‘That was the first time I had to learn to walk again, and it took me three years. The next would be after a stroke – the start of my fight against cancer.’

Sean Wachter, Baldwin

“I’ve always been an athlete. I played football and lacrosse and later turned to wrestling. I was a 300-pound offensive lineman in college. Later, I became the Baldwin district strength and conditioning coach and taught my students how to use the weight room properly. I loved teaching students and coaching football, but unfortunately, they had to cut my position. I come from a family of law enforcement, so I set out to become a police officer. In 2012, while still working towards becoming a police officer, I got into a really bad accident that changed the course of my life. I broke my neck and back, and I couldn’t walk. That was the first time I had to learn to walk again, and it took me three years. The next would be after a stroke – the start of my fight against cancer.

“Going into the spring of 2016, I was dealing with a whole bunch of health ailments that weren’t adding up. I went to all of my doctors and hospitals, but they kept brushing me off. My aunt Robin passed away from cancer during this time, and I gave the eulogy. I spoke about how she just kept living her life, even ignoring doctors’ orders and traveling. She kept living. I ended the speech by saying how if I ever got cancer, my aunt Robin was an example of how to live life with it. One month later, I was diagnosed with cancer.

“At the time, I was 31 years old and living by myself. I was so unwell, still unsure what the health ailments were at the time, and doctors kept dismissing me. I told my dad that something wasn’t right. I was scared. I was having these bad headaches and vomiting. The room was spinning, and my legs were wobbly. I told him it wasn’t related to my previous neck injury, and he believed me; I was never one to complain about being in pain. My parents lived close by, so I stayed with them for a bit. Unfortunately, they had to clean out my aunt Robin’s home, so I stayed back. Not even 10 minutes after they left, I wound up having a massive stroke. My Bell’s palsy from my neck injury flared up. I was puking, and my legs gave out. Luckily, I was able to mash enough buttons together on my phone to reach my dad. He could hear me slurring my speech. He raced back to get me, dragging me into the car to the hospital.”

If I was going down, I’d be going down swinging.

“When I got to the hospital, I was vomiting, and my face was drooping, and yet they put me in the non-emergency area. I demanded a CT scan. Within seconds, the machine showed a stroke and a golf ball-size tumor on my cerebellum.

“I had to get a couple of blood transfusions and prepped for surgery. After the surgery, my father told me I have cancer, and I replied, ‘Sir, let’s take care of this.’ My mom said she’s never been more proud of me. I was there for another three weeks before transferring to Sloan Kettering. I began making peace with the idea that this might be my time. I thought I had lived a full life, but then I realized that my mother would lose her son. My grandmother would lose her grandson. My team would lose their teammate. I realized that I had so many people around me. My former football teammates made a spreadsheet to keep track of who would hang out and watch games with me on different days. I had all of these people around me, and I wanted to live for them.

“I kept trudging along, but unfortunately, I started having really nasty seizures, and one massive seizure caused my brain activity to cease for a short moment. They did some spinal taps and found that I had a rare complication. The cancer spread to my cerebral spinal cord fluid. My liver was failing, and I had stage 4 melanoma with leptomeningeal disease. I was given 12 weeks to live. It was a little knee-weakening when I got that phone call at night, and they told me to get my affairs in order. Now more than ever, I didn’t want to go out without a fight. If I was going down, I’d be going down swinging.

“One of my doctors went through the 28 rare genetic mutations I had and used them to develop my treatment plan of targeted chemotherapy. Her research was funded by the Jimmy V Foundation. I had tried numerous chemotherapies, but each one caused some sort of organ failure. We finally arrived at two oral chemos, Tafinlar and Mekinist, along with Opdivo immunotherapy. Amazingly, these worked and started to turn the scans around. They stopped the disease from progressing. Those 12 weeks passed, and I had extra time now. Within a year, a lot of brain metastases that I had started to slowly go away.”

That was the last time I ever had to spend a night at Sloan Kettering.

