Keri Wirth performs music that calms and inspires children.

Syosset’s Keri Wirth was well on her way to fulfilling her dream of becoming a recording artist specializing in vocally-driven dance music when the tune of her career trajectory suddenly changed.

“I had severe stage fright,” said Wirth, a recent Syosset transplant via New York City. “I loved recording my album and writing my songs, but I felt like performing wasn’t my thing.”

With live performance being one of the tenets of the music, Wirth knew she would have to find a way to overcome her fears and climb onto that stage. She decided that her best bet was practice—and better yet, practice in front of children. She signed up for a course with Music Together, a program that incorporates music into early childhood development, and found herself highly stimulated by the way children respond to music.

“I couldn’t believe it,” she said, adding that her science and pre-med background galvanized her interest in the educational aspect of the program. “Combining the science and musical sides was just so stimulating, I thought, ‘this is it.’”

Though she had no experience babysitting and at the time had no interest of having children of her own (she now has two, ages 7 and 2), learning the ways in which music calms and inspires children, while helping their parents, turned out to be the perfect antidote to her performance anxiety.

“I felt rejuvenated by the response I was getting from not only the kids, but their parents as well,” she said. “Everything started coming more naturally to me. I realized that writing music that would appeal to both children and adults was my calling.”

Keri Wirth with a couple of her musical subjects.

With that newfound career path, Wirth left Music Together and decided to write her own curriculum. As a singer/songwriter and performer, Wirth created “Me and You Music” to comfort children, help them relate to their emotions, connect with their parents and enjoy a musical adventure that brightens their spirits in an engaging and playful atmosphere.

Wirth released a CD of original music titled Me And You on Nov. 10, making it available on iTunes and Spotify. She also has an album release party planned at the Sandbox Playspace, 51 Gibson Ave. in Huntington, on Saturday, Nov. 14. Wirth’s music has found an audience with local parents looking to not only relax their child’s emotional outbursts, but soothe their own jangled nerves as well.

“Babies are remarkable and react so quickly to music, at 9 months they are already clapping and kicking,” she said. “I crafted this CD to share with parents, for them to play in the house or in the car and parents tell me that now they can’t live without these songs.”

A self-taught musician who has been writing songs since she was 10-years-old, Wirth graduated from Cornell University in 1996 where she studied pre-med and played four years of Division 1 soccer. It has been a long journey since those college days and Wirth said she finally feels like she is making a difference in the world, both scientifically and creatively.

“I personally didn’t need to get up on stage and sell my songs,” she said. “The songs, I loved. And sharing felt beautiful. But that interaction on stage was not what I wanted. I didn’t feel like I was helping. It sounds huge, but I wanted to help the human race. Everything else felt superficial to me.”

So now, with her newly acquired ukulele skills, Wirth has turned her talent on its ear—and in the process, she’s found a comfortable way to reach a new and exciting audience that is eager to listen and learn.

“I finally feel comfortable and safe and confident,” she said. “When I see the children’s reactions and parents and grandparents, it confirms what I did the right thing and I am ready to get out into the world with this.”

Wirth currently holds classes on Thursdays at The Sandbox in Huntington. To connect and inquire about attending a class or booking her for an event, email Wirth at klwirth@aol.com or call her 516-606-6475. Visit www.keriwirth.com for more information.

Jim Brannigan of Syosset enjoys life and enjoys building boats. (Photos by Dagmar Fors Karppi)

A handful of Syosset residents are busy volunteering their time to restore a relic of Oyster Bay’s past.

Syosset’s Jim Brannigan, a financial analyst retiree from Wall Street has found a new vocation, volunteering to build the oyster dredge Ida May.

A man with a sense of humor, he said, “I use all my skills here, carrying things around and trying not to cause problems.” The reason for being there was simple, he said, “Quoting what Ratty said to the Mole, ‘There’s nothing, simply nothing better than simply messing around with boats.’ It’s from The Wind in the Willows and it really sums it up for everybody.”

In Building J on Oyster Bay’s Western Waterfront, they are redesigning the boat to adjust to Coast Guard regulations. The target date for the launch is three years away.

It’s a labor of love, since each board is individually cut and shaped for installation. Today you can see into the boat through spaces between the boards, but caulking will soon fill the cracks and then the outer planking will go on to hide all the interior work.

Al Miller of Oyster Bay, Bill Titus of Locust Valley, Project Manager Ed Peterson of Syosset, Bob Larsen of Hicksville and Jim Brannigan of Syosset

Syosset resident Ray Wulff, who worked on building the oyster sloop Christeen, was the one who encouraged the board to proceed with building the Ida May using largely volunteer labor under the part-time guidance of ship-wright Josh Herman.

Wulff is a retired electrical engineer from the Sperry Corporation and has been a leading volunteer involved in all aspects of the Christeen’s operations since her restoration in the 1990s. A very experienced carpenter, he built his own wooden gaff-rigged sloop that sails in Oyster Bay.

The first Ida May project manager was Hank Tiska of Syosset from 2011 until this spring. He worked at Grumman for 32 years as a project manager, engineering mechanical and electrical support equipment for aircraft.

He got his neighbor Ed Peterson involved with the Ida May to repair the saw mill, then rebuild the tractor and soon he was on board as the current project manager. He began his career at Grumman, where over 35 years he moved from department to department and learned all the skills necessary to build an airplane.

Fun In The Bay

Keeping himself busy, Brannigan also volunteers with Tiska’s wife Betty crewing for the Christeen. The Christeen Corporation is the lead agency for the Ida May Project and when the boat is launched, she will join the Christeen teaching marine education for the Waterfront Center.

Planning The Next Step

Brannigan gave a rundown of what needs to be done to finish the Ida May. After it’s planked, and the deck completed, they still have to build the deckhouse. Brannigan said, “It won’t fit in here so it will be built elsewhere.”

There is a great deal of work on their list including doing all the wiring, plumbing, putting in the motor, holding tanks and fuel tanks, but the next thing is planking the deck.

Boards painted white and ready to be installed on the deck.

Sitting in an orderly pile at Building J are deck beams painted white and ready to go. They will complete the decking, which consists of slightly arched pieces of wood, curved to allow water to run down to the sides of the ship.

“It’s really a challenge to cut it all,” said Brannigan. “Each has to be fitted perfectly and they weigh about 100 pounds apiece. The boards have to be tapped in. You don’t make a straight-forward-bang. One cracked the other day. The very long nails come with ribs on them. They look more like screws.”

The volunteers work on Tuesdays and Thursdays from about 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sometimes they go on to 6 or 7 p.m.

