living In East Meadow 31

32 Living In East Meadow www.liherald.com F R I E N D S F O R L I F E " A F F O R D A B L E R A T E S , W I T H O U T S A C R I F I C I N G T H E Q U A L I T Y O F C A R E " HOMECARE Friends For Life makes it possible for seniors to live in their own home. Our extraordinary family of caregivers can tend to your loved one, so you can get back to being a daughter or son. You can depend on us. We’ve been proudly making lives better in New York for the past 14 years and counting. HOURLY AND LIVE IN CARE ALZHEIMER'S AND DEMENTIA CARE COMPANION CARE BATHING AND DRESSING SUPERVISION OVERNIGHT SUPERVISION MEDICATION REMINDERS MEAL PREPARATION WEEKEND AND HOLIDAY CARE SENIOR LIVING ADVISORS MEDICAID CONSULTANTS Free Service and Assessment Non-Attorney Advocates With over 25 years experience, our Senior Advocates hold your hand through the entire process from start to finish. Finding the best housing solutions based on clinical, financial and cognitive needs. We offer a variety of senior living options: -Assisted Living -Independent Living - Memory Care Communities - Hospice Care Facilities - Adult Homes and more. Our team of specialists have 15+ years experience and are well versed in preparing and expediting the Medicaid application process. Our team has a 100 % guaranteed approval rate. Our experienced specialists assist with: -Eligibility & Application Filing -Pooled Income Trust Application -Asset Protection -Community and Nursing Home Medicaid -Assisted Living Program (ALP) (516) 900- 1818 (516) 208-8030 www.friendsforlifeny.com Nassau, Suffolk, & The Five Boroughs 1225163

Deliah Roberts/Herald photos Frank Camarano, left, was honored with the Marvin Bernstein Humanitarian award, presented by Richie Krug Jr., at the East Meadow chamber’s 67th installation dinner. East MEadow Chamber of Commerce All businesses are in East Meadow, NY 11554, 11555, 11590 unless noted Continued on next page 7-11/ JsdB Inc Joseph Mariampillai (516) 222-2817 319 East Meadow Ave. [email protected] a & C Pest Management Corp. James P Skinner (516) 683-8376 392 East Meadow Ave. [email protected] ACPest.com a & M supplies Network Inc. Mitchell Skoller (516) 794-6740 2468 No. Jerusalem Road North Bellmore 11710 [email protected] aaa North East Charmaine Adams (516) 346-5173 2411-B Hempstead Turnpike [email protected] above Par drafting Inc Zack DiResta (516) 783-4005 2068 Grand Ave., Baldwin 11510 [email protected] AbovePar.us active auto Glass & screen James Darienzo (516) 785-0555 2507 N. Jersualem Road [email protected] ActiveGlass.com advanced Hosted services Paul Bonelli (631) 940-9096 111 Carolyn Blvd. Farmingdale 11735 [email protected] AdvancedHostedServices.com aFC Urgent Care Roxanne Rose (516) 346-5090 2310 Hempstead Turnpike [email protected] AFCUrgentCareEastMeadow.com aJ Petroleum Inc. Ravinder Purba (516) 794-3241 1880 Front St. [email protected] alene Bushey (516) 794-7473 1725 Prospect Ave. [email protected] allstar Children's Center Elena Saitta (516) 394-8344 200 Merrick Ave. [email protected] AllstarChildrensCenter.com allstate Insurance - dan Ratkewitch agency (516) 221-5400 343 Newbridge Road [email protected] Allstate.com/DRatkewitch1 allstate Insurance - skinner agency Walter Skinner (516) 222-2242 1576 Front St. [email protected] Agents.Allstate.com/walter-skinnereast-meadow-ny.html apex Energy solutions Inc. Michael Carroll (516) 243-7098 26 Crown Lane Westbury 11590 [email