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The Patch
January 5, 2026

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Get curious—because what you think the thing is… isn’t always the thing! We’re Makin’ It Healthy today with wellness coach and cookbook author Geetu Makin. Tune in to learn what really happens when you grab that Snickers bar, why “organic” doesn’t automatically mean “healthy” and the essential pantry staples every household should have on hand. We may not all get the same things, but eventually we all get what we need… In The Stacks!

Every day is different, and today we’re thrilled to sit down with New York State Senator Monica Martinez! She shares insights on the importance of Shannon’s Law, the future of veteran healthcare and the professor who changed her life’s direction. Join us as we look for the light at the end of the tunnel—because it’s all happening In The Stacks!

Class is in session… Suffolk County Legislator Rebecca Sanin is here! Sustainability, thinking differently to uncover root causes, empathy and integrating work with life. Turn up the volume in your head… it’s time to welcome the female version of Billy Joel to In The Stacks!

It’s time to show up! We are as pleased as punch to have Madeline Quintyne-McConney, President of the Suffolk County Chapter of the National Coalition of 100 Black Women! We talk about the importance of advocacy, mentoring today’s young women, equity in the workforce and grandkids! All we need is love because it’s all In The Stacks!

Do you want to be in the room where it happens? Grab the ramen noodles, today’s episode is with Suffolk County Legislature Minority Leader Jason Richberg! Parenting, work ethics, the path to happiness, his Youth Leadership Caucus, the 12-hour playlist and newsflash, your doctor got an F in school… it's all In The Stacks!

Today's episode is with New York State Assemblyman and HHHCL patron, Steve Stern! A conversation about water sustainability, which era he would love to be a politician during, and most importantly, his aspiration of being Deputy Supervisor of the Stern House. It's all In The Stacks!

Joe talks to Samantha Calandrino, Volunteer & Community Outreach Coordinator at the Long Island State Veterans Home.

Laura, Joe, & Karissa discuss the new Devil May Cry animated series.

Laura & Joe discuss Strange Pictures by the mysterious Uketsu.

Laura and Karissa discuss Makoto Shinkai's Suzume.

Beyond the stacks and on to the internet.

Joe & Karissa discuss free library resources (Libby, Kanopy, etc.), movies, and the future of streaming!

Zack & Karissa talk about The Women by Kristen Hannah.

The Cruel Prince series by Holly Black is a one-of-a-kind series with magnificent world-building and an enemies-to-lovers romance that is really good. Even though the beginning isn't really interesting, as the book progresses it gets better. The book is a slow burn fantasy with a lot of interesting characters. The Characters in this book are not your typical characters. Some of them give you second hand embarrassment, some you will love, and others you will hate. Overall the book is good and if you decide you want to continue reading more then I recommend reading the rest of the series.

The book is about a town called Madison where people are granted a wish on their 18th birthday. We follow the main character, Eldon Wikes as he struggles to find what to wish for. Eldon has seen other people wish for things that indirectly made his life worse. He sees the consequences and effects of other people's wish. He's pressured by his mother to wish for money to help their finance situation. He also struggles if he should wish for beauty, skill, etc. He also gets influenced by his friends and peers on what he should wish for. He ends up deciding on what he wants to wish for.