Volunteer Hours Count

The men on the project have been in it for the long haul. The prize down the line will be that the Ida May has the capability to educate children and adults about the marine environment in the daytime and to even have dinner sails on the Long Island Sound.

The prow of the oyster dredge Ida May, under construction on West End Avenue.

The Ida May Project has a New York State Parks Department matching grant of $173,451. Each volunteer’s hour of work is valued at $26.45. The project needs to raise $100,000 in cash to fulfill the grant.

Donations can be made online at www.idamayproject.com or by check made out to the Christeen Corporation and mailed to P.O. Box 386 Oyster Bay, NY 11771. For more information call 516-305-9204. To see the work as it progresses, visit Building J on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9 to 2 p.m. Visitors are always welcome.

Trucks like this will be barred from traveling on South Oyster Bay Road.

Town officials have put the brakes on a truck problem plaguing a local thoroughfare.

The Town of Oyster Bay voted Nov. 10 to restore truck limits on a four-mile stretch of South Oyster Bay Road—effectively turning back the clock to Dec. 2014, before the roadway was made an “access highway” by the New York State Department of Transportation (DOT).

“The town has the power to reinstate the truck restrictions that were in place in Dec. 2014,” said Venditto. “Those regulations worked well.”

The vote means that only trucks 48 feet in length, 10,000 pounds in weight and 13 feet in height can use South Oyster Bay Road to access a business park in Bethpage. However, officials from the DOT and the Federal Highway Administration have said that only the state can rescind the access highway designation based on a proven history of truck-related accidents and safety concerns validated by hard data.

A spokesperson for the state DOT said that “Once DOT has more specifics of the town’s resolution, we will share it with the Federal Highway Administration,” adding that enforcement of the new law would be up to the local police department.

Last December, the DOT designated South Oyster Bay Road as an access highway for tractor trailers ranging from 53 to 75 feet in length. FedEx submitted an application to the DOT to request this designation to accommodate truck-based transport of freight from the Long Island Expressway to its facility near Grumman in Bethpage. According to the DOT, town and Nassau County officials both received the request, but neither objected or requested a legal public hearing.

Matt Rozea, an assistant town attorney, said the town’s vote does not ban trucks from local streets to make deliveries to businesses and residents; it merely returns the restrictions that were previously in place. But attorney Jeff Forchelli, who represents Bethpage Business Park, said the limitations will hurt the business community’s ability to deliver and receive goods and services.

Tanya Lukasik speaks to the town board about the truck problem.

“You created an economic engine in Bethpage, you cannot turn around and take it away,” said Forchelli.

Venditto agreed that the economic engine is obviously critical, but not at the expense of the community’s safety.

“When it comes into conflict with public health and the safety and well being of the community, that is when we have a problem with it. And that is what we are concerned about,” said Venditto, adding that trucks will not be banned completely. “We merely want to go back to the laws that were in place prior to December [2014].”

Several residents from Plainview, Hicksville, Syosset and beyond spoke at the meeting. The residents relayed to the town board their concerns about traffic safety, noise levels and environmental and health matters.

Charles Hoffman, whose home in Hicksville abuts South Oyster Bay Road, invited the board members to his home to experience the loud rattling of these tractor trailers.

“The noise is all hours of the day and night,” he said. “They are dangerous and disruptive to our way of life. Not to mention the diesel fumes and soot that we are now living with.”

Edward Bond, a 30-year resident of Plainview, agreed, saying the trucks sound like “railroad cars passing in the night.” He also said that he can actually see the amount of dirt being generated by these big rigs and worries, “imagine what we can’t see.”

Tanya Lukasik, a Hicksville resident and organizer of an effort to save trees along the roadway, said that the access highway designation has “opened Pandora’s Box,” in that trucks are using South Oyster Bay Road now more than ever.

“The new designation transformed this local roadway lined with homes, businesses, schools and houses of worship into a virtual highway,” she said. “The public was uninformed, unprepared and blindsided by this change. It undermines the health and well being of the area.”

Samantha Brooks (right) and tattoo artist Tommy Helm

Dessert. It’s the best part of any meal. Sweet endings come in the form of many culinary confections and for artist Samantha Brooks, cake is the front runner. A one woman show, Brooks bakes, decorates and delivers her delicious works of art for events such as weddings, birthday parties and social events. It’s a dream that is finally coming to fruition, after dabbling in just about every form of art.

“I grew up in Syosset and graduated high school in 2001. From there I went to community college and majored in art education to become an art teacher,” said Brooks, who also demonstrated prowess on the court as a Division III basketball and volleyball player. “I went to CW Post and majored in fine arts. I was always a creative artsy person and touched base on sculpture, painting, drawing, but I got bored.”

Primed with her artistic background, Brooks took her talent down another avenue, this time enrolling in the Culinary Academy of Long Island, which she attended for a year and a half, before training with a pastry chef in Manhattan.

“I worked in Manhattan for a bit and then decided that I wanted to do more large scale creations so I worked for a catering company back on Long Island. I was an assistant for about a year and then became the head pastry chef for four years,” said Brooks, who baked for events of 3,000 people per weekend.

An homage to the New York Knicks

Plated desserts and high volume pastries weren’t cutting it, so Brooks reached out to a cake designer in Scarsdale, NY with a reputation for having the best cake boutique. She heard he was opening up a Chelsea location and hoped to have a part there.

“He told me that if I trained with him for free for the whole summer and if I nailed it, he would make me the senior cake designer in Manhattan—and he did,” said Brooks, who practiced by putting parchment paper all over her bedroom and practiced scroll work with a piping bag. She ran the store and built up an impressive list of clientele including Angelina Jolie, Justin Bieber, Whoopi Goldberg and Jennifer Lopez.

After seeing a need for something fresh on the Long Island bakery scene, Brooks realized she could be the one to bring something new to the table and began her own business. She has worked out of a warehouse in Syosset for the past three years as SamiCakes Boutique LLC and also provides cakes for the facility as well.

This designer cake is perfect for the girly girl

“I’ve been doing cakes for five years and I go the extra mile for every cake, no matter what it is,” said Brooks. “What makes me different is that I incorporate furniture with the cakes and try to use every form of material like modeling chocolate, gum paste, fondant and royal icing. I airbrush, hand paint and I love doing 3D pieces.”

Aside from spending every day doing what she loves, Brooks finds cake designing very rewarding as she gets to be a part of important events in people’s lives.

“Every week is something different and being my own boss is very regimented,” she said, adding that she can’t take on a full time staff right now but would like to in the future. “The most I’ve ever done is 15 cakes a week. I’ve had to say no because I’m only one person.”

Brooks is inspired by culture, artwork and architecture and allows that to shine in her cakes. She said that about 75 percent of clients give her complete artistic freedom with a design idea, which she turns into detailed research.

