My Hometown

Did you know that the Incorporated Village of Valley Stream on Long Island is the third largest village in the state, and is about to turn 100 years old this year? Bill Horan and Stacy Raine learn more by talking to Village Mayor Edwin Fare and Village Historian Carol McKenna.

Bill Horan and Stacy Raine get business empowerment from Michael Gliner, the board chairperson at the Inwood Civic Association, a community organization based in the Inwood neighborhood, focused on addressing local issues and improving the quality of life for residents by advocating for their needs to government officials and organizing community initiatives.

Bill Horan and Stacy Raine learn about Long Island organizations that are a part of the Epic Family of Human Service Agencies - who provide treatment, care, education and support to those with epilepsy, and to individuals with intellectual or emotional challenges.  They speak with Janet Romeo, their Director of Epilepsy Services, along with Irene Rodgers, their Chief of Development and Engagement...

Bill Horan and Stacy Raine learn about the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Community Center in Rockville Centre. Many know what Dr. King did in his lifetime, especially his “I Have a Dream” speech, but did you know there was a community center in our backyard named after him?  They learn more from Sharon Sheppard, Assistant Director, and Jaylen Benjamin, Activities Coordinator, at the Dr. Martin Luthe...

Bill Horan and Stacy Raine learned that people in Freeport were upset when back in 2022, a very popular ice cream shop called Pip’s Ice Cream Parlor was forced to close to do storm damage from Superstorm Sandy and rising rent costs. But since 2024, it’s back, under a new name, thanks to an amazing local hero who helped financially and emotionally bring it back to life, now called Sam’s Scoops - lo...

Love is in the air! Bill Horan and Stacy Raine learn all about Long Island company WeekendDating.com - who has been organizing Long Island Speed Dating and Speed Dating N-Y-C events since 2003, resulting in at least 85 marriages and 13 children. They sponsor events that include speed dating, trivia nights, cultural events and much more.  They speak with Jay Rosensweig, the owner of WeekendDating.c...

Bill Horan and Stacy Raine learn about the Long Island based company called BEDGEAR.  They speak with Eugene Alletto, their CEO and Quarterback.  BEDGEAR has created over 280 global Patents, Trademarks and Patents-pending, developing the world’s only performance bedding brand.

Bill Horan and Stacy Raine learn about Wild Ones, a national non- profit organization with local chapters that promote the many benefits of landscaping using native plants such as wildflowers, shrubs, trees, and grasses. They speak with Wild Ones New York Metro Region’s president, Fred Nass, and Olivia Cunningham, who is a Community Hub Leader at Wild Ones for the towns of North Hempstead and Smit...

Bill Horan and Stacy Raine talk with John DeBacker - the Vice President of a foster based animal rescue group called Long Island Cat and Kitten Solution, with the goal to rescue and save as many animals as humanly possible. 

Bill Horan (a Chaminade alum!) and Stacy Raine learn about a program at Chaminade High School in Mineola called The Flyer Partnership, with a goal to increase the daily interaction between special needs students and Chaminade’s student body so the students can learn transferable job skills. They speak with Carlo Mansueto, their Supervisor of Grounds, and Tina Smith, their Librarian, both of whom h...

Bill Horan and Stacy Raine talk with Lauryn Ciardullo from Valley Stream, who played Princess Jasmine and many other roles in the award- winning Broadway production of Aladdin as an original cast member and can be heard on the Original Cast Album and performed on the 2014 Tony Awards. BUT when Broadway closed its doors in March 2020, Lauryn started offering online song and dance classes which has...

We don’t usually think of Nassau County as a place for tourists since we LIVE here. But luckily, there are people that are paid to do so, for the people who DON’T live here to come and visit - or maybe, you can have a STAYCATION this winter. Bill Horan and Stacy Raine find out more from Kristen Stucchio-Suarez, Project Director at RRDA, the official tourism and promotions agency for Nassau County.

