Fans Flock To WFAN’s Fantasy Phenom Challenge

Long Island sports fans audition to become next big radio star

“Welcome to the Big Dave Show. Let’s talk Knicks. They are driving me INSANE.”

Although, the Big Dave Show isn’t yet a radio show, Dave Cantwood of the Bronx, as well as up to 100 others had a chance to audition before a panel of judges for an opportunity to host a real on-air shift on Sports Radio 66 WFAN.

Congressional Delegation Lobbies FAA To Stay Grounded On Long Island

Bipartisan bloc working to keep air traffic control facilities in Garden City and Ronkonkoma

Driving past 1515 Stewart Avenue, there’s a nondescript fenced-in compound with a tower, that upon first glance resembles a cable television outpost. But inside, directions are being provided to a steady stream of incoming and outgoing aircraft from four of the largest airports in the tri-state area.

These crucial directives could be transmitted from further afield if the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) goes through with plans to relocate air traffic control facilities in Garden City and Ronkonkoma to a new site in upstate New York. At a recent press conference held at the front of the aforementioned Stewart Avenue address, a bipartisan Long Island congressional delegation laid out its plan to keep the facilities in their current locations.

A Steward For A.T. Stewart’s Legacy

Garden City historian John Ellis Kordes keeps the keys to the past

When millionaire Alexander Turney Stewart purchased a 10,000-acre swath of the Hempstead Plains in 1869, little did he know the rich history that would evolve out of what would eventually become the Incorporated Village of Garden City. It is a rich heritage that lifelong Garden City resident John Ellis Kordes has made a point of documenting and sharing via his career as a professional photographer. Since 1996, Kordes has been the official village historian, only the third after the late Mildred Smith and Vincent Seyfried. On Tuesday, July 10, the Oyster Bay Historical Society recognized Kordes’ efforts when they chose to honor him alongside a number of other historians during its inaugural awards program saluting, “Long Island’s Top Advocates for Historic Preservation & Education.” It was an event that Adelphi alum wound up getting more out of than he expected.

SMFD Hosts Annual 4th Of July Parade

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.

Rescued Pets Are Given A Helping Paw Up

Lord & Taylor lends local support in teaming up with animal rescue groups

In a groundbreaking move, Lord & Taylor partnered with Best Friends Animal Society, to host the “Perfect Pairs” Pet Adoption Day, in celebration of the retailer’s biggest sandal sale of the season. Merging retail and rescue animal groups that are part of Best Friends Animal Societies No More Homeless Pets Network brought rescued pets to the stores as part of a nationwide effort to put shelter pets in front of retail shoppers.

The idea to feature rescued animals came from Lord & Taylor. It was the kind of support welcomed by Greta Palmer, Best Friends Animal Society’s national event manager.

GC High School 2012 Commencement Ceremony

Graduates and their families also benefit from perfect weather and sunny skies

As if in anticipation of the occasion, the hours-before stormy skies cleared over Garden City and Warren King Field, making for a picture-perfect day on which to celebrate Garden City High School’s 67th Annual Commencement Ceremony. Hundreds of family and friends filled the stadium seats on Saturday, June 23 to applaud the Class of 2012 – the sons, daughters, siblings, grandchildren, and friends about to depart for broader horizons.

There was no lack of inspirational words during the ceremony from Principal Nanine Cuttitta, Superintendent of Schools Dr. Robert Feirsen, Salutatorian Megan Bader, Julia Maloney Scholarship Winner Franklin Dickinson, and Valedictorian Alina Ranjbaran as the Class of 2012 attended their final event at the high school.

GCHS’s Class of 2012 Valedictorian, Salutatorian

Congratulations to Alina Ranjbaran (left) for being named Garden City High School’s Class of 2012 valedictorian, and to Megan Bader (right) for being named salutatorian. Harvard-bound, Alina is a National Merit Scholarship finalist, a Seimens Science Research Regional finalist, a student in Juilliard School’s pre-college division, a NYSSMA All-State musician, and president of the National Honor Society. Megan Bader is a two-season News 12 Scholar Athlete, a National, Spanish, and Latin Honor Society member, and a 2012 National Merit Scholarship Commended Student. Megan plans to attend Duke University in the fall.

Garden City Hotel Owners Check Out

Long Island landmark sold to Manhattan realty group

Morris Moinian’s Manhattan-based Fortuna Realty Group recently signed a contract to purchase the storied Garden City Hotel from the Nelkin family, according to published reports. The 272-room hotel lies on 8.6 acres and was originally constructed in 1874 by Village of Garden City founder Alexander Turney Stewart and in the subsequent time, has been rebuilt four times, twice by storied New York architect Stanford White. Originally acquired by the Nelkins in 1979, the historic building was renovated and reopened in 1983 by the late Myron Nelkin. The Garden City Hotel’s selling price has not been revealed but the deal is expected to close in 90 days, according to Patrick S. Smalley, the hotel’s executive vice president and managing director.

Lopez-O’Keeffe Makes Mark In Nationally Published Essay Collection

Stewart Manor mom serves as literary mirror for work-at-home moms

According to the 2010 U.S. Census, there were 5 million stay-at-home moms, down from 5.1 million the prior year and 5.3 million in 2008. And a Parenting.com article revealed that there are 10.1 million women-owned businesses in the United States according to the Center for Women’s Business Research. And while the statistics don’t reveal how many are run by stay-at-home moms, the combination of a down economy and technological flexibility points to that latter demographic filling in a large slice of that statistical pie. It is this world that author and mom Cristian T. Lopez-O’Keeffe lived in when she penned her essay, “Mama Esta Trabajando,” for Chicken Soup for the Soul: Stay-at-Home-Moms, a collection of inspirational treatises originally released in 2009 as Chicken Soup for the Soul: Power Moms.

Police Commissioner Files For Retirement

End of an era as Ernie J. Cipullo retires after five-plus decades of service

On May 31, Commissioner Ernie J. Cipullo filed his retirement papers with the Village of Garden City. According to those who know Cipullo, the quiet way he did this without fanfare is consistent with the way he’s conducted himself throughout his long, illustrious career. (This modesty also extended to his politely declining to be interviewed for this article.) With most anecdotal evidence pointing to most law enforcement officers retiring after between 20 to 25 years on the job, the U.S. Navy veteran was on the clock for an astonishing 51 years after reporting for his first day of duty on April 20, 1961.