“As things started to stabilize, I became more thankful for the time I had, and I took my friends on trips. I had a very morbid sense of humor during that time and called the trips my ‘death tour.’ I used humor as a coping mechanism. If you can’t laugh, then why bother? It helped me get through that time. I volunteered and coached football again. It was such a rewarding experience to be back. It kept my brain sharp. At the end of the 2017 season, I went on a cross-country trip and beat myself up a bit too much. It put me back in the hospital for a week. That was the last time I ever had to spend a night at Sloan Kettering.

“I decided to put myself out there, but it was difficult. My body wasn’t the same – my weight fluctuated so much due to cancer. I had 20-plus years of being a meathead, and then all of a sudden, I wasn’t a big, muscular guy anymore. I didn’t look the same.

“I met my now-wife on a dating app at the end of 2017. I swiped right and she swiped left. I went on Facebook and thought, what do I have to lose? I messaged her, and we went on our first date – it was six hours long. Funny enough, we were actually both born in Baldwin 13 days apart and lived on the same block. We were connected without even knowing. After a few months of dating, she asked if I wanted to raise her daughter with her. I was always the guy that said I never wanted to buy a house or get married or have kids. She changed my mind. Raising my stepdaughter is the thing I am most proud of. I can credit my cancer recovery to my brain, to doctors, to medicine, but my wife and stepdaughter actually gave me something to live for. I wanted to push myself even harder. She was trusting me with such a great responsibility, and I wanted to be the best I could be for both of them. My wife and I welcomed a miracle baby in September. Cancer was a beautiful thing that happened to me because it really changed my life for the better. It made me appreciate things I was taking for granted.

“During COVID, they had to suspend my treatment. It was three months of just the chemo pills and no infusions. When we began treatment again, they took scans and were shocked that they looked even better. My lumbar puncture came back exceptionally clean.”

There was no one else reported in the world to have beat the rare cancer that I did. I was the first one.

“In February of 2021, I rang the bell and was officially done with my infusion therapy. I was still on oral chemo pills, but done with going in every other week for infusions. These infusions saved my life. Such a small number of people actually respond to them, and I was a top responder to the drug. In March of 2022, I stopped taking the oral chemo pills. The lumbar puncture came back crystal clean again. The DNA test came back as if it were an erroneous result – not because the sample was poor, but because the traces of cancer cells were all dead tissue and so minuscule. The computer was barely able to pick them up. There was no one else reported in the world to have beat the rare cancer that I did. I was the first one.

“I’ve since started a YouTube fitness page because working out is so important to me, especially after having nine surgeries and cancer. Just because your body’s been destroyed doesn’t mean you can’t rebuild yourself again. I credit so much of my recovery to exercise. Wrestling has been a way for me to connect with my stepdaughter on a different level. Wrestling became our thing. I took her to a match and bought premium tickets to get us backstage. I rented a limo for us, and on the way there was when I received the news that I was certified cancer-free. I am the only documented case of surviving this cancer in the world. That’s when I shared with her that I was sick for a while. She’s 8 years old now, and so I didn’t want her to worry during that time.

“My friends and family all wanted to celebrate after I got that call, but I carry survivor’s guilt with me. I’ve seen so many people suffer and pass. It didn’t feel right in my mind to celebrate. We came up with the idea of a fundraiser for Sloan Kettering. I chatted with my buddies, and they said I should get back in the wrestling ring as entertainment for it. I wrestled back in high school, but I hadn’t been in a wrestling ring in about 12 years. My buddies pushed me to do it, and we raised some good money.

“I thought that was going to be it for wrestling. I thought it was a one and done, but then a year later, my stepdaughter said she was upset she wasn’t at the fundraiser to watch me wrestle.”

I wouldn’t be wrestling right now if it weren’t for everything I went through.

“A friend of mine passed away, and so we put together the Captain Michael Fischer Memorial Wrestling Fundraiser in his honor. The proceeds went to St. Jude’s, which was his family’s choosing. The fundraiser is what he would’ve wanted. I poured my heart and soul into it. We had over 700 people in attendance. I trained with a childhood friend of mine for months beforehand, and they put us in a tag team title match against two local wrestlers. We won.

