Great Neck Notebook: April 4, 2012

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Great Neck Notebook: April 4, 2012

Written by David Golbert Friday, 06 April 2012 00:00

Human Nature

As a writer, I spend a lot of time observing how people act. I can tell you without fear of contradiction, that all of us are creatures of habit. Allow me to offer three examples.

In the small medical office building where my dentist plies his trade, I got on the elevator to return to the lobby after my appointment was over. There was a middle-aged woman already in the elevator. She was also going down to the lobby and had pushed that button on the elevator display. I could tell she had pushed it because it was already lit.

Knowing all that, I pushed the button again. Pushing the button wasn’t going to get us to the lobby any more surely or any faster. The woman and I exchanged a mutual look of understanding. “I couldn’t help myself, ” I admitted. She nodded and smiled sympathetically.

The next morning I was in the gym on a treadmill trying to burn off the residue of calories from the previous night’s dessert. A lady a little younger than myself got on the treadmill next to mine. Before she started the machine, she took a wet-wipe and carefully cleaned the grips on both sides, the display panel that shows you the distance, time, and calories expended, and then for good measure cleaned the mini-television monitor that each machine has.

As sole witness to her dedication to cleanliness, I felt compelled to comment. “Do you make house calls?” She smiled but made no reply. Within a few moments, we were both concentrating on working up a good sweat.

For those patrons of the gym who arrive at the ungodly hour before 7 a.m., there is an elderly gentleman who sits at a little desk in the hallway as a token of building security. Like most of the gym early birds, I always make a point of saying, “Good Morning,” to him. And he always replies in kind.

The other day, I decided to add something extra. So, I asked, “How are you today?” Without a moment’s hesitation, he replied, “Too early to tell.” Sometimes you find wisdom in the most unexpected places.

News

School District Accepts Donations

Friday, 17 May 2013 00:00

Once again the Great Neck School District received a host of gifts and donations. All were recently approved and accepted by the Board of Education at school board public action meetings.

Eight donations were received for the Robotics Club, to help offset some of the many costs associated with running a successful robotics program. Donations were sent from: the Rotary Club of Gold Coast, Cathy Sung, Stephen and Beth Wolf, Joel and Ellen Dressner, Jay and Judi Bosworth, Edith Novick and Dmitriy Tokar, Gary and Bianna Gal, Scott and Barbara Erlich and Jill A. Krieger.

Sports

Therapeutic Skating Program Completed

Friday, 17 May 2013 00:00

The Great Neck Park District, in partnership with the Great Neck Figure Skating Club and the Great Neck School District, started the Therapeutic Skating program in February 2013. This program was extremely beneficial to students with special needs from Great Neck North Middle and High Schools. The skaters met bi-monthly at the Andrew Stergiopoulos Ice Rink through Tuesday, April 23. They ended the season with a skating session as usual and then enthusiastically were awarded their trophies.