SMFD Hosts Annual 4th Of July Parade
Written by Marilou Giammona: gardencity@antonnews.com Friday, 13 July 2012 00:00
Super Soakers, Superheroes, and Stars and Stripes Abound
For the 14th consecutive year, the Stewart Manor Fire Department’s (SMFD) Fourth of July parade made a big splash. On Wednesday, July 4, the serene, tree-lined streets of the village were transformed into a no-holds-barred water fight, as spectators – armed with Super Soakers, water balloons and garden hoses - and local fire departments – armed with their own hydro artillery - waged war on each other.This year’s parade highlighted political dignitaries, marching bands, antique vehicles, the Nassau County Fire Riders and nearly 20 fire departments, including Bellerose Terrace, Bellerose Village, Elmont, Floral Park, Floral Park Centre, Franklin Square-Munson, Garden City, Garden City Park, Hempstead, Lynbrook, Mineola, New Hyde Park, Stewart Manor, Syosset, Uniondale, Valley Stream, West Hempstead and Williston Park.
The parade and barbecue that followed in the municipal parking lot on the corner of Chester and Covert Avenues is the culmination of year-long efforts put forth by Stewart Manor employees and volunteers. “[I] would like to thank the many village residents that attended the 14th annual Stewart Manor Fire Department July 4th parade and barbecue on Wednesday,” said SMFD Chief Tom Skinner. “[I] would also like to thank the many people that helped to make it another tremendous success, including the fire department members, our DPW employees and the beautification committee for their efforts to help make the parking lot look wonderful.”
With an escort from the Nassau County Police Department Third Precinct, the parade stepped off at 10:30 a.m. on Stewart Avenue at Fernwood Terrace, proceeded west to Covert Avenue, then wound through the residential streets of Stewart Manor before ending on Covert Avenue near the Stewart Manor Fire Department. Dozens of Nassau County Fire Riders – a motorcycle club started by the FDNY “to unite firefighters, have a good time and promote safe motorcycling” – led the procession. The SMFD color guard followed closely behind, paving the way for Stewart Manor Mayor and SMFD member James Kelly, Trustee James Lynch, Town Councilman Ed Ambrosino, New York State Assemblyman Ed Ra, and Nassau County Judge David P. Sullivan.
A parade for all senses, this year’s event once again delighted spectators with patriotic tunes performed by The Street Band Preservation Society and the Floral Park Fire Department marching band. Spectators were also entertained with creative floats and real, live superheroes.
Indeed, Captain America stood proudly atop Uniondale’s Protection Co. 4 truck, while New Hyde Park Fire Department members took cover aboard a float that took the form of a fort with Captain America painted prominently across the back. Sure to not lose the true meaning of Independence Day, all vehicles were adorned with stars and stripes, and many saluted our military. Hempstead’s float sported a banner that read “We Support Our Troops,” Franklin-Square-Munson’s float boldly displayed “USA” and a hand-painted U.S. Flag, and West Hempstead touted the words, “The Few, The Proud.” The Garden City Park Juniors channeled the Navy, riding aboard the “U.S.S. – Juniors.”
The creativity among the various fire departments spanned many decades. Garden City and Uniondale showed off antique fire engines, Mineola cruised along the parade route aboard a 1950s-era “rock ‘n’ roll” float, and Valley Stream sported the Enterprise space shuttle. Opting for a more whimsical theme, Garden City’s float was a larger than life fire hydrant, which spouted water from either side to soak spectators.
That hydrant, however, and the dozens of fire hoses spewing water throughout the parade were hardly a match for the hundreds of spectators along the route. Children of all ages stood ready with their own water arsenals, waiting to launch their attack.
“As Chief Skinner has generally stated, [the parade and barbecue] involves an incredible amount of planning and hard work by many people,” said Stewart Manor resident and SMFD member Bob Barbieri. “For me, what makes it all worthwhile is seeing all those happy children’s faces lining the streets and threatening marchers with aqua fusillades—incredibly wonderful!”
News
Thursday, 23 May 2013 00:00
Kroplick and Kammerer honored
On May 8, more than 500 fashionably dressed women converged on the Garden City Hotel for the Sid Jacobson JCC’s tenth annual Friendship Circle Luncheon. Notable celebrities on hand were Good Day New York co-host Rosanna Scotto, who was also the event’s MC, and singer/actress Megan Hilty from the Broadway play Wicked and NBC’s hit drama Smash, who entertained the ladies with her favorite songs from both shows.
The Friendship Circle Luncheon was started 10 years ago by Denise Silverberg, as a way to raise money for programs providing support for adults in their 30s, 40 s and 50s that are afflicted by Alzheimer’s. Silverberg’s mother has the disease, so she understands firsthand the role of a caregiver and the stresses involved in taking care of someone who has it.
Thursday, 23 May 2013 00:00
Deputy Mayor Nicholas Episcopia attended the HUB Stakeholders Meeting held by Nassau County’s consultants on the Transportation Project. He was joined by EPOA President Judy Courtney, Vice President Chris Mullaney, and Director Leo Stimmler, as well as William Bellmer, a member of the Garden City Planning Commission, Dorothy Episcopia, past EPOA president, and former mayor Robert Rothschild. Bob Schoelle and Brian Ridgeway attended the afternoon session. Garden City is a stakeholder because a large portion of the village lies within the defined HUB area.
As presented, the currently preferred alternative transportation plan appears reasonable and eliminates the construction of a light rail system that would run from the Mineola Station, south behind Arthur Street, and east along the spur adjacent to St. James Street South, as was initially proposed. Nonetheless, as we have consistently done over the years, we will continue to monitor plans for the transportation project and strongly express our opinion if we believe any aspect of this project would be detrimental to the quality of life in Garden City.
Sports
Thursday, 23 May 2013 00:00
Boys JV lacrosse team goes undefeated
The Garden City JV lacrosse team finished the year with a stellar 14-0-1 record. Led by Head Coach Tom Flatley and Assistant Coach Brett Hepworth, the Trojans overpowered most of their opponents with explosive offensive bursts, tough-nosed gritty defense, and rock-solid goaltending. The offense averaged over 15 goals per game, while the defense allowed just over three goals per game.
The season commenced with a hard fought, triple overtime thriller against Syosset that ended in a 7-7 tie. As the team became more cohesive, most of the next few opponents, including Hewlett, Lynbrook, Carey, Roslyn, Kellenberg, and others, found themselves overmatched against this Trojan team. However, that did not dissuade Ward Melville from putting forth an inspired effort on their home turf for three quarters, before finally falling to Garden City 12-7.
Thursday, 16 May 2013 00:00
Defense keys successful lacrosse seasons
The boys and girls high school teams are both rolling and have their sights set on a long run in the playoffs. Both team have faced a number of formidable opponents throughout the season and have successfully navigated their schedules. One thing that has been consistent for both teams has been that their defenses have had to stand tall at key times and shut down very active offenses. Both Coach Finnell and Coach Chapman have made sure that the non-league schedules of their teams will ensure that their teams are prepared for whatever the playoffs can throw at them.
After going the full season last year undefeated, the boys team has three blemishes on their record with losses to powerhouses Ward Melville, Manhasset and LaSalle of PA. With a 9-3 record the Trojans are looking to wrap up the number two seed in the playoffs to force a rematch of the Manhasset game in the County finals. The boys have excelled defensively only allowing 4.25 goals against per game. And if you remove those three tough losses the goals against average drops to 3.1.
Calendar
Color Your World
Thursday, May 23
Summer Entertaining Workshop
Tuesday, May 28
Bugs Bower Lecture
Thursday, May 30
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