“The V Foundation, which was pivotal in my recovery, put me in contact with WWE tag team champion Mike Mondo, and we trained together for three months for a trios championship. We made it to the finals. After that, I was approached by different cancer organizations to be a spokesperson and advocate through wrestling. My goal is to continue showing people that they can get up. I got knocked on my ass, and I am technically disabled, but I don’t want to live a life where I’m just sitting around.

“Wrestling is art. It’s my version of expression. I go out there to show other people with cancer that they can keep living life and chasing their dreams. Don’t let it stop you.

“I do this for the cancer community, and I do this to show my girls they can achieve their dreams and advocate for others. The championship belts hanging on the wall and my tattoos are reminders. I’m covered in tattoos related to cancer, and they’re for the people who were there for me. I have a melanoma ribbon tattooed on my arm along with a Sloan logo, and it represents the beautiful folks that work at Sloan and the brothers and sisters I have that were not as fortunate as I’ve been.

“I want to inspire people and to try and be a beacon of hope. If people are getting something out of what I’m doing, then I would go through cancer all over again, because then it was all worth it. I wasn’t a choirboy, nor was I the devil, but if I was to not live a life of service on the second go around that I’ve been given, I’d be ashamed. I’m living my dream to show others that they can live theirs too. I wouldn’t be wrestling right now if it weren’t for everything I went through.”

Interviewed by Melanie Gulbas

‘I loved school as a kid. A kid in my class once made fun of me for smiling during a test, but I thought, “Of course I’m smiling! I know the answers!”’

Shamira Desir, Freeport

“Prior to becoming a teacher, I worked as a supervisor at a foster care agency for over 15 years. I had the pleasure of working with children from all walks of life. I wanted to make a difference in their lives, and I wanted to make their lives different. Then I started to realize the disparity in treatment of families in the courtroom. It was hard to make change when the courts had different standards and did not expect much from the population we were servicing. I began thinking that a more impactful way for me to help and use my services is not in the courtroom or in the child welfare system, but more directly in the classroom. After all those years, I transitioned from social work and decided to become a teacher. I decided to join Teach for America and got a job at the first school I applied to. As early as the first day, I realized how similar the fields were.

I am very lucky to be in this line of work.

“I loved school as a kid. A kid in my class once made fun of me for smiling during a test, but I thought, ‘Of course I’m smiling! I know the answers!’ I realized after starting to teach that a lot of kids don’t see education the same way that I did.

“The one thing I always try to do is to make ELA more fun. I try to make the lessons different and beautiful. We have meaningful conversations. Even changing your voice a little makes the kids more invested and interested. We all talk and find our perspectives at our own pace.

“I make the long commute to Coney Island every day because I have made a commitment. I adore kids. It simply takes one person telling them they did a great job, and that can change the trajectory of their day, year, academic career. I also love the art of teaching, and I love learning something new. I have always felt I was born to teach, so in some ways it feels natural.

“I feel social work has prepared me for a career in education. It has definitely helped with classroom management and meeting the children where they are at socially, academically and emotionally. I’m still meeting children where they are and helping them get through to where they are going. I am very lucky to be in this line of work.”

Interviewed by Maggie Rose Melito

“My disability doesn’t stop me. I’ve grown because of it, and I accept me for being me.”

Grace Curry, East Norwich

“When I was young, I went to a school for the gifted. I was struggling, and they couldn’t figure out why when I had a high IQ. I found out I was dyslexic and I have ADHD. I have tracking issues in my eyes. When I transferred to Oyster Bay-East Norwich School District in third grade, I got a lot of help. I created goals for myself. At first you think that having a learning disability is going to make you struggle, and there’s nothing you can do, but my accommodations really helped. I used them so I was on the same level as everyone else. I learned to keep trying until I understood.

Every opportunity I’ve had has helped another experience later.

