Author from West Brighton writes book with 3,000 questions and answers

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STATEN ISLAND, NY — He answered all your questions, all 3,000 of them!

West Brighton native Andrew Ostrowski has written a new book – and you could say it’s pretty questionable.

The 400-page heavyweight is a compilation that the author calls “Ostrowski’s book ‘Just for the Asking’.”

Ostrowski’s latest contribution is a collection of more than 3,000 questions and comments, and his responses, sent to him over the past 15 years while working as a journalist for two newspapers in New York State.

Ostrowski, who alternates between writing a weekly op-ed column and a question-and-answer section for the Buffalo-based Am-Pol Eagle News and previously worked for the now-defunct Long Island-based Pol-Am World News, has amassed a following over the years that led to the idea.

“Year after year, as circulation and subscriptions to both papers grew, more and more questions came in about almost everything and the question-and-answer column became a staple,” Ostrowski says. “The column became a second Dear Abby, but with no limits on content. Many people have heard of the syndicated Dear Abby column, which offers advice primarily on relationships, family, health and etiquette and was started by Pauline Phillips in 1956.”

And best of all, 100% of the proceeds will be donated to Popcorn Park Animal Refuge in Forked River, NJ.

The author begins the book with a section titled “All About the Question,” in which he discusses the origins of curiosity from the Stone Age to today’s era of leadership.

The focus is also on the motivations for asking questions and the reasons why this was once “taboo”.

In addition, an analysis of the type of questions people ask is carried out.

The author’s nephew, a former honors student in philosophy at Hunter College, also joins the discussion, in which the author “explains the potential dangers of not questioning our own existence when it comes to understanding life and possibly colonizing other planets in the distant future.”

“To this day, there are some questions that the established institutions simply do not want to ask,” Ostrowski emphasizes. “Although these kinds of questions can cause unrest in our social life, life stagnates if we do not ask them and then look for answers. And that is perhaps the greatest shame, because we can only learn and grow by asking.”

The book includes several notable in-depth interviews by Ostrowski, including one with Dr. Nikodem Poplawski, a theoretical physicist whom Forbes magazine called the next Einstein, and one with world-renowned soprano Julianne Baird, one of the most recorded voices in American history.

Whether someone asks how to bake a cake or what European shoe size is right, a wealth of topics are presented.

Politics, religion, health, sports, relationships, pets and travel are just some of the topics that are questioned and discussed.

“I welcomed praise and punishment in equal measure, as some treated me like a god and others wanted to burn me at the stake based on my answers, which energized readers each week,” Ostrowski added. “This book is a living testament to that zeal and inspires the kind of commitment that ultimately defines journalism.”

Ostrowski’s book, Just for the Asking, is available on Amazon.com in hardcover, paperback, and Kindle versions.

THE STATEN ISLAND BLIND SOCIETY

The Staten Island Blind Society’s monthly social brunch at Z-One in Bulls Head was a success, with members, volunteers and prospective members in attendance.

Annamarie Kaplon, president of the organization, commented, “The brunch was a great success and the event continues to support our efforts to recruit new members and provide support to the community.”

She explained that the goal of the society is to get blind or visually impaired neighbors on Staten Island to get out and meet others who are struggling with vision loss.

“Our group is a safe place to talk about their needs and show others how to cope with their vision loss,” she added.

Anyone interested in more information about the Staten Island Blind Society, whether for themselves or for a family member or friend, should contact Kaplon at 718 232-5427.

CELEBRATIONS – 30 JUNE TO 6 JULY

JUNE 30TH

Happy birthdays on Sunday to Tom Checchi, Dennis DiCicco, Lisa Rosenfeld, Lauran Messina, Kirsten Swenson and Pat McGrath.

Sunday is the wedding anniversary of Flo and Mike Azzara, Evelyn and Phil Toro and Jaime and John Cucuzza.

JULY 1

Happy birthday on Monday to Doreen Minogue, Taylor B. Haas turns 27, Shannon McGinley, Frank DeMeo Jr., John Errichiello, Meghan Eileen Byrnes, Nicholas Peragine, Gerri Barajos and Jason Bock.

2ND JULY

Happy birthday on Tuesday to Katie LaBetti, Denise Sparnroft, Phyllis Cregg, Christopher Nielsen, Annmarie Marronaro and Alberto Cervantes.

Happy wedding anniversary to Gail and Artie Fernandez on Tuesday.

3RD OF JULY

Wednesday is birthday time for Gregory Creamer, Devon Colbeck, Taylor O’Halloran, who turns 28, John Yoffredo, Steven Huberto Mitchell, Joyce Pelle, Joann Newell and twins Gregory and Melissa DeBiase.

4TH OF JULY

Happy birthday on Thursday, July 4th, to Dennis Dale, Nancy Tierney, Keith Stapleton, Ellen McGinley, Mike Haliskoe, Sarah Mazzeo, Juliet Agnes Schroder, Ellen McGinley Pascucci, Matthew Giordano, Thomas Gelormino and twins Danielle and Lauren Salvadeo.

Happy wedding anniversary on Thursday to Merylee and Dr. Stevan Peters.

5TH JULY

Dr. Michael Reilly, Joanne Corradi, Theresa Ann Pratti, Beverly J. Davis, Minire Zuberi, Michele DeBiase, Anthony Romano and Michael Cassidy of West Brighton, who turns 39, all celebrate birthdays Friday.

6 JULY

On Saturday, Tony Viola, Cydia Fong, Greg Fox, Richard Klien, Bob Sohmer, twins Lauren and Allison Sterner, as well as Madyson Lee Dalrymple, Erin Cavorley and Timothy Foley Sr. and his son Timothy Foley Jr. will celebrate their birthdays.