Great Neck Notebook: January 18, 2012

17 and Homeless

The newspapers and local TV channels ran the story. Even some national news shows ran it. Who could resist? Samantha Garvey, 17 years old, a senior at Brentwood High School on Long Island, was a semifinalist in the prestigious Intel science competition. And she’s homeless.

Samantha lives with her brother, sister, and parents in a Bay Shore homeless shelter—the family was evicted on New Year’s day from their home after a series of financial problems left them in dire financial straits.   Although her long-term goal is to be a marine biologist, right now Samantha‘s priority is to help her family.

Editorial: Six Village Elections Coming Up …Think Before You Run for Office!

Six Great Neck villages will see elections in March, including Great Neck Plaza, Great Neck Estates, Kensington, Russell Gardens, Saddle Rock and Thomaston. We sincerely hope that all who choose to run for office have the absolutely essential experience needed for the job.

We have made this point several times before in many editorials, but we just can’t say this enough! We support our local governments and work hard to bring all elections and all candidates to the forefront. We respect all candidates’ decisions to run for office. The Great Neck Record does not endorse any candidates, but we do endorse honest, fair elections, and we urge all prospective candidates to think hard, and work hard, before they announce their intentions to run.

Great Neck Park District State of the Parks Message: January 11. 2012

In reporting on the state of our parks, we must first acknowledge the work of Commissioner Ivar Segalowitz for the past nine years. His dedication, hard work and skill have, without question, contributed significantly to the well being of the Great Neck Park District. Ivar, we all thank you.

The voters have now passed the baton to our newest commissioner Daniel Nachmanoff. We welcome Commissioner Nachmanoff and look forward to working with him. We know that he has much to contribute, and that he is eager to get started. We will make sure to keep him busy.

Editorial: Facing a Snowy Winter?

If last winter was any indication, we might well be facing a very snowy winter again this year. So far this season we are spoiled with early autumn-like days that lull us into thinking we might be spared major snowstorms this year. However, the fact remains we may yet face a cold, snowy winter like last year and we can’t forget the very real problems that the white stuff can cause for the elderly.

As December comes every year I find myself discussing the weather with friends and debating the health risks related to snow shoveling. One year a friend told me how he had bought a snow blower, to make the clean-up easier, less strenuous, and he added that he also took the time to clean the snow for his elderly neighbor. How very kind, how very thoughtful!

Local Poets: January 3, 2012

We were a family once

with a crib and a rocking chair,

two bicycles with child seats

on the back,

Editorial: Our New Year’s Wish for Great Neck

Our New