Farmingdale Library Hosts Artwork By A.V. Panetta

On Saturday, Dec. 10 the Farmingdale Public Library held an opening reception to honor the fine oil painting collection “Oils in Nature’s Brush” by A.V. “Ed” Panetta. Panetta was joined by dozens of friends and family members as he proudly presented some of his most beloved paintings from throughout the years.

Panetta, 94, said he has been in love with drawing since he was a young boy. He remembers drawing a lot of planes, encouraged by many of his elementary teachers, like Mrs. Riordan and Mrs. Johnson. He would draw from his imagination, creating new flying inventions like a plane with a submarine periscope attached. Panetta said that as a young student he was often given special privileges during art class to have an independent study, permission to create freely, despite the assignment given to the rest of the class. 

Fancy FREE Holds Grand Re-Opening on Main Street

Local artisans showcase handcrafted gifts

On Monday, Dec. 5 the Village of Farmingdale and other local and state officials gathered at Fancy FREE Gift Shop and Artisan Center at 248 Main Street in Farmingdale to help celebrate its grand re-opening with a ribbon cutting ceremony and a showcase of the local crafts and talent that will be available and the gift shop.

The Fancy FREE Gift Shop is organized and operated by Family Residences and Essential Enterprises, Inc. (FREE), a nonprofit agency that supports over 3,000 individuals with autism and other special needs.

Village Beautification Completes Decorating, With Help from Lowe’s

Board continues rezoning hearing, examines existing businesses

According to Deputy Mayor Pat Christiansen, the festive holiday arrangements currently on display on Main Street were the result of many hours of hard work put in by several groups and individuals within the Farmingdale community.

“The Beautification Committee worked together with resident and nonresident volunteers, junior firemen, firemen, Relay For Life committee members, Girl Scouts, the mayor and trustees,” Christiansen said. “They gathered on three separate occasions and worked very hard to put up all these holiday decorations. We also have to give special thanks to DPW personnel and Public Works Superintendent Andrew Fisch for their efforts in decorating the Tricentennial tree and solving numerous lighting issues. Also thanks to Amityville DPW for the loan of a truck, and to Lowe’s [Home Improvement] in Farmingdale.”

Farmingdale Village Holds Annual Tree Lighting

Nassau County Legislator Joe Belesi recently joined together with Village of Farmingdale officials Mayor George Starkie and Deputy Mayor Patricia Christiansen to attend the Annual Village of Farmingdale Tree Lighting. Pictured: Belesi, Debbie Podolski, Rosemary Trudden, George Starkie, Joe Trudden, Patricia Christiansen and Phil Strehl.

Georgiana Sena Declares Candidacy For Farmingdale Village Mayor

Farmingdale resident, civic leader running as Independent Party’s candidate

Georgiana Sena has announced her official candidacy for Mayor of Farmingdale Village. As a Farmingdale resident and homeowner, she has been deeply involved with civic, charitable and political organizations for over 20 years working to improve her community.

We Are the 99 Percent: MoveOn Supporters Hold Rally

Demands Washington focus on jobs, making Wall Street pay fair share

On Thursday, Nov. 17, just days after Mayor Bloomberg tried to shut out the voices of Occupy Wall Street in New York City; members of MoveOn.org joined a nationwide day of action called, “We Are the 99%.” 

Marking the two-month anniversary of the Occupy Wall Street movement, nearly 70 local community members from Long Island and beyond rallied at the former K-Mart property on Hempstead Turnpike at Gardiners Avenue in Levittown to demand that the politicians in Washington focus on creating jobs and making millionaires on Wall Street pay their fair share.

Chamber Hosts Holiday Parade

While the Village Beautification team put some of the final touches on the holiday decorations around the village, the annual holiday parade, sponsored by the Farmingdale Chamber of Commerce kicked off on the north end of Main Street on Saturday, Nov. 19.

The mild temperatures welcomed parade-goers and all of the local groups who participated in the march down Main Street.

Toys for Tots Holds Kick-Off Luncheon at Oheka Castle

Toys for Tots, once again through the courtesy of Gary Melius, held its kick-off luncheon at Oheka Castle.

Organizer of the entire program is Major Chuck Kilbride with the help this year of Coordinator Gunnery Sgt. Steven Covington and Assistant Coordinator Brian Gomez.

Village Board Approves Zoning Code Amendment

Rosemary Trudden honored as Small Businessperson Of the Year

The Village of Farmingdale Board of Trustees voted at Monday’s public hearing to amend the zoning code of the village to add Article XIV- a downtown mixed-use zoning district, which allows residential units to be built over stores on Main Street.

Prior to the vote, the hearing turned slightly contentious when some residents raised concerns about the various problems which may arise from amending the zoning code. Some residents expressed to the board that they were hopeful the new code will lead to a vibrant, attractive and economically flourishing Downtown Farmingdale, while other locals were staunchly opposed to the plan due to the potential for illegal apartments and traffic congestion.

Corey Fisher Among Honorees At Firematic Award Ceremony

Twenty-four local fire members honored for their service

Town of Hempstead Supervisor Kate Murray and the Hempstead board recently honored Bethpage firefighter and EMT Corey Fisher who was among the 24 volunteer firefighters from surrounding departments at a ceremony, on Thursday, Oct. 20 at the Nathan L.H. Bennett Pavilion at the Town Hall in Hempstead.

Father Daniel O’Brien, S.J. who serves Oceanside’s St. Anthony’s R.C. Church and the Valley Stream Fire Department, provided a brief invocation, and Fred McFarland of the Levittown Fire Department, performed the National Anthem. The Levittown Fire Department Guard Unit retired the colors before each of the 24 fire members were honored with medals and certificates.