Latest news with #GabriellaBass
New York Post
21-05-2025
- Health
- New York Post
Mom tearfully reunites with NYC EMS workers who helped save her and baby: ‘Miracles happen'
A Queens woman who didn't even know she was pregnant before giving birth in the shower last year was reunited Wednesday with the EMS officers who helped save her and her baby. Lori Traore, 41, and her young daughter were among 150 people attending the 29th annual Second Chance Ceremony in Red Hook, Brooklyn — where trauma survivors reunited with the paramedics, EMTs, FDNY EMS officers, firefighters and dispatchers whose actions meant life or death for them. 'Honestly, I'm holding back tears right now because I know if it wasn't for them, my daughter wouldn't be here,' Traore told The Post, pointing at Lt. Jimmy Guailaceia, who held her 9-month-old, Ellen Mystique, in his arms. Advertisement 4 Lori Traore and her baby were reunited with the city emergency-services heroes who saved their lives last year. Gabriella Bass In the past year, EMS alone has responded to 1.6 million life-threatening calls. 'God sent the FDNY to help make miracles happen,' said Michael Fields, chief of EMS operations for the city. 'EMTs work as God's Force Multiplier, making the miraculous possible.' Advertisement 4 Traore said she didn't know she was pregnant when she felt the urge to push while taking a shower last year. Gabriella Bass Traore said she experienced her brush with death Aug. 9, when she stayed at her home in Bayside because she wasn't feeling well. She said that suddenly, while in the shower, she felt the urge to push. She said she had been told she was unable to conceive and had no idea she was pregnant — until she delivered an unresponsive infant. 'Next thing I know, I was in the shower, and I'm about to push. I didn't know anything was about to happen. Then 10 fingers, 10 toes, and I just freaked out a little bit,' the mom said. 'But then I got my composure. I dialed 911. I turned off the water. I got a blanket around [the newborn]. I got the towel around me, and the rest is history.' Advertisement 4 First responders reunite with little Ellen Mystique, who they helped save when she was in cardiac arrest last year. Gabriella Bass FDNY Engine 306 was the first to arrive and cut tiny Ellen's umbilical cord — and quickly realized the infant was in cardiac arrest. EMTs from the Queens tactical response group and Station 39 Lt. Guailaceia began CPR on the baby, sustaining her long enough for a trip to the hospital, where she regained her pulse and began breathing. The newborn soon burst into vigorous tears — a welcome sign that she had survived. Advertisement 4 The mom and her baby were among a group of people who met some of the city's emergency responders who saved them. Gabriella Bass Traore didn't realize how close her daughter had been to death until hours later. The new mom was also rushed into the hospital for emergency surgery because the baby's placenta did not pass. Her infant had to stay at the hospital for four months to get the care she needed and was finally released on Christmas Eve. 'She's thriving! She's walking. She's learning to crawl. She's learning to stand up. She's bottle feeding now,' Traore said of Ellen. 'It's getting slowly there, getting the [physical therapy and occupational therapy] that she does need.' For Guailaceia and his team of five, who also attended the ceremony Wednesday, the experience was nothing short of a 'miracle. 'We gave this little soul a second chance at life,' he said. 'You know, I have a child too so, to see her and how she's thriving is just a beautiful, wonderful feeling.'
New York Post
08-05-2025
- Entertainment
- New York Post
NYC restaurant owner who inspired ‘Nonnas' movie bombarded with calls: ‘There's 350 messages on there!'
Jody Scaravella knew right away that Enoteca Maria, the Staten Island restaurant he opened in 2007 where grandmothers cook traditional meals for customers, would make a perfect movie. How could he not? Scaravella, who also goes by Joe, was being told so non-stop. 'Almost from day one, we've been contacted about a reality show, about a movie, about a documentary, just constantly, constantly,' the owner of the hotspot in the St. George neighborhood of the borough told The Post. 'I certainly knew we had struck a nerve.' Advertisement 9 A new movie called 'Nonnas' is based on the life and restaurant of Jody Scaravella. Gabriella Bass 9 At the start of the movie, we see Scaravella as a boy observing his grandma cook pasta sauce alongside his mom. Gabriella Bass And then about eight years ago, the filmmakers of 'Nonnas,' the feel-good comedy directed by Stephen Chbosky that drops on Netflix Friday, finally convinced him. Advertisement 'This was really heartfelt and the people actually stepped up to the plate,' he said. 'It unfolded very quickly.' Now, Scaravella is getting the Hollywood treatment. The Brooklyn native is being played onscreen by 'Wedding Crashers' star Vince Vaughn. And the quartet of lively Italian nonnas heating up the kitchen are a formidable bunch: Lorraine Bracco, Susan Sarandon, Talia Shire and Brenda Vaccaro. 9 Susan Sarandon, Brenda Vaccaro, Lorraine Bracco and Talia Shire play the cooking nonnas. AP Advertisement 9 Vince Vaugn plays Scaravella in the new Netflix The kitchen can get spicy — and not just because of the red pepper flakes. 'I love Lorraine Bracco and Brenda Vaccaro when they're having it out,' Scaravella said. Their characters' head-butting is about more than whose Sunday sauce is tastier. Bracco's forthright Roberta hails from Sicily, while Vaccaro's nonna, Antonella, is a proud native of Bologna. Advertisement 'There's definitely a certain amount of prejudice, depending on what part of Italy you're from,' Scaravella said. 'The one moment when Vince turns to the ladies and says, 'You ladies are killing me!' — I've said that.' 9 The Staten Island restaurant he opened in 2007. Gabriella Bass 9 Scaravella was inspired by his own nonna and his mother, the eatery's namesake. Gabriella Bass The proprietor helped Vaughn, who he calls a 'really down to earth and sweet guy,' and writer Liz Maccie turn the remarkable Enoteca Maria journey into a heart-tugging movie. 'He came to the restaurant with Joe Mangianello, [who plays best friend Bruno],' Scaravella said. 'He was asking about the story and I guess he was just trying to get a feel for the character and the brilliant script written by Liz Maccie — threading together all the moments in my life.' One aspect that makes the tale compelling is that it's about an underdog. Scaravella had no restaurant experience when he decided to open Enoteca Maria. The other is family. He was inspired by his own nonna and his mother, the eatery's namesake. 'Nonnas' weaves them in. 9 Scaravella named Enoteca Maria after his late mother. AP At the start of the movie, we see Scaravella as a boy observing his grandma cook pasta sauce alongside his mom. Watching his younger self with those special women in his life moved him. Advertisement 'I just sat there with tears in my eyes through the whole thing,' Scaravella said. 'And every time I've looked at it afterwards, it's very emotional for me.' The whirlwind of 'Nonnas' has also made the man very, very busy. 9 Scaravella says he's getting hundreds of messages per day. Gabriella Bass 9 'There's 350 messages on there that I'm trying to get through one at a time,' Scaravella told the Post of his restaurant's success. Gabriella Bass Advertisement When The Post visited Enoteca Maria, which today features nonnas of many different nationalities and culinary specialties (Jewish, Polish, Ukrainian, Mexican and more), the already popular restaurant's phone was ringing off the hook. 'It's a bit much,' Scaravella said. 'I mean, I can't answer my phone. There's 350 messages on there that I'm trying to get through one at a time. Every time I do one, three more come in.' But, he added, 'there are bad problems and there are good problems. This is a good problem.'