An extremely lifelike Louis Vuitton bag

“Because I’m under the radar right now, everything is word of mouth,” said Brooks, who has a Facebook and Instagram account where she showcases her cakes. “Business is always busy but it picks up between September to Christmastime, consistent with 5-7 cakes a week which is about 21-25 cakes a month.”

While she would love to compete in outside competitions, Brooks just doesn’t have time. She does however, take every opportunity to donate and participate in charity and fundraising events.

“I was commissioned to do a six-foot Prosecco bottle for the New York Food and Wine Festival at the Javits Center last year, and recently did the Women’s Sports Foundation, which is a huge fundraiser for all of the female Olympians,” said Brooks, who set up a cake pop display. “I also made a replica cake for Nassau University Medical Center. Ornamental detailing is my specialty, but I do find beauty in making traditional style, clean wedding cakes.”

As for her support system, Brooks has a big one. A round up of family members—she even had her mother in an apron when she first started her business—friends, and her fiancée Colette.

“My family is more supportive now than ever, my friends help with deliveries and Colette helps manage my emails when I let her,” said Brooks. “You better believe I’m making my own wedding cake next October—I’m thinking 10 tiers.”

A cake by Brooks starts at around $300 and increases depending on size and amount of detail. She treats every creation as if it were a cake for her family and never takes the easy way out.

A football cake wouldn’t be complete without MetLife Stadium, the Heisman and the Vince Lombardi trophy. (Photos by Samantha Brooks)

“It’s personal working with me because it’s a one-on-one experience. I’m very passionate,” she said.

In January, Brooks is relocating to a larger warehouse and will be sharing it with a fellow baker who specializes in gluten-free, organic and vegan foods.

“Now that the word is out there enough, I feel like it’s the next step I have to take business wise. I have so many ideas that I’m just trying to take on more,” she said. “Not having to say no anymore is what I’m most excited about.”

Lydia Sabosto performs at the Jericho library Nov. 22.

The Syosset-Jericho community is in for a musical treat, as Lydia Sabosto takes attendees on a journey of sights, sounds and memories at the Jericho library on Nov. 22 at 2 p.m.

Sabosto’s show, A Suitcase of Memories, includes show tunes, jazz and popular songs, along with stories between songs. Her stories are about growing up on her grandparents working farm in Center Moriches, her piano lessons that started at 4-years-old and from her high school days to her college years at Berklee School of Music, where she studied jazz with many notable jazz musicians, including Gary Peacock and Gary Burton.

Sabosto’s show includes music and stories.

Throughout Sabosto’s 30-year career, she was the opening act for many comedians and singers. Sabosto appeared on the Joe Franklin Show years ago and has performed for Neil Sedaka, Wanda Sykes plus famous producers. She also has performed in many venues, including resort hotels, fundraisers, musical theater and festivals.

There’s something for everyone in Sabosto’s concert, from Gershwin and Cole Porter to Billy Joel. Her CD, A Suitcase of Memories, is available on Amazon, iTunes and CD Baby. For more information, visit www.lydia
makesmusic.com or www.jericholibrary.org for more information.

Supervisor John Venditto

It took almost three extra weeks to decide, but the Town of Oyster Bay will not have a new supervisor in 2016.

Supervisor John Venditto, who has helmed the town for 18 years, will remain at his post after an absentee ballot count put him 99 votes ahead of Democratic challenger John Mangelli, who conceded the election on Nov. 19.

Mangelli led by a paltry 68 votes after ballots were cast on election night, leading 22,454 to 22,386 with about 1,700 absentee ballots waiting to be counted. Despite having a winning number of votes on election night, Mangelli chose not to take the ultimate decision to court.

“I would like to congratulate Supervisor Venditto on his victory and I wish him well,” said Mangelli. “It was a great campaign and I enjoyed every second of it.”

Venditto, who has held office since 1998, said prior to the absentee ballot count that he was pleased with the “public’s continued support of the town’s elected officials” and that “it is most important to let the election process continue to unfold.”

John Mangelli

In a statement after Mangelli conceded the election Venditto said, “I want to thank the residents of the Town of Oyster Bay for re-electing the entire town team. Looking ahead, we will continue to work with our residents to preserve and protect the cherished quality of life that we all enjoy here in the Town of Oyster Bay.”

Mangelli’s only previous political experience was a run for New York State Senate two years ago. In this election, Mangelli ran on what he called a “common sense approach,” saying that he wanted to fight corruption and cronyism, as well as impose term limits and tackle the town debt. Despite the loss, Mangelli hinted that he will step into the ring in future elections.

“I began this campaign wanting to make a difference by serving my community. I spent time and money campaigning on a clear message that resonated throughout the town,” he said. “It was an uphill battle, but it was well worth the fight. For all those who voted for me, I am grateful. I am a fighter for the people and will continue this fight in the upcoming elections.”

Our Lady of Mercy Academy choir performs at the Lung Cancer Walk for Life.

More than 1,000 CancerCare friends and supporters came together to take part in the 13th Annual CancerCare Lung Cancer Walk for Hope, held at The Town of Oyster Bay Golf Course in Woodbury earlier this month.

The event raised more than $175,000 in support of CancerCare’s Lung Cancer Support Program, the only ongoing program on Long Island providing free counseling to patients, loved ones and caregivers affected by lung cancer.

Matt DeSanno (third from left) and his friends joined in the walk for life.

CancerCare’s director of social services for the Long Island office,Win Boerckel, welcomed the enthusiastic crowd and introduced students from Syosset’s Our Lady of Mercy Academy who sang the national anthem. Our Lady of Mercy Academy has been an important supporter and has donated proceeds from its annual 5k Tower Run in memory of beloved health teacher M.J. Lorello.

“Life does not end, it just changes form,” said Boerckel. “This annual Lung Cancer Walk for Hope is a time to pay tribute to our survivors and all who have cared for them, as well as those who are struggling with the disease and its lasting implications.”

Joined on stage by Town Clerk Jim Altadonna and Councilman Joe Pinto, Boerckel acknowledged the vital support of the Town of Oyster Bay, including that of Supervisor John Venditto. Boerckel presented the top individual and team fundraising awards to CancerCare volunteer Phyllis Sobel of Woodbury, whose team “Will to Survive” raised more than $21,000 toward sustaining the Lung Cancer Support Program.

Woodbury’s Phyllis Sobel was honored for her volunteer efforts.

Sobel, herself a two-time lung cancer survivor, was presented with a memorial plaque honoring the memory of her son, Jonathan Sobel. It was announced that in honor of his commitment to the Lung Cancer Walk for Hope, future awards for top fundraisers will be named after him to commemorate the indelible mark he has left on the event and those who will benefit from the services he so strongly advocated.

