My Hometown

Are you ready to be "WOW"ed?  Bill Horan and Stacy Raine learn about “Winning On Wednesday” - a virtual business networking platform that meets by ZOOM every Wednesday. They prioritize building meaningful professional relationships to help businesses grow and expand networking opportunities. They talk with Juan Vides, the Founder of "Winning on Wednesday."

Bill Horan and Matthew Leonard talk with Cassandra Basile, the Director of PR and Marketing at Ronald McDonald House Charities New York Metro, which is anincredible organization that provides comfort, care, and housing to families with seriously ill children. They find out how they help families during some of their most challenging times, and learn about the impact it has on communities in the Long Island area.

Bill Horan and Stacy Raine find out what it takes to own your own roofing company by speaking with Kevin Miller, owner of Chief Cornerstone Roofing, based on Long Island.

Bill Horan and Stacy Raine shine a spotlight on elder care and the legal professionals who help families navigate the challenges of aging with dignity. From estate planning to long-term care options, we'll hear from one local expert to better explain what it is that they do and how they might be able to help you!  They speak with Lisa R. Valente, a partner at Makofsky Valente Law Group, P.C., with offices locally in Garden City.

Bill Horan and Stacy Raine meet Seaford native Jesse Kinch - who is not only a successful rock musician, but he beat the odds stacked against him by overcoming a brain tumor.  We listen to his music and find out all about his career.

We don't usually think of Nassau County as a place for tourists since we LIVE here. But luckily, there are people that are paid to do so, for the people who DON'T live here to come and visit - or maybe, you can have a STAYCATION this spring. Bill Horan and Stacy Raine find out more from Kristen Stucchio-Suarez, Project Director at RRDA, the official tourism and promotions agency for Nassau County.

Bill Horan and Matthew Leonard talk with a playwright, screenwriter, and television writer and producer, whose credits include the stage plays Key Exchange, Mr. & Mrs., and Cruise Control, and the screenplays for Working Girl, True Colors, Mr. Baseball, Junior, Meet Joe Black, and Maid in Manhattan. For television, he has served as the showrunner, executive producer, and backseat driver of the CBS drama Blue Bloods since 2011 - and he is from Long Island   His name is Kevin Wade, and he is also the author of a new novel titled “JOHNNY CARELESS.”

Did you know that the Incorporated Village of Valley Stream on Long Island is the third largest village in the state, and is about to turn 100 years old this year? Bill Horan and Stacy Raine learn more by talking to Village Mayor Edwin Fare and Village Historian Carol McKenna.

Bill Horan and Stacy Raine get business empowerment from Michael Gliner, the board chairperson at the Inwood Civic Association, a community organization based in the Inwood neighborhood, focused on addressing local issues and improving the quality of life for residents by advocating for their needs to government officials and organizing community initiatives.

Bill Horan and Stacy Raine learn about Long Island organizations that are a part of the Epic Family of Human Service Agencies - who provide treatment, care, education and support to those with epilepsy, and to individuals with intellectual or emotional challenges.  They speak with Janet Romeo, their Director of Epilepsy Services, along with Irene Rodgers, their Chief of Development and Engagement Officer.

Bill Horan and Stacy Raine learn about the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Community Center in Rockville Centre. Many know what Dr. King did in his lifetime, especially his “I Have a Dream” speech, but did you know there was a community center in our backyard named after him?  They learn more from Sharon Sheppard, Assistant Director, and Jaylen Benjamin, Activities Coordinator, at the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Community Center.

Bill Horan and Stacy Raine learned that people in Freeport were upset when back in 2022, a very popular ice cream shop called Pip's Ice Cream Parlor was forced to close to do storm damage from Superstorm Sandy and rising rent costs. But since 2024, it's back, under a new name, thanks to an amazing local hero who helped financially and emotionally bring it back to life, now called Sam's Scoops - located inside Sparkle on Stage Cultural Arts Center on Woodcleft Avenue in Freeport. They speak with Robyn Workman, the owner and proprietor of Sparkle on Stage Cultural Arts Center, and the biggest sponsor of Sam's Scoops in Freeport.

Love is in the air! Bill Horan and Stacy Raine learn all about Long Island company WeekendDating.com - who has been organizing Long Island Speed Dating and Speed Dating N-Y-C events since 2003, resulting in at least 85 marriages and 13 children. They sponsor events that include speed dating, trivia nights, cultural events and much more.  They speak with Jay Rosensweig, the owner of WeekendDating.com.

Bill Horan and Stacy Raine learn about the Long Island based company called BEDGEAR.  They speak with Eugene Alletto, their CEO and Quarterback.  BEDGEAR has created over 280 global Patents, Trademarks and Patents-pending, developing the world's only performance bedding brand.

