‘These trails are a sanctuary and are sort of an outdoor gym.’

Michael Vitti, Glen Head

“I never dreamed that mountain biking — and protecting and expanding our trails on Long Island — would become my passion. Indeed, I only got into mountain biking to stay in shape for surfing. But I fell in love with the natural views it provided away from the concrete jungle.

“In the 1980s, my friends and I bought the first mountain bikes ever offered for sale in local bike shops. In 1990, they started a nonprofit to advocate for new trails. We built new ones, maintained them and offered group rides. In 1997, I noticed erosion problems, and since I studied landscape design and horticulture at Farmingdale College, and owned a landscape design and construction firm, I thought I could do something about it. And I did.

I feel great about the work I have done, especially when I see people enjoying the trails that I helped build or advocate for.

“Sustainable trails resist the forces of erosion and use. Our volunteers went to work, and we stopped the erosion. These trails are a sanctuary and are sort of an outdoor gym. You get exercise, but you are having fun, too. I’ve met with politicians and other elected officials to support our projects, and today we have over 200 miles of mountain bike trails across Long Island. I also advocate for paved paths, which keep people separated from traffic. I am most proud of extending the Wantagh Parkway bike path all the way to Captree and Jones Beach West End 2 (previously you had to lock up your bike about three-quarters of a mile from the beach).

“Our group has also helped get a bike path built alongside Oyster Bay on Shore Road that connects Oyster Bay to Bayville. And, finally, we advocated for the Port Jefferson to Wading River trail. Currently, I’m helping the Trust for Public Land create a bike path through the middle of Long Island that will eventually connect Manhattan to Montauk.

“In addition to riding, it’s been fun to get down in the dirt. Over the years, I’ve found lots of glass marbles, inkwells, a glass bottle of swamp fever cure, a pocketknife from the 1939 World’s Fair, a cannonball from the Revolutionary War, and a dead body rolled up in a carpet. I still like to surf, but I feel great about the work I have done, especially when I see people enjoying the trails that I helped build or advocate for. I feel happy and satisfied!”

Interviewed by Saul Schachter

‘My youngest daughter was born on Halloween. I think my mother and my grandmother were looking down, and they wanted her to be born on that day, because my mother passed away on that day.’

Rose Greenman, Bellmore

“Out of all the holidays, ever since I was a little girl, I had a passion for Halloween. I’m very good at makeup and hair, and I love to be creative in any way I can. I used to make all the costumes for my little girls when they were growing up. My parents were immigrants and weren’t big on Halloween. They didn’t even know what it was. So, I didn’t really go trick-or-treating or have costumes. But I always had this fascination.

“I love horror movies, but I love the black-and-white horror movies. I think I am nostalgic at heart. But on a deeper aspect, my youngest daughter was born on Halloween. I think my mother and my grandmother were looking down, and they wanted her to be born on that day, because my mother passed away on that day. And her mother was born on that day! That’s why I wanted to share this. I’m getting chills just talking about it. I believe in fate and that things happen for a reason.

For those people who are creative and never had an outlet or anybody to tell you, go ahead and do it, don’t wait.

“Every Halloween, I go to the cemetery, and I visit my mother. I actually dedicate Halloween to my family. It runs deep in my blood. So, I’ve always made the day special for my youngest daughter since she was born on Halloween. I didn’t want her to be afraid, you know, because it’s a scary holiday as well for some people. But it was always fun. I always made cakes. I made her a graveyard cake. One year I made a huge pumpkin cake. The teachers at the schools were fascinated. So I put a lot of passion into this holiday. I love transforming myself and somebody else into something they don’t look like, you know? It’s like a rush.

“One year, my husband and I went to a restaurant in Manhattan dressed like royalty, and they had a Halloween costume contest after dinner. They went around the audience during dinner, and if you were given a coin, you could come up onstage because you were chosen to be in the contest. So right away they came up to us and gave us a coin. We won second prize. Everybody was clapping!

“For those people who are creative and never had an outlet or anybody to tell you, go ahead and do it, don’t wait. Find your creative side and run with it. Because it feels so good. You only have one life, so why not enjoy!”

Interviewed by Jay Max