BIH_Virtual Notes_
3x3_10.7_2025.pdf
__________________ Merrick _________________
HERALD
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10/7/25
Jennie Katz
REAL ESTATE SALE
SPERSON
M: 516 .319.0505
The mystery of Coney magic
Grappling for a good cause
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Vol. 28 No. 41
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oCToBER 9 - 15, 2025
Local pub to host cancer fundraiser vices to Hewlett House, and after visiting the pub and meeting its staff, she loved the idea Merrick residents can help of hosting a Beatles night there. support local cancer patients She immediately felt welcomed while enjoying a night of Bea- by the Paddy Power team and tles classics at the Paddy Power said the event combines fun with fundraising — a mix she Pub later this month. The pub, located at 70 Mer- loves. “Who doesn’t like to go rick Ave., will host a special down, enjoy themfundraiser on Oct. 17 starting at 6 p.m. to selves, relax, and do benefit the Hewlett something for charHouse, the commuity?” Barish said. nity resource center “And when I’ve seen for cancer patients these guys do their and their families Beatles night, it’s founded by five-time fabulous. Who cancer survivor Geri doesn’t remember Barish. The evening the Beatles? Singing will feature a perforalong just makes it mance by The Sechappy.” CIARA SloAN ond Street Band, a When the pub’s Paddy Power Pub Beatles tribute act staff suggested she known for its lively manager take a turn behind s e t s a c ro s s L o n g the bar, Barish said Island. she couldn’t resist. Barish herself will serve as “They said, ‘Well, you’ll be guest bartender for the night, the bartender,’ and I thought, with proceeds from drink sales ‘Oh God, I’m in trouble,’” she and donations going directly to joked. “Anything other than a the Hewlett House. Co-worker beer, forget it. But I’ll try anyEllen Mowery’s husband, Jerry, thing.” is a member of The Second For Paddy Power manager Street Band, and the plans for Ciara Sloan, the combination the fundraiser came together of live music, community spirseamlessly. it, and Barish’s warmth will Barish said Mowery’s hus- make for a memorable evening. band regularly donates his ser-
By BRIAN KACHARABA
bkacharaba@liherald.com
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Courtesy Kathryn Gadek-Joannou
Kathryn Gadek-Joannou made it through several rounds of the “Colossal’s Face of Halloween Competition,” a national contest that pairs a person’s passion for the spooky holiday with fundraising for the Starlight Children’s Foundation
Health journey inspires contest entry By BRIAN KACHARABA bkacharaba@liherald.com
Kathryn Gadek-Joannou has always loved Halloween. Each year she transforms her Merrick home into a festive display and carefully selects costumes for herself and her daughter. But this October, her passion for the holiday moved beyond her own front yard. Gadek-Joannou, a registered nurse, competed in the “Colossal’s Face of Halloween Competition,” a national contest that pairs a person’s passion for the spooky holiday with fundraising for the Starlight Children’s Foundation, which supports seriously ill children. Her first foray into the contest was a successful one. She was a part of the competition for several weeks surviving multiple rounds of cuts, including one that ended on Oct. 2, when she received enough votes to
finish second in her group. The contest has stretched across three or four weeks, with the field being narrowed in stages — from 20 to 15, to 10 contestants in her group — and she has made each cut along the way. Unfortunately, Gadek-Johnson fell short in the most recent vote on Oct. 6, but her experience was extremely positive nonetheless. The winner of the contest receives $13,000, a feature article in “Rue Morgue” magazine, and the opportunity to go on a ghost hunt with actor Kane Hodder, who played Jason Vorhees in the “Halloween” movie series and meet Emmy-winning actress Jamie Lee Curtis. “I go out of my way for Halloween,” she said. “My daughter always has the best costumes, and my house is full of decorations. That’s really why I joined.” But the contest was about more than cosContinued on paGe 11
always get such a sense of pride when you fill a bar for a cause.
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