Bill Horan and Stacy Raine learn about Wild Ones, a national non- profit organization with local chapters that promote the many benefits of landscaping using native plants such as wildflowers, shrubs, trees, and grasses. They speak with Wild Ones New York Metro Region's president, Fred Nass, and Olivia Cunningham, who is a Community Hub Leader at Wild Ones for the towns of North Hempstead and Smithtown.

Bill Horan and Stacy Raine talk with John DeBacker - the Vice President of a foster based animal rescue group called Long Island Cat and Kitten Solution, with the goal to rescue and save as many animals as humanly possible. 

Bill Horan (a Chaminade alum!) and Stacy Raine learn about a program at Chaminade High School in Mineola called The Flyer Partnership, with a goal to increase the daily interaction between special needs students and Chaminade's student body so the students can learn transferable job skills. They speak with Carlo Mansueto, their Supervisor of Grounds, and Tina Smith, their Librarian, both of whom have worked with students in this amazing program.

Bill Horan and Stacy Raine talk with Lauryn Ciardullo from Valley Stream, who played Princess Jasmine and many other roles in the award- winning Broadway production of Aladdin as an original cast member and can be heard on the Original Cast Album and performed on the 2014 Tony Awards. BUT when Broadway closed its doors in March 2020, Lauryn started offering online song and dance classes which has now grown into a place for young performers to work on singing, acting and dance called ‘Class with Lauryn.'

We don't usually think of Nassau County as a place for tourists since we LIVE here. But luckily, there are people that are paid to do so, for the people who DON'T live here to come and visit - or maybe, you can have a STAYCATION this winter. Bill Horan and Stacy Raine find out more from Kristen Stucchio-Suarez, Project Director at RRDA, the official tourism and promotions agency for Nassau County.

Bill Horan and Stacy Raine learn about an organization in Nassau County called Families For Inclusion - where they promote education about autism, neurodiversity, and inclusion in elementary schools, and to assist the process wherever they can.  They speak with Gina DeGregorio-Sonbert, the Founder of Families For Inclusion, and the author of a children's book series called Theodore Bearkins, about the first autistic, non-speaking main character in a children's book where autism is NOT the focus of his tale.

Bill Horan talks with Joan Hyland, the founder of Love, Nana - a Community Service Project presented by another group called Backyard Players and Friends, Incorporated. They are a volunteer & donation based non-profit whose mission is two-fold: to assist local families in need by providing gently used clothing for newborns and offering a skills training and community experience program for their participants.  He also speaks with Ellen White, the Director of Backyard Players & Friends, Incorporated.

Over 400,000 New Yorkers are living with Alzheimer's disease, and more than 500,000 family and friends are providing care. Bill Horan and Stacy Raine learn about the Alzheimer's Association Long Island Chapter - who help families, caregivers, health care professionals and those living with the disease by providing education and support, advocate for the needs and rights of those facing Alzheimer's disease and all other dementia, and advance critical research to develop new treatments and, ultimately, a cure.  They speak with Alaina Nathan, the Senior Manager of Programs for the Alzheimer's Association Long Island Chapter.

Bill Horan talks with two Long Island heroes - Rachel Travis, who is a boy scout troop parent and a registered nurse from West Hempstead, along with 17-year-old Isaac Samuelson, one of the scouts, who both are credited with saving someone's life mid-flight. 

Bill Horan and Matt Leonard talk to a graduate of Nassau Community College who has gone on to do some big things in his life, including being a Corporal in the United States Marines, recently continuing his education to become a mental health counselor for veterans, and now, has started a new venture into the world of boxing.

Bill Horan and Stacy Raine talk to Jerry Barmash, Long Island author of "Here Now the News: An Inside Scoop into New York's Best-Loved Anchors, a look behind the camera at how the anchoring landscape changed in New York City---and across the country."  He is also a long time broadcaster and journalist. 

Bill Horan and Stacy Raine learn about the Raynham Hall Museum - a place that connects you to the complex and evolving story of our nation through the lens of one revolutionary household - the Townsend Family Home, located on West Main Street in Oyster Bay. They talks with Christopher Judge, their Director of Visitor Services, and Justinne Lake-Jedzinak, their Director of Education and Public Programs.

Bill Horan and Stacy Raine talk with Renee Morgan, the owner and creator of Aviator Balloons, located in Bellmore, Long Island! Aviator Balloons curates customizable party décor and balloon garlands to enhance your special events!

Bill Horan and Stacy Raine learn about Cona Elder Law, located on Long Island. Their practice concentrates in the areas of elder law, estate planning, estate administration and litigation, special needs planning and health care law. They speak with Kristi DiPaolo, a Senior Associate at Cona Elder Law. 