Bethpage resident and co-owner of Hicksville’s Ultimate Gym, Mat DeSanno, led the excited crowd in a warm-up. Through events at the gym and other outreach to family, friends and colleagues, DeSanno’s team, “Team Debbie,” named in honor of his mom who passed away from lung cancer, has supported CancerCare’s mission since 2010.

The organization also acknowledged Joann Centrone of Massapequa and Diana Gerhardt of East Rockaway, who are the spirit behind “Ices for Andrea,” named in honor of their beloved mother who passed away from breast cancer and “Ralph’s Cancer Killers” headed by captain Ralph Gagliano of Lynbrook. The two teams rounded out the top five supporters for this year’s event.

To learn more about this year’s Lung Cancer Walk for Hope or make a donation in support of the Lung Cancer Support Program, visit www.cancercare.org/lungcancerwalk.

Woodbury’s Chase Zabatta operates Rapture Sound Studio. (Photos by Chris Boyle)

Hidden away amongst the twisting industrial alleyways lining Robbins Lane is an unlikely oasis for the musically-minded, nestled in-between countless warehouses and trucks, known as Rapture Sound Studio, Syosset’s first top-of-the-line rehearsal studio created for musicians, by musicians.

The 2,500-square foot Rapture features four fully sound-proofed rehearsal studios with state-of-the art, top-dollar mixing and sound equipment, as well as a larger “showcase” room where wedding bands and the like can play for prospective clients. Clearly, Rapture is jockeying to position as the premiere location for anyone looking for a place to hone their musical skills before a big show.

“We’re more of a destination—people call here and book studios, they usually don’t just walk on in,” said owner Chase Zabatta. “That’s the great thing about this business. You don’t have to have a storefront location on a busy street and pay all that overhead. You can be in the middle of nowhere.”

Rapture is located in nondescript industrial area off Robbins Lane.

Zabatta, a Woodbury resident, comes from a musically diverse background. He spent some time chasing his dream of being a rock and roller while also working in the production side of the music business with some of the industry’s biggest artists.

“I played guitar, sang, I did it all. I played in a few different bands,” he said. “I also started working at Quad Studios in Manhattan as a sound engineer, recording a lot of rap artists like Kanye West. But I was really into the heavy metal music, so I also worked at another place called Terminus NYC with artists from that genre as well.”

After getting his hands dirty in the music biz for a number of years, he developed a new dream—owning his own studio. Basing his design on a previous, now closed studio in Babylon that he used to utilize himself and injecting base with his own ideas, he discovered the perfect location in Syosset—a former industrial wood shop that he gutted and re-built, situated just minutes away from his home in Woodbury—and brought Rapture to life in June of 2015.

“I’ve always wanted to work in the music industry and I found that a rehearsal studio is the best route to that,” he said. “Besides, there’s really no places like this anywhere on Long Island, at least ones that are worth coming to. Everyone that comes here never wants to leave.”

Rapture features state-of-the-art equipment.

Rapture is open by appointment and musicians can book a studio any time they want, 24 hours a day. Want to wail with your buddies at 3 a.m. on a Saturday? Just call beforehand and Rapture will be open for you, Zabatta said. Also, if you’re trying to get together a band of your own but are shy a drummer or bassist, no worries—Rapture features a bulletin board in its lobby where musicians can connect with like-minded individuals seeking to get together and jam. Need a singer? Leave a note on the board, Zabatta said, and you’ll most likely get a few calls before the day is out.

Zabatta is nothing but a hard worker when he sees something he wants. Currently working long hours as a graphic designer on the side in order to get his dream of his very own rehearsal studio afloat, he’s constantly flirting with burnout with all the effort, but what keeps him going is the very clear goal he has set before himself. And that goal gets closer and closer every day, he noted.

“Things have really picked up a lot recently. I’ve really pushed the advertising and have gotten good ratings on Google, Yelp and everywhere else, and we have really, really good ratings, so things are picking up a lot,” he said. “Everything here is brand-new and cutting-edge with all the best equipment, such as Blackstar speakers and amps, which aren’t cheap. We can really take your music to the next level, so give us a call and schedule a session. You won’t want to leave.”

To find out more about Rapture Sound Studio, visit www.rapturesound.com.

Susan Anderson of Syosset

It was one of those picture perfect mid-fall days, with temperatures around 55 degrees and bright sunshine highlighting the efforts of 500 runners and walkers to conquer their choice of the 5-kilometer or 10-kilometer distance—everyone working together for better men’s health and to fight prostate cancer at Syosset-Woodbury Community Park on Nov. 15.

Michael Berger, 27, of Bellmore, has become a frequent visitor to the winners circle at Long Island races this year and scored a convincing 34:15 overall win in the 10K, and 28-year-old Savannah Puca of Huntington took top honors among the women. In the 5K, Angel Confessor came out from Brooklyn to take first place overall and Lauren Jasinski of Cold Spring Harbor took first place homors overall among the women.

Local award winners in the 10-kilometer run included Wai Ha Cheung of Jericho (second Athena 140-159), Janna Ostroff of Plainview (second woman overall and first 35-39), Jessica Petrina of Old Bethpage (third woman overall and first 30-34), Nicole Henn (third woman 45-49) and Connie Sehlmeyer (first woman 70-74) of Syosset and Ann Dorman of Woodbury (first woman 50-54).

Harris Tell of Syosset

Local award winners in the 5-kilometer run were Shari Klarfeld (first woman 30-34), Karen Friedman (first woman 35-39), Melanie Fiume (first woman 20-24), Sanford Levitt (first Clydesdale 185-189), David Drebsky (third 35-39), Matthew Gregory (first 40-44), Kathy Neuman (second woman 50-54), Len Kaufman (third 65-69) and Odd Sangesland (third 85-89), all of Plainview. Other winners included Susan Anderson (first woman 25-29) and Harris Tell (third 40-44) Mark Rosenberg (second 70-74), John Mulvey (third 70-74) and Bert Jablon (first 85-89), all of Syosset, along with Dan Kulchinsky of Woodbury (second 65-69) and Donna Rosen of Jericho (first woman 55-59).

Syosset-Woodbury Community Park is a great venue from which to stage a road race, with a somewhat hilly course through nearby neighborhoods.

Thanks as well to Nassau County Legislator Rose Marie Walker, who continues to brighten the starting line at local running events with her presence, to Oyster Bay Town Councilman Joe Pinto, Oyster Bay Town Receiver of Taxes Jim Stefanich and to New York State Assemblyman Michael Montesano, all of whom were on hand to show their support for running and for the fight against prostate cancer.

