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Italian-American baker shows patriotism through sweets

Dan on July 7, 2022

Angelica Pizzonia, 34, was born and raised by an old-school Italian family in Williamsburg, and grew up around traditional cooking and baking.

It was during the pandemic, however, when she took matters into her own hands and started her small baking business, “She’s Baking Cookies.”

“I started baking because of my grandpa, Rocco Lomuto… he loved sweets. But especially during COVID, because obviously we couldn’t go out to eat anywhere” she said.

“Grampie ended up telling me, ‘You should really sell these treats. What are you doing?’ and I didn’t listen. When he passed, I told myself I would never bake again, but in honor of him I started this business for my grandpa.”

Pizzonia offers a variety of sweets and treats on her menu, such as chocolate chip and snickerdoodle cookies, but she specializes in traditional Italian baking, including cannoli, biscotti, and the well-loved tri-color cookies.

For this time of the year, she put a patriotic spin on the classic tri-color cookie, making them red, white, and blue in honor of Independence Day.

“They are my favorite cookies to make, and can be made in many different colors and mean so many different things,” she said. “I’ve made them in the Italian flag colors and American flag colors. Many people say that the religious interpretation for the Italian flag is green for hope, white for faith, and red for charity… but there’s so many meanings to it.”

For her, the American flag version of the cookie was made in honor of her grandfather, who was a World War II veteran, serving as a staff sergeant in the Army.

A Marine Corporal purchased Pizzonia’s American flag-themed tri-color cookies on Memorial Day, which is also his birthday.

“He was such an American man. We’re Italian, but he would say we’re American-Italian because we’re American first, and we were born here,” Pizzonia said. “I just felt like it represents him because he was a vet. And it’s an American flag, so it’s just so meaningful to him and to me.”

Pizzonia said that it took her a while to master the recipe for the tri-color cookies, as they are quite difficult to make, but now has the formula down pat.

She also added that she did not really learn to bake from anyone in her family particularly, but instead feels like the art was “instilled in her,” or perhaps “in her blood” as an Italian-American woman.

Pizzonia still lives in Williamsburg, but is proud to say that she serves all local communities in Queens in Brooklyn via pickup and delivery method.

“I feel like I’m more supported by the Queens community, because I think they’re very family oriented. I have a lot of young people in my neighborhood, they don’t really have families and stuff,” she said, “So I think the Queens community just loves to help their own grow.”

On Memorial Day, Pizzonia sold a platter of American flag tri-color cookies to a U.S. Marine, who also happened to be celebrating his birthday.

She is thrilled that she was able to provide such a meaningful sentiment to her customer on a day so important to him, while simultaneously honoring her family members who served in the military.

“He is a corporal in the Marines, which means a lot because my grandpa was a staff sergeant in the Army and my grandpa’s brother, Frank, was a PFC in the Marines,” she said.

“My grampie was all about the military and America and doing the right thing in life. Respect and loyalty was my grandpa,” she continued. “He would have been so happy to know a Marine corporal ordered my delicious cookies.”

If you’re interested in purchasing baked goods from She’s Baking Cookies, you can visit her Facebook page with the same name, and check out her Instagram page, @shesbakingcookies, where Pizzonia posts whimsical reels and baking content.

“I’m not boring; I’m a little whacky,” Pizzonia said. “I try to bring something to life. I’m so dedicated to my cookies and baking, but I want to make it fun for people to watch—so I can be remembered not just by my cookies, but also for the way that I am.”

Golden Age Society transports seniors back to high school

Dan on July 6, 2022

‘Senior prom’ held at O’Neill’s

By Stephanie Meditz
news@queensledger.com

The Golden Age Society, a senior group at St. Mary’s Winfield church in Woodside, turned up the rock-and-roll tunes and opened the dance floor to its members last week.

Prom king Herbie Wiley poses with his queen, Catherine Berger.

Members of the society came together to socialize, dance, and reminisce on their high school days at a “senior prom” at O’Neill’s in Maspeth.

The Golden Age Society typically hosts parties like this twice a year, but the COVID-19 pandemic has made it difficult for seniors to spend time together.

