Freeport Authors: C

Biography by Cynthia J Krieg, Village Historian

Homer A. Cable was the city and assignments editor of Stars and Stripes, the international serviceman’s newspaper.  He was the son-in-law of Mr. and Mrs. Al. B. White, the vaudevillians and owners of Al B. White’s restaurant on Brooklyn Avenue.  Their daughter was Mary Jane Cable, a graduate of Freeport High School.

Biography by Cynthia J Krieg, Village Historian

Anna Jean Cacciatore pursued her Master’s degree in history at NYU.  She taught social studies in Baldwin and Freeport high schools.  She was active in community affairs and served as a trustee on the board of the Village of Freeport.

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Biography by Cynthia J Krieg, Village Historian

Jeannette Franklin Caines was employed by Harper & Row Publishers in New York.  She was a member of the Coalition of 100 Black Women and the Negro Business and Professional Women of Nassau County.  In Freeport, she sat on the Board of Trustees of the Freeport Memorial Library, was a member of and councilwoman at Christ Lutheran Church, and served on the Advisory Board of the Salvation Army.  She wrote a column for the Freeport EOC newspaper and was a member of C.O.A.C. (Council on Adoptable Children.) She moved to Charlottesville, Virginia.

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[Biography found on Amazon.com]

Keba Cairo is a mother of two children, a philanthropist, and advocate for safety. She has spent over 10 years educating and informing families of safety hazards while working for some of New York City's top agencies.

While working at NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH), Lead Poisoning Prevention Program, Keba was able to exercise her passion for education and community outreach. Conducting various community forums, parent workshops and staff trainings, in order to generate public awareness of risks in the community.

Excited to take on larger projects, Keba started working for the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA), Capital Construction, where she played an instrumental part in this $10.8 billion project. In addition to utilizing her public education skills, Keba lead the restoration and development of the East side Access project Artifact Museum.

After having a difficult pregnancy and making the hard choice of becoming a stay-at-home mom to her now 2 children, Keba found a new audience to speak to, children. Following her son's negative reaction to seeing news reports of the tragic shooting at Sandy Hook elementary school, Keba saw an education opportunity. She published an award nominated children's book entitled: Don't Snooze On Clues! (2014), which encourages ALL children to "speak out" against strange and dangerous activities around them. The book is a fun and easy way for educators and parents alike to start what can be considered a "difficult" conversation on safety.

Keba has shifted her career focus full-time to protecting the welfare of children across the country. She founded an organization with the same name, Don't Snooze On Clues™ (DSOC), which provides educational safety services to children, youth and adults. Established in 2014, DSOC's rapid growth demonstrates their commitment to educating communities and making change. DSOC is an extension of Bridge the Break, LLC whose mission is to connect people with enjoyable family activities in their community.

Over the holidays Keba conducts local toy drives which collects hundreds of toys for children who would spend Christmas in the ICU of major hospitals. She is also consistently developing new collaborations with law enforcement to help in police outreach efforts to develop relationships with various communities. These are just a few of her endeavors to maintain the safety of our children.

Keba Cairo holds a Bachelors degree in Communications /Public Relations from The City University of New York; and continues to lives in the NY city area with her two amazing children and husband. A big part of Keba's life is her service work, in addition to, regularly devoting her time to various organizations and charities; Keba continues to work diligently to promote anti-violence and safety in communities nationwide.

I would love to connect with you:

Follow: Twitter.com/KebaCairo

I.G. / Facebook: @DontSnoozeOnClues

Biography by Cynthia J Krieg, Village Historian

An author, educator, coach and health enthusiast, Patrick Carolan was a member of Nassau Community College’s Health and Physical Education Department.  He was involved in both national and international programs of sports oriented activities, was an official in intercollegiate and amateur track and field and president of the National Junior College Athletic Association Track and Field Coaches Association.  In 1972, he lived in Freeport.

Biography by Cynthia J Krieg, Village Historian

GregoryS.Carr finished his B.S. Degree in 2002 from Nyack College in organizational management.  His desire to work with children led him to substitute teach in his hometown of Freeport as well as Roosevelt and Uniondale.  His students enjoyed hearing stories so he made up a scary one.  The students were extremely responsive and he decided to commit it to paper and have it published.

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Biography by Cynthia J Krieg, Village Historian

Leo Carrillo was born in California to a prominent family who traced its roots back to the conquistadores.  A college graduate, he became an actor in vaudeville, played Broadway and made over 90 films.  He was most famous for playing Pancho, the sidekick of Duncan Reynaldo’s Cisco Kid, on television from 1950-1956.  On his Wilson Avenue property, built in 1917, he maintained a two acre zoo of fur bearing animals.  He was one of the founders of the LIGHTS Club in Freeport.

