__________________ Merrick _________________
April 10, 2025
HERALD
Over 20 Years of Experie nce & Dedication
Chabad holds model Seder BROOKE MAZZEI
OWEN DONNELLAN
’
Vol. 28 No. 16 FOR THE
2300 merrick road office 516 -623-2771 • , merrick, ny 11566 direct 516 -445-0657 gus.lafkas
Page 3
PLAINEDGE’S
LYNBROOK’S
@elliman.com Residential / Commercia l
$1.00 $1.00
APRIl 17 - 23, 2025
24 TEAMS
licensed associate real estate broker
1289249
2025 HIGH SCHOO L S P O RT S P R E V I E W
gus lafkas
Student brings his passion for music to life cially came out on March 1, is Justin’s debut album and features eight-tracks that showJustin Gusmano, a 15-year- case his artistry alongside a old student in the Bellmore- lineup of world-class musiMerrick Central High School cians, including his father, District, has released his first Peter Gusmano, and collaboraalbum, “Forever Alive” — a tors Rob Balducci, Tony Frankmostly instrumental record lin, Yoed Nir, Hugo Lee, Trent that showcases his talent and Williamson, and Scott Foster the work of fellow Harris. James artists he collaboLugo, a producer rated with to bring based in Nashville, it all together. brought the entire Music has production togethalways been part of er. his life, he said, but “My debut he really became album, titled ‘Forpassionate about eve r A l ive, ’ h a s pursuing it amid eight, brand new the start of the tracks on them — coronavirus paneach of them demic. a differJuSTIN GuSMANo expressing “I decided to pick ent mood and each the piano back up Musician, songwriter song definitely tells again,” he said, a story,” he said. explaining that he “The whole premtook lessons as a child, “learn ise of the album is to express the fundamental elements of it, my artistic quest so far as a and then I started recording musician, and this record is with my dad. My dad’s been a pretty much my interpretation musician his entire life — he of fusion jazz, progressive rock plays guitar, bass and drums, and also a little bit of blues.” and I started to learn the keyJustin began recording the board again, and we started to album in April 2024 at his famirecord music in our home stu- ly’s home studio in Bellmore, dio. It’s truly been such a won- and worked on it through last derful journey.” Continued on page 7 “Forever Alive,” which offi-
By JoRDAN VAlloNE
jvallone@liherald.com
Courtesy North Merrick School District
Community kicks off ‘North Merrick Reads Together’ Community members came together to foster a love of reading during the annual North Merrick Reads Together event at the North Merrick Public Library on April 10. Chloe Boy and London Walker showed off their new book, ‘Gooseberry Park and the Master Plan,’ which they received at the event.
Four ‘POP’ officers honored by the Merrick Community Civic Association By JoSEPH D’AlESSANDRo jdalessandro@liherald.com
Four People Oriented Policing of ficers received multiple accolades from the Merrick Community Civic Association, Le gislator Michael Giangregorio and State Sen. Steven Rhoads at the Merrick Golf Course on March 25. Officers Raymond Luthy, Ryan Zimmerman, Joseph Cangro and Patrick Persichetti of the 7th Precinct were given citations, certificates of appreciation and recognition to honor their integrity, commitment, and concern for their community. People Oriented Policing (POP) officers specialize in working closely with members of the
public and other county departments to minimize crime, disorder, and other threats to public safety. Berta Weinstein, president of the Merrick Community Civic Association, has worked with POP officers for years. “They give us updates monthly of what goes on in the community,” she said. “If we ever have an issue, we call them. They help us. If we have issues, people talk to them at the meeting, and they check into things for us. They’re just here all the time, and they protect us very well. We, as a civic, are so pleased about what they do for us.” Officer Raymond Luthy was one of the honorees receiving recognition for his service to the Continued on page 4
T
he biggest goal for me is to develop songs that will resonate with the listener.