Father Rolvin Romero, a visiting priest at St. Mary’s church for the summer, is grateful to be in the U.S. after two years of travel restrictions.

He is currently studying canon law in Spain, where he will return in the fall to pursue a doctorate.

He emphasized the importance of social interaction for seniors and is glad that the Golden Age Society could finally get together again.

“I know that they were trying so hard to get people back because there are still people, I guess, who are afraid to go out of their houses,” he said. “It’s a good thing to gather them again and we have to go on with a new normal.”

Usually, Father Romero only interacts with the seniors when they attend Mass, so he was honored to be invited to the prom.

“It’s very nice to bond with these wonderful seniors,” he said. “I am Filipino and we value our family ties, we value our grandparents, and so it’s like this is to be with my grandparents.”

Carol Cappiello has been a member of St. Mary’s parish since 1968 and worked in the rectory for 19 years.

As a member of the Golden Age Society, she is grateful for the chance to meet new people and keep in contact with old friends at meetings.

“It’s a nice place to meet and gather and socialize with all our friends that you don’t get to see every day,” she said.

The prom inspired Cappiello to recall her own prom and the loud rock-and-roll music she listened to when she was a senior at All Saints High School in Brooklyn.

Joseph Yee, another long-standing member of St. Mary’s parish, likewise reflected on his high school days at Power Memorial Academy in Manhattan, which has since closed.

He was a student there at the same time as former NBA star Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, whom Yee knew as “Lou.”

“We never lost a basketball game. Maybe once,” he said, proudly displaying his Power Memorial baseball cap. “That’s my claim to whatever fame that Power brings me. When I go shopping, it’s amazing how many people know about Power, not because they went to Power, but because of all the other Catholic high schools that used to get beaten by us.”

Yee was a leader of song at St. Mary’s for 30 years before he retired, and he is still an active member of the parish today.

Parishioners from St. Mary’s and St. Adalbert’s shared a table with Father Romero.

A two-time lung cancer survivor, his faith is a central aspect of his life.

“Having survived death, basically, I have a certain different perspective of life,” he said. “Your whole life is based on the Lord now… the Lord is kind and merciful.”

Yee is a member of St. Mary’s Holy Name Society and helps take up collections at the church.

“I enjoy the camaraderie of the Golden Age even though it took a while before I got used to being a Golden Ager,” he said.

In the true spirit of the event, the Golden Age Society’s current president, Carol Smykowski, crowned Herbie Wiley and Catherine Berger king and queen of the prom.

Smykowski recalled a previous event at which Wiley danced with Berger by spinning her around in her wheelchair. The two shared a “first dance” at the prom as well.

Donning her rhinestone tiara, 85-year-old Berger remembered a beauty contest that she won as a teenager.

She is grateful to the Golden Age Society for keeping her close to the friends she has made over the years.

Wiley, a first-year member of the society, did not expect to win the title of prom king.

“I had a great time, it’s been a great year. And I was lucky they chose me as the king,” he said, showing off his bow tie. “I did wear my tuxedo.”

The Golden Age Society is open to all community members ages 50 and older. Members come from various places, including AARP and the parishes of St. Mary’s, St. Adalbert’s, and St. Sebastian’s.

Jean Bednarczyk, a member of AARP and St. Mary’s parish, loves the community aspect of the society, especially in wake of the pandemic.

“At this point in my life, I want to socialize with people,” she said. “For so long, we couldn’t get together… now, things are opening up, so it’s nice to get out and mingle again.”

The group meets on Tuesdays from noon to 3 p.m. in the parish room at St. Mary’s to play Bingo or cards and socialize over cake and coffee.

As president of the society, Smykowski works to ensure that it brings seniors together “not just as a community, but as friends.”

“I really like this group, I like what I’m doing,” she said. “They like to have fun, and that’s what I like. This is my first full year as president, so I try to come up with some different ideas.”

