‘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

‘I found myself right back where I started, at home, and I’ve never been happier to be back here on Long Island.’

Gabrielle Ross, Bellmore

“I was always in love with music. When I was 6 years old, I started singing lessons. By 13, I was exploring my passion for songwriting. However, my path took an unexpected turn when I was diagnosed with polycystic ovary syndrome, an imbalance in my female hormones that caused cysts and other complications. Faced with this challenge, I realized that prioritizing my health was crucial for healing. As a teen, I developed a deep-seated passion for health and fitness, dedicating myself to workouts and a nourishing lifestyle.

“Throughout my musical journey, I’ve encountered various twists and turns. Initially, I pursued a career as a solo artist for an extended period before becoming a member of the band, Whatever We Are. Though the band has since disbanded, our music lives on. Presently, my primary focus lies on my new project as a solo artist. Additionally, I am directing my attention towards licensing and writing for commercials, among other ventures. The imminent completion of my new project brings me immense excitement.

I intend to infuse these invaluable experiences into my music, hoping to inspire and bring joy to listeners.

“Blending elements of pop, dance and acoustic music, I term my creation ‘music to move you.’ It possesses the power to stir emotions deep within, evoking tears, or ignite your desire to dance. Over the past few years, my personal journey has seen me traverse dark and challenging periods. However, these moments of pain have served as catalysts for growth and transformation, teaching me profound lessons along the way.

“I intend to infuse these invaluable experiences into my music, hoping to inspire and bring joy to listeners. I wrote a song called ‘Enough,’ and it was just before I moved out to California a couple of years back, and I talk about how I’m never turning back, and I found myself right back where I started, at home, and I’ve never been happier to be back here on Long Island. I think that’s when you’re truly happy on the inside; it radiates out. So I hope to just share that with people, whether it’s through music or cooking or whatever it is. Just shine light into the world. I think that’s what we’re all at the end of the day here to do.”

Interviewed by Starr Fuentes

‘One day he says to me, “Joe, how would you like to work as an actor in a movie?” – which turned out to be “The Godfather.”’

Bellmore

“I’m originally from the South Bronx, but moved to Bellmore in 1972, and I’ve been living here 50 years now. I’m turning 91 in September. When I was a young kid, I used to pitch pennies and then secrete them into my pocket until I had enough to go to the movies. I’d go every chance I got. I’d spend all day Saturday at the movies, and I was a big, big fan.

“I did school plays as a kid, and in high school I did shows on stage. But at that time, that was the extent of my becoming an actor. I then got drafted and went to fight in the Korean War — I’m a combat veteran — and when I got back, I got married and got a job in the post office, but I didn’t like it.

“Some of my buddies from the neighborhood who also went to Korea took the police test and said I should, too. I wasn’t sure I wanted to, and my mom said no — because I got back safely from the war, and she didn’t want me going into danger again. But I did take the test and joined the NYPD.

“I was assigned to the 20th Precinct on the Upper West Side [in Manhattan]. I was originally a foot cop, assigned to a radio car, and ended up stationed at the Museum of Natural History for 7½ years. I was the liaison between the NYPD and the museum, so anything that occurred there, it was my responsibility.

“Across the street from the museum is the Beresford Apartments, where a lot of celebrities lived, and I got friendly with some because there’s a bus stop there, and I wouldn’t chase away their limos! They called me Joe the Cop.

“I befriended Mike Nichols [director, actor, producer, winner of Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, Tony awards], and one day he says to me, ‘Joe, how would you like to work as an actor in a movie?’ — which turned out to be ‘The Godfather.’ I told him I wasn’t an actor, but he said, ‘Don’t worry, we’ll make you one.’

“He called Paramount Pictures, I went down for an interview, and they asked me why I thought I could act, and I said, ‘Well I’m a cop, we’re the best actors in the world.’ And she said, ‘You’re right,’ and they gave me a small role, which unfortunately was cut from the film, but I still get residuals from it. From that, it all just blossomed.”

‘I appeared in “Ghostbusters.” I’m the guy who says, “You do your job, pencil-neck. Don’t tell me how to do mine.”’

“I was a cop for 20 years, and we weren’t allowed to moonlight until 1970. But when they passed that law, I started acting in 1971. In 1976, the ‘Kojak’ series was being shot in California at Universal Studios. But one season, they decided to shoot in NYC to get the real feeling of New York. The producers called police headquarters looking for an officer who was knowledgeable about movies and could work as a bodyguard for [actor] Telly Savalas.

“They gave me that job, and I became very friendly with Telly, who ended up asking me when I could retire. And at that point, I was two months from being able to do so. He told me if I did, I’d have a job. So, after I retired, I started working for him. I became a technical adviser for the ‘Kojak’ series. I worked on about 16 episodes, and that was my steppingstone.

“The producers of Kojak also decided to do a new show with [actor] Joe Don Baker called ‘Eischied,” about a chief of detectives based on a real chief from N.Y. They sent a producer to the city and asked me to help him out, and we opened a production office, hired crews; we did everything together. So because of that, he also gave me a co-starring role. The show was well-reviewed, but only lasted a season.

