Staten Island Home of the Week: Heated saltwater pool with waterfall, outdoor bar/kitchen, $1.5M

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STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — The listing on SILive.com mentions that this four-bedroom, four-bathroom home in Woodrow, located at 26 Gladwin St., was completely renovated, inside and out, in 2018.

The home, priced at $1,549,900, features an in-ground saltwater heated pool with waterfall features, waterslide, plus a bar/outdoor kitchen and gazebo area, according to the listing on Staten Island Multiple Listing Service at SIBOR.com.

Other features include a full finished basement, a family room with a gas fireplace and a master suite with a four-piece bath and a walk-in closet, as listed.

Albert Benzaken / Martino Realty Group is the the listing agent. (SIBOR)

SIBOR

The unsung treasures of Staten Island

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Staten Island, which sits 5.2 miles south of New York City’s Financial District and measures 58.5 square miles, has been called many things: the greenest borough, the Forgotten Borough, Staten Italy, the Rock, the city’s dump. (It was the site of a noxious 2,000-plus-acre landfill, one of the world’s largest, for more than 50 years. A project to turn it into green space is underway, with some sections now open to the public.) In recent years, its reputation, shall we say, lacked sophistication. The borough rose to national prominence thanks to “Mob Wives,” the VH1 series that portrayed the lives of local women over the course of six seasons whose respective husbands have run up against the law. Arguably today’s most famous Staten Islander is SNL prodigy and boyfriend to the stars Pete Davidson, who wrote and starred in Judd Apatow’s “The King of Staten Island” in 2020.

The curtain went down, but things are heating up for Staten Island’s newest titleholders | Inside Out

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STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — The curtain may have come down and dust settled after the Miss Staten Island/Miss Richmond County Pageant, but things are sure looking up for four newly crowned young women as they assume their new roles as our borough’s newest queens.

Over the next year, Tatiana Santos Mroczek, Miss Staten Island, Catherine Costagliola, Miss Richmond County, Amelia Gordon, Miss Staten Island Outstanding Teen, and Hayley Bond, Miss Richmond County Outstanding Teen, will fulfill appointments and appearances at community events and forums and will address students in local schools where they’ll advocate for their respective Social Impact Initiatives.

From the left, Catherine Costagliola, Miss Richmond County and Tatiana Santos Mroczek, Miss Staten Island. (Courtesy/Jane Marone) Staten Island AdvanceStaten Island Advance

“The first Initiative centers around Women’s Empowerment Activities, which is comprised of leadership opportunities for young girls and woman and an exploration of the inequalities women face in the workplace and in their daily lives,” noted Carmine DeBetta, executive director of the Miss Staten Island Scholarship organization, who met with our borough’s titleholders, Felicia DeBetta, the organization’s speech and interview coach, and Kristina Ferraro, board member and pageant producer.

“And the second initiative is “A Campaign of Giving the Gift of Kindness,” whether it’s exercised in person or through the titleholders social media platforms,” he added.

From the left, Amelia Gordon, Miss Staten Island Outstanding Teen and Hayley Bond, Miss Richmond County Outstanding Teen. (Courtesy/Jane Marone) Staten Island AdvanceStaten Island Advance

Felicia DeBetta outlined a schedule of virtual interview preparation sessions leading up to a discussion related to the preparation for the upcoming Miss New York State Scholarship Competition set for Memorial Day Weekend, in upstate Peekskill, N.Y. where local titleholders will vie for the title Miss New York State.

“The Board of the Miss Staten Island/Miss Richmond County Scholarship Organization is so proud of our new titleholders, who plan to work as a team to span out and get involved with many Staten Island Organizations,” said Felicia DeBetta.” I am excited to work with our titleholders to enhance their public speaking and interview skills. Through our rehearsal sessions it was evident that these young ladies were confident and each had a good communication foundation to build upon,” she said.

“They aim to make appearances, serve as guest speakers at schools and assist at charitable events. Contact us at (misssircscholarship@aol.com) if your organization needs their service,” added Carmine DeBetta.”

