As installation ceremonies have abounded in Farmingdale in recent months, new leaders have taken their places in many of the community's most prominent organizations - from PTA, to Rotary, to the Women's Club and Junior League, and beyond. District boards have also been re-organized, with the Farmingdale school and library boards each gaining a new member. (Even the community's newspaper has seen a change. This editor has a new surname to reflect marriage.)

With all of these changes, however, much remains familiar. Many of the new leaders seem to have values similar to those whom they replaced - they are willing to work together for the good of the community. Also, many of the new officers and trustees are veteran leaders in other areas. For example, the new school board member, Dolores Saxton, is the outgoing Farmingdale Breakfast Rotary Club President. The new library trustee, Rosemary Trudden, has been active in both Kiwanis and St. Kilian's parish. The new PTA Council president, Kathy Dowling, is not new to the job at all; she has served as a PTA leader for over 15 years, and in fact, this is her second term as council president.

It is well known that Farmingdale is a cohesive community, and therefore, the new guard will likely receive much input from their predecessors, many of whom will remain active. It is hoped that the new leadership, while preserving familiar values, will also bring fresh ideas and encourage increased community participation. Farmingdale will need it in order to thrive in the face of new challenges.

-Andrea Morale