Biography by Cynthia J Krieg, Village Historian

Dr. Phyllis Carter is the wife of Bishop Ronald H. Carter, Pastor of the Refuge Church of Christ at 106 Broadway.  She is a counselor, clergy person and educator.  In 2004, she was ordained and installed as pastor of the Refuge Apostolic Church of Christ and is also the dean of counseling of the Refuge Bible Institute.  She has a B.S. in sociology from Southeastern University in Greenville, South Carolina (1978) and a M.S. in counseling from St. John’s (1984).  She also earned an Master’s of Divinity from the New York Theological Seminary in 1984.  She holds a post graduate certification in marriage and family therapy.  Her doctorate in divinity is from New York Theological Seminary.  She has a private practice in marriage and family therapy.  An adjunct professor at Nyack College, Carter also supervises interns at Hofstra University.

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Biography by Cynthia J Krieg, Village Historian

Dr. David Cassidy was born in Richmond, Virginia, and earned his B.A. in English and physics in 1967 and his M.A. in physics in 1970 from Rutgers University.  His Ph.D. (1976) is from Purdue University in physics.  He was a postdoctoral fellow at the University of California-Berkeley and a Humboldt Fellow at the University of Stuttgart, Germany.  He is a professor in the Natural Science Department of Hofstra University where he has coordinated a number of courses on physical science for nonscience students.  He wrote a historical essay for the Lawson translation of Albert Einstein’s Relativity : Special and General Theory.  He has held teaching positions at the University of California, Berkeley, Purdue, German universities and Boston University.  He is also an adjunct professor at SUNY Stony Brook.

Marcia Caton is the author of My Babysitter Is a Smartphone.  She donated a copy of her book to the library in June 2021.

Biography by Cynthia J Krieg, Village Historian

Originally from Freeport, Dan Celentano graduated with a degree in psychology and sociology from Yankton College in South Dakota.  In 1975, he established "Operation Aware" for sixth grade students to help cut juvenile crime.  The program expanded nation wide.  The Ranch Program in Sturgeon Lake, Minnesota was created in 1996.  Later, he formed Up to You, Inc. which focused on the special needs of ninth graders and the important issue of "self concept."  He also works closely with the New York Foundling Mott Haven Prevention Program, which is based in the South Bronx, New York.

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Biography by Cynthia J Krieg, Village Historian

A Mexican citizen, Walter Chisholm was born in Costa Rica, and was educated in agriculture and food in his homeland.  After receiving his master’s degree, he attended Humboldt University of Berlin and earned his PhD in agriculture in 1989.  He worked as a professor of food science in a college in Mexico.  He now works as a manager in an industrial bakery.  He primarily writes in Spanish but speaks fluent English and German.

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Denise Shelly-Ann Clarke is the author of Quiet Speak Someone Will Listen. She donated a copy of her book to the library in September 2021.

Bio provided by author:

Headstrong, determined, driven, and passionate are just a few words that can be used to describe Denise Shelly-ann Clarke. This lovely human was born and raised In a rural area of Jamaica, where all the abuse took place.  She was just a girl, A girl who wanted to live a normal life with a normal family. Mama's favorite child and Daddy's little princess. Little did she know that daddy had other ways of showing her his love.

She migrated to the United States 8 years ago and resides with her husband and 4 children. After overcoming adversity and trauma, she has managed to pull herself out of the pain and suffering that it caused and has steered her life onto the right path.

*Tell us about your book*:

This book will teach children where to find help if they're going through a trauma or had a traumatic event in the past. Children are the light of their parents. Their hearts and minds are so pure, like a clean slate. They can be molded however life exposes them – be it happiness or sadness. That slate is in the hands of the parents/guardians to ensure they get the best upbringing, thereby shaping their personalities as examples for other parents.

However, life is not the same for everyone, and that is how every child receives exposure differently. For those unfortunate children whose parents neglect them, or those children who have been the victim of someone’s wrongdoing, scarring them for life – those are the kids that need to be looked after and taken care of more than others. It is the sole responsibility of the parents/guardians to ensure their children have a positive outlook on life.

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[Biography found in the Nassau County Review, 13 September 1912) 

Mrs. Metta Horton Cook has taken abode at Freeport in the old Presbyterian Parsonage, 71 Church Street. Mrs. Cook was a personal friend of Rev. Mr. Ketcham, former pastor of the Presbyterian Church, here, for a time neighbor to his family when he was at Plainfield, N.J.

Mrs. Cook is author of "Yennicutt Folks," a tale of Long Island pioneer life that has a large sale. 

In 1900, with the Lorelei Quartet of Brooklyn, Mrs. Cook gave a pleasing entertainment in aid of the public drinking fountain fund of the W.C.T.U. of Freeport in Opera Hall. The press notice at that time expressed satisfaction with the program. 

Biography by Cynthia J Krieg, Village Historian

John Condenzio was born in Far Rockaway and moved to Freeport in 1963.  After graduating from Freeport High School in 1972, he attended Adelphi University where he studied archaeology, ancient mythology, and Latin.  He mainly worked in construction and was an athlete in high school.  He has written articles for Horror Writer Magazine.  In 1999, he moved to Cape Coral, Florida.

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Luis Cordeo is the author of Canta al señor and Luis Cordero Canta.  He donated copies of his books to the library in October 2024.