From the left, Carmine and Felicia DeBetta, Catherine Costagliola, Miss Richmond County, Tatiana Santos Mroczek, Miss Staten Island, Mario Ferraro, chef/owner of Vitalia Restaurant, Amelia Gordon, Miss Staten Island Outstanding Teen, Hayley Bond, Miss Richmond County Outstanding Teen and Kristina Ferraro, a former Miss Staten Island, board membere and pageant producer. (Courtesy/Jane Marone) Staten Island AdvanceStaten Island Advance

And Kristina Ferraro, a board member and former Miss Staten Island explained: “Since my crowning of Miss Staten Island in 1994, I have been involved with this organization and the Staten Island community. It’s wonderful to watch the journey of these young ladies mature into accomplished women who become part of the fabric of our community.”

TITLEHOLDERS COMMENT ON THEIR INITIATIVES

Tatiana Santos Mroczek: “I’m beyond grateful for the Miss Staten Island 2022 title, especially on the first anniversary — to the day— of losing my grandfather to cancer,” said Mroczek. “I am excited to promote my social platform initiative, “Music Heals: The Power of Music Therapy,” especially in light of this horrible pandemic, the mental health crisis it has created, and the Staten Island families who have lost loved ones, including our pageant’s beloved executive director, Jim Smith.”

Catherine Costagliola: “As Miss Richmond County, I am very excited to advocate for my Social Impact Initiative, ‘You Are Safe With Me: Mental Health Awareness and Support.’ I have initiated a social media campaign called the #100daysofpositivity on my Instagram account (@missrichmondcounty22ny) to uplift others, do my part in making social media a more positive space, and encourage others to do the same. I am also planning a fundraiser to support the Staten Island Chapter of the National Alliance on Mental Illness which will take place this spring. I am so excited to be representing Richmond County at the Miss New York Scholarship Competition this May!”

Amelia Gordon: ‘My Social Impact Initiative is “Different Not Disabled- Raising Autism Awareness,” so my first plan of action is to introduce myself to the organizations on Staten Island that serve the needs of those living with Autism. I’m also looking forward to working with my sister, the Miss Staten Island/Richmond County titleholders as a team to promote all the great businesses, community leaders and interesting places and people on Staten Island.”

Hayley Bond: “I am looking forward to brainstorming with Miss Richmond County, Catherine Costagliola on Mental Health Awareness fundraising that will benefit teens and adults alike. I will continue promoting my Social Impact Initiative through my online platform @mental.health___awareness.”

UPCOMING MISS NEW YORK STATE PAGEANT

The Miss Staten Island-Miss Richmond County Scholarship Competition was a mirror of the upcoming state competition, which includes a private interview with a panel of experienced judges, a talent presentation, an on-stage interview and an evening gown competition.

From the left, Catherine Costagliola, Miss Richmond County, Tatiana Santos Mroczek, Miss Staten Island, Mario Ferraro, chef/owner of Vitalia Restaurant, Charleston, Amelia Gordon, Miss Staten Island Outstanding Teen and Hayley Bond, Miss Richmond County Outstanding Teen. (Courtesy/Jane Marone) Staten Island AdvanceStaten Island Advance

A formalized Competition Preparation Workshop is also being provided by the Miss New York State Scholarship Organization on April 9 and 10 at the Otesaga Hotel and Resort in Cooperstown, N.Y., an opportunity for the Staten Island contingency to further enhance their competition skills and gain information about what to expect at the Memorial Day Weekend competition.

CELEBRATIONS - JAN. 23 TO JAN. 29

JAN. 23

Sunday is birthday time for Ken Paulsen, Salvatore Sutera, of Great Kills, Mary Scano, Thomas Scarcella, Karen Mandel, triplets Peter, Kristen and Nicole SanFilippo and twins Christina and Gina Petruzzi.

JAN. 24

Birthday greetings Monday to Surrogate Matthew Titone, who shares his birthday with Bettle Midler tribute artist Donna Maxon, Larry Miraglia, Phyllis Schreiner, Linda Errichetti, Benjamin Gerard Ruggiero, who turns 10, and Matt Bacchi, who is now 35.

JAN. 25

Happy birthday Tuesday to Paul Driscoll, Emily Seton, Nancy Biggs, Megan Maligno, Kevin Wallen, who turns 22, Tom DeLese, Toni Anne Colucci, Jim Downing, Alexandrea Acevedo, Amanda Marie DeMeo, Joe Troiano, Virginia McCarthy Trazzi,, Vincent Como and Carol Pasquale.

Happy wedding anniversary to Anthony and Theresa Ferrara of Dongan Hills, who’ll celebrate 69 years of wedded bliss on Tuesday.

