Nick J. Licata

Latest Posts in Nick J. Licata

MAY 2025 Magazine

May is the month we feature Do Gooders—those amazing individuals who set shining examples of how we can make a difference in the world. Yonkers Historian Mary Hoar is a Woman For All Seasons. She shows us how the essence of true community building is working with both children and their parents. “When kids see their parents valuing education, it helps kids overcome some of their own obstacles.” For a complete list of Mary’s accomplishments, her official bio is included, but know this: her handiwork is both visible and invisible. There are things she has accomplished from behind the scenes to benefit the community that will never garner an award or a mention. Barbara Lloyd McMichael writes about Carol Hosler, a retired Episcopal priest, who felt called by the Holy Spirit to counter social and political injustice with compassion, justice, and joy. She along with other like-minded people of conscience have formed the group “Seniors for the Constitution.” Annie Searle’s reflective essay Beyond the Pale reminds us that the times we are living in are far from normal. It’s time to step up! How do we choose good over evil? Think about it! Some of this month’s book suggestions might inspire you. –Patricia Vaccarino


December 2024 Magazine

It’s up to us to create our own light during these dark times. In Let the Bells Ring OutBarbara Lloyd McMichael writes about the National Bell Festival and the noble act of bell restoration. Why does humanity make the same mistakes over and over? We posed this question when we interviewed Dr. Peter Corning. In this age of anxiety, there is a way to flourish. Take a lesson from my essay “The Renaissance Belongs to You.” I wish you many blessings and much joy during this holiday season! – Patricia Vaccarino


Understanding the Fear of the U.S. Becoming an Authoritarian State

Across the political spectrum, there are concerns and predictions that the US government could become authoritarian. A shared theme is that power will be concentrated at the top and not originate from below. 




The Digital Era Will Prompt Revolutions -
as Did the Print Era

The breakthrough technologies of the printing press and data digitization allow the masses to access information. That flood of new information crumbled the legitimacy of the established political orders. Will great powers fall again due to the greater information flow in the new digital media era?


Why did the Parties Switch as Conservative & Liberal?

The Democratic and Republican parties have flipped their basic philosophies since being founded. Currently, we strongly associate each with being conservative or liberal. We often assume that conservatives are Republicans and Democrats are liberals. But it was the opposite for approximately the first 80 years of our nation’s founding.