Pro-choice leaders rally together at Borough Hall

Dan on July 6, 2022

Borough President joined by activists, elected officials to protest Supreme Court abortion decision

By Juan Arturo Trillo

news@queensledger.com

In response to the U.S. Supreme Court’s reversal of the “Roe v. Wade” landmark decision, the Queens Borough President’s Office organized an abortion rally on Tuesday, June 28—the same day as New York’s primary elections.

Deputy Borough President Ebony Young kicked off the event, saying that “Queens will not stay silent.”

Young explained some of the implications that the Supreme Court abortion ruling may have, specifically on minority women. About 70 percent of black women are breadwinners for their families, Young said. A forced birth may necessitate that they give up on their careers and income, she added.

Young also stated that when performing unsafe abortions, women of color died at 12 times the rate of white woman before the original “Roe v. Wade” ruling.

“Why are we going backwards?” Young asked, adding that young black women have less rights than she did during her youth.

Young was joined by various leaders in the pro-choice and reproductive justice movements.

Anjali Seegobin, member of South Queen’s Women’s March, called the Roe decision “alarming and unethical.”

Seegobin said that the black women, low-income women, and trans-men who led the pro-choice and reproductive justice movements will be the ones to face the harshest consequences of the Supreme Court’s new ruling.

According to Seegobin, 80 percent of Americans believe abortion should be legalized.

Maryam Mohammed-Miller, director of Government Relations at Planned Parenthood of Greater New York, affirmed that “abortion is healthcare, and it is still your legal right here in New York state.”

“New York is proud to be a safe harbor for those who are forced to travel hundreds or even thousands of miles to seek abortion services,” Mohammed-Miller said.

Mohammed-Miller added, “one should not have to travel from Jackson, Mississippi to Jackson Heights, Queens to access abortion care.”

Mohammed-Miller said that Planned Parenthood of Greater New York’s abortion appointment availability has increased by 20 percent for all 23 health centers in response to the Supreme Court ruling.

Mary Lou Greenberg of Choice’s Women’s Medical Center, who was present at the 1989 pro-choice demonstration at St. Patrick’s Cathedral, said that women from other states are already making abortion appointments at Choice’s.

Greenberg wore a green scarf, explaining that it was the same color as bandanas worn by women in South and Central American pro-choice demonstrations. Greenberg wore the scarf to stand in solidarity with these women and recognize their discipline and dedication.

Cecilia Venosta, president of the Center for Women of New York, added that her father said to “look forward” when immigrating to the United States. Since then, Argentina has legalized abortion.

Venosta called the Supreme Court ruling “another manifestation of the same regressive forces that always appear when people demand equal protection under the law.”

The rally occurred on the same day as New York State primary elections.

Emily Paez, director of Government Affairs and Civic Engagement at Hispanic Federation encouraged people to get out and vote. She asserted that the influence of elected officials is most vivid in situations like these.

Various elected officials were present at the rally, including Assemblywoman Jessica Gonzáles-Rojas and Assemblyman Andrew Hevesi.

Gonzáles-Rojas claimed that “in 2022, corporations and guns have more rights than women and pregnant people.”

Hevesi added, “as a straight white male, nobody ever tells me what to do with my body. But they sure just told my daughter, and they sure just told my wife.”

They were joined by Councilwoman Lynn Schulman, whose great-grandmother passed away attempting to give herself an abortion.

Borough President Donovan Richards acknowledged stories like Schulman’s great-grandmother, saying that “elections have life and death consequences, and let’s be clear—there are women who are going to die because of this decision.”

“If we start paying attention to local races across the country, we can prevent laws being passed that force teenagers to carry their rapist’s baby to term,” Richards added.

He listed ways people can get involved in the pro-choice and reproductive justice movements. These include volunteering at abortion clinics or advocacy groups and donating money to abortion programs in conservative states or other funds.

Richards made it clear that despite abortion being a women’s issue, men must also speak up.

“We all have a choice now,” Richards said. “Do we hang our heads and give up, or do we do everything in our power to protect people seeking abortions and expand access to care even in states with trigger laws?”

