‘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

‘Creating Sorriso Kitchen has been a wonderful ride. Folks love our food and our mission.’

Jimmy Bellas, Glen Head

“In a Greek-Italian family, food is a big focus. I grew up in my family’s restaurant in Port Washington. After getting married, my career path took me into corporate America, but I always missed the restaurant business.

“My wife, Karen, and I have two sons, L.J., who has Down syndrome, and Nico. I would tell our boys countless stories about our restaurant and talk about someday opening a place again — a place where L.J. could work with us. Sadly, there are very few work opportunities available for the developmentally disabled.

We’ve established the Reasons to Smile Foundation Inc., a nonprofit charity to support services that will empower and train young adults with special needs to reach their potential within the workforce and community.

“Urged on by Nico, who said we should just ‘Go for it,’ we realized this was the time. L.J. was then 17 and would be graduating at 21. We decided to open a small restaurant [in Chatham, New Jersey]. With my background and Karen’s as a creative director and designer, we created Sorriso Kitchen, a farm-to-table eatery serving a breakfast and lunch menu with a focus on quality ingredients, excellent service, and a welcoming environment.

“We named the restaurant after our oldest son. Sorriso means smile, and L.J. brings a smile to everyone he meets. We wanted to create a safe place where L.J. could work and be a vibrant part of the community. We also thought about the other kids with disabilities and an idea was born: We would close the restaurant on Mondays and create a real-life classroom for kids with special needs.

“We partnered with L.J.’s school, and the program began. We now run programs for two schools where these kids can learn restaurant skills so they can find jobs after graduation. Each semester ends with a luncheon where graduates, accompanied by the Sorriso staff, serve meals to their family and friends and receive certificates of completion.

“It is such an amazing and uplifting event. Creating Sorriso Kitchen has been a wonderful ride. Folks love our food and our mission. As a result, we’ve established the Reasons to Smile Foundation Inc., a nonprofit charity to support services that will empower and train young adults with special needs to reach their potential within the workforce and community. We are excited about what the future will bring.”

Interviewed by Saul Schachter

‘When we moved here, Upper Brookville was right below the final approach path for aircraft arriving into JFK. I loved the airplanes passing by.’

Amin Khwaja, Glen Head

“Aviation is a fascination that any child might have no matter where they are in the world; just look up in the sky. I was born in Kabul, Afghanistan, in late ’79, just as the Russian tanks were rolling down Kabul streets. We emigrated as refugees, living in New Delhi, India, for about a year, then made our second move, following my dad’s side of the family to Saudi Arabia.

“My mom’s family had already emigrated to the U.S. at that point, so we came to Long Island around late ’84. Initially we lived from house to house in Dix Hills with family until we were more established, from there we moved to Upper Brookville and have been here ever since 1987.

“The funny part is when we moved here, Upper Brookville was right below the final approach path for aircraft arriving into JFK. I loved the airplanes passing by. I made up a chart, I was fascinated by the whole aviation perspective of airplanes coming through. I got hooked on airplanes, and being under the flight path, I got a little more intrigued. It was just one of those bugs that just stayed with me.

“It wasn’t easy to persuade my parents. I was the only one in our family who decided to pursue this path; everyone else was in business. My dad had no knowledge of aviation at all. Every time I asked him, he never said no, and he never said yes. He gave a silent OK. My mom was pretty vocal; she thought it was too dangerous.

“I actually started flying when I was in 10th grade, I took my first lesson at Nassau Flyers at Republic Airport. I took one lesson every three weeks. My parents thought I would give it up. I had different things in mind, of course. I continued on and actually got my pilot license when I was a freshman in college.

“There’s a lot of training. I went to Dowling College, studying aviation management. I loved it, I was part of the National Intercollegiate Flying Association, kind of like the NCAA for aviation. You compete with other aviation colleges within the region; there about 10 throughout the United States. For two years I was named the top pilot of Region VII.”

