OnSI Podcast

OnSI Podcast

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OnSI Podcast episodes

  • Celebrating the Borough’s Italian Culture and More Stories On Staten Island
    October is Italian-American Heritage and Culture Month and few places in America are home to as many descendants from Italy as Staten Island. How the borough came together to celebrate again, after a tough stretch apart. Also, the annual Making Strides Against Breast Cancer walk returned this month to raise much needed funds for cancer research and services, a reminder that ongoing medical needs still exist in the shadow of the COVID-19 pandemic. Plus, this episode’s local hero of the month is role model who has dedicated his life to bringing justice to crime victims across New York City, while still finding the time to foster high school athletes.
    25 min
  • A Somber Remembrance at Postcards and More Stories On Staten Island
    A somber remembrance at the Postcards memorial in St. George as Staten Island honors the people who lost their lives from the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, when hijackers used passenger jets to destroy the World Trade Center and attack the Pentagon. Also this month, since 9/11, a number of Island-based organizations have turned the tragedy of that day into a force for good. How one of them has kept the memory of their loved one alive by giving back to the community. Plus, this episode’s local hero of the month is a dentist from the North Shore, who in the immediate aftermath of 9/11, served the City and his profession by volunteering for the forensic dental effort at the Medical Examiner’s Office to help bring closure to grieving families. An act of kindness that still means so much to so many.
    27 min
  • Local Heroes Receive Well-Deserved Accolades and More Stories On Staten Island
    Seven Staten Islanders have been honored this year as "Local Heroes of the Month" in a recurring series that offers a special look at how our neighbors are making a difference in the borough every single day. Also this month, we say it all the time, Staten Island truly has a small town feel despite its ever-growing population, how the borough manages to pull it off and remain a hometown so many people give back to in so many diverse ways. Plus, this episode we continue to celebrate community voices who personify what it means to be altruistic.
    17 min
  • Summer Brings Long-Awaited Signs of Normalcy and More Stories On Staten Island
    Since the start of summer, Staten Islanders have been enjoying long-awaited signs of normalcy returning to local neighborhoods as COVID-19 restrictions are eased. This month, a highlight was the 111th annual Travis Fourth of July Parade stepping off on Victory Boulevard in a sea of red, white and blue. Also this month, the Gerard Carter Center in Stapleton is thriving once again as it offers in-person recreational and educational programs that were sorely missed during the pandemic. Plus, this episode’s "Local Hero of the Month" is a lifelong resident of Rosebank who’s making a difference by promoting and supporting youth volunteerism for more than three decades.
    20 min
  • Pride Center Has Big Plans for Its New Community Center and More Stories On Staten Island
    The Pride Center of Staten Island is making itself at home inside its newly opened facility in Clifton. How the community center plans to utilize its larger headquarters on Willow Avenue. Also this month, an organic farm is now in operation on the Island’s West Shore, wondering where it is? A hint: you need to take an elevator to get there. Plus, this episode’s "Local Hero of the Month" is a South Shore resident who’s giving back to families who have tragically lost loved ones in the line of duty.
    21 min
  • Mom-and-Pop Stores Prove Once Again Why They are Essential to Neighborhoods and More Stories On Staten Island
    Mom-and-pop stores are oftentimes the lifeblood of neighborhoods, and during the pandemic many have proven just how essential they are. How one local market on the North Shore continues to serve its customers as it closes in on its fourth decade in business. Also this month, Staten Island is home to cultural treasures, fine restaurants, natural wonders and unique shopping districts, but at times it gets a bad rap from people who may have never even set foot on the borough. Why one Island-based initiative looks to change perceptions of the community by rebranding it from forgotten to unexpected. Plus, this episode’s "Local Hero of the Month" is a Staten Islander who’s goal is to lead a community-wide effort to support young athletes with developmental disabilities.
    21 min
  • Exploring New York City’s Largest Remaining Forest and More Stories On Staten Island
    The pandemic has many rethinking travel plans this summer. But, staycationing, doesn’t mean you have to scratch natural wonders off your seasonal to-do list. Why many Islanders have their sights set on exploring New York City’s largest remaining forestland. Also this month, a year ago, Staten Islanders were just coming to grips with the effects of COVID-19 on daily life. As we all grappled with the aftermath of this new virus, local business owners were some of the first to feel its impact and offer assistance where they could. A progress report from one borough favorite who is weathering the ongoing storm. Plus, this episode’s "Local Hero of the Month" is a uniformed leader who goes above and beyond the call of duty to better serve the Staten Island community he and his family call home.
    22 min
  • Reimagining the Borough’s Traditional Saint Patrick’s Day Celebration and More Stories On Staten Island
    Staten Island’s Saint Patrick’s Day Parade was one of the last major events to be held in the City in 2020, stepping-off just a few short weeks before strict COVID-19 stay-at-home orders went into effect; why West Brighton locals say there was still a reason to celebrate in 2021, even as this year’s event was forced to be reimagined. Also this month, as vaccination programs continue to reach more people, there are many Island organizations who are stepping up to help; how the Jewish Community Center is making a difference during the pandemic. Plus, this episode’s "Local Hero of the Month" is Laura Mooney, a Staten Islander who, despite adversity, is offering a much-needed support system to those with a rare form of cancer.
    18 min
  • Special Needs Community Perseveres During the Pandemic and More Stories On Staten Island

