Editorial: Thank You for Supporting Our Sports Pages!

We are supporting our children, our future

The Great Neck Record would like to thank all of our readers who so faithfully support our sports pages. Coaches, students, parents, the park district, independent teams and athletes of all ages all so generously give of their time and talents to submit their stories and wonderful photographs. Thank you so much!

Especially in today’s world, there is a greater and greater emphasis on health, particularly the health of our children. First Lady Michelle Obama has taken a stand against childhood obesity. She actively supports healthy food, balanced and healthy meals for our youngsters, and plenty of exercise. What better way for our children to exercise than to become involved in school sports and local teams?

Great Neck Notebook: March 28, 2012

True American Stories

A mother and her three children call a shelter home. Up until last year she was earning $50,000 a year as a customer service representative. She’s now making $12 an hour at a part-time job. “I never thought in a million years I’d be at this point.”

A family of five wake up each morning wondering if today will be the day they are evicted. The father used to make over $100,000, but then his telecom job was out-sourced to India.  The family income is now $15,000.

Editorial: Thank You to Our Public Officials!

On March 20, six villages held elections. One village, Saddle Rock, had a contested election for three trustee spots. The other five villages (Great Neck Estates, Great Neck Plaza, Kensington, Russell Gardens, and Thomaston) all held uncontested elections. We congratulate, and thank, all of our re-elected and newly elected public officials, as well as those already sitting in public positions. Our public officials, and community leaders, are the ones who spend their time and energy, so willingly, on our behalf, generally without monetary compensation.

Great Neck Notebook: March 21, 2012

“When You’re Right…”

It was a peaceful Sunday morning; I was sitting at the breakfast table finishing an onion roll with butter.  Gail walked into the kitchen and in a sleepy voice asked, “Would you cut me a lemon for my tea.”

“Sure.” I went to the refrigerator and saw the lemon in question on the top shelf. 

Editorial: The Wood Road Dump

A Sad Tale of Neglect

On the corner of Wood Road and Arrandale Avenue, there is a forlorn piece of property that belongs to Nassau County. Part of it is protected wetlands and there is a sump buried in the heart of it. For all intents and purposes, it cannot be developed.

Many people just assume, since it is adjacent to the Parkwood Complex owned by the Great Neck Park District, that it is owned by the district, but that is not the case. The park district has tried to acquire it to save it from being such a growing eyesore.

Great Neck Notebook: March 14, 2012

My Passover Prayer

Have you ever noticed how so many of the holidays we celebrate involve special meals? There’s Christmas, Easter, Thanksgiving, and of course Passover. At some point during the Passover seder, many of us will hold up a piece of matzah and say, “This is the bread of affliction, let all who are hungry come and eat!” We even place an extra cup of wine on the table for the prophet Elijah—just in case he happens to be in the neighborhood.

When we say, “let all who are hungry…,” it is a symbolic gesture.  In my mind, I always thought of hungry people as those who lived in India, or China, or Africa.  At least I thought that way before I began volunteering at the Interfaith Nutrition Network (INN) 10 years ago.

Editorial: Speaking Up and Making a Difference

We spend many evenings each week covering local meetings —- village boards, school board, library board, park board, civic associations and more —- and at almost every meeting we hear local officials asking for “public input” on weighty or controversial matters. Especially at public hearings, the comments from members of the public are a vital, and also a legal necessity. It is incumbent upon boards to ask for public comment and they should do so whether or not a formal public hearing is required. When a mayor or a president of a board asks for “public input” this is a serious request.

Great Neck Notebook: March 7, 2012

From the Heart

I often wonder when I make a charitable donation whether my donation made a difference. I never wonder about that with the INN because I’ve seen the difference that every meal makes, the difference that shelter makes from the cold, the difference that hope makes from despair.

I offer you the words of one of the INN’s guests, who expressed their thankfulness far better than I ever could. “You turned on the lights, so I could see. You opened the door, so I could come in from the cold. You fed me all the food I needed for today so tomorrow I can try to find work, or a better place to live.

Editorial: Reminder: Email Submissions Only!

Just a reminder! The Great Neck Record can only accept email submissions. That includes articles and photographs.

We continue to receive some hard copy (via snail mail) press releases and photographs, and occasionally we receive articles (and photos, believe it or not) sent via fax. For quite some time now the Record has asked that only email submissions should be sent for publication. We will accept only news stories, letters to the editor, information, etc. in a Word attachment in an email. All photos must be in a jpg attachment.

Great Neck Notebook: February 29, 2012

Do the Right Thing

What do you do when a child is hungry? This isn’t a trick question. I heard this story last week and wanted to share it with you.

There’s a middle school not far from here where there are quite a few students whose families are homeless. A cafeteria worker (in that school) noticed that some of the children were taking home packets of ketchup. She asked one of the students about it and this is what the student told her.