Ron Kim squeaks by opponent to win primary

Dan on July 6, 2022

New York State Assemblyman Ron Kim pulled it off. The incumbent in the race for the 40th State Assembly District, which encompasses Flushing, College Point, Whitestone, and Murray Hill communities, won the primary election on June 28, defeating political hopeful Kenneth Chiu by a small six percent margin—receiving only 221 votes more than his opponent according to unofficial tallies from the State Board of Elections.

“It’s hard to earn the trust of marginalized Asian working people who feel unsafe and insecure. Still, for the first time in Flushing history, we achieved this by winning an election centered around worker rights for home care attendants,” Kim said via Twitter following the results. “We won at a time when Asians feel most vulnerable by talking about the ongoing racial and gender violence against Asian immigrant women. From evictions to stolen wages, we centered everything around their pains and voters responded.”

Kim became the first Korean-American elected to the state legislature in 2012, filling the seat vacated by future Congresswoman Grace Meng, which he has held for the past 10 years. During his tenure in office, he has consistently stood up to corporate interests, leading the charge against the development of Amazon’s HQ2, he has been outspoken against Gov. Cuomo’s failure to react in the face of the COVID-19 nursing home deaths, and has continued to be an advocate for small business, elderly residents, and immigrants living in the district.

“In my 22 years in Flushing politics, I have never seen as much shady real-estate money poured into an election as I did this time around,” Kim said. “For weeks, I have encountered endless negative attacks trying shamelessly to distract, lie, and erase the work my office has done and will continue to do for our seniors and immigrant workers. To those dark money groups – I want to say thank you. You have affirmed my belief that I am taking on the right people, the people who exploit the fears of others to enrich themselves.”

Unlike past elections—including the 2020 primaries where Kim won against Democratic candidate Steven Lee by a nearly 40 percent margin—the 2022 primary election was a tight race right up to the end.

Chiu, founder of the New York City Asian American Democratic Club, previously ran against Assemblywoman Nily Rozic in the 2020 primary election. After being contested over the validity of his ballot signatures at an in-person hearing with the Board of Elections, Chiu’s candidacy was withdrawn from the race, handing the Democratic party line to the incumbent.

This year, however, Chiu took no quarter, giving Kim a run for his money in a nail-biter at the polls.

Kim, having just barely won the Democratic ticket, still has more campaigning to do before the general elections in November, when he will face off against GOP candidate Sharon Liao to keep his seat in Albany.

Jastremski: An Off-Broadway Flop

Dan on July 6, 2022

Durant & Irving’s Nets

Three years ago, the Brooklyn Nets did the unthinkable.

They landed Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving and beat out the New York Knicks and the rest of the NBA in the process.

The minute the Durant/Irving partnership found its way to Brooklyn, the mandate was pretty simple.

Championship or bust.

Three years later, it’s a whole lot of bust for the Brooklyn Nets.

Last week, the Woj bomb dropped right before free agency. Kevin Durant wants out of Brooklyn and vocalized his desire for a trade.

The Nets all-in approach bombed in a rather epic fashion and they shouldn’t have regrets when it comes to taking the swing on both Durant and Irving.

It’s easy to second guess now, but every team in the NBA outside of Golden State at the time would have signed on the dotted line for the two superstars.

The Nets may have won out on Durant and Irving, but they also became the center of drama and dysfunction throughout the NBA.

The last three years have been a rollercoaster.

Where to begin.

There was all sorts of Kyrie Irving drama. Does he want to play basketball? Will he get the vaccine?

Kyrie dazzled at times on the court, but also missed a whole of time in the process.

The Nets were in the middle of James Harden drama. Last year they gave up a whole lot of assets to bring in the guard, a year later he quit on the team and had to be traded for Ben Simmons.

The same Ben Simmons that still has yet to play a game for the Brooklyn Nets.

Durant’s play on the court cannot be questioned. When he was on the floor suiting up for Brooklyn, he shined.

However, he failed to deliver in taking the franchise back to the promised land.

Injuries, dysfunction or not, it is comical that the Nets couldn’t find a way to an NBA Finals yet alone a Conference Finals with this collection of talent.

Kevin Durant left the Golden State Warriors with two Finals MVP trophies, but with a challenge in front of him.

Could Durant go and lead his own team to a title? Not a ready-made 73 win Golden State Warriors team.