Special thanks go to Curtis Sliwa of the Guardian Angels, himself a survivor of prostate cancer, for his support and his inspirational words at the start of the event.

Mara Navaretta is hosting a pajama drive at Homes By Mara.

To help lift the spirits of children suffering chronic illness in hospitals this holiday season, realtor Mara Navaretta of Woodbury has aligned with the Massapequa Park-based nonprofit The Ashley Wade Foundation to participate in its Jake’s Jammies pajama drive.

Navaretta’s Syosset-based Homes By Mara is collecting store bought pajamas for children ages 1 through 21, through Dec. 20. Donations for Jake’s Jammies can be dropped off daily between 9 a.m. and 6 p.m. at Homes By Mara’s collection box at its office at 567 Jericho Tpke., Suite 205 in Syosset. All new pajamas collected will be dropped off and distributed to children braving chronic illness at area hospitals before Christmas Day.

Getting a jumpstart on its Jake’s Jammies Drive, Navaretta and several of her agents have already donated newly bought pajamas for the drive and are hoping that others will join in their effort.

“As a community business, I believe it is important that we all pitch in to support others in need,” said Navaretta, whose agency regularly makes donations to such charities as Children’s Brain Tumor Foundation and has sponsored toy and coat drives over the last few years. “Being a mother, I cannot help but feel for the many children braving chronic illness who are spending the holidays in the hospital and their courageous families who remain so strong and supportive of them. It is with great pride that we at Homes By Mara participate this year in Jake’s Jammies and that we encourage others to join us in donating for this heartfelt cause. Through our pajama collection, we can bring some comfort and added holiday cheer to these children and let them know that we are thinking of and support them this holiday season.”

Established in 2015, Jake’s Jammies was founded by Ashley Wade of The Ashley Wade Foundation in loving memory of 2-year-old Jake Matthew Staniszewski, who lost his battle with cancer in 2014. For more information about Jake’s Jammies, visit www.ashleywadefoundation.org/jakesjammies.html.

The Ashley Wade Foundation was founded by Massapequa Park’s Ashley Wade after she was diagnosed with Crohn’s Disease in 2010. The organization is dedicated to enriching the lives of children suffering from chronic illness. For more information about the Ashley Wade Foundation, visit www.ashleywadefoundation.org/.

Syosset sisters Rachel and Jillian Roth

The Syosset sisters from Inspire Bright took their “teens helping teens” motto on the road recently, teaming up with Insomnia cookies in Syracuse to kick off the organization’s latest endeavor—an ACT/SAT study guide collection to benefit students in need.

For the kick-off event, Insomnia Cookies donated a portion of sales from an entire day to Jillian and Rachel Roth of Inspire Bright, which will be used toward the book collection.

Jillian places a donation box at the Syosset library.

Rachel, 19, is a student in the Newhouse School of Public Communications at Syracuse University, while Jillian, 16, is a senior at Syosset High School. With these Syracuse and Long Island connections, support for the girls’ collection drive stretched from upstate to downstate, as friends, family and community members contributed efforts.

The sisters, accustomed to working together on projects side by side, had to get creative with splitting up the responsibilities for promoting and facilitating this particular event. Jillian worked on the Syosset promotion and spreading the word online and “at home,” while Rachel, incoming social chair in her sorority at Syracuse, promoted the event on campus through social media and word of mouth within the Greek community.

The ACT/SAT study guides are being collected at various drop-off locations within the Syosset community and beyond through the end of December. The guides will be donated in an effort to help teens reach success on college entrance exams.

Jillian enlists the help of On Parade Diner.

Inspire Bright is accepting unwanted ACT and SAT study books, both written in and entirely new, at the following locations: On Parade Diner in Woodbury, Syosset High School, Syosset Public Library, Ambiance salon in Roslyn Heights and at private SAT/ACT tutors in the area.

Go to www.InspireBright.org for more information and follow the girls on Twitter @inspirebright and on Instagram @inspirebright.

From left: Angela Susan Anton, Lorraine Bracco, Joan MacNaughton and Susan Gordon Ryan (seated)

One hundred smartly dressed women arrived at the Phipps Mansion of Old Westbury Gardens recently for a day in Tuscany to benefit the Children in Bloom program.

Chairwoman Joan Hope MacNaughton said the purpose of the luncheon was to raise money for the children’s educational programs.

“We have had this luncheon for six years and every year it gets bigger and better and helps fund necessary programs for the children all throughout every educational scope,” she said. “Old Westbury Gardens does environmental programs, educational and cultural programs for children from toddlers to teenagers. Today we have Lorraine Bracco, actress and author known for her role on The Sopranos, and Nancy Rauch Douzinas who has a family foundation which gives to all different charities to children and to areas of Long Island.”

Admiring the interior of the beautiful gold coast mansion was Bracco, who shared her childhood experiences with Anton Media Group publisher Angela Susan Anton. Bracco grew up in Hicksville and had a special connection to Old Westbury Gardens. The mansion was built as a wedding present to the owner’s British bride as a promise that if she would come to America and marry him, he would give her a taste of England on Long Island.

“My mother was British and a war bride. My dad met my mom at a USO dance,” said Bracco. “They were always coming to Old Westbury Gardens and I spent a part of my childhood running through these gardens. My parents loved Old Westbury Gardens, so when I was asked to come I jumped at the chance. I have not been here in over 40 years. I came in memory of them. When I walk here, I feel like I am walking in their footsteps. They died a few years ago, nine days apart, so I feel like I am here with them. I love nature and I think it is important to keep this alive for children, to keep it going and to enjoy.”

Anton, who was an event committee member, concurred with Bracco’s sentiments.

The lunch committee

“I think this luncheon is very special because it helps the children,” said Anton. “I have been involved with this program since the beginning six years ago. These programs get children involved and show them the wonder and beauty of the gardens here at Old Westbury Gardens and the importance of nature.”

President of Americana Manhasset, Deirdre Costa Major, gave her thoughts on the importance of the luncheon.

“This is a beautiful event and Carol Large [Old Westbury Gardens chairman of the board] has done a great job in supporting Old Westbury Gardens. This is an oasis for us to come to and enjoy the flowers, the fresh air, the open spaces and just to connect to nature and to ourselves. It is a wonderful venue.”

Americana Manhasset donated one of the four grand prizes, which was a $1,000 gift certificate to the stores.

Guests filed into the grand red ballroom, which was decked out in decidedly Tuscan atmosphere with tables filled with centerpieces of grapes, apples and hydrangeas as a nod to the annual harvest. Poet Laureate Victoria Crosby of Glen Cove shared her stories of visiting the palaces in London and why she attends the event.

