‘I grew up eating no chips, and no processed foods whatsoever.’

Girolamo Maniscalchi, East Norwich

“I grew up in a small town in Sicily. In my family, farming has been a cherished tradition passed down from one generation to the next. From the earliest of my memories, I can vividly recall farming with my father, surrounded by nature. We raised our own animals, we grew our own vegetables. The value and appreciation for cultivating whole foods and produce were ingrained in me from an early age. I grew up eating no chips, and no processed foods whatsoever. My mom, she was a stay-home-mom, and she just prepared everything from breakfast to dinner. To this day, I continue her culinary legacy.

We make everything in-house, from our fresh mozzarella to our dough.

“In 2007, I met my wife, and our relationship grew serious. She suggested that I move to Long Island with her for three months to see how I liked it. That decision changed my life. Sixteen years later, we have two beautiful children and call East Norwich our home. Despite having a pharmacy degree, I desired a career with flexible hours to be close to my children and cook for them. I ventured into the restaurant and distribution business, allowing me to spend time with my family while consulting for the industry. Although I loved the restaurant business, I wanted to escape the demanding hours. This led my wife and I to the idea of a mobile wood-fire oven. Now I am teaching my children how to handcraft fresh pizza with locally sourced ingredients and whole foods all over the Island. And they love it! Long Island for three months out of the year, we make the most beautiful vegetables ever. It reminds me of how I used to help my father’s farm growing up in Sicily.

“My children love to top the pies with the toppings. We make everything in-house, from our fresh mozzarella to our dough. I want my customers to eat a whole pizza and feel still light; they want more. Some of our popular pies are the Margarita and Brooklyner. I am so happy I get to spend time with my family and make people happy with my pies. To anyone who is looking to start their own business, my advice is, don’t start running before you start walking. There are going to be bad days and good days, but as long as you believe in yourself, you can do anything. And of course, family support is the number one. I do everything for them.”

Interviewed by Starr Fuentes

‘When I was onstage, the first few minutes were extremely nerve-racking, but when everyone was singing along, it gave me a lot of confidence.’

Emma Kim, East Norwich

“I first realized I enjoyed performing when I was in the third to fourth grade. I was Moana for a revue, and I was so happy about it that I kept trying to improve my voice so I could get a big role in a full production — and I did! In sixth grade, I got the role of Moana in ‘Moana Jr.’ at [James H.] Vernon School. My favorite moment onstage was when I sang the lyrics ‘I am Moana…’ in ‘Song of the Ancestors.’ When I was onstage, the first few minutes were extremely nerve-racking, but when everyone was singing along, it gave me a lot of confidence.

“I was also Jasmine in ‘Aladdin’ at Cultural Arts Playhouse in Syosset. I love to play music, too. In my house we have a lot of different instruments, including acoustic, electric and bass guitars, a piano, a cello, a drum set and a xylophone. I’ve tried to play all of them. I started cello in school, and I ended up really liking it because it has a smooth sound. I have gotten into all-county for cello and twice for my artwork. I love drawing anime.

My advice for other kids is that if you’re not good at things at first, you’ll get better without realizing it. You should always keep trying.

“Through all of my art, I have realized I really like the feeling of working hard and getting stuff right. When I finally get it, I forget about the times I completely struggled. I’ve learned that it’s important to try many different things because you have to find what you like most and keep doing it. It’s a lot of pressure if you stick to one thing your whole life; everyone will be expecting you to be amazing at it. You don’t want to be stuck doing it. It’s good to experiment, experience a lot and have fun.

“The Oyster Bay-East Norwich schools fine and performing arts program has helped me realize this. I see how my older brother and sister have practiced really hard and performed at school, and I see how good they got in everything. I like how our schools have a ton of programs, and everything is on a really high level. When I grow up, I think I want to use my enjoyment for drawing to become an architect because I like how your work has to be exact and you have to achieve perfection. I’m only in the seventh grade now, so I have time to think and explore. My advice for other kids is that if you’re not good at things at first, you’ll get better without realizing it. You should always keep trying.”

Interviewed by Iris Wiener

‘Navigating the world at a larger size is difficult in so many ways. I don’t know why people can’t just be okay with me the way I am. It’s part of the package!’

East Norwich

“I grew up with a fraternal twin brother who is skinny. People were always comparing us. From day one he was smaller, and then he was taller and blonde, so we looked nothing alike. He never struggled with being picked on for being fat; I was teased relentlessly.

“In college I was surprised when people didn’t tease me for being fat. That was when I realized people might like me for my personality. Now I am a teacher’s assistant with special education classes. One of my worst moments was when my class was on a field trip at Garvies Point. We had to climb high stairs from the beach. I’m supposed to be there to support the kids and the teacher, and she had to take my hand and hold onto me to get me back up off the beach. I had to sit down afterwards. It was so embarrassing.

I was unsure at first, but my nutritionist said I had until the moment I was in the operating room to change my mind. When I realized I had that freedom I didn’t feel pressured.

“Sometimes at school I couldn’t walk to my car at the end of the day without stopping to take a break because my back hurt so much. I couldn’t exercise to lose weight because it hurt to stand. That was when I decided to have weight loss surgery. I was unsure at first, but my nutritionist said I had until the moment I was in the operating room to change my mind. When I realized I had that freedom I didn’t feel pressured. I chose the sleeve, which is where they remove a portion of the stomach. It felt like it took forever to get to the surgery. They wanted me to lose weight beforehand and go to meetings each month.

“I lost 80 pounds before the surgery. I lost some weight afterwards, but not as fast as I thought I would. The program worked, but you have to stick with it and it’s tough. Navigating the world at a larger size is difficult in so many ways. I feel like everyone is looking at me when I get on planes. I didn’t fit in the school auditorium seats, so I would sit on a folding chair in the back. I can’t buy clothing on clearance because if I wait, the items in my size won’t be available. I’ve had people roll down their windows to scream, ‘You’re fat!’ Do they think it’s a secret? What is their motivation? I’m at the point where I wonder why I can’t just be happy as I am. I have a pretty full life. I don’t know why people can’t just be okay with me the way I am. It’s part of the package!”