Durant was unable to do so and decided after three years, enough is enough.

Kevin Durant got to pick his head coach. the players and got the chance to sit out a full season.

It wasn’t good enough for him.

Durant’s legacy as an all-time great player is established. There’s no knocking what he has brought to the floor for over fifteen years in the league.

However, when it comes to his tenure in Brooklyn, it’s a whole lot of unfulfilled promises.

Durant is under contract for the next 4 years, I’m not rushing a trade by any means if I’m the Brooklyn Nets.

The Nets must do right by the organization, not the demands of a disgruntled superstar.

The future is very uncertain in Brooklyn, but the pairing of Durant and Irving will go down as one of the all time great NY flops.

Imagine two all time great actors taking their talents off Broadway, expecting a Tony and failing to come close to winning a Tony after calling every single shot.

I don’t know when DiCaprio and Jonah Hill are taking a play to Brooklyn, but I hope it has better success than the basketball version that we witnessed over the last three years…

You can listen to my podcast New York, New York every Monday, Wednesday & Friday on The Ringer Podcast Network on Spotify/Apple Podcasts. You can watch me nightly on Geico Sportsnight following Mets postgame on SNY.

Drunk driver hits grandma, 8-year-old girl

Dan on July 6, 2022

A 52-year-old driver faces charges after causing multiple collisions along 31st Avenue in Flushing, striking multiple vehicles and two pedestrians—an 8-year-old girl and her grandmother—before attempting to flee the scene.

According to police, the incident occurred on June 28, at the intersection of 68th Street and 31st Avenue, where they observed the defendant, Alexandra Lopez of Sunnyside, sitting in the driver’s seat of a 2020 Toyota RAV 4 with the engine running.

Responding officers also identified a young girl who was crying and screaming underneath the front of a parked van nearby with blood on her face, head, and clothing. She also had scratches on her feet.

Her grandmother, Maria Polazzo, 74, was observed limping and had similar scratches on her feet. She informed the police that they were crossing the street when a red vehicle hit them, causing the young girl to fall under the van.

Both victims were immediately transported to a local Queens hospital where the young girl continues to be treated for a broken nose, head trauma, and liver damage. Her grandmother is being treated for swelling to her legs.

According to another eyewitness, Myosha Watson, after Lopez allegedly struck the two victims, she continued driving. Watson claims the defendant crossed the double yellow line twice and struck two additional vehicles, including her own 2018 Honda. According to the court documents, Lopez at no time attempted to stop until she crashed into a 2020 Hyundai.

Lopez was subsequently arrested and transported to the 112th precinct, where police administered a breathalyzer exam after they observed an odor of alcohol on her breath, bloodshot watery eyes, and swaying on her feet.

Based on the results, she had a blood alcohol content of .196, more than double the legal limit of .08.

“As alleged, the defendant drove drunk and, in doing so, endangered the lives of two pedestrians and other motorists on the road,” Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz said in a statement. “Few choices are more selfish than taking the wheel while under the influence of alcohol or drugs. A young girl is now seriously injured, and her grandmother is recovering from trauma sustained from the car crash. The defendant will face justice in our courts for her callous actions.”

Lopez was arraigned on June 30 before Queens Criminal Court Judge Marty J. Lentz, on a 13-count complaint charging her with vehicular assault in the first and second degree, two counts of second-degree assault, three counts of leaving the scene of an incident without reporting, four counts of operating a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol or drugs, and reckless driving.

She has been ordered to return to court on Aug. 18, 2022. If convicted Lopez faces up to 11 years in prison.

Pol Position: Conceal Carry Explained

Dan on July 6, 2022

Governor Hochul signed legislation on Friday, attempting to carve out restrictions on the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision to overturn New York State’s conceal carry laws.

“A week ago, the Supreme Court issued a reckless decision removing century-old limitations on who is allowed to carry concealed weapons in our state—senselessly sending us backward and putting the safety of our residents in jeopardy,” Governor Hochul said in a statement. “Today, we are taking swift and bold action to protect New Yorkers. After a close review of the NYSRPA vs. Bruen decision and extensive discussions with constitutional and policy experts, advocates, and legislative partners, I am proud to sign this landmark legislative package that will strengthen our gun laws and bolster restrictions on concealed carry weapons.”