“[I graduated in June] and I’m going into music education at Grove City College. In high school, I had opportunities to try new things. The broadcasting teacher found me one day and said, ‘How would you feel about doing the news?’ I thought it was going to be morning announcements on the loudspeaker; I had no idea it would be filmed!

“Because I’m dyslexic, I’ve always been afraid of reading in front of people. I don’t know why I was chosen to be a reporter for “Bay News Now,” but I fell in love with it, and I feel more comfortable talking in front of people I don’t know. It helped my speaking and my love for music and theater. I just played Matron Mama Morton in “Chicago.” I was also on the varsity cheer team for five years. I love the feeling of community it brings. OBEN is the only school on Long Island with a sailing team, and I was excited to be a bowman.

“What I’ve learned through the many opportunities at Oyster Bay-East Norwich School District and my own struggles is that you may not be the best right now, but you can learn through trying new things. Being given the opportunity to fail is great! I know I have a lot of time to decide on a career because of [former TV news anchor] Carol Silva. She came for the ribbon-cutting of Oyster Bay-East Norwich School District’s new broadcast studio, and said she began as an education major and fell into News 12. It lifted a weight off my shoulders. Kids who have learning disabilities should take the opportunities given to them and ask for help. They’ll find their way. Every opportunity I’ve had has helped another experience later. My disability doesn’t stop me. I’ve grown because of it, and I accept me for being me.”

Interviewed by Iris Wiener

‘I truly enjoy helping others; I get more out of it than I give.’

Eileen Minogue, Freeport

“As the youngest of nine siblings — eight girls and one boy — raised in Massapequa Park, family, faith and gratitude were deeply ingrained values in my upbringing. Growing up surrounded by my close-knit family, most of whom still reside on Long Island, including our extended family of nieces, nephews and their children, taught me the importance of community and compassion.

“From a young age, my mother instilled in me the value of helping others, often having me assist neighbors or friends in need. It was through these experiences that my passion for giving back was fostered. This passion was further ignited when I met a young girl named Christina Cowan, who was battling cystic fibrosis and undergoing a double lung transplant at Duke University.

I’m truly fortunate to have a village of supporters who stand by me every step of the way.

“Organizing a fundraiser for her family inspired me to dedicate myself to nonprofit work, where I found fulfillment in helping those in my community facing challenges. Currently, I am honored to hold the position of executive director at Book Fairies, a local nonprofit dedicated to sourcing books for upcycling to support our neighbors in need. My accidental journey in the nonprofit sector has been marked by a deep sense of community and a commitment to making a positive impact. It brings me immense joy to wake up every morning knowing that I am contributing to making a positive difference in the world. While there may be chaos and challenges around us, my small corner of the world allows me to concentrate on fostering positivity. Witnessing the expressions on kids’ faces when they realize they can keep the books, and hearing them share their love for reading, often marking the first book they can call their own, is truly heartwarming.

“I truly enjoy helping others; I get more out of it than I give. These moments affirm the impact we can have, one book at a time, in shaping a brighter future for these children. Making a difference is a collective effort, and I’m truly fortunate to have a village of supporters who stand by me every step of the way. I can’t thank them enough for being an integral part of the positive impact we’re making together. Reflecting on my journey, I often joke that I stumbled into my role as a nonprofit executive director, but it’s a path I am grateful to have found.”

Interviewed by Starr Fuentes

‘My life recipe includes family, art, travel and community.’

Beth Giacummo, Farmingdale

“I was born in Port Jefferson and raised in Patchogue. My parents and grandmothers encouraged my artistic pursuits from a young age. Growing up in a family of artists, I was surrounded by creativity from a young age. My parents, sister and grandmothers all played a role in nurturing my artistic abilities. My mother encouraged me to think outside the box, while my father introduced me to various art resources. Since his passing, I have honored his memory by achieving the goals he set for me.

My passion for helping the community is deeply rooted and reflects in my art practice.

