Rebecca Anderson

Yesenia Rodriguez talks inspiration while making pumpkin spice tres leches

To mark National Hispanic Heritage Month, "GMA" is spotlighting a vibrant community of Latina entrepreneurs and foodies.

Meet 4 entrepreneurs making their mark during Women's History Month and beyond

Women's History Month focuses on lifting up the voices and experiences of women everywhere. And these four entrepreneurs and small business owners are no exception, leading the way in their respective fields, encouraging other women to advocate for themselves and, in some cases, helping the environment and breaking barriers in the process.

GMA - Good Morning America

Dermot Kennedy just released his new single, "Kiss Me," from his upcoming second studio album, "Sonder." The new track from the best-selling Irish singer-songwriter, who has nearly 4 billion streams across multiple platforms, follows his signature style of embracing emotion and vulnerability. The song's lyrics center on the timelessness of a deep connection.

Woman goes viral for proudly showing off tattoos in company headshot

Over the last few decades, it has been considered taboo to reveal tattoos or piercings in a professional work setting, but one woman is challenging that idea.

Paralyzed man uses exoskeleton suit to get down on knee to propose to girlfriend

Josh Smith's move surprised his future wife, family and friends.

Want to pretend to live on Mars? This may be the mission for you

NASA is on the search for four people to live in a 1,700-square-foot habitat for a simulated Mars mission.

Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck are engaged

Jennifer Lopez announced her engagement to Ben Affleck to fans Friday evening in her On the JLo newsletter.

How Chelsea Clinton is advocating for others to protect their mental health

Activists, advocates and celebrities across the globe are recognizing the importance of mental health awareness on Mental Health Action Day.

92-year-old Navy vet and Disney cast member honored for Armed Forces Appreciation Day

In honor of Armed Forces Appreciation Day, The Walt Disney Company is shining a light on Alex Stromski, who served in the Navy during a pivotal time in U.S. history.

NASA and National Geographic partner for new Mars augmented reality experience

Humans could make it to Mars one day, but Perseverance, NASA's newest rover, is getting a head start until then.

Ballerina's reaction to pointe shoes matching her skin tone goes viral

A ballerina's reaction to her pointe shoes matching her skin tone has goes viral.

Neighbors all wear wedding dresses while quarantining

Five neighbors celebrated "wedding dress Wednesday" by wearing their wedding dresses while in quarantine.

Family does early father-daughter wedding dance after dad's terminal cancer diagnosis

Ashlee and Kaylee danced with their father at a wedding ceremony -- or at least close to how they imagined it.

Why these cops are cruising around in an ice cream truck this summer

The Toledo community was in for a mouth-watering treat earlier this month when the Ohio police department purchased an ice cream truck as part of a local project.

These crazy cakes are everything you've ever dreamed a dessert should be

These sweet concoctions from the creators of the How To Cake It Instagram account definitely take the cake!

Bride who loves chicken nuggets surprised with nugget bouquet at her wedding

The bride has loved Tyson chicken nuggets since she was a kid.

Teacher carries student with spina bifida during outdoor field trip

Teacher Jim Freeman didn't want the fourth-grader to feel left out.

The Kings of Warped Tour

Self-made rock band We the Kings will be performing at Vans Warped Tour on Saturday, July 9, for the sixth time since 2008. The band will be playing songs from their new album "So Far," just released on June 17, and other previous hits, on the main stage at Nikon at Jones Beach Theater in Wantagh.

Speakeasy: A nod to Long Beach's past

Four years ago, Speakeasy owners Jake Marlin, Shane Herbert and Jamie Dowling waded through four feet of water in their small West End bar and restaurant after Hurricane Sandy hit. Debris was floating around the bar and the smell of rotten seaweed and mold lingered.

5 Books to Read If You Have the Traveling Bug | Bookstr

I get it. You're a driven and energetic twenty-something and all you want to do is see the world. Whether it's dreams of venturing to tiny towns along the Adriatic Sea or tasting fresh fish on the outskirts of Japan, we can't help but crave new and different experiences.

Long Beach Style & Fashion

And the beat goes on

An ensemble of 55 musicians performed Broadway tunes and orchestra pieces at the Seaford Community Band and Jazz Band spring concert at the high school on May 13 in honor of Joseph Manso - the former chairman of the high school's music program and band director who helped create the jazz group, which celebrates its 30th anniversary this year.