    (STATEN ISLAND, NY) On this edition of OnSI… The special needs community is doing its best to persevere during an ongoing public health crisis that has presented many roadblocks for these families and the nonprofit programs they often rely on.

    “One of the things about people with autism is that they like routines,” explained Joanne Gerenser, Ph.D., the Executive Director of Eden II, a North Shore organization that offers programs for children and adults on the autism spectrum. “Having their routines completely disrupted; no school, no school buses, no teachers… and then trying to figure out for many of them, how to get them engaged with these tablets, it was a challenge we had to overcome.”

    Also this month, a long-standing borough business built on the closeness of its team dynamic, has bent over backwards to adhere to COVID-19 social distancing restrictions, all while keeping spirits high.

    “We’re just giving our athletes, girls and boys, the opportunity to have some normalcy, to get them out of the house, be active, and do what they love,” said Liz Bellini, the Owner of Staten Island Elite Cheerleaders on Victory Boulevard. “We are definitely doing things differently now than we’ve ever done before.”

    Plus, this episode’s “Local Hero of the Month” is Denise Lipari, a local independent pharmacist based in Travis, who knows how important the pharmacist’s role, of supporting the health and wellness of the community, is during times of crisis.

    OnSI is made possible with funding from Tom and Suzanne Crimmins, Owners of Tom Crimmins Realty, the Staten Island-based real estate firm that has made a name for itself for more than a decade as a local, independent, family-run business that knows the neighborhoods it serves.

    19 min
  • Hard-Hit Restaurants Continue to Fight for their Survival and More Stories On Staten Island

    (STATEN ISLAND, NY) On this edition of OnSI… Local restaurants continue to struggle as COVID-19 restrictions remain in place. How the winter months present new challenges to overcome.

    “You know, it seems like as soon as we were done summerizing, the winter came. And then we had to do a 180 and figure out on how to winterize, and that required another 200 amps of electric service added, and a lot more costs. Nothing you really anticipate when you operate 100-percent indoors,” said Mike Regan, the Owner of O’Neill’s Irish Pub in Port Richmond.

    Also this month, Staten Island’s religious community is doing its best to stay connected to the faithful during the pandemic. After months of being forced to stay apart, why even the most traditional spiritual leaders are warming up to and leaning heavily on technology. 

    “In the end, the only open door was the virtual one,” said Father Jack Soler, Pastor of St. Clement and St. Michael in Mariners Harbor.

    Plus, a tree grows on Staten Island—finding and sharing beauty in every corner of the borough.

    “There is no other place like Staten Island,” said Director of Conference House Park John Kilcullen, who is using Instagram to feature then and now photographs that spotlight older homes and trees.

    Finally, we are proud to introduce our new recurring series, “Local Hero of the Month,” a special look at our neighbors who are making a difference in the borough we all love.

    “What I want listeners to understand is: Staten Island is a wonderful place, it’s a beautiful place. There’s a lot of nice things that go on. The community is great. And, sometimes, it gets a bad rap,” said Tom Crimmins, the Co-Chair of OnSI’s Board of Directors. “Sometimes, there’s a need to raise awareness for the good that goes on. Staten Island has a lot of heroes. And, I speak to them, I know them. Some people just aren’t given credit, or they’re modest. I’m excited about raising awareness for the good people out there.” 

    This episode’s “Local Hero of the Month” is Michael Morrell, a person who has striven to improve the quality of life on the Island’s North Shore—namely, in the quiet, friendly neighborhood of Westerleigh. 

    We are proud to announce that OnSI is now made possible with funding from Tom and Suzanne Crimmins, Owners of Tom Crimmins Realty, the Staten Island-based real estate firm that has made a name for itself for more than a decade as a local, independent, family-run business that knows the neighborhoods it serves.

    23 min

About OnSI Podcast

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The OnSI Podcast proudly features original storytelling from Staten Island, New York.