“My grandmothers’ homes were filled with inspiration, from Grandma Suzie’s captivating murals to Grandma Ida’s organized sewing room. My family’s unwavering support has shaped my passion for art and creativity. My art journey began at the Academy of St. Joseph, where I was encouraged to explore various art forms and subjects. A trip to Italy in the eighth grade sparked my passion for glasswork, motivating me to travel and master the craft. After visiting Cooper Union and the School of Visual Arts, I felt a strong connection to SVA and applied for an interview with my portfolio. The admissions person was interested in my darkest piece from my cancer drawings, and we had a deep conversation about my work. But it was when I visited the MOMA, I was inspired by an exhibition of Yayoi Kusama’s installations, leading me to realize that I wanted to create installations.

“Attending Pratt, I studied Scandinavian glass design in Denmark. After college, I became involved in the local arts community in Patchogue, where I helped found the Patchogue Arts Council. I also started organizing artist residencies, inspired by my own experience in Austria. This led to participating in residencies in Romania, Denmark, Poland and Italy. In 2009, PAC became a nonprofit organization, leading to opportunities like organizing the Patchogue Arts Biennial and the Walking Arts Tour for five years. Volunteering with PAC introduced me to valuable skills and amazing people, including our PAC mom, Kelleen Guyer. My work with PAC eventually led me to the Islip Art Museum, where I served as exhibition and curatorial director.

“After seven years, I returned to PAC as their executive director thanks to a grant they received. My journey with PAC and the Islip Art Museum has been full circle, allowing me to bring together everything I’ve learned and to support a diverse range of contemporary artists. My passion for helping the community is deeply rooted and reflects in my art practice. Working with PAC has been a rewarding experience, from helping local artists to bringing in national and international talent. One of the aspects of my work that brings me great joy is meeting young artists who are passionate about contributing to their community and advocating for fellow artists.

“Having achieved several of my own goals early in my career, I feel privileged to give back and create opportunities for other artists. It is incredibly fulfilling to nurture talent and foster connections within the artistic community. My life recipe includes family, art, travel and community. I am committed to showcasing my work locally and have begun the process of furthering my education with a PhD to explore the connection between art practice and creative placemaking. Patchogue serves as a model for this research. Now that I’ve put this goal out into the world, I am determined to make it a reality.”

Interviewed by Starr Fuentes

‘I try to work with projects that represent me or the people that I love and care about.’

Rosario Rodriguez, Greenport

“I was born in Central America and came to the United States in 2001 as a permanent resident. I grew up in a very poor town in Guatemala. When it came to filmmaking, I never saw Guatemalans being represented. So for me, it’s always been about representation, whether that’s being Latina, a woman, queer, first generation: all these layers that make up who I am.

“I want to tell the stories or to share the talents of people of color or minorities. Film is the best way to expose people and bring more knowledge and awareness to them through visuals and audio. But emotionally, it puts you into the shoes of other people. You really get to understand other people’s perspectives.

There is nothing in this world that you cannot achieve.

“I didn’t really know what I wanted to do exactly, but I knew that I loved talking to people and getting to know their stories. Whatever I did, if it included socializing and getting to know people, that was what I was happy about. And if I could film it or record it, it would be a bonus.

“So I decided to go to SUNY Oneonta to get a major in mass communications with the concentration in production. I was able to go to school because of the College Assistant Migrant Program [CAMP]. I first began my film journey in 2017. I got a camera, and I didn’t really do much with it. Then as time went on, I got better and better at practicing. My hobby became my side job. Now I’m at a point in my life where it’s my full-time job.

“I’ve worked on music videos, documentaries, commercials, interviews, club recaps and just anything and everything that has to do with films. I worked on Beyoncé’s production company, on a Jeep commercial, on a movie called ‘18½’ with Jimmy Fallon and musical artists. I do local stuff in my town or wherever I go. I think that being versatile is very important.

“I try to work with projects that are close to my heart in the sense of that they represent me or the people that I love and care about. So, enjoy the journey and every little step that goes towards it. There is nothing in this world that you cannot achieve. If someone says no, that is OK. That’s an experience and an opportunity to learn from. You just keep going, and it will all fall into place.”