“However, I then went on to appear in several movies and TV shows. I appeared in ‘Ghostbusters.’ I’m the guy [in a scene with actors including Bill Murray and Harold Ramis] who says, ‘You do your job pencil-neck. Don’t tell me how to do mine” to the environmental guy [actor William Atherton]. I appeared in ‘Splash’ with Tom Hanks, in which I also worked security and even doubled for Eugene Levy. When you see him jump out of the way of a car in one scene, that’s me.”

‘I enjoyed my 20 years as an officer, and it was being a police officer that got me to acting.’

“I’ve been in the movie business for 50 years, and I have never paid an agent. I got everything myself. I knew a lot of casting directors, so I’d just walk in, and they’d have me read in front of directors or producers for roles. I had also formed a security company and worked with several celebrities, but I was also very respectful of the stars around me.

“I never ever asked for a favor, or asked, ‘Hey, can I get a part in something?’ It was always about respect. Sometimes I think God granted me so much success because of how I went about my career.

“I’ve since written my autobiography, and although I’m not acting anymore, I have a production company and we’re working on making a movie right now. I’ve written screenplays and I worked on a script that is also in the process of becoming a film.

“I have two musicals in the works, and I even wrote a Christmas song. I go on speaking tours to talk about my career. The last line in my book is, ‘I’m so busy, I can’t find time to grow old.’ I enjoyed my 20 years as an officer, and it was being a police officer that got me to acting.

“I always wanted to be an actor, but the opportunity only came after meeting all these big stars. I got into showbiz through them, but I don’t think I would have done it without being in the PD first. And I’m blessed; I have three children, nine grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren. The only thing I’m missing is my wife, who passed away in 2010. But I have since met a lady, and while we’re not married, we love each other and I’m enjoying life. I wouldn’t change a thing. No way.”

Interviewed by Ian J. Stark

‘I watched this woman turn her pain into power, and at that moment, I decided I was all in.’

Bellmore

“After the shooting in Parkland [Florida] in 2018, I went to my first meeting for the L.I. chapter of Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America. I was pregnant with my second boy and afraid one day, I would send my kids to school and never see them again.

“I offered to help where I could. A week later, I attended an event and heard Shenee Johnson speak about her son Kedrick. He was shot and killed in 2010, a few weeks from his high school graduation. I watched this woman turn her pain into power, and at that moment, I decided I was all in.

“The thought of speaking to people gives me anxiety. But I knew I had to do something. I signed up to knock on doors. That first door, my heart was in my throat. But I got myself together and kept knocking on door after door. Something in me clicked. All this time, I thought I couldn’t do it.

Gun violence is the leading cause of death in children and teens. We don’t have to live like this, and we don’t have to die like this.

“Moms Demand Action has a Gun Sense Candidate distinction for people with gun safety at the forefront of their platform. In 2018, our group helped these candidates win. We now had a gun sense majority in both houses. After years of not passing a single gun law, we passed nine. Now we have these incredible representatives who do everything they can to help end gun violence.

“In 2020, I led my first legislative team meeting on Zoom. My anxiety was high as I spoke about how we would win an election amid a global pandemic. Midway through, my son came in wanting to show everyone a photo from his third birthday party. I was mortified, but everyone was happy to see him. That’s when I realized what Moms Demand Action is. We are a family. Now, my boys come with me to knock on doors and love it! They’ve met other activist kids and have playdates at events while we work to keep them safe.

“Gun violence is the leading cause of death in children and teens. We don’t have to live like this, and we don’t have to die like this.”

Interviewed by Jenna Kern – Rugile

‘As I grew, my passion for dance remained. It is really the most pure form of expression and sanity for me.’

Bellmore

“My mom and I always joke that it was from the womb. She danced until she was eight months pregnant with me. From what they’ve told me, I always had an inclination towards rhythm and music. When I was 3, my mom put me on stage for the first time. I fell in love with the dance part of it. I don’t see an audience. It’s a strange thing, but I’m grateful for it because it allows me to immerse myself completely, and I don’t know who’s out there. Between muscle memory and being so absorbed in the art and expressing myself in it, it’s like a blur.

“As I grew, my passion for dance remained. It is really the most pure form of expression and sanity for me. It’s the way I realize any kind of emotion I’m feeling. It keeps me grounded in a sort of reality and is this thing I know is always stable in my life, no matter what else is going on. It’s always there. It reminds me of who I am. It’s my way of seeing what’s happening with me, who I am at my core. This is the thing I don’t have to work at. It’s a natural extension of me.

That unspoken connection through dance, it translates to everyday life. I don’t have to say a word, whether with dance or anything else, and she knows. And vice versa.

“My mom started this school; her specialty is folk dance. As I grew and learned different types of dance, we started evolving because more people my age are bringing their kids. We found a happy medium, where we’ll still do semi-classical, we’ll do folk dances, and I’ll add the things I’ve learned — some contemporary, some jazz, some ballet turns. A lot of our pieces have this amalgamation of genres.

“I’m grateful it allows me to learn from my mom and to teach my mom certain things, and we both get to do something we love so deeply. My mom and I were always close, our relationship is strong at its base but this really strengthens that bond. We’ve gotten to a point where we just need to look at each other to know what the next choreography is going to be. I love that. That unspoken connection through dance, it translates to everyday life. I don’t have to say a word, whether with dance or anything else, and she knows. And vice versa.”