Bill Horan and Stacy Raine talk with Paul R. Martin III, a military history buff who has had a great interest in Mitchel Field since his boyhood days growing up in East Meadow. Paul is a display and special events coordinator for the Army Air Forces Historical Association, Chaplain of the Sons of the American Legion Squadron 1009, Chairman of the Yorktown Veteran's Day Parade, President of the Rockland Civil War Round Table and the Yorktown Historical Society, Secretary of the Company of Military Historians, West Point Chapter, and board member of the Lincoln Depot Museum and Lincoln Society in Peekskill. He is also a professional Historical Artist, and author of two new books - Faces from Mitchel Field, Portraits and Stories from 1917-1961 Forgotten Eagles, as well as Beneath the Shadows of Wings, Untold Stories from Mitchel Field Long Island.

Bill Horan and Stacy Raine learn some basic life support and the education opportunities available from Mount Sinai South Nassau.  They speak with Abigail Fromm, a registered nurse and their Director of Community Education, and Valentino Griffiths, the Community & Staff Education Instructor and the American Heart Association Training Center Coordinator.

Bill Horan and Stacy Raine talk with Maria Dello, a Long Island-based published author, seasoned nutritionist, and a true friend to dogs. Beyond her professional endeavors, Maria dedicates her free time to rescue work and puppy obedience training, because she believes that dogs deserve the best.  She is the author of her first ever children's book, "Theodor Says: Dogs Are People Too!"

Bill Horan and Matt Leonard talk with Matthew Mullen, the owner and creator of the new Empire Adventure Park, located on the second floor of the Samanea Mall (formerly The Source) on Old Country Road in Westbury.  The park includes trampolines, augemented and virtual reality, adventure mazes, laser tag, zip lines, inflatables and more.

Bill Horan and Stacy Raine learn about Nassau County Tourism - where they tell us that there is always MORE TO EXPLORE! Whether you're planning a family getaway, weekend staycation, or a quick afternoon away, their guest, Jaime Hollander, Managing Director of RRDA, the advertising agency that oversees Nassau County Tourism, tells us all about the organization and gives us some ideas on how to relax right here at home!

Bill Horan and Stacy Raine learn about a relatively new business located in Merrick, NY.  They speak with Nick Christofides, one of the partners at The Diner Boys - where they have reimagined beloved diner fare to cater to modern palates through a menu that features an array of delectable and unique offerings you won't find at your average diner.

Bill Horan and Stacy Raine talk with ALI THE ANTHEM GIRL! Her real name is Ali Berke, and she is a singer and songwriter from Oceanside, NY, who has a goal to sing at every sports stadium. She recently had the opportunity to perform the National Anthem before a New York Knicks game at Madison Square Garden, and has performed at Citi Field and a bunch of other stadiums already.

Bill Horan and Stacy Raine learn about the Long Beach Latino Civic Association, an organization that works to alleviate the social problems of the Latino community in the city of Long Beach here on Long Island by advocating for communities and individuals in crisis by providing resources and access to opportunity networks. They speak with Helen Dorado Alessi, their Executive Director, and Nicole Fader, their board Vice President.

Stacy Raine learns about a local Nassau County company that helps people reach financial goals and meet their full financial potential. She speaks with Richard (Rick) Meier, Senior Executive Vice President and Director of Investments at Blue Ocean Wealth Solutions, a Mass Mutual Firm.

Stacy Raine learns about The Mental Health Association of Nassau County, a not-for-profit membership organization that advocates for the needs of adults and children with psychiatric and emotional difficulties. Their services assist individuals facing chronic and serious mental illness and psychiatric disabilities, supporting them on their paths to building productive and meaningful lives. She speaks with Malika Watson, the director of the Education and Training, and Rachel Priest, Behavioral Health Educator.

Bill Horan and Stacy Raine learn about The Little Saint Nick Foundation, located in East Rockaway, New York, which inspires kids in local communities to give back to those kids in need all year long! They speak with Zack Andersen, the Chief Operating Officer, and Bradley Cooper, Executive Director of the North East Region, of the Little Saint Nick Foundation.

Bill Horan and Stacy Raine talk with 15-year-old Alicia Tritchler from Lynbrook Girl Scout Troop 2168, and her troop leader, Debbie Prial, about Alicia's Silver Award winning project, an amazing Positivity Board that has been featured in her local library and in her community.

Bill Horan and Stacy Raine talk with Bobby Hazen, one of the founding members of The New York Water Safety Coalition and Executive Founder of End Drowning Now. Bobby has been in the swim school and water safety industry for over 26 years.

Bill Horan and Stacy Raine learn about The Long Island Community Foundation - an organization that works to improve the quality of life for all Long Islanders by connecting past, present, and future generations with other nonprofits on Long Island, to make a healthy, equitable, and thriving community. They speak with Marie Smith, the Director of Donor Relations and Communications, and Sol Marie Alfonso Jones, the Program Director.Learn more about The Long Island Community Foundation.