Page 26 - Bulletin Vol 27 No 2 - May - Aug. 2022 FINAL

Article | Member Article

“One Bite at a Time!”
By Dr. Tom Mauceri

One of the cool things about being a Dentist Is having the opportunity to meet interesting people.

When I first started my practice, I bought a comfortable pair of running shoes so I could run around the

track at my old high school for exercise. I selected a nice pair at Herman’s in Roosevelt Field and wore
them the next day to the office to brake them in. Joe, an 83-year-old retired Graphic Artist, was the

only patient intrigued by my new footwear. I told him I used to be on my school’s track team and

thought it might be enjoyable to run again. Joe said he was on his college track team, hadn’t run in
many years, but had always thought about running again. I gave him a pleasant smile and said

something like “Oh yes, that would be nice.”

Joe’s slow pace walking from my waiting room to the dental chair made me think his running days were
over. However, at his next appointment, Joe walked in wearing the same shoes as mine. He too went

to Herman’s. Joe told me he it was time to cross off a milestone on his bucket list; he would run the

length of Long Island from his home in Garden City to Montauk Point, and back! Looking at this older,

slightly overweight man who had lost his wife a few years ago, I questioned how reasonable his goal
was. Joe said he had all the details figured out. He would park his car and jog east to a point where he

could then jog back to his car. Next time he’d run from his last position and head east again, then return

th
to his car once more. In his 84 year Joe ran the entire distance and back.
Eventually Joe relocated to Virginia, and I lost contact with him. When I’d spoken with him before he

left, I thanked him for reminding me not to underestimate others. He laughed and said “Hey Doc, do

you know how to eat an Elephant? One bite at a time!”

Do you have a unique hobby, side hustle, or story to share?

We would like to have a regular section of the Bulletin that highlights a member with a unique or special hobby, side
business or story to tell. Maybe you skydive or paint? Perhaps you have a unique collection of memorabilia, have a side
business or help with a local charity organization. Maybe you just have a fun story to tell from your years in practice.
Whatever it is, we’d like to hear about it. Send us the story and a few pictures, if applicable, and maybe you’ll see
yourself in our next issue. Submissions should be sent as a word document to: eporcelli@nassaudental.org

26 | Nassau County Dental Society ⬧ www.nassaudental.org