protected] ApexEnergySolutionsInc.com aric signs & awnings Ivan Arizaga (516) 350-0409 361 Union Ave. Westbury 11590 [email protected] AricSigns.com Bagelicious Jay Singh (516) 794-0552 1864 Front St. [email protected] Barry Rubinstein (516) 486-8540 737 Preston Road [email protected] Beverage Barn (Liberty Beverage) Jared Kane (516) 794-4818 2080 Front St. [email protected] BeverageBarnStores.com Bizcom Global Ventures LLC Abul Hossain (212) 464-8708 2362 Sixth St. [email protected] Bizcom-Global.com Blimpie Jitin Singh (516) 796-1295 2375 Hempstead Turnpike [email protected] Blimpie.com Borrelli's Italian Family Restaurant Frank Borrelli (516) 794-0190 1580 Hempstead Turnpike [email protected] BorrellisRestaurant.com Brian o'Flaherty (516) 794-5336 1810-30 Front St. [email protected] Burger City Jim Roggio (516) 509-9600 1900 A Hempstead Turnpike [email protected] BurgerCityLI.com Calvary Lutheran Church/ Nursery school Pat Schneider (516) 735-1473 36 Taylor Ave. [email protected] CalvaryLC.org Camarano Construction Franklin Camarano (516) 220-6176 [email protected] Carvel Zenon Gatzoflias (516) 538-5260 477 Bellmore Ave. [email protected] Certilman Balin adler & Hyman David Liezer (718) 757-7644 90 Merrick Ave [email protected] Certilman.com Charles o'shea Funeral Home Charles J. O'Shea Jr. (516) 731-5550 603 Wantagh Ave., Wantagh 11793 [email protected] OSheaFuneral.com Chase Home Lending - East Meadow George Roberts (516) 662-5272 2469 Hempstead Turnpike [email protected] HomeLoan.Chase.com/ george.i.roberts Christ alive Church Cristi Preda (516) 794-4291 493 East Meadow Ave. ChristAliveNY.org 2023 - 2024 Living In East Meadow 33

Continued from previous page East MEadow Chamber of Commerce All businesses are in East Meadow, NY 11554, 11555, 11590 unless noted dunkin' Joe Dazzo (516) 794-7155 2050 Hempstead Turnpike [email protected] DunkinDonuts.com/en East Meadow Baseball/softball Stephen LaSala (516) 428-4123 P.O. Box 185 [email protected] EMBSA.net East Meadow Fire district John Priest (516) 542-0805 197 East Meadow Ave. [email protected] EastMeadowFD.com East Meadow Florist Chris Hackert (516) 794-0020 577 East Meadow Ave. [email protected] EastMeadowFlorist.com East Meadow Herald Rob Cummings 2 Endo Blvd. Garden City 11530 (516) 569-4000, Ext. 212 LIHerald.com East Meadow Kiwanis Club Brian O'Flaherty (516) 204-5505 P.O. Box 9 [email protected] EastMeadowKiwanis.org East Meadow Public Library William Ferro (516) 794-2570 1886 Front St. [email protected] EastMeadow.info East Meadow school district (516) 478-5776 718 The Plain Road Westbury 11590 Eastmeadow.k12.ny.us East Meadow Upholsterers Mike Shannon (516) 794-2546 371 East Meadow Ave. [email protected] EMUpholsterers.com Eden II Programs - Genesis school Kara Lamendola (516) 937-1397 600 Newbridge Road [email protected] Eden2.org/the-genesis-school Edmer sanitary supply Co Ed Zeitlin (516) 794-2000 519 East Meadow Ave. [email protected] EdmerSupply.com Elizabeth a. Fries (516) 359-4269 2199 Seventh St. [email protected] Epic Long Island Brianne Hudson (516) 739-7733 1500 Hempstead Turnpike [email protected] EpicLI.org Christine Mooney (516) 263-0836 1912 Muir Court [email protected] Club Pilates East Meadow Rebecca Stalek (516) 744-1154 1949 Front St. [email protected] ClubPilates.com/eastmeadow Coldwell Banker american Homes Lyndsey Gallagher (516) 796-8900 1856 Hempstead Turnpike [email protected] ColdwellBanker.com Coldwell Banker american Homes - debra Kirsh (516) 662-7451 1856 Hempstead Turnpike [email protected] DebraKirsh.cbamhomes.com Community assoc of stewart ave. Helen Meittinis (516) 997-6299 34 Mist Lane, Westbury 11590 [email protected] Complete orthopedic services Inc. Noreen Diaz (516) 357-9113 325 Merrick Ave. [email protected] COSI.nyc Connelly & sons Plumbing Connelly Family (516) 794-7380 230 East Meadow Ave. [email protected] Cornell Cooperative Amy Lesh (516) 832-2591 P.O. Box 148 [email protected] CCENassau.org Council of East Meadow Community organizations Joseph Parisi (516) 542-7609 P.O. Box 532 [email protected] CPN tax advisors Inc. Craig Nupp (516) 652-7514 2900 Hempstead Turnpike Levittown 11756 [email protected] dolores Rome (516) 972-9872 1959 Lenox Ave. [email protected] donna Goldstein (516) 485-0736 2095 Longfellow Ave. [email protected] dr. Richard C. Meoli Chiropractor (516) 481-1400 595 Merrick Ave. [email protected] MeoliChiropractic.com dream street Caterers Joseph Monteleone (516) 520-9684 2558 Hempstead Turnpike [email protected] DreamStreetCaterers.net Continued on next page Fair and square Contracting Inc. Robert Russo (516) 586-4249 126 William St. Farmingdale 11735 [email protected] FairAndSquareContracting.com Farahs Glamour spa Mohammed Barez (516) 385-5664 349 Merrick Ave. [email protected] FarahsGlamour.com Figarelly's delicatessen & Caterers 593 East Meadow Ave. Fiori Garden Nursery and Mason Karin DeMartin (516) 542-0499 1660 Front St. [email protected] FioriGardenCenter.com Florencia Florist & Events Florencia Ariola (516) 542-8400 1660 Front St. [email protected] Four seasons Power Joe Licata (516) 505-3000 1606 Front St. [email protected] FSPer.com Frantoni's Pizza Michael Mistretta (516) 794-7878 1928 Hempstead Turnpike [email protected] Frantonis.com Full scope Benefits Ryan Parkman (516) 375-4932 539 Benito St. [email protected] FullScopeBenefits.com Garden social David Boller (516) 750-5338 1964 Hempstead Tpke [email protected] www.gardensocialli.com Getaways By Liz Elizabeth Stelmach (516) 680-4612 2124 Stuart Lane [email protected] GetawaysByLiz.com Girls on the Run Long Island Doreen Dunne (516) 870-3794 Eisenhower Park, Lannin Cottage [email protected] GOTRLongIsland.org Goodness People Inc. Ikem Ugochikwue (929) 402-9385 25 Hansom Place Roosevelt 11575 [email protected] GoodnessPeople.org 34 Living In East Meadow www.liherald.com

Continued from previous page East MEadow Chamber of Commerce All businesses are in East Meadow, NY 11554, 11555, 11590 unless noted Deliah Roberts/Herald photos James Skinner Jr., right, was named the East Meadow chamber’s new president earlier this year. Continued on next page Grand stage diner George Argyris (516) 719-5977 2490 Hempstead Turnpike [email protected] GrandStageDiner.com Growth Generators Harrison Baron (631) 235-5383 650 Montauk Highway Bayport 11705 [email protected] BaronMediaGroup.com Hato sushi Amy Cai (516) 962-0929 525 East Meadow Ave. [email protected] HatoSushi.com Heidi Karen Hairstylist Karen McDermott (516) 794-8686 1866 Front St. [email protected] Hi tech signs Scott Abrecht (516) 794-7880 415 East Meadow Ave. [email protected] HiTechSignsNY.com Home Improvements By Us Inc. Jay Steinmetz (516) 435-5278 444 Glenwood Lane [email protected] I Love Hearing Terry Perumal (516) 354-6882 30 Merrick Ave. [email protected] ILoveHearing.com Inspect-it 1st Property Inspections Mitchell Allen (516) 662-1746 446 East Meadow Ave., No. 238 [email protected] InspectIt1stNY.com