LI goes to the prom 2019: The last dance

Long Island goes to the prom 2019 photos

Harvard-bound LIer rings in 18th birthday at prom

It only makes sense that Abigail Romero's extra-special year would include what amounted to a Sweet 18 party. And that's exactly what the Harvard-bound teen got on May 23, as the Walter G. O'Connell Copiague High School prom at the Crest Hollow Country Club in Woodbury fell on her 18th birthday.

Lacrosse team to sick child: 'No One Fights Alone'

It was a sea of green last Friday afternoon as students, faculty and community members packed the gymnasium at Farmingdale High School for the homecoming pep rally. But one special person in attendance had everyone in the crowd cheering when she came to center court.

2Pac poem inspires LIer to help girls for prom

With the annual Uniondale High School prom just around the corner, alumnus Tiye Bradley knew she wanted to give back to her community by helping seniors enjoy the night stress-free. Initially, she wasn't sure how. But as it turned out, all the inspiration she needed was a 2Pac poem.

LI salutatorian an 'inspiration' to peers

Praise Akintola celebrated along with his Wyandanch Memorial High School classmates during their senior prom on May 17. The student body took photos at Wyandanch Plaza before boarding the Hornblower Hybrid, which set sail from Pier 40 at Hudson River Park in Manhattan.

Photos: Long Island polar bear plunges

The 15th annual North Hempstead Polar Plunge was held at North Hempstead Beach Park in Port Washington on March 2, 2019, benefiting Special Olympics New York. The 15th annual North Hempstead Polar Plunge was held at North Hempstead Beach Park in Port Washington on March 2, 2019, benefiting Special Olympics New York.

Lynbrook pre-prom parade, post-prom pool party

Lynbrook High School's annual pre-prom parade in the village's downtown took place on Thursday, June 21, 2018. At 3 a.m., a post-prom event was held at the Lynbrook Village Pool. Send your prom photos to josh.stewart@newsday.com or rachel.weiss@newsday.com.

LI teen's plan: Design houses, sneakers, etc.

For Lynbrook High School's Aidan Dillon, sketching and design has been a part of his life ever since he was a child. "If I had a toy and I didn't like it, I would just draw up an entire new one," he said with a laugh.

The annual Bethpage St. Patrick's Day parade

A young spectator shows his love of the Irish at the Bethpage St. Patrick's Day Parade on Sunday, March 4, 2018. Humans weren't the only participants at the Bethpage St. Patrick's Day Parade on Sunday, March 4, 2018. The Nassau County Firefighters Pipe and Drums Band performed at the Bethpage St.

Valley Stream Central High School prom 2018

Valley Stream Central High School held its prom at the Bridgeview Yacht Club in Island Park on Thursday, June 7, 2018. Valley Stream Central High School held its prom at the Bridgeview Yacht Club in Island Park on Thursday, June 7, 2018.

Mom-daughter plunge tradition forming on LI

Below-freezing temperatures didn't stop East Hampton residents from taking a quick and frigid dip into the waves at Main Beach for the 17th annual Polar Bear Plunge on New Year's Day. More than 200 people ventured to the sand dunes for the event and helped raise money for the East Hampton Food Pantry.

At prom, dancing shoes before combat boots

Valley Stream Central seniors Daniel Toy and Lucas Camacho have spent the past year helping honor veterans who walked the same high school halls. Now, the duo are following in their footsteps. After graduating from Valley Stream Central, Toy and Camacho will share a unique journey - becoming United States Marines.

LI athlete enjoys prom before run to Ivy League

Ellen Byrnes has been running since the age of 4. Now, more than a decade later and after countless races, the Sacred Heart Academy senior will be sprinting in a new direction. Byrnes, 18, of Port Washington, has committed to competing on the track and field team at the University of Pennsylvania this fall and will be majoring in finance at the Wharton School of Business.

Comsewogue High School prom 2018

Marieah Moralez gets ready for the Comsewogue High School prom on Tuesday. Marieah Moralez gets ready for the Comsewogue High School prom on Tuesday. Comsewogue High School held its prom at Watermill Caterers in Smithtown on Tuesday, June 19, 2018. Comsewogue High School held its prom at Watermill Caterers in Smithtown on Tuesday, June 19, 2018.

LI high school hoops starter wins homecoming king

Corey Jones, a senior at Sanford H. Calhoun High School in Merrick, said he was surprised to be nominated as this year's homecoming king. But what surprised him even more was that he took home the crown during the school's annual pep rally and Colt Fest.