Interviewed by Victoria Bell

‘I never considered doing anything except music with my life.’

Nico Padden, Valley Stream

“I’m called the pink-haired music teacher. I’m like Ms. Frizzle from ‘The Magic School Bus,’ except I play music with kids! I was a really big music nerd from the time I was little. My mom is a music teacher, and my parents played in a local band that did Irish songs. My brothers and I were always gathered around the piano, my mom at the helm, singing in harmony. I never considered doing anything except music with my life.

“I went to college for classical music, studying vocal performance with a focus on opera. When I graduated, I shifted towards performing and writing rock, pop, Americana and folk music. I played guitar and piano to accompany myself and started playing L.I. open mics to get experience. Now I have two albums and two EPs of my original music.

The lessons reinforce my love for music and have helped me become a better musician.

“In my music lesson business, Nico’s Music Lessons, I teach piano, guitar, ukulele, voice and clarinet lessons. During the pandemic, my writing partner and I worked on a method book for kids to learn to play ukulele. ‘Ukulele Rockstars’ is now published! Ukulele was inspired by one of my favorite singer-songwriters, Ingrid Michaelson.

“I realized that ukulele is a great prep for guitar, especially for children who would like to learn. We’ve heard from so many teachers saying they love our book. Some of my students will go on to study music in college, but a good number of them are just in it for the enjoyment. Either way, it’s so rewarding teaching people to be stronger musicians.

“The lessons reinforce my love for music and have helped me become a better musician. I’ve learned that when you’re playing in a restaurant or bar, a lot of spontaneous things happen at once. It’s a feat to become very steady in your own body and create a steady beat, rhythm and sound despite your surroundings.

“As an entrepreneur, I’ve realized that I always had my own vision. I taught myself to figure out how to get the work done, who to work with and how to set boundaries. I’ve learned how perseverant and resilient I can be.

“The music business is filled with disappointment, but as long as I’m recording, writing, playing, teaching or fostering music community, I’m a happy camper.”

Interviewed by Iris Wiener

‘Running, and raising money for cancer research, is my cause, and I’m happy to help!’

Kevin Bartolotto, Bayville

“Although I was a good athlete in high school, I always disliked running. But that feeling changed after I lost Grandma Fran to lymphoma in 2008. I was very close to her, and her death jolted me. I always wanted to do something to honor her memory. Years passed. I worked full time as an auto mechanic in our family business, married and bought a house. One day, I spotted a friend’s picture on Facebook. She had completed her first half-marathon, and I thought, ‘If she can do that, I can run a full marathon.’

God gave me a gift, so I should use it to help people.

“So I signed up for the TCS New York City Marathon. I never run more than two miles in one shot. Everyone thought I was nuts — which I am! I decided to join Fred’s Team — named after Fred Lebow, the NYC Marathon director who died of cancer —, and raise money for Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in memory of Grandma Fran. I raised about $8,000 that year — and ran a 3:42 with little training! I ran again in 2017 and raised $10,000.

“In January 2018, my father was diagnosed with colon cancer. More determined than ever to beat this disease, I ran the TCS NY Marathon in 2018, and I raised over $20,000 for colon cancer research. My father finished his chemotherapy sessions just before the race, and my whole family joined me at the end and we celebrated afterwards. It was following this race that I realized this was my cause, this was my life! I ran the Long Island Marathon! I ran the Chicago Marathon. I thought: God gave me a gift, so I should use it to help people. I was set to run the Tokyo Marathon when COVID hit, canceling the race. My buddies and I heard about the upcoming Napa Valley [California] Marathon and wanted to run. We contacted the race director, calling ourselves the Lost Tokyo Marathon Runners, and we were accepted — and I ran my best marathon: 2:59:10. That time enabled me to be accepted for the Boston Marathon, which I did next. I ran Berlin! I ran London! I am one of 250 New York runners who have completed the Abbott World Major Marathons: Boston, New York, Berlin, London, Tokyo and Chicago. I’ve raised over $80,000 for Fred’s Team. Running, and raising money for cancer research, is my cause, and I’m happy to help!”