On June 23, the Supreme Court reversed New York’s over century-old legislation that required Empire State residents to demonstrate a special need–such as past death threats–to defend themselves. Justice Clarence Thomas’ majority opinion argued that the legislature may have some leeway to ban guns in “sensitive areas” but defining entires cities, or Manhattan writ-large, is unconstitutional.

“Put simply, there is no historical basis for New York to effectively declare the island of Manhattan a ‘sensitive place’ simply because it is crowded and protected generally by the New York City Police Department,” Justice Thomas wrote in the court’s majority opinion.

New York’s new legislation attempts to establish a list of sensitive places, within the judicial leeway provided by Thomas–but only time will tell whether it stands. The concealed carry law improvement act would ban concealed carry across many different areas: public transport, parks, preschools, houses of worship, protests, Times Square, and more.

The legislation also makes “no-carry” the default in private businesses, meaning that it is illegal to conceal carry a weapon in a private business unless they have signage directly notifying patrons that firearms are allowed.

Beyond the obvious runaround of the Supreme Court ruling, the legislation would set storage requirements, social media reviews to determine whether someone is of “good moral character,” and mandating training.

Other disqualifying criteria include misdemeanor convictions for weapons possession and menacing, recent treatment for drug-related reasons, and for alcohol-related misdemeanor convictions.

Another section of the bill expands upon bullet-resistant armor bans, by now being able to ban the equipment used by the racist gunman who unloaded on a Buffalo grocery store, that the legislation failed to adequately address the first time around.

Gun rights groups are almost certainly going to oppose the legislation based on specific rules or the entirety of the legislation.

The law will take effect on September 1, 2022. In addition, an appeals board will be created for those applicants whose license or renewal is denied or revoked, which will take effect on April 1, 2023.

DOMINIC RUSSO

Dan on July 5, 2022

Dominic Russo passed away on Sunday, June 26, 2022 at the age of 71. Cherished son of the late Dominic and Jennie. Dear Brother of Salvatore and Uncle of Jennifer and Christopher. Also survived by numerous loving cousins. Mass of Christian Burial was offered at Sacred Heart Church on Wednesday, June 29, 2022. Interment followed at St. John Cemetery, Middle Village, NY under the direction of Papavero Funeral Home, 72-27 Grand Avenue, Maspeth NY 11378.

PEGGY LOIACONO

Dan on July 5, 2022

Peggy Loiacono passed away on Friday, June 24, 2022 at the age of 84. Beloved Wife of the lateFrank Loiacono. Loving Mother of Lisa Kenny, Cheryl Loiacono and Michael Loiacono. Cherished Grandmother of Gary, Christina and Dakota and Great Grandmother of Jax, Rilo, Rae Lianna, Logan, Axel, Colt and Hawkins. Mass of Christian Burial was offered at St. Adalbert’s Church on Friday, July 1 2022 at 11 AM. Entombment followed at St.John Cemetery Resurrection Mausoleum, Middle Village,NY under the direction of Papavero Funeral Home, 72-27 Grand Avenue, Maspeth NY 11378.

MARIA GAUDIO

Dan on July 5, 2022

Maria Gaudio passed away on Tuesday, June 28, 2022 at the age of 84.  Beloved Wife of Nino Gaudio. Loving Mother of Vincent (Rosina) Gaudio and Maddie (Guy) Cerrito.  Cherished Grandmother of Vincent, Nicole, Guy and Michael. Dear Sister of Nina Amendola, Evira Brusco, Frank Gaudio, Mario Gaudio and the late Luigi Gaudio and Arturo Gaudio. Mass of Christian Burial was offered at Our Lady of Hope Churchon Friday, July 1, 2022 at 9:45 AM. Entombment followed at St. John Cemetery Resurrection Mausoleum, Middle Village, NY under the direction of Papavero Funeral Home, 72-27 Grand Avenue, Maspeth NY 11378.

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