“As a former early childhood teacher, this particular event is important to me because it helps to educate children on environmental issues,” she said. “Also as a person born and raised in England, the house and gardens make me feel as though I am back there in an English country home.”

As guests dined on caramelized pear salad and Tuscan baked chicken, Large discussed the importance of the educational programs for the community.

“The Garden’s Westbury School District partnership hosted 1,414 individual students with 2,344 total visits in 2014-15,” she said. “According to the teacher evaluations, 81 percent of participating children who attended the Old Westbury Garden’s outdoor educational programming have shown improved science grades.”

Large thanked the guests for their participation and bidding on the raffle items, which were donated and brought in additional funds.

“By participating, you are helping cultivate an appreciation of nature in children and families as we strive to develop a lasting legacy of environmental consciousness and preservation,” she said.

For future events at Old Westbury Gardens, which is located at 71 Old Westbury Rd., go to www.oldwestburygardens.org or call 516-333-0048.

Syosset boys lacrosse players who have committed to play college athletics.

Syosset High School held its National Commitment Day for athletes on Nov. 10. Fifteen of Syosset’s most distinguished student athletes signed a Letter of Intent to play their respective sports at the collegiate level.

Student donned caps or attire from their school of choice as they signed their respective Letter of Intent in front of family, coaches and special guests. Syosset coordinator of health, physical education and athletics Drew Cronin hosted the event in conjunction with boys varsity lacrosse coach John Calabria.

Syosset girls lacrosse players who have committed to play college athletics.

“There is really nothing like playing sports at the collegiate level and that has been the goal of everyone here who is about to sign a National Letter of Intent,” Calabria said. “Syosset High School works hard to ensure its athletes thrive and these students represent the elite of the elite.”

Congratulations to the following students:

•E.J. Aronson—Boys Lacrosse at West Point USAA

•Evan Belmonte—Boys Lacrosse at Pace University

•Frankie Catania—Boys Lacrosse at LIU CW Post

•Betsy Cohen—Girls Lacrosse at Swarthmore College

•Lucas Cotler—Boys Lacrosse at Yale University

•Kaelen Curtin—Boys Lacrosse at Arizona State University

•Mikey Elardo—Boys Lacrosse (Boston University, Hofstra or Rutgers)

•Skylar Graff—Baseball (SUNY Maritime College)

•Alyssa Gehrke—Girls Lacrosse at St. Lawrence University

•Alex Giovinco—Boys Lacrosse at University of Maryland

•Brendan Lyons—Boys Lacrosse at Western New England University

•Macaire O’Keefe—Boys Lacrosse at Penn State University

•Ben Robbins—Boys Lacrosse at Arcadia University

•Kelly Siebert—Girls Lacrosse at Amherst College

•Alex Vargas—Wrestling at University of Maryland

One of the island’s longest-running institutions has been saved from the chopping block, according to sources.

The Milleridge Inn will continue to operate in 2016 and beyond, according to a local preservationist who spoke directly with the Inn’s current owner, Owen Smith.

“He cannot release the name of the operator yet, but the Inn, Cottage and Village shops are all saved,” said Sheila Doherty, who runs the “Save the Milleridge” Facebook page. “He said they will even be keeping the menu, although there will be some updates.”

The source went on to say that everyone at the Inn will keep their jobs and the catering hall will soon begin to take reservations for 2016.

Earlier this year, the Inn was sold to real estate developer Kimco Realty. and there were rumors that the Inn would be demolished in favor of retail developments. Kimco held a public information meeting recently telling attendees that it was searching for new ownership for the Inn.

The Milleridge Inn will apparently live on.

The Milleridge Inn, the Jericho catering hall with a storied past and an uncertain future, has apparently found a new operator that will keep it open in 2016 and beyond.

According to multiple sources, the inn’s owner, Kimco Realty, has selected The Dover Group to take over the day-to-day operations of the catering hall, cottage and village shops. The new operators will take over Jan. 1, effectively saving the jobs of all the inn’s employees and preserving the memories of countless Long Islanders.

Sheila Doherty, who runs the “Save the Milleridge” Facebook page, said she was thrilled when she heard the inn will be saved from former operator Owen Smith on Friday, Nov. 27.

“I knew the many thousands of Milleridge supporters would be [thrilled] as well,” she said. “The Milleridge Inn is an integral part of our community’s past and present. So much of Long Island’s history has been destroyed in the name of ‘progress.’ I believe the saving of the Milleridge Inn may be the turning point for the preservation of Long Island’s remaining historical treasures.”

Smith’s family owned and operated the property for more than 50 years before selling it to Kimco Realty earlier this year for $7.5 million.

When the real estate developer purchased the iconic property, rumors swirled among concerned residents that the inn would be demolished in favor of retail. Kimco held a public meeting in September assuring attendees that it was searching for new operators that would preserve the history of the inn.

The Dover Group runs a number of catering halls and restaurants on the island, including the Coral House in Baldwin, Peter’s Clam Bar in Island Park and Maliblue Oyster Bar in Lido Beach.

Though several sources confirmed Dover Group as the new operator, officials from the group chose not to comment. Kimco also stopped short of saying any new operator was selected at all.

“The media is getting ahead of itself. Kimco has had discussions with several potential tenants but nothing has been consummated,” said David Bujnicki, Kimco’s vice president of investor relations and communications. “The company continues to seek another qualified operator for the Milleridge Inn and once an agreement with a new tenant is finalize, we will be happy to share these details.”

The Jericho Fire Department holds a special fire commissioner election Dec. 8.

Jericho residents will answer the call in a special election for Jericho Fire Commissioner on Dec. 8.

As incumbent Artie Kroll steps down after more than 35 years of service to the community and more than 50 years in the Jericho Fire Department, four candidates—David Munafo, Paolo Pironi, Frank Sammartano and Bob Betman—are throwing their helmets into the ring for the vacant spot on the board of commissioners. Fire Commissioner Theodore Ketsoglou, who will be elevated to the chairman’s post in 2016, said it’s odd for four candidates to vie for the same position.

“We have a vacant spot, so it is very active and crazy. But it is out of the ordinary,” said Ketsoglou. “Artie Kroll is very well respected and if he was running as an incumbent, he wouldn’t have any competition.”

Ketsoglou, who’s up for reelection as chairman next year, said the open position requires someone with good business background, as well as fire knowledge and experience in the fire department.

“The top thing for a commissioner is business,” he said. “The commissioner’s role is business manager and that means managing the chiefs, money management and managing the day to day operations of the facilities.”

The four candidates for commissioner bring varying years of experience to the position, but they all share robust business backgrounds necessary for the job. The candidates agree the board is in good shape and they are only running because the vacated spot provides an opportunity to dedicate themselves to the Jericho community on a higher level.