It was around 3 in the morning, and those C-130s were coming in from Kabul. You could see the people coming out of the back of the airplane, and just a couple hours before they were in Kabul.

“Becoming a pilot for a commercial airline was my pursuit from day one. Before I even started training, I knew that’s what I wanted to do. I had my heart set on flying for the airlines. It’s a long process; those that want to pursue this passion really have to love what they do. Once you start, there’s no looking back.

“It’s challenging; you have to get all these certificates, then you have to build the flight experience. I had almost 3,000 hours of flight experience as a flight instructor. I was director of fight operations at Dowling [College] for about four years after I graduated; they had their own aviation program. I got turned down by the first airline I interviewed at. Then in 2006, I got hired by American Eagle, flying out of LaGuardia and JFK. I was with American Eagle for about 8½ years.

“What I did to make sure I was more competitive than others was that I became an educator. I was an adjunct professor teaching aviation classes at Dowling. Then I got very lucky; I got hired by United Airlines in 2015. I was able to fly Boeing 757 and 767 aircraft, primarily routes to Europe and South America. In 2020, I changed over to fly the Boeing 777; that has allowed me to fly long-haul flights throughout the world, from the Far East to the Middle East, all over Europe. I just got back from Dubai on Tuesday morning.

“One of the highlights of my career so far was with the United Airlines flights to pick up Afghan refugees about two years ago. Because I was from Afghanistan and was able to speak the language, I volunteered to be a translator. It was an incredible journey. I remember we landed in Kuwait. It was around 3 in the morning, and those C-130s were coming in from Kabul. You could see the people coming out of the back of the airplane, and just a couple hours before they were in Kabul. They didn’t have anything with them, maybe a bag.

“I had made that same journey back in the early ’80s with my parents. Not under the same conditions, it was a little bit different, but for me to actually be there was fascinating. I did two of those flights, and then the third flight that I flew myself, we transported troops back from Afghanistan. That was an incredible experience.”

After 9/11, that put a lot of us on the fence to come out and say, this is who we are. We are not what the media portrays or what some crazy person across the road portrays. We have been living here, we are part of the community.

“I’ve been part of the community at the Islamic Center of Long Island for the past 20 years. Until about eight years ago, I was busy with family and trying to pursue my career. As a pilot, we interact with so many people, so many cultures; that’s the best part of the job. You interact with so many different individuals from so many fields, religions; it’s ever-changing.

“When things kind of settled down, I said it would be wonderful if I could give back to the community since I’m now set on my own way. It’s time for me to give back. Around 2015-16, I got more involved with the center. Now I’m ending my three-year term as president of the center.

“Being involved with the community, the interfaith community, our local politicians and leaders, with the county executive’s office, the police commissioner, has just been an incredible opportunity for us to give back individually and as a community. Also, to really represent our faith as Muslims, because after 9/11, that put a lot of us on the fence to come out and say, this is who we are. We are not what the media portrays or what some crazy person across the road portrays. We have been living here, we are part of the community, we are part of the thread. We’re here to be Muslims, but beyond that to participate and be assets to the entire community.

“This is very meaningful; the Islamic Center of Long Island is one of the most active centers in the tri-state area. We have an incredible community that does wonderful work, from the food pantry that we opened about two years ago to funeral services to wedding ceremonies, to Ramadan, which just passed, where we had a full house. The center is exceeding our expectations. It has grown, and it’s wonderful to be part of that community. In my free time, a lot of my dedication goes back to the center.”

Interviewed by Barbara Schuler

‘As a child, I dreamed I was destined to be with Carol Burnett, but I got Barbara Eden instead. I wouldn’t change it for the world!’

Glen Head

“I think I was always destined to end up in Hollywood. My childhood dream was to become an actress and/or comedian. In 1959, ‘The Garry Moore Show’ featured a newcomer, Carol Burnett, whom I adored. I wrote to her weekly and received back signed photos that I taped to my bedroom wall along with numerous articles about her.