Roundup: Meet: LI St. Patrick's parade superfan

Saturday, March 10, 2018 - Bob Hanley may be from Sound Beach, but just about any St. Patrick's Day parade is fair game for this holiday superfan who's been a regular parade attendee for more than 20 years.

Her Irish cooking serves 'big Bethpage family'

"Chef Amy, how is that food coming along?" asks a volunteer cook. A bubbly-demeanored woman emerges from behind an oven with an apron and her hair tied back in a ponytail. She carries a large tray of steaming corned beef and sets it on the kitchen table at St.

Sweet and Spicy: Little Bird flies high in Plainview

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Sweet and Spicy: Little Bird flies high in Plainview

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Sweet and Spicy: Little Bird flies high in Plainview

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A mission to help single mothers

"You see, growing up in a West Indian household, they taught me everything but to be independent," 23-year-old Sarahlee Rolle said. "I didn't know who I was or what I really wanted out of life. I was told who I was supposed to be."

Baldwin coffee shop beats the blight on Grand Avenue

Amid the "for rent signs" and boarded up shop windows that line Grand Avenue in Baldwin, the Sweet and Savory Café sticks out. The quaint coffee shop, nestled between a pub and an abandoned store, is draped in light blue and cream curtains and table cloths, welcoming coffee-lovers from all over Long Island.

Getting the power back on in Puerto Rico

Timothy Harris waded through mounds of dirt and debris in a small village near San Juan, Puerto Rico, one day in mid-November. The former Seaford resident was deployed to the island as part of a four-man crew from PSEG to evaluate electrical damage from Hurricane Maria, which leveled the island last September.

Wantagh Library welcomes feathered friends

It was an exciting two days at the Wantagh Public Library, as ten chicks slowly broke free from their eggs on April 17 and 18. The feathered friends arrived just in time for spring. For the first time ever, the Wantagh Library hosted a dozen eggs, and after 21 days of incubation, the chicks slowly emerged from their shells and have been chirping ever since.

'A place you can rely on'

For as long as Peter Ruffner, 62, can remember, the Seaford Public Library has always been a place he could rely on. When Ruffner was 9 years old, his father took him to the building on Jackson Avenue. They both registered for library cards and sifted through dozens of books in the sports section.

Guarding a border far from home

William Hoehn was relaxing in his small Seaford home when he received his draft letter. "We want you!" was stamped in big letters across the envelope. It was 1966 - the height of the Vietnam War. Although the 19-year-old was prepared for the notice's arrival, he recalled recently, he wasn't prepared for what he would face when he went off to war.

Erin King Sweeney: politician, mother and more

At 4:45 a.m., she makes a Cuban double espresso and heads to the gym for a cardio session. When she returns to her Wantagh home, she fixes breakfast for her two children and dresses for work. Most days, she selects a pantsuit and heels; but sometimes, she breaks out riding breeches and boots.

"Big Hy," the modern day Robin Hood - Seaford - LIHerald.com - Nassau County's source for local...

The 5-foot-5 elderly veteran slowly strides across his Massapequa apartment to a cluttered desk with the help of his walker. The two-bedroom space in the senior housing complex is draped in American flags, National awards and certificates of honor. He sits down and pulls out just one of the many four-inch binders from under his desk.

A survivor creates a legacy - LIHerald.com

"I wore a bandana on my bald head and a compression sleeve on my involved arm," Marcia Partridge said when describing her return to her jazzercise classes. "The music, dance and overall exercise made me forget that I had breast cancer."

Coming out

Although the Seaford native said he knew he was gay long before he told his family, he decided to stay closeted, terrified that he wouldn't fit in with his high school friends. "I knew that I was gay since the seventh grade," he said.

Making a 'SPLASH' against trash

It was a cloudy day on June 27. At Wantagh State Park, the high tide and rough waves made it hard for smaller vessels to make it out into the Western Bays. Port Captain Gary Smith and six of his crew members, sporting rubber boots and cut-off shorts, worked hard to get their skiff away from the dock and into the bay off the Bellmore coastline.

Race for 2nd C.D. seat heats up

Three Democratic candidates running to unseat Peter King in New York's 2nd Congressional District took part in a debate on Jan. 25. DuWayne Gregory, Mike Sax and Liuba Grechen Shirley explained their stances on hot-button issues for a crowd of 60 people at the Merrick Golf Course clubhouse.

