6 LONGISLANDPRESS.COM • DECEMBER 2019
FROM THE PUBLISHER
Dear Readers,
‘Tis the season for magic in the air! Whether you believe or not, the holidays are a
time to be with family and friends to celebrate this joyous time of year and the new
one to come.
Leading off this holiday issue is the cover story on professional lacrosse phenom Rob
Parnell and his uncle James Metzger, the CEO and chairman of The Whitmore Agency,
who share with readers their holiday traditions, importance of family, some business
tips, and, of course, a few sports insights.
In the business section, we bring you stories breaking down the unemployment rate on
Long Island, an exit interview with retiring SUNY College at Old Westbury President Rev.
Calvin Butts III, and a look at a fifth-generation knife-sharpening company.
Our health reporters have tips for managing New Year’s resolutions expectations and our continuing series on the
opioid crisis explores how parents of children lost to overdoses are channeling their grief to help combat the scourge.
The family section offers the latest on how genealogists are using DNA websites and a new law to help adoptees find
their biological relatives. In Press Home, we examine the latest home design trends. And in Press Buzz, our reporters
explore all there is to see and do in beautiful downtown Manhasset and beyond.
As always, don’t forget to like Long Island Press on Facebook, follow us on Twitter
and Instagram, and sign up for our twice-weekly email newsletters rounding up
everything you missed on the updated-daily longislandpress.com
Happy holidays!
10 THIS MONTH
Long Island lawmakers greenlight
new traffic enforcement cameras that
automatically ticket drivers who pass
stopped school buses.
14 COVER
Lacrosse pro Rob Pannell and his uncle,
The Whitmore Agency Chairman and
CEO James Metzger, talk their shared
love of the game, family, and business.
Cover photo by Bruce Adler.
16 GUEST COLUMNISTS
Nassau County Executive Laura
Curran boasts a new tool that helps
first responders save lives. And U.S.
Rep. Lee Zeldin (R-Shirley) shares his
views on coastal management.
21 BUSINESS
LI's low unemployment rate squeezes
some employers, outgoing SUNY
College at Old Westbury President
Rev. Calvin O. Butts III reflects on his
tenure, a look at a fifth-generation knife
sharpener, and a group of benevolent
car buffs use Corvettes to help veterans.
35 HEALTH
Setting realistic New Year's resolutions
to avoid failure, five products that
help you stick to the plan, and how a
group of mothers who've lost children
to addiction support one another.
49 FAMILY & EDUCATION
Genealogy websites and a new law
help adoptees learn about their family
tree, how to appeal a denial for
early intervention services, United
Way of Long Island bids farewell to its
longest-serving staffer, and shelters
offer advice for those adopting a pet.
57 GIFT GUIDE
Local companies that offer creative
presents for the holidays and which
nonprofits are deserving of a yearend
donation.
71 HOME
The latest wellness-inspired trends
in interior design, a look inside a
gorgeous East Patchogue home on
the market, and how to revamp your
home without requiring demolition.
81 BUZZ
Meet LI's many Santas, explore
the many things to see, do, eat, and
drink in Manhasset, check out the
latest concerts coming to town, and
that time Miracle on 34th Street was
partly filmed in Port Washington.
For more news and features, visit longislandpress.com
EDITORIAL
Publisher and
Executive Editor
Emeritus
John Kominicki
Publisher
Joanna Austin
Editor in Chief
Timothy Bolger
Associate Editor
Annie Wilkinson
Contributing Editor
James Bernstein
Contributors
CJ Arlotta
Jeff Berman
Michelle Gabrielle Centamore
Arlene Gross
Bernie Kilkelly
Alan Krawitz
Eden Laikin
Patrick Long
Brendan Manley
Joan MacNaughton
Allison Matos
Sheryl Nance-Nash
Rob Pelaez
Tammy Scileppi
Claude Solnik
Rebekah Yahoves
Vice President
of Sales
Elizabeth Aloni
Director of Events
Tara Downing
Business Consultants
Alan Gottlieb
Joan MacNaughton
Megan Smith
Schneps Media
President
Victoria Schneps-Yunis
CEO
Joshua Schneps
Chief Operating Officer
Robert Brennan
Long Island Press
6901 Jericho Tpke. # 215
Syosset, NY 11791
516-284-3331
718-224-5863
www.longislandpress.com
Editorial e-mail:
tbolger@longislandpress.com
Advertising e-mail:
ealoni@longislandpress.com
Entire Contents
Copyright 2019
by Long Island Press
CONTENTS
Volume 198, No. 12 December 2019
Sincerely,
Joanna Austin
Publisher, Long Island Press
/www.longislandpress.com
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