“I began attending Broadway shows once a year beginning at age 9. On August 19th, 1964, a date I’ll never forget, after Carol Burnett’s performance in ‘Fade Out – Fade In,’ I was able to meet her backstage at the Mark Hellinger Theatre. That meeting was a thrill and beyond a dream come true!

“I finally went to California, but after retiring from 33 years as a Long Island teacher! In 1998, I was introduced by a mutual friend to Barbara Eden, star of TV’s ‘I Dream of Jeannie,’ at her Beverly Hills home. In 2000, my friend was cast with Barbara in a theatrical production of ‘The Odd Couple’ in Chicago. I joined them for two weeks. It was there in Chicago that my friendship with Barbara blossomed. I relocated to Bel Air [California] and was never happier! My new home was amazing and magical, with views from the Pacific Ocean to the San Fernando Valley. And Barbara lived only four miles down the road!

One of the most beautiful experiences I will forever treasure occurred when Barbara invited me to join her at the Hollywood Bowl…

“My first paid job was in 2007 as a laugher on ‘The George Lopez Show,’ in an episode Barbara appeared in. Was paid $79 a day, plus overtime! I was one of 70 laughers hired. They even had a laughing coach to monitor us: ‘Hey, you! If ya don’t laugh, ya don’t get paid!’

“One of the most beautiful experiences I will forever treasure occurred when Barbara invited me to join her at the Hollywood Bowl for the summer solstice celebration, where she would be a presenter. What an opportunity! ‘I have an ulterior motive,’ she said slyly. ‘Carol Burnett is the other presenter!’ I was ecstatic!

“I have worked with Barbara as her personal assistant, photographer and public relations manager. I’ve traveled all over the country with her. My birthday was celebrated by Phish at The Kia Forum. Most recently, we were at Graceland with Priscilla Presley.

“As a child, I dreamed I was destined to be with Carol Burnett, but I got Barbara Eden instead. I wouldn’t change it for the world!”

Interviewed by Saul Schachter

‘When I get calls, I never know what the situation is going to be, but you try to do what you can to save the animals.’

Glen Head

“I had just retired, and I was looking for something that I was passionate about that involved the environment and wildlife conservation. One morning, before my daughter backed up her car, she luckily noticed there were a few baby rabbits underneath it.

“I made many phone calls, primarily to vets. They’re not really experienced with wildlife. At the sixth call, I was told about Volunteers for Wildlife. They were happy to take in the rabbits and treat them. Coincidentally, they had applications for volunteer employment.

“I started working with them in animal care. Volunteers for Wildlife is a non-profit wildlife hospital on the grounds of Bailey Arboretum in Locust Valley. It’s not animal control.

With all of the bad things in the world today, people should know there’s also a lot of good.

“We focus on rescue, rehabilitation and, hopefully, releasing the animals. It’s the only wildlife hospital on Long Island. We take in over 2,000 wildlife patients each year! We’re totally dependent on donations. I appreciate meeting good Samaritans who are interested in helping wildlife because animals are dependent on the public when they’re in distress. People call us first, and we have to get to the animals quickly.

“The natural instinct for animals is to hide when they’re injured, so it’s not easy. We may do some exploring in the woods to find them, and then we have to get them to our hospital.

“I do the rescues, and then we have a dedicated bunch of experts that know how to treat them. When I get calls, I never know what the situation is going to be. Once there was an osprey on the roof of a mansion. It had skewered itself on a lightning rod, requiring a construction lift to get us 100 feet up to him.

“You see some pretty bad things, but you’re trying to do what you can to save the animals. I’ve also done many educational programs with resident injured animals that wouldn’t survive if they were released. We bring them to schools and public events. The connection between children and wildlife is magical.

“It’s very important that young people get exposed. I hope I can get more people involved. With all of the bad things in the world today, people should know there’s also a lot of good. It’s up to us to make sure we have habitats for animals and to keep them safe.”

Interviewed by Iris Wiener

‘Joining the circus at all was just chance.’