Audit under way

After receiving claims of neglect, Nassau County Comptroller George Maragos said he is auditing the Hempstead Town Animal Shelter in Wantagh. Maragos, who is running for county executive, opened the audit on Jan. 31. He announced the investigation of the shelter's finances and operations alongside animal rights activists, who have also filed lawsuits against the town.

Gregory to challenge King for 2nd C.D. seat

Democrat DuWayne Gregory, the Suffolk County Legislature's presiding officer, announced last week that he planned to run for Congress in November - for the seat held by Rep. Peter King, a Republican of Seaford, since 1993. The two last met in the 2016 race. King won with 62 percent of the vote.

Congregation Beth Tikvah welcomes new rabbi

In Hebrew, "bashert" means "fated to happen." After two years of searching for a new rabbi, members of Congregation Beth Tikvah said that they could finally shout "bashert" with revelation and joy. Congregants of the conservative synagogue, nestled on Woodbine Avenue in Wantagh, near the Seaford-Oyster Bay Expressway, are now welcoming Rabbi Moshe Weisblum to the community.

A week of Catholic pride

Educators, parents and students at two local parochial schools are ready to open their doors and show visitors what makes their communities special during Catholic Schools Week. The annual celebration of Catholic education in the United States - will be celebrated from Jan. 29 and Feb. 4.

Re-evaluating religion

"People aren't looking any less for comfort and religious experiences," said Rabbi Daniel Bar-Nahum, of Temple Emanu-El of East Meadow. "But the way they approach it is different than it was two or three generations ago."

Wantagh cheers to the top

When members of the Wantagh High School varsity cheerleading team, decked in their signature black and gold uniforms, took the stage at the National High School Cheerleading Championship at the Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando, Fla., last month, they didn't suspect they would make history.

MacArthur tennis takes it to the top

Bus rides, away games and the camaraderie are just a few aspects that the girls on the MacArthur varsity tennis team said they enjoyed the most about their season. With an overall 13-1 record in Conference III-B, the team of 20 definitely made its mark, sharing a title with New Hyde Park.

A win-win for Fehrenbach

For as long as he can remember, Bobby Fehrenbach says, he has loved sports. The Wantagh native was a three-season athlete at MacArthur High School in Levittown. After graduating in 1984, he went on to play football at Pace University. For many, a sports career would end there, but for Fehrenbach it was just the beginning.

Always running

Kelly Perno-Grosser, a 36-year-old Seaford resident, does a lot of running around: taking her two daughters - Bridget, 7, and Charlotte, 4 - to and from school, going to work and shopping. But in her precious free time, she said she actually runs - just for herself.

MacArthur lights it up blue for Autism Awareness Month

During April, the hallways of MacArthur High School are adorned with light blue lanterns dangling from the ceiling, banners with words of encouragement and puzzle piece-shaped cutouts. Although the art projects are striking, social studies teacher Vincent Causeman said, it's the message behind them that matters most.

Fresh start

With a new superintendent at the helm, Seaford School District administrators and Board of Education trustees said that they are looking forward to rolling out new academic programs and fostering pride in the community. The district, which takes in students from Seaford and part of south Wantagh, has a new leader: Dr. Adele Pecora.

Meet MacArthur's top two

When MacArthur High School seniors Casey Butcher and James May were called to Principal Joseph Sheehan's office in February, they had no idea why. They recalled waiting for Sheehan, slightly nervous and wondering what they might have done wrong. But Sheehan gave them good news: Butcher and May were the valedictorian and salutatorian, respectively, of MacArthur's class of 2017.

Seaford mourns a music legend

As a father, teacher, musician, conductor and carpenter, it's clear that Joseph Manso was an inspiration to all. Seaford is mourning Manso after he died of cancer at his Massapequa home on Jan. 5. He was 85.

This isn't a diatribe about guns

Dec. 14, 2013. It was nail-biting cold. The sort of cold that foreshadowed snowflakes in the coming days but still coddled them in gray-blanketed skies. Baltimore always made me feel that way: on edge, like the world was on the brink of burning up but then changed its mind last minute.

My holiday spirit? It's complicated.

There's always that pivotal moment when it's clear that the holidays have arrived. Sure, the endless toy commercials and fast-paced Christmas shoppers are a pretty good indicator, but for me, the start of holiday madness comes when a Michael Buble song or some other festive tune sneaks onto the radio.

We still have a lot to learn from our grandmothers

The old saying, "The apple never falls far from the tree," is accurate in my case. To know anything about me, you have to get to know a little bit about the women who came before me. You need to know their stories.