Integrative acupuncture and Massage therapy PLLC Michel Solounias (516) 312-6670 2555 Hempstead Turnpike [email protected] IAMTherapyNY.com J.P. Morgan securities LLC Jim Rice (212) 858-0832 681 Newbridge Road Levittown 11756 [email protected] Jag-one Physical therapy Rosemary Basmajian (516) 735-1018 2555 Hempstead Turnpike [email protected] JagOnePT.com Jakes steakhouse Kate Mintz (516) 222-8400 2172 Hemsptead Turnpike [email protected] JakesSteakhouse.com Laffey Real Estate Anne DiPalermo (516) 333-0025 830 Old Country Road Westbury 11554 [email protected] Laser Now Yesenia Vasquez (516) 382-0398 2374 Hempstead Turnpike [email protected] Laser-Now.com Law offices of alan B. Hodish LLC Alan Hodish (516) 222-1640 100 Quentin Roosevelt Blvd. Garden City 11530 [email protected] Lawrence a. Lambroia, dds Lawrence Lambroia (516) 735-8700 2246 Bright Ave. [email protected] Bright Ave.Smiles.com Leo F. Kearns Inc. Thomas Kearns (516) 794-0500 445 East Meadow Ave. [email protected] KearnsFamily.com Leon Campo (516) 731-3667 41 Clearmeadow Drive [email protected] Little Gardens Child Care Johanna Diaz (516) 280-9696 470 East Meadow Ave. [email protected] LittleGardensChildCare.com Long Island Chiropractic & wellness Ronda Bachenheimer (516) 579-9300 2296 Hempstead Turnpike [email protected] LIChiropracticWellness.com Jewish Family Initiative Rabbi Avraham Portnoy 1544 Prospect Ave. [email protected] Joseph danenza (516) 485-1942 1375 Richmond Court [email protected] K9 Resorts Garden City (516) 584-9119 1587 Stewart Ave Westbury 11590 [email protected] K9Resorts.com Karen Mancuso, attorney at Law (516) 826-1783 917 Oakland Court North Bellmore 11710 [email protected] Keller williams of Greater Nassau Vashti Hackert (516) 263-8870 400 Garden City Plaza, Garden City 11530 [email protected] Vashti.KW.com Kevin Kamper (516) 538-7096 757 Fillmore Road [email protected] L.I. drone shots Inc. Jacob Rohrbach (516) 495-3313 2492 Second Ave. [email protected] LIDroneShots.com La Carraia Naveed Haroon (917) 319-5318 2326 Hempstead Turnpike [email protected] La Novella Ristorante of East Meadow Mike Cobi (516) 794-6248 364 East Meadow Ave. LaNovella.com 2023 - 2024 Living In East Meadow 35

Continued from previous page East MEadow Chamber of Commerce All businesses are in East Meadow, NY 11554, 11555, 11590 unless noted Continued on next page Long Island Nets Yadiel Corporan (516) 744-6361 1255 Hempstead Turnpike Uniondale 11553 [email protected] LongIsland.dleague.nba.com M.B. Cohn Interiors Shari Cohn Glassman (516) 794-0424 540 East Meadow Ave. [email protected] MBCohnInteriors.com M.J. Engineering and Land surveying PC Becky Cahill (518) 371-0799 79 Knoll Lane Levittown 11756 [email protected] MJELS.com Maidenbaum Property tax Reduction Group Sandra Alvarenga (516) 336-8622 483 Chestnut St. Cedarhurst 11516 [email protected] MaidenbaumTax.com Majors steakhouse Bob Cunningham (516) 794-6600 284 East Meadow Ave. [email protected] MajorsSteakhouse.com Mama theresa's of East Meadow Michael DaPruozzo (516) 520-5556 2411-A Hempstead Turnpike MamaTheresas.com/ east-meadow Mandu Management Corp Tenzin Panamserkhang (516) 344-5074 2380 Hempstead Turnpike [email protected] ManduManagement.com Marcee Rubinstein (516) 486-8540 737 Preston Road [email protected] Margarita's Cafe Willy Martinez (516) 745-0033 1868 Front St. [email protected] MargaritasCafe.com Mark a Papagni CLU - New York Life Insurance Company Mark Papagni (516) 