Glen Head

“I went on to college — and joined the circus. I grew up in Glen Head, was an honors student in high school, sang in the chorus, studied ballet, performed in the plays. Ordinary, really.

“Other than climbing trees long past childhood, there wasn’t much to suggest I’d have a future working in the air. Joining the circus at all was just chance. My sophomore year at college, an actor friend spotted an audition notice for dancers for Ringling Brothers circus. He jokingly dared me to do it. The morning of the tryouts, I cut my classes — and made the cut.

“I started out just dancing in the big production numbers. Three years later, I was performing high off the ground in a ‘Spanish web’ display and had fallen in love with a Romanian acrobat. Together, we created our own aerial acts, bought a truck and a trailer home, and crisscrossed the country with smaller circuses.

Was I scared? The answer is — no, but I should have been!

“I hung only by my heels from a trapeze, wearing a homemade sequined bikini costume. I learned to spin very fast by my neck in a swivel loop, going faster when I pulled in my arms, just like an ice skater. Later, I did the same spin hanging by my teeth — the ‘iron jaw,’ it’s called. Yes, it hurt.

“I spent a year being the ‘elephant girl’ for the marvelous Woodcock performing elephants, riding them and doing tricks like standing on top of their head. The biggest applause came as I was carried around upside down by my knee wedged into the elephant’s mouth. It was heady and exciting and very poorly paid.

“Was I scared? The answer is — no, but I should have been! That level of risk became my new normal in the circus. And I was young and confident enough that I didn’t have a sense of my own mortality. I’m very lucky I was never seriously injured because — this horrifies me now — all those years I was 20 feet in the air, I didn’t have any health insurance.

“After 10 years of performing, I knew I wanted more security than that life could provide. I got a desk job, married a software developer and raised a family. Ordinary, really. Except that when my husband suggested moving us all to East Africa, guess who thought that sounded like a cool adventure? Well, at least, when I got malaria, we had health insurance!”

Interviewed by Saul Schachter

‘Doing community theater, I always know there are people who I can go back to. With them, it’s OK to be too much.’

Glen Head

“I’ve been on a stage since I was 3 years old. I was never the most talented person in the room, but I was always the one who worked the hardest. I realized how much I wanted to be on a stage because you couldn’t take me off. And I think that has a lot to do with being an only child.

“My parents lost their first baby, and they hoped and prayed, and then I showed up. So, I was always showered with attention because, by their definition, I wasn’t supposed to be here. I think that made me want to be in the center of things all the time. And as my personality developed, I was always told that I was too much, that I needed to calm down and was too intense. But one thing that it did lead to was in fourth grade, when we did our first real full-length play at school.

“It was Cinderella. And I wanted to be Cinderella … because what 8-year-old doesn’t want to be the ingenue? But my drama teacher, who I love dearly, had me play one of the stepsisters. That’s when I kind of discovered that being too much was the thing that was going to get me different parts, because not everybody could do that.

And there I was in my wheelchair with my friend pushing me across the stage!

“As time went on, I did children’s theater at the JCC. Even though I wasn’t Jewish, they welcomed everybody. I found friends there when I was bullied at school. Middle school sucks for everybody, but through my whole high school experience, I was bullied.

“The summer before my senior year, I played Rizzo in ‘Grease.’ I kept my Pink Ladies jacket because I just never wanted it to end. And I know everyone makes fun of ‘Grease,’ but it’s still one of my favorite shows because of what embodying Rizzo gave me. There was no feeling like it.

“In 2015, I broke my leg in two places and have metal rods and screws in my left leg. Everyone said, ‘It’s all right if you skip the show this summer.’ And I said, ‘No, I am gonna make it work.’ And there I was in my wheelchair with my friend pushing me across the stage!

“We figured out a way for me to be in the show because I didn’t want to not be part of it. Doing community theater, I always know there are people who I can go back to. With them, it’s OK to be too much. I credit them with giving me the power to be more of myself.”