Tag: hofstra

A Sunset to Relax My Mind at a Place Called Hofstra………Where Do You Go?

Posted on | by tomkarlya | 1 Comment on A Sunset to Relax My Mind at a Place Called Hofstra………Where Do You Go?

Sunset Long Island 1On the campus of Hofstra University stands six dormitories.  When I attended Hofstra they were identified with very unique and specific identities.  There was Tower A, B,C,D,E, and F.  I am happy to say that since I attended they have been given actual names.

College is not easy.  WAS not easy and still is not easy today. When yesterday bought back a ton of images that are burned in my memory I thought about a particular part of Hofstra that was utilized on more than one occasion to relax me.

I love Hofstra.  First because it is a great school.  Second, I made great friends there, and as I have written about before, many of them have helped tremendously in many aspects dealing with diabetes over the years.

The towers were some of the tallest buildings on Long Island when I attended Hofstra with the 14+ stories high and I remember with very fond memories, the top floor.  The top floor had huge panes of glass that allowed you to look in every direction. 

Nothing beat looking at a sunset out of one of those windows.  I always thought that Long Island has some of the most glorious sunsets in the world.  Whether by the ocean or in the middle of the Island; just gorgeous.  And always different.  Utilizing the clouds to add to the landscape or as clear as glass, no two sunsets were ever the same.

Sometimes things can just ‘get to us’.  We need a break.  When I received the video I wrote about last night,  I just needed to relax and I found myself going to the “Top of the Hofstra Towers” in my mind.  I needed to feel that complete relaxation while watching a Long Island sunset from so high up, that I had done so many times.  I needed to once again feel that peace.

I have been back there before, but only in my mind, not in reality-not once since I graduated.  Our battles we fight for our kids and their diabetes, or perhaps just escaping life itself, we all need a “Hofstra-type-place; where do you go to escape?  What relaxes you?

Share where you ‘go’?  For every sunset, there is a sunrise and with that comes the chance to begin something new and something fresh, relaxed and ready to go………again.

I am a diabetes dad.

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Hofstra University Presidential Debates Tonight—-There IS a Clear Winner.

Posted on | by tomkarlya | 2 Comments on Hofstra University Presidential Debates Tonight—-There IS a Clear Winner.

 

Those who know me also know my very, very deep gratitude and pride I have about my alma mater, Hofstra University.  As you watch the debates tonight, I thought you would like to know how my close ties with this incredible University played a role in our diabetes world.  Even if there is no clear winner on the campus tonight, the campus will always be a winner to me, and the diabetes community.

Six degrees of separation indeed.

I was a theatre major at Hofstra.  I was honored to work with incredibly talented people at different times.  We knew it was a unique class and time frame of our lives.  NEVER did I EVER imagine what a significant role these magnificent people would play in my life.

After I had decided to begin my journey into the diabetes world once Kaitlyn was diagnosed in 1992 I received a call.  I was told by the caller that he was willing to do all he could to help in my battle against diabetes.  “Many of us from Hofstra know what you are doing Tom, my cast is available for you when and if you want them.”  That man was Phil Rosenthal and ‘his cast’ was none other than the mega-award-winning cast of Everybody Loves Raymond. Numerous times I was on the set filming public service announcements about diabetes and/or the Diabetes Research Institute.  Click for one example.

Another person from my days of Hofstra who jumped right in was Tom McGowan.  At the time Tom was playing the GM of a radio station on the hit TV show, Fraser.  He was also known as the nemesis photographer in the hit movie Bird Cage and in recent years you may have caught him on Broadway as the Wizard in the smash hit, Wicked.  Tom was ever-ready donating walk-on parts for auctions and signed scripts.  His mega talent was only surpassed by his compassionate heart to help.

One of the longest running hits in the NY Stage history was Tony ‘n Tina’s Wedding.  What a privilege and an honor was it for me to be part of the cast of that show for 12 years.  Hofstra Graduates Nancy Cassaro, and Mark Nasser were the lead writers/creators for the show and Hofstra Alum and brothers Joe and Dan Corcoran produced it.  All of them allowed many aspects of their show to play a part in the battle against diabetes. Through walk on parts, the selling of autographed posters from the cast, and other means of income generating fund-raising; tens and tens of thousands of dollars was raised to support diabetes research.  In addition to working with another Hofstra alum; actress Liz Dennehy would also create public service announcements and enlist dad, Brian, to help as well.  Through the show I would become friends with Sundance Film Director Matthew Bonifacio who would create an extremely powerful public service announcement for the DRI as well,  featuring Sugar Ray Leonard.

My dear friend Karen Wald who worked on shows like Spin City, Hope and Faith, and Saturday Night Live would also jump in at various times and obtain walk-on parts, VIP seating, attend the taping tickets, signed paraphernalia and so much more.

I honestly do not believe that my friends and connections from Hofstra University ever, ever said no to any request.  Through the many connections led many more connections—people who I grew to know and love and forever be thankful for their contributions in the search for a cure for my kids and the so many like them who live with diabetes every day.  Too many to even attempt naming them all.  Today I name but just a few, believe me there were more.

So as you watch the debates tonight, know that this University on Long Island through some really wonderful people who attended years ago, played a major role in what will one day be a cure for our kids.

Whether there is a winning candidate or not tonight in the debates? —well I’ll leave that to you to decide.  But as far as Hofstra University is concerned; it will always be a winner to the diabetes community and hold a very special place in my heart.  Thank you Hofstra.

I’m a Diabetesdad.