Anthony and Theresa Ferrara of Dongan Hills will celebrate 69 years of marriage on Jan. 25th. (Courtesy/Millie Rafael) Staten Island AdvanceStaten Island Advance

JAN. 26

Birthday best Wednesday to Mike Boyle who shares a birthday today with Chrissy Frost Johnson, Molly Seton, Shawn Fitzgibbons, Dean Balsamini, Fred Tagliarini, Vincent Miller, Paul Agnello and Hector Rivera.

JAN. 27

Birthday wishes Thursday go toJohn Steele, Ralph Miscione, Diane Miller, Mike Dominowski, Laurie Mulvaney, Justin Mangiacasale and his mother, Kerry, Celia Roche, Matt Farrell, Sal Como and Stephanie DeMaio.

JAN. 28

The happiest of birthdays Friday to Stringham, David Mrozek, who turns 65, Debra Ann Athans, Anthony Domenick Ciaramella Jr., who turns 17, Paul DeCarlo, Toni DiScenza, who turns 82, Steven Larson, who’s now 19, Matthew Day and Grace Mazzallo.

Friday is wedding anniversary time for Tricia and Tom Britton.

JAN. 29

Birthday best to community leader Lillian Lagazzo, T. Dean Curry of Sunnyside, a lifelong Staten Islander, Joyce Donna Brown, twins Michelle and Kristen Donohue, Matt Chiminski, Toni Ann Lipari, Wilma Collins, Joseph Trischitta, Effie Bohn, Margaret Rucci, Kaitlin Bradway, Diane Marroco, Jonathan Petrizzi and Gloria Glickman.

Teen shot overnight on Bay Street; suspect fled on foot, says NYPD

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STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — Police are searching for a male suspect in connection with a shooting that occurred overnight on a Stapleton street corner.

A 19-year-old male was shot in the elbow just after midnight on the 600 block of Bay Street, near Canal Street. The incident, which police say was in regard to a dispute, happened near two nearby restaurants and other businesses, all of which were closed when the shots were fired.

The suspect, described only as a male, fled on foot. The victim was treated at Richmond University Medical Center, West Brighton, and is expected to survive, authorities said.

Police investigate a shooting just after midnight on the 600 block of Bay Street, near Canal Street. (Staten Island Advance)

A law enforcement source said police hope to gain more information from the victim, an Elm Park resident, in regard to a possible motive.

FIREARMS USED ON STATEN ISLAND

Shooting incidents on Staten Island dropped 10% through mid-December of 2021 when compared to 2020 numbers. Though incidents across the borough in 2020, so the 2021 numbers remain elevated from years past.

So far this year, police responded to a Jan. 16 shooting in West Brighton and then an incident Thursday in which a narcotics detective was shot in the leg during a drug raid in New Springville.

Police investigate a shooting overnight on the 600 block of Bay Street in Stapleton, near Canal Street. (Staten Island Advance)

Staten Island obituaries for Jan. 22, 2022

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The following is a roundup of obituaries published on SILive.com. Viewing times and guestbooks can be found here.

Matthew G. Caputo, 98, who served his country in WW II in the US Army and was awarded The Bronze Star and The Purple Heart, and who worked for Marine Aviation (S.I. Ferries) and retired in 1985, died Jan.16, 2022.

Paul Ross Martin of Stapleton died Jan. 17 after a brief illness. He was 89. The former Wall Street Journal assistant managing editor was “the paper’s last word on grammar” for many decades, according to a company obituary. During his 53-year tenure at the Journal, Martin created the paper’s first stylebook, a guide for reporters on grammar and word usage. He was also copy desk chief and an editor who handled the quirky Page One feature stories called “A-heds.”

Retired flooring designer Nicholas A. Forlizzi, 82, born is Bay Ridge, Brooklyn, passed away at home on Jan. 12. Nicky retired from NYC Transit as a Bus Operator and became a flooring designer working with David’s Floor Boutique, Gateway Carpet, and Taubs Flooring.

Ennio (Ralph) Cosentino, 86, lived a long and active life on Staten Island, where he raised his family. He was born in 1935 in Reggio, Calabria. Mr. Cosentino came to America as a naturalized U.S. Citizen when he was six months old. He worked for many years as a road car inspector for the New York City Transit Authority.