[Biography by author]

Nacido el 28 de abril de 1954 en Loma Azul Tenares, República Dominicana, fui criado por mi tío Virgilio Sosa Blanco, quien me inculcó habilidades en construcción, carpintería, albañilería, ebanistería y más. A los 17 años me trasladé a Santo Domingo, donde comencé mi carrera musical interpretando boleros y bachatas. Posteriormente regresé a Loma Azul para apoyar a mi familia antes de partir hacia Nueva York en 1978. En la Gran Manzana, trabajé en restaurantes y me presenté en locales nocturnos con diversos grupos musicales, como Los Alegres Dominicanos y Los Amigos del Amargue. Durante mi trayectoria artística, compuse más de trescientas canciones que reflejan los sentimientos del corazón humano. Casado con mi amada Cristina, hemos enfrentado juntos tanto momentos felices como difíciles, incluyendo la pérdida de nuestro hijo Willy. Desde pequeño aprendí a tocar la guitarra observando a otros músicos, y mis composiciones me dieron reconocimiento en Nueva York, donde realicé presentaciones en una variedad de lugares, desde discotecas hasta universidades. A los 41 años, experimenté un cambio profundo cuando descubrí mi llamado espiritual junto a mi hermano Magdaleno Cordero. Desde entonces, he dedicado mi música y mi vida a servir a Cristo. Actualmente resido en Freeport, Long Island, donde a mis 70 años, sigo entregado al servicio religioso hasta el final de mis días.

[Translation]

I was born on April 28, 1954 in Loma Azul Tenares, Dominican Republic. I was raised by my uncle, Virgilio Sosa Blanco, who taught me skills associated with construction such as carpentry, cabinet making, masonry to mention a few.  At 17, I relocated to the capital, Santo Domingo, where I began my musical career playing boleros and bachatas. Later, I returned to Loma Azul to support my family before heading to New York in 1978.  While in the Big Apple, I worked in restaurants and played at various night clubs with musical groups such as Los Alegres Dominicanos and Los Amigos Armargue.  During my musical career, I composed more than 300 songs, music that captured the sentiments of the heart. Together with my beloved wife, Cristina, we experienced happy moments as well as faced difficulties such as the loss of our son Willy.  From a very young age, I learned by observing other musicians how to play the guitar and became well known in New York for my compositions. I've performed in a variety of places, from night clubs to universities.  At the age of 41, I experienced a profound change in my life, when I, along with my brother Magaleno Cordero, discovered our spiritual calling.  From that time on, I have dedicated my music and my life in service to Christ.  Currently, I reside in Freeport, Long Island, where at 70 years of age, I am committed to religious service until the end of my life.

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Biography by Cynthia J Krieg, Village Historian

William F. Cornell was born in Brooklyn, was a broker and a Freeport Village Trustee from 1935-1940.  He also was a fire chief.  His wife, Leone Smith Bedell, was the daughter of Jay F. Bedell, Village Police Justice and Trustee.

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Biography by Cynthia J Krieg, Village Historian

T. Glen Coughlin grew up in Freeport a few blocks from the fishing boats.  He loved to fish and clam.  At 15, he worked as a butcher’s apprentice and joined the meat-cutter’s union.  In high school he worked the 4 to midnight shift cutting up chickens and mixing chop meat.  He had four siblings, his father was a NYPD detective, and his mother worked at the Freeport Memorial Library.  Coughlin said he majored in auto mechanics and handball.  He graduated from Freeport High School in 1976.  He went to Hofstra University and wrote a short story that won a $100 prize and he switched his major from business to English.  After graduating from Hofstra, he attended Columbia’s Masters of Fine Arts program.  He was employed by the Department of Justice as a narcotics agent and moved to New Orleans.  In 2000 he lived in Manalapan, New Jersey.  He also wrote a screenplay, “Brown Season” for Twentieth Century Fox, in 1991.

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Biography by Cynthia J Krieg, Village Historian

George C. Colyer was born in Brooklyn and his family moved out to Freeport when he was one.  A graduate of Freeport High School in 1906, he participated in baseball and football as well as debate and the student literary magazine.  After graduating from the University of Pennsylvania in 1911 with a degree in dentistry, he continued his studies in the Philadelphia Post-Graduate School of Dentistry.  He returned to Freeport where he practiced dentistry for a number of years.

[Biography found on Amazon.com]

Teddy Crawford has spent over a decade in law enforcement, seeing hundreds of crimes and talking directly to criminals about why they target certain victims. And now he's dedicated himself to bringing this message to the world, to stand against the cycle of fear and violence by teaching self-awareness and confidence as an author, personal enrichment/development coach, speaker, and keep-fit enthusiast. An avid martial artist and certified karate instructor, he earned a black belt in the late ‘70s. A decade later, he founded Self Safety Associates, a company dedicated to presenting talks and workshops on personal safety, wellness and mental awareness. His two signature coaching programs are: “Protect Yourself: Learn the Mindset”, “Protect Your Family: Teach the Mindset” and “Defeat Your Fears: What’s Holding You Back.” Crawford also enjoys music. He toured internationally for many years giving workshops in Jamaica, the Bahamas, the Cayman Islands, London, USA and Johannesburg, South Africa. He teaches children and adult courses at Lehman and Hunter College (City University of New York).