804-4861 1660 Walt Whitman Road Melville 11747 [email protected] NewYorkLife.com/agent/mpapagni Mcdonald's of East Meadow Lonny Weiner (516) 731-9750 2361 Hempstead Turnpike [email protected] MacPride.net Meadow deli Ajay Patel (516) 542-0494 393 East Meadow Ave. [email protected] New York driver safety Joseph Parisi (516) 280-5455 1576 Front St. [email protected] NyDriverSafety.com New York Life Insurance Company Louis A. Medina, CLTC (917) 699-6552 100 Jericho Quadrangle Jericho 11753 [email protected] LouisMedina.com Newsday David Wilkes (631) 843-2694 8 Corporate Drive Melville 11743 [email protected] Newsday.com Noches Latinas Luis Mendez (516) 902-8733 36 Hearth Lane Westbury 11590 [email protected] Nolan tree Experts Jason Nolan (516) 292-3620 407 Green Ave. [email protected] Norma Gonsalves 1901 Merion St. [email protected] NuHealth/NUMC Hospital Linda Walsh (516) 296-4934 2201 Hempstead Turnpike [email protected] NUMC.edu NY Physical therapy & wellness Rachel Booth (516) 222-2455 325 Merrick Ave. [email protected] NYPhysicalTherapy.net oath animal Hospital Makeda Scott (516) 951-0254 505 Newbridge Road [email protected] OathAnimalHospital.com ophthalmic Consultants of Long Island oCLI Thomas Burke (516) 812-8678 30 Merrick Ave. [email protected] OCLI.net/ orangetheory Fitness Brianna Ventola (516) 301-5909 2314A Hempstead Turnpike studiomanager0601@ orangetheoryfitness.com East-Meadow.OrangeTheory Fitness.com Peter Gidicsin (516) 486-7771 456 Gates Ave. [email protected] Medicare Health Plan solutions & New York Life Leslie Larson (516) 972-4463 2538 Inglewood St. [email protected] LarsonMedicareInsurance.com Meenan oil Fran Duffy (516) 790-3422 3020 Burns Ave. Wantagh 11793 [email protected] Meenan.com Memories on the Move Diane Landau (516) 357-9820 94 Gardiners Lane, No. 335 Levittown 11756 [email protected] NYCRTS.com Michael simone (516) 655-0334 1653 Parkview Ave. Seaford 11783 [email protected] Mid Nassau Medical Care For Kids LLC Steve Perrick (516) 333-7872 530 Old Country Road Westbury 11590 [email protected] Midanas Corp. Mike Panagatos 12 Old Bridge Court Melville 11747 [email protected] Mike Bannen (516) 486-7771 456 Gates Ave. [email protected] Minuteman Press Michael Levy (516) 731-4892 3000 Hempstead Turnpike Levittown 11756 [email protected] Levittown.MinutemanPress.com My salon suite Rebecca Muellers (631) 683-8877 1959 Front St. [email protected] MySalonSuite.com/eastmeadow Nassau Financial Federal Credit Union Mohammed Shaikh (516) 240-1255 2575 Hempstead Turnpike [email protected] NassauFinancial.org New Hope Church Dan Olson (516) 820-4200 675 Brookside Court Westbury 11590 [email protected] NewHopeChurchLI.org New York Community Bank / Roslyn savings Cynthia DaCruz (516) 542-8300 1900 Hempstead Turnpike [email protected] MyNYCB.com 36 Living In East Meadow www.liherald.com

Continued from previous page East MEadow Chamber of Commerce All businesses are in East Meadow, NY 11554, 11555, 11590 unless noted snatched Pro studio LLC Shondrea Barmore (914) 979-1883 1959 Front St. [email protected] SnatchedPro-Studio.square.site sobol East Meadow James Duffe (516) 622-3355 2332 Hempstead Turnpike sobol.east,[email protected] Sobol.com sonic drive-In Spencer Hart (516) 228-5013 1724 Hempstead Turnpike [email protected] SonicDriveIn.com steppin n style dance Laura Bowen (516) 796-5174 12 Wolcott Road Levittown [email protected] SteppinNStyleDance.com stew Leonard's East Meadow Carl