Bill Horan and Stacy Raine learn about an organization in Nassau County called Families For Inclusion - where they promote education about autism, neurodiversity, and inclusion in elementary schools, and to assist the process wherever they can.  They speak with Gina DeGregorio-Sonbert, the Founder of Families For Inclusion, and the author of a children's book series called Theodore Bearkins, about...

Bill Horan talks with Joan Hyland, the founder of Love, Nana - a Community Service Project presented by another group called Backyard Players and Friends, Incorporated. They are a volunteer & donation based non-profit whose mission is two-fold: to assist local families in need by providing gently used clothing for newborns and offering a skills training and community experience program for the...

Over 400,000 New Yorkers are living with Alzheimer’s disease, and more than 500,000 family and friends are providing care. Bill Horan and Stacy Raine learn about the Alzheimer's Association Long Island Chapter - who help families, caregivers, health care professionals and those living with the disease by providing education and support, advocate for the needs and rights of those facing Alzheimer’s...

Bill Horan talks with two Long Island heroes - Rachel Travis, who is a boy scout troop parent and a registered nurse from West Hempstead, along with 17-year-old Isaac Samuelson, one of the scouts, who both are credited with saving someone’s life mid-flight. 

Bill Horan and Matt Leonard talk to a graduate of Nassau Community College who has gone on to do some big things in his life, including being a Corporal in the United States Marines, recently continuing his education to become a mental health counselor for veterans, and now, has started a new venture into the world of boxing.

Bill Horan and Stacy Raine talk to Jerry Barmash, Long Island author of "Here Now the News: An Inside Scoop into New York's Best-Loved Anchors, a look behind the camera at how the anchoring landscape changed in New York City---and across the country."  He is also a long time broadcaster and journalist. 

Bill Horan and Stacy Raine learn about the Raynham Hall Museum - a place that connects you to the complex and evolving story of our nation through the lens of one revolutionary household - the Townsend Family Home, located on West Main Street in Oyster Bay. They talks with Christopher Judge, their Director of Visitor Services, and Justinne Lake-Jedzinak, their Director of Education and Public Prog...

Bill Horan and Stacy Raine talk with Renee Morgan, the owner and creator of Aviator Balloons, located in Bellmore, Long Island! Aviator Balloons curates customizable party décor and balloon garlands to enhance your special events!

Bill Horan and Stacy Raine learn about Cona Elder Law, located on Long Island. Their practice concentrates in the areas of elder law, estate planning, estate administration and litigation, special needs planning and health care law. They speak with Kristi DiPaolo, a Senior Associate at Cona Elder Law. 

Bill Horan and Stacy Raine talk with Paul R. Martin III, a military history buff who has had a great interest in Mitchel Field since his boyhood days growing up in East Meadow. Paul is a display and special events coordinator for the Army Air Forces Historical Association, Chaplain of the Sons of the American Legion Squadron 1009, Chairman of the Yorktown Veteran's Day Parade, President of the Roc...

Bill Horan and Stacy Raine learn some basic life support and the education opportunities available from Mount Sinai South Nassau.  They speak with Abigail Fromm, a registered nurse and their Director of Community Education, and Valentino Griffiths, the Community & Staff Education Instructor and the American Heart Association Training Center Coordinator.

Bill Horan and Stacy Raine talk with Maria Dello, a Long Island-based published author, seasoned nutritionist, and a true friend to dogs. Beyond her professional endeavors, Maria dedicates her free time to rescue work and puppy obedience training, because she believes that dogs deserve the best.  She is the author of her first ever children's book, "Theodor Says: Dogs Are People Too!"

Bill Horan and Matt Leonard talk with Matthew Mullen, the owner and creator of the new Empire Adventure Park, located on the second floor of the Samanea Mall (formerly The Source) on Old Country Road in Westbury.  The park includes trampolines, augmented and virtual reality, adventure mazes, laser tag, zip lines, inflatables and more.