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Local nonprofit welcomes new leadership team Chocolate 5K Run/Walk each December, which begins and ends in front of Seaford High A new chapter is underway School. Metzdorff-Rivera said she at the Seaford Wellness Council, as two community-minded found her way to the council in residents—Laura Metzdorff- 2021 after returning to Seaford Rivera and Hal Udell—step into with her family following nearthe organization’s top leader- ly 15 years in the San Francisco ship roles, focusing on collabo- Bay Area, where she co-foundration, inclusion ed Earth & Air and hands-on Wellness Acupuncimpact. ture and AlternaMetzdorff-Rivetive Medicine. ra, a practicing acu“I was born and puncturist at her raised here,” she Aligned Wellness said. “I wanted to Acupuncture & raise my f amily Inte g rative Medicloser to their cine, in Wantagh, grandparents. And and a PTA board I really missed it member at Seaford here. It’s small, but Harbor Elementary there’s a lot going School, is now the HAl UdEll on, and there are president of the Vice president, good people.” n o n p ro f i t g ro u p. Seaford Wellness After discoverUdell, a culinary Council ing the council entrepreneur who online, she attendruns Cooking with ed a meeting—and Hal, has taken over as vice never looked back. president. “It’s really important to give The Seaford Wellness Coun- back,” she said. “There was cil, a volunteer-run organiza- room for the next generation of tion of teachers, parents, busi- us.” ness owners and civic leaders, Metzdorff-Rivera and Udell p ro m o t e s p o s i t ive ch a n g e were tapped to lead the group through community programs last fall, following a wave of and events. One of its most vis- resignations from longtime ible efforts is the annual Hot
By lUKE FEENEY
lfeeney@liherald.com
W
Luke Feeney/Herald photos
Winter in Wantagh The “gateway to Jones Beach” was covered in snow after Sunday’s snowstorm, which ushered in more cold weather throughout the tristate area. Story, Page 10.
e’re all in this together to make a better, happier place to live.
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