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VOL. 28 NO. 30
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John Ardito’s legal lessons are now on film was never something he considered. “Film wasn’t in my reperFranklin Square attorney toire background, but I did a lot John Ardito spent more than 35 of community theater growing years practicing law, but he up, and I kind of put that aside never expected his career when I went to law school,” would lead him to write and Ardito said. As a young attorney, Ardito produce a short film. Ardito recently completed participated in the production of “A Few Good the film “A MothMen,” but his focus er’s Voice,” which remained on his explores medical legal career. Two malpractice, wrongyears ago, he decidful death and the emotional impact ed to take a creative families experience writing course after losing a loved taught by Gregory one. Cioffi, a professor The project was at Nassau Commui n s p i r e d by h i s nity College. work as a plaintiff ’s Ardito initially attorney at Ardito GREGORY CIOFFI planned to write a & Ardito, the law Professor, shor t story cenfirm he shares with Nassau Community tered around a legal his brother, Joseph, College drama. However, and by the ongoing after Cioffi disdebate over New c u s s e d d i f f e re n t York’s Grieving Families Act, sources of inspiration, includlegislation that would allow ing social commentary, Ardito families to seek damages for decided to combine his legal emotional suffering after a background with an issue he wrongful death. had followed throughout his The idea of producing a film career. began when Ardito enrolled in The 20-minute screenplay a creative writing class at Nas- focused on the impact of s a u C o m m u n i t y C o l l e g e. wrongful death on families, A l t h o u g h h e h a d a lw ay s specifically a case involving a enjoyed writing, filmmaking CONTINUED ON PAGE 9
By HAILEY FULMER
hfulmer@liherald.com
Hailey Fulmer/Herald photos
Procession opens Mount Carmel’s annual feast The 89th annual Our Lady of Mount Carmel Feast began on July 16 with a procession through Franklin Square, marking the opening of the four-day celebration at Mount Carmel Hall. Above, children carrying flowers made their way through the streets, led by the Our Lady of Good Counsel marching band. At right, church members with the Giglio, a statue of the Virgin of Carmel. Families, parishioners and community members lined the route as participants honored the patron saint in a tradition that has united generations of Franklin Square. Story, more photos, Page 3.
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ou have a story that no one else can really tell in the same way.