Danielson (516) 394-9001 1897 Front St. StewLeonards.com stylush salon & laser Sania Naqvi (516) 636-5070 2350 Hempstead Turnpike [email protected] StylushStudio.com sunrise senior Living Doreen Fistina (516) 542-0990 1555 Glen Curtis Blvd. [email protected] SunriseSeniorLiving.com syosset Physical therapy & athletic training Dr. Ray Cecira (516) 547-3421 2339 Hempstead Turnpike [email protected] SyossetPT.com Peter Mancuso [email protected] Phenix salon suites Anthony Nasser (516) 418-2801 2571 Hempstead Turnpike [email protected] PhenixSalonSuitesNY.com Pietro's Pizza and Italian Restaurant Lauren Maslov (516) 794-8820 476 East Meadow Ave. [email protected] Pietros-Pizza.com Pinot's Palette Melissa Qadiri (718) 916-6500 2557B Hempstead Turnpike [email protected] PinotsPalette.com/queens Qdoba Mexican Eats James Pousont (516) 743-9890 2160 Hempstead Turnpike [email protected] Locations.Qdoba.com/us/ny/eastmeadow.html Real Property Management Landmark Brad Casella (516) 522-2859 626 RXR Plaza Uniondale 11556 [email protected] RPMLandmark.com Reliable Voice & data systems Inc. Linda Lovejoy (516) 542-1130, Ext. 415 366 East Meadow Ave. [email protected] ReliableVoice.com RenaMarie Jewelers James Sanicola (516) 564-1661 1934 Hempstead Turnpike [email protected] RenaMarieJewelers.com Richner Printing services Michael Karff (516) 569-4000, Ext. 288 2 Endo Blvd. Garden City 11530 [email protected] LIHerald.com RJs Enterprises Richard Stark (516) 721-3214 384 Argyle Road [email protected] RMB development Consultants Inc. Richard Bivone (516) 396-0600 308 East Meadow Ave. RMBNY.com Rose Fuger (516) 974-1880 12 East Pine St. Massapequa 11798 [email protected] Roseanne Hatzelman (516) 826-3524 558 Kingston Ave. [email protected] Rosenthal Curry & Kranz, LLP Ted Rosenthal (516) 485-5577 1600 Front St. [email protected] RosenthalCurryKranz.com Ross L. schiller & associates PC - Law Firm (516) 280-9727 1600 Front St [email protected] RLSLawFirm.com Ryann's wines Katie Gersitz (516) 962-8250 1897 Front St., Unit W [email protected] RyannsWines.com salisbury tavern Joseph Aloi (516) 333-1833 850 Carman Ave. Westbury 11590 [email protected] SalisburyTavern.com sal's Lunch Box (Hot Dog Truck) Sal Briganti (516) 263-0344 2519 Jody Court North Bellmore 11710 [email protected] scholastic Promotions awards & More Tony Daurio (516) 538-0705 505 Uniondale Ave. Uniondale 11553 [email protected] AwardsAndMore.net sign-a-Rama Pankaj Shah (516) 222-0551 2066 Front St. [email protected] SignARama.com/ny-east-meadow Jason Thomas/Herald photos Gloribel Franco, Nicholas Mendoza, and Richie Krug Jr., board chair of the East Meadow Chamber of Commerce, with Logan Sabella, 12, one of winners of Stew Leonard’s Pie Eating Contest at East Meadow’s Community Day. 2023 - 2024 Living In East Meadow 37

Continued from previous page East MEadow Chamber of Commerce All businesses are in East Meadow, NY 11554, 11555, 11590 unless noted td Bank Lawrence Rutigliano (516) 796-4975 2549 Hemsptead Turnpike [email protected] TDBank.com the american Legion Leonard Volpe (516) 579-8781 294 Bellmore Road [email protected] Legion.org the Bagel Place Josh Malament (516) 565-3917 487 Bellmore Ave [email protected] TheBagelPlaceCaterers.com the Bristal of East Meadow Gina Pretino (516) 918-8604 40 Merrick Ave. TheBristal.com/east-meadow the Halal Guys Khattab Abuattieh (908) 531-7224 2565 Hempstead Turnpike [email protected] TheHalalGuys.com the Krug team @ CB american