Munafo was the commissioner for 10 years before stepping down to build a small business into a successful venture. With that up and running, he feels now is the time to get back onto the board and work with current members while also bringing new, fiscally responsible ideas.

“In this position, you are essentially working with someone else’s money. In this case, it’s the community’s money,” said Munafo, who has worked in fire service for 41 years. “I understand the ramifications of that. That money must be treated as carefully as possible.”

At 28 years old, Pironi is the youngest of the candidates and currently serves as the CFO of his family-owned construction firm, Pironi Homes. He said the position allows him the unique opportunity to work in conjunction with accountants, lawyers and other businesspeople.

“I love community service and I’ve been doing it all my life,” said Pironi, who is going on his ninth year with the JFD. “I have a lot of younger connections in the neighborhood and that could help with new recruitments.”

In his push for commissioner, Betman said his main drive is to serve the Jericho community in the most financially responsible way possible. A CEO of his own company and insurance executive, Betman said his business acumen puts him in a position to be entrusted with the budgetary responsibilities of the job.

“Jericho has the most state of the art and advanced training and equipment available. There is no skimping on that,” he said. “I’m not looking to butt heads with the board, I want to give back more than I can as a volunteer firefighter and the commissioner position is a great opportunity for that.”

Sammartano joined the fire department in 1986, eventually moving up the ranks to captain. Now an ex-captain, Sammartano works with the Town of Oyster Bay in inter-governmental affairs and has serves as commissioner of the parks department.

“I bring background as a manager and a leader making fiscally sound judgments,” he said, adding that he holds former commissioner Kroll in high regard. “This is the public’s money and you have to make sure you are buying the right stuff and not overspending. Making sure the department has the best equipment is probably the most important job. But everything is important.”

The election will be held Dec. 8 from 6 to 9 p.m. at the Jericho Fire headquarters, 424 North Broadway in Jericho.

The Mary Brennan Inn, at 100 Madison Ave. in Hempstead, serves a hot, nutritious meal to 250 to 400 people every day.

This holiday season, families across Long Island will gather in warm, cozy homes in the company of their loved ones, to eat delicious hot food to their heart’s content. However, for some Long Islanders, enjoying that luxury won’t be a possibility.

According to the Long Island Coalition for the Homeless, 3,860 people on Long Island were homeless in 2015; with 105 of them being unsheltered and the rest in emergency or transitional housing. It’s a number that’s been slowly rising; in 2014 the homeless population was 2,288 and in 2013 it was 2,107.

To help meet the needs of these individuals, the county rolled out its WARMBED program on Nov. 25. Through the WARMBED program, which runs through the end of March, homeless residents can call the Nassau County Hotline at 1-866-927-6233 and be placed in a warm shelter. During the 2014-15 winter season, 257 individuals were housed in a shelter through WARMBED, a group that included 165 adults and 92 children.

WARMBED is just one way that the Nassau County Department of Social Services (DSS) is trying to help the area’s homeless population. DSS helps individuals find temporary housing, as well as provides them financial stipends (based on eligibility), to lessen the burden as they’re looking for permanent housing solutions. They also provide services for people in need—sometimes that means helping to provide daycare, other times it’s providing job training workshops.

DSS spokesperson Karen Gerber said the homeless population in the county fluctuates throughout the year and they see an increase in need during the colder months.

The food pantry at Hicksville United Methodist Church serves the homeless population of Hicksville.

And the county’s not the only one providing services to help the area’s homeless population. DSS often relies on local nonprofit groups to help meet the needs of disadvantaged members of the community and help them get back on their feet. One of the most well-known charities helping Long Island’s homeless is the Interfaith Nutrition Network (INN). What began as a single soup kitchen out of a church in Hempstead in 1983 has grown to include a network of 14 soup kitchens and four emergency shelters across Long Island. They also have 22 longterm housing units where guests can stay for three to five years.

Each year, the INN provides more than 300,000 meals to children and adults, as well as houses approximately 1,000 homeless individuals at their four shelters, which includes two family shelters, one for veterans and one for homeless men. Like the county, the INN offers the services of a social worker who can help individuals clean up their credit, find employment and find educational opportunities.

“We’re trying to help them help themselves so when they leave our program they can get their own employment and have their own home and be self-sufficient,” said INN Communications and PR manager Dana Lopez.

People are referred to the INN by DSS and Lopez said they have a ‘no questions asked’ policy when it comes to the soup kitchens—anyone can come get a hot, free meal without having to explain why they are there.

Sometimes it’s because of substance and mental health issues, other times it’s because someone lost their job. Gerber said people are also still reeling from the recession and Hurricane Sandy.

“After Hurricane Sandy, there were a lot of apartments where people had to find alternate housing and rentals went up significantly and folks found themselves unable to afford it,” Gerber said.

Gerber said the homeless problem won’t get better any time soon, as finding affordable housing on Long Island is almost impossible.

Cathy Nannini helps run the food pantry at Hicksville United Methodist Church and said they’ve seen about 10 homeless people come through over the years.

“It goes in cycles. Sometimes we’ll go months without seeing any homeless people, then four or five will come in regularly and we won’t see them any longer,” Nannini said. “They show up at certain times and then we don’t hear from them.”

The food pantry purposefully sets aside items for homeless individuals, such as clothing, blankets, Ensure and special food that doesn’t require a can opener or a lot of preparation.

While people are generally more charitable during the holidays, which makes for a robust staff of volunteers at soup kitchens and food pantries during November and December, Lopez encourages local residents to lend a hand year-round to help those in need.

“Once summer comes, people aren’t as interested in helping as they are around the holidays,” she said. “We appreciate the support at all times and want people to remember we’re still here.”

Find out more about The INN at www.the-inn.org or the food pantry at HUMC at www.hicksvilleumc.com.

Dylan, 6, and Justin, 8, have each been regulars at the basketball clinic for several years. (Photos by Chris Boyle)

Every Saturday at that Howard B. Mattlin Middle School, the gymnasium is ablaze with the scuttling and bouncing of rubber on hardwood. It’s the members of the Plainview Basketball Club hard at work at their weekly clinic, learning the ins and outs of the sport from a master and having a ball while doing so.

Plainview resident Sonny Faro, director of the clinic, founded the program 10 years ago. Boasting a varying amount of experience on an international level, there’s clearly no one better place to bring the basketball-minded youngster.

“I used to coach teams in Israel before I moved here to the United States and I still coach teams there and in Europe on a regular basis,” he said. “When I moved here, I used to teach a basketball clinic with the Police Athletic League until they decided they didn’t need a Saturday clinic anymore—they wanted to start leagues and play games instead—which was a mistake because there are a lot of kids around that wanted to learn the sport. So, I started my own clinic to fill that void.”