Interviewed by Saul Schachter

‘The great thing about jazz is, to me, improvised music: You’re seeing the brushstrokes put on there in the moment.’

Matt Wilson, Baldwin

“I like to think of myself as a musical ‘impresario’ because it’s more vivid than ‘entrepreneur.’ Nothing against entrepreneurs, but impresario means you’re embracing the whole production aspect. In our show at Birdland, for our new album ‘Good Trouble,’ I was thinking a lot about the presentation of the music. I had banners made to put on the stands, and I had temporary tattoos made.

The great thing about jazz is, to me, improvised music: You’re seeing the brushstrokes put on there in the moment. I want the presentation to be together, but I don’t want it to be routine. I’d much rather have something go way above and have something else fail, rather than have everything be at that midlevel.

He let me try out his drums — and it felt like home.

“In the early ’70s, I was in first or second grade, and I saw an episode of ‘Here’s Lucy’ where Lucy and her son go to see Buddy Rich, the legendary drummer. I always liked music as a kid, and when I saw that, it started. Then our Lutheran church, that was in Knoxville, Illinois, where I grew up, did a musical. They hired high school kids as musicians. I still remember the drummer, Rex. He let me try out his drums — and it felt like home.

“I started lessons, and we would play at PTA meetings, churches. I was in a rock band when I was 15. Then I went to Wichita State as a percussion major.

“Because I’m teaching, I’m around great young people and great colleagues. I want to invite people in, whether it’s a workshop, at the community garden or our Avant Yarde Jazz Festival.

One time, I was doing a workshop at a convention, and I hired this vending company that for $75 would deliver a popcorn machine. So people walk in, people I knew or I met there, and I say, ‘Come here, you can make the popcorn and hand it out.’ They’re walking in thinking they’re going to a drum clinic, which it is, but then they’re handing out popcorn. They’re smelling it and saying, ‘What’s going on?’ It gets them; they’re going to pay a little more attention.

Once in a while, I have a character I do: ‘The Allower,’ and I have a shirt with an insignia that I kind of dramatically reveal. I want people to play their best — I don’t know what that is all the time. But I want to ‘allow’ them to try their thing.”

Interviewed by Rosemary Olander Beach

‘Every time I made a piece, I felt that a part of my grandma was with me.’

Natalie Bonsignore, West Babylon

“Jewelry has become my life. I love it. Ever since I was a little girl, I was making and selling jewelry at the Babylon pool, Gilgo Beach and other local spots during the summer. My grandmother is really my biggest inspiration. One of my favorite pastimes was beading jewelry with her. She would take me to craft stores and buy me beads and other things I needed to make jewelry, and when we got home, we would sit for hours and make beautiful pieces together.

Something I also do that is just as fulfilling is source a lot of incredible vintage pieces.

“When she passed, it really inspired me to get back into making jewelry. It helped me to feel close to her again, and I had started to find some success. Slowly I opened an Etsy shop and started beading again, but I wanted more of a challenge. I bought a soldering kit and slowly taught myself how to be a silversmith in my bedroom. I worked tirelessly every day to improve my craft. It was so healing because I’ve never been able to sit and concentrate on something for hours.

“Every time I made a piece, I felt that a part of my grandma was with me. I’m a silversmith at heart, and I make many custom pieces. My inspirations are from American Western/Native American jewelry styles with use of many different gemstones that are native to the region. I had started making jewelry full time back during COVID, and it was really a blessing to be able to dedicate that time of isolation and loneliness to something that made me feel so full. Especially being someone who deals with ADHD, it has been a beautiful feeling to have something that I can devote my full attention to without losing focus.

“Something I also do that is just as fulfilling is source a lot of incredible vintage pieces. There’s something beautiful about passing old pieces on to give them a new life to be appreciated again. After four years of working hard, I now have an in-person studio location in Lindenhurst and an extensive collection of handmade and vintage jewelry in TT’s Closet in my hometown, Babylon Village.”

Interviewed by Maggie Rose Melito