Homes Diane Krug (516) 731-5004 1856 Hempstead Turnpike [email protected] KrugTeam.com the Noon Inn (914) 258-2582 382 East Meadow Ave. [email protected] the NY dancers studio Inc Stacie Nelson (516) 489-8795 388 Merrick Ave. [email protected] TheNYDancersStudio.com the UPs store Russell Cohen (516) 280-3363 1936 Hempstead Turnpike [email protected] EastMeadow-NY-5603. theupsstorelocal.com thomas McKevittCounty Legislator (516) 571-6213 1550 Franklin Ave. Mineola 11501 [email protected] thryv Inc. Samir Shah (516) 982-6940 2600 Park St. Westbury 11590 Tsshryv.com total orthopedics & sports Medicine Dr. Ray Cecira (516) 547-3421 2339 Hempstead Turnpike [email protected] tracy Rudd 516 794 6975 55 Lloyd Court [email protected] Uncle Giuseppe's Marketplace (516) 579-1955 2330 Hempstead Turnpike [email protected] UncleG.com United Methodist Church of East Meadow Douglas Wood St. (516) 794-5855 470 East Meadow Ave. [email protected] UMC.org/find-a-church/ church/12486 United Properties Corp. Alex Carr (516) 223-6200 1975 Hempstead Turnpike UnitedPropertiesCorp.com wellcare Financial Planning - warren Kalmenson (516) 505-7008 230 Hilton Ave., Suite 204 Hempstead 11550 [email protected] wML Enterprises William Lannon (516) 731-1937 16 Myrtle Lane Levittown 11756 [email protected] WMLEnterprisesInc.com world auction Gallery LLC Ben Nejat (516) 307-8180 228 East Meadow Ave. [email protected] WorldAuctionGallery.com worth Real Estate & Management Lynn Senko (516) 489-1341 2 Bellmore Road [email protected] WorthPropertyMgt.com Courtesy East Meadow Chamber of Commerce The East Meadow Chamber of Commerce welcomed a new business, Fiori Garden Center and Mason Supply, at a ribbon cutting on April 28. 38 Living In East Meadow www.liherald.com

2023 - 2024 Living In East Meadow 39 Congratulations to our Mount Sinai South Nassau 2023 Castle Connolly Top Doctors! Ann Buhl, MD Director, Gynecologic Oncology Rajiv Datta, MD Department Chair, Surgery Director, Gertrude & Louis Feil Cancer Center Director, Surgical Oncology/ Head & Neck Steven Harris, MD Urology Jay Itzkowitz, MD Department Chair, Emergency Services Carlos MontoyaIraheta, MD Chief, Pediatric Cardiology Matthew Rifkin, MD Department Chair, Radiology Neil Soskel, DO Family Medicine Alan Garely, MD Department Chair, Obstetrics & Gynecology Director, Urogynecology Sherry Megalla, MD Cardiology Our doctors were peer-nominated and selected based on extensive research, careful review and screening conducted by Castle Connolly’s physician-led research team. Nationally, only 7% of more than 850,000 practicing doctors in the United States earned Castle Connolly “Top Doctors” designation this year. mountsinai.org/southnassau 1220289

40 Living In East Meadow www.liherald.com Licensed by Dept. of Family & Children Services and Board of Health. Family Owned & Operated Since 1954 6 Weeks • Toddler • 3 Year Olds & Pre-K 2, 3 or 5 Days/Extended Hours 7am - 6pm Qualifi ed Staff 9:00am - 12:00pm | 11:00am - 4:00pm | 9:00am - 2:00pm | 9:00am - 4:00pm Family Owned & Operated Since 1954 6 Weeks • Toddler • 3 Year Olds & Pre-K 2, 3 or 5 Days/Extended Hours 7am - 6pm Age appropriate program, warm and friendly atmosphere where children feel loved and secure so they can grow socially, emotionally, physically and intellectually. 1223308 CALL FOR A TOUR! School & Camp East Meadow Celebrating Our 69th Year! Dept. of Family & Children Services 516-781-3900 Now Hiring for September All positions.