Sonny Faro, director of the clinic (back left) poses with some of his students and one of his coaches.

Cary Alon of Jericho, clinic general manager, said that the clinic isn’t about who scores the most points or hits the most foul shouts. Instead, it’s about teaching any kid that wants to learn the basic fundamentals of the game, be it to eventually excel at league play or just hold their own on the playground courts.

“It’s not targeted at playing games or being part of a league, with one kid being a star and doing all of the scoring while everyone else just sits there and watches,” said Alon. “It’s teaching kids basic dribbling, passing and shooting skills so that when they get into game situations they can contribute and feel like they’re part of the team.”

In addition to being put through various drills, exercises and games to drive home the basics of the sport of basketball, the kids attending the clinic have access to an array of high-quality equipment. Among the amenities available are a shooting machine, hoops of various heights to accommodate athletes of all sizes and a wide-screen television for watching instructional videos. The lessons gleaned by students, Alon noted, are never the same week-to-week.

The season runs from October until the end of June every year and is open to children preschool age all the way up the high school level—both boys and girls—from Plainview and its surrounding towns.

Each season attracts upwards of 250 kids, signifying its popularity not only with kids wanting to master the skills needed to succeed on the court, but with their parents as well. Raj Chabra of Hicksville, has his two sons enrolled in the program for their third year straight.

Youngsters learn the fundamentals of basketball in the clinic.

“I love it and they love it. That’s what keeps them coming back every Saturday and after they’re done I get a little workout on the courts when they’re free as well,” he said. “It helps them to pay attention and listen to instructions when they go through different drills and then they get put into teams to practice what they’ve just learned. It teaches them discipline and how to focus and listen to the instructions not just given by a coach, but a teacher as well.”

Justin, 8, is on his second year of attending the clinic. He said that the coaches are tough, but fair, and as a result he’s seen a quick increase on his skills on the court.

“I like it here a lot,” he said. “I like how the coaches really work with you and it can be hard but you really get better fast because of it. Plus, you have a lot of fun here. I love it.”

The clinic employs both professional coaches as well as older teens who have themselves worked their way up the ranks. Among them is Alon’s son, Ben, 16, who admitted that he was initially pushed a bit to join, but once he did, a great love of basketball grew within him.

“I started here in fourth grade. At first, dad forced me to come and I didn’t really want to, but as I came I really started to enjoy it and I wanted to stay longer and longer,” he said. “Now I work for Sonny helping to train and coach the younger kids and Sonny works me out so I can get even better. It’s a great relationship and I want to stick with this and keep helping out and hopefully when I get older can have my kids come. I really enjoy it.”

To find out more, visit www.plainviewbasketball.com

Mark Vicars

A Syosset man was arrested after police found an arsenal in the back seat of his car.

According to detectives, Mark Vicars, 49, was pulled over Dec. 3 following an joint investigation by the Special Investigation Squad, the Joint Terrorism Task Force and the Transportation Security Administration. When Vicars pulled his Dodge Durango over, cops say he produced a fraudulent shield and identification credentials identifying him as a federal air marshall.

Police say Vicars was in possession of a loaded .380 pistol, a knife and a loaded assault rifle, along with a ballistic body armor vest and a tactical vest containing three high capacity magazines. The investigation continued at Vicars house, where detectives found multiple weapons and approximately 8,300 rounds of assorted ammunition.

Vicars is charged with two counts of second-degree criminal possession of a weapon, 10 counts of third degree criminal possesion of a weapon, five counts of fourth-degree criminal possession of a weapon and third-degree criminal possession of a forged instrument.

The Jericho library helped students thank soldiers. (Photos by Chris Boyle)

Jericho High School students recently set aside some time to send gifts of love and appreciation to the country’s men and women in uniform. The message was simple: no matter where they may be stationed around the world, there are people at home thinking of the armed forces each and every day that they’re out bravely defending the nation’s freedoms.

Operation Gratitude annually sends out more than 150,000 care packages to new recruits, veterans, first responders, wounded warriors, caregivers and U.S. service members deployed overseas. To Jericho Library young adult services librarian Gina Patronaggio, it was the perfect program to get involved in when approached by local high school students looking to do some community service.

“We recently received many requests from teens to participate in community service opportunities in exchange for community service credit for school,” she said. “Operation Gratitude was a wonderful way for teens to take an active part in giving back to the men and women who proudly serve our country. I hope when these care packages reach their final destination, they will bring joy to all those men and women who worked tirelessly to defend our country and keep us safe.”

Lauran Guo and Angela Chen

Students attended several sessions at the library to set up the items that would eventually be packed into boxes for the soldiers. On Nov. 25, the students met one last time and were split up into teams, with each being responsible for packing and sealing an individual cardboard box that they had loaded up with a number of necessities—snack, candy, puzzles, warm socks, bandanas and hygiene items such as toothbrushes and deodorant.

Lauran Guo, 13, first got involved to satisfy her community service requirements at school. However, once she became immersed in the project and got a real feel for what she was doing, she said that the importance of Operation Gratitude really hit home.

“I come to the library a lot and I sign up for many of the programs here. I thought this was really nice for the soldiers, so I decided to sign up and help out,” she said. “When we started making the Paracord bracelets I felt really connected and personal, because these are real people we’re doing this for and I really respect what they’re doing.”

But Twix bars and Sudoku books weren’t all that went into each box. Giving each package a creative touch were student-made Paracord bracelets—a snazzy wearable trinket fashioned out of parachute cord and adorned with a clasp—that the soldiers could not only wear, but also disassemble and use as a survival tool when in a bind as well.

Young Adult Services Librarian Gina Patronaggio (center) poses with several of the Jericho High School students participating in Operation Gratitude.

Aside from all of those great things, each care package also contained perhaps the most heart-warming gift of all—a letter composed by a Jericho student. Fourteen-year-old Angela Chen said that she shared a personal story about herself as a way of providing a sincere “thank you” to the solider receiving her care package for their selfless service in defense of the United States.

“They do so much to help and protect us, so I wanted to do something to give back to them and to let them know how much they mean to us,” she said. “I talked about my life and something I had to make a big decision for and I spoke about how menial it was compared to what they had done for us and the decisions they must make on a daily basis. I really wanted them to know that we don’t take them for granted.”

After mailed out from the Jericho Library, the Operation Gratitude care packages will be send to a facility in California. From there, the packages will be distributed to troops stationed home and abroad, and each man or woman who receives them will find a little piece of home inside, reminding them that they are indeed our heroes.

To find out more, visit www.operationgratitude.com.