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‘Sopranos’ stars take the stage in Bellmore bone (Jackie Aprile Jr.) and Dan Grimaldi, (Patsy Parisi and his twin brother, (Philly), Danielle Arcuri spent her along with host Matt Servitto 20s watching “The Sopranos,” (Agent Dwight Har ris) and the same way many fans did special guest John Fiore (Gigi when the hit show first aired Cestone). The evening offered — gathering with friends, fol- a mix of humor, reflection and lowing each episode as they behind-the-scenes insight into unfolded week by week from one of television’s most influJanuary 1999 to June 2007. ential series. “Me and my Though closely friends used to associated with hang out and get New Jersey, The together and watch Sopranos mainit,” Arcuri, of Belltained ties to Long more, said last Island. While priweek. “When I marily filmed in heard about this, I New Jersey and at knew I had to come. Silvercup Studios, It’s right here.” in Long Island The habit turned City, select scenes into something lonwere shot in places ger-lasting. Now in like Long Beach, her 40s, Arcuri said DANIEllE ARcuRI Atlantic Beach and she still returns to Bellmore Glen Head. Those t h e s h ow — a n d connections resowas already thinking about nate locally, particularly since starting another rewatch when 26 percent of Long Island resishe saw that cast members dents identify as Italian-Amerwould be appearing locally. ican. A rc u r i j o i n e d a p a cke d For Anne Stampfel, co-owncrowd at Bellmore Movies & er of the theater, events like The Showplace on April 18 for this reflect both that cultural “A Night with the Cast of The connection and a broader shift Sopranos,” a live event featur- in how the venue operates. ing actors Robert “This is the second time Funaro,(Eugene) Jason Cer-
By RoKSANA AMID
ramid@liherald.com
Courtesy LiveOnNY FoundationCaption
Ken Abbott, middle with hat, completed a seven-week cross-country bicycle ride to honor organ donors and raise awareness about the lifesaving power of donation.
Ken Abbott completes cross-country ride Former Bellmore-Merrick teacher rides 3,000 miles By HERNESTo GAlDAMEZ hgaldamez@liherald.com
Ten years after a heart transplant saved his life, longtime Long Island educator Ken Abbott completed a seven-week cross-country bicycle ride to honor organ donors and raise awareness about the lifesaving power of donation. Abbott, 61, a retired science teacher and former wrestling coach in the BellmoreMerrick school district, finished the journey April 18 in St. Augustine, Florida, after departing San Diego on March 4 and riding through eight states. The ride, titled Pedaling for Life: One Heart’s Jour ney Across America, took Abbott through California, Arizona, New Mexico, Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama and Florida, averaging roughly 75 miles a day. “This whole journey was to honor my
donor and all donors,” Abbott said. “My mind always goes to thinking my donor is with me, and he’s taken this journey alongside me, because I wouldn’t be here without his generosity.” Abbott, who lives in Centerport and still works as a home teacher for the district, said the ride marked the 10-year anniversary of the heart transplant he received in December 2016 after being given a five percent chance of survival due to sarcoidosis, a rare autoimmune disease that attacked his heart. He was teaching second period at Grand Avenue Middle School when he received the call that a donor heart was available. “I was given a five percent chance to survive,” Abbott said. “I came back and finished my teaching career, and 10 years later I’m biking across the country.” Abbott undertook the ride in support of Continued on pAge 2
W
hen I heard about this, I knew I had to come. It’s right here.
Continued on pAge 9