Hempstead crossing guard dances the kids across the street

Until Everyone Comes Home: Superstorm Sandy Documentary

Newsday followed six families from the days right after Superstorm Sandy through the one-year anniversary. Newsday Staff (Oct. 29, 2013)

Sweet Caroline

Soon after she was born, Caroline Serva suffered a condition that required long-term pediatric nursing care. At the age of 3 months, the Sound Beach girl, one of a set of triplets, was moved to a Westchester County medical facility two hours away from her family. For two years, the family, including her three young siblings, traveled regularly to see her. In September, Caroline’s family celebrated her move to Angela’s House, a Stony Brook facility much closer to home.

 

Sledding in Bellmore

Children enjoy a day of sledding at Newbridge Road Park, where the summit is close to two stories high and the ride to flat ground is about 50 feet long.

Long Island aglow with holiday lights

Long Islanders show off their holiday spirit by illuminating and decorating their houses and yards during the holidays.

Flying with Team Oracle

Team Oracle aerobatic pilot Sean Tucker takes Newsday’s Meghan Glynn under his wing as she learns about loops, rolls and other stunts that spectators will see at the Bethpage Air Show at Jones Beach.

I got a chance to fly in a chaser to plane to capture stills and video. It was an amazing day and hope to go up again soon. I was suppose to have gone with the National Guard too but the weather never cooperated. I guess there is always next year’s Bethpage Air Show!

Yankees salute Army

The Yankees went up the Hudson River to West Point and played the Black Knights, who were as humbled as Bombers, being in each others presence. After a tour of the campus, the Yankees won the exhibition, 10-5. Videojournalist: Jessica Rotkiewicz (March 30, 2013)

Prepping on Long Island

Long Islanders and a participant in National Geographic Channel’s ‘Doomsday Preppers’ share their concerns about being ready for multiple kinds of emergencies. Some footage was courtesy the National Geographic Channel show, which airs at 9 p.m. ET/PT on Tuesdays. Videojournalist: Jessica Rotkiewicz (Dec. 14, 2012)

Surviving Sandy

After the devastation of superstorm Sandy, we look back as Long Islanders reclaimed their lives. Newsday Staff (Nov. 10. 2012)

This was a compilation piece from several of us at Newsday. My footage is of people talking about the storm before it hit, as it was hitting and then afterwards in Babylon Village. It was one storm we will never forget.

Crisis Response International volunteers focus efforts on Lindenhurst

Ask anyone in Lindenhurst and their number one complaints are where is FEMA, insurance companies and the help. The people of this community need help and no one is out and about to answer questions besides one volunteer group, called, Crisis Response International (CRI). Sean Malone, Crisis Response International Director, is a native Long Islander, originally of West Islip, who started this response team right after 9/11. They go to major disasters all of the world and now have come back to his home Long Island to help. Volunteers (from across the US) are trained for 3 weeks or so and come here on their own money and time to help people in crisis. After speaking to him today he will not leave the community of Lindenhurst for a good month or two. Here’s their website for more information about the group: http://criout.com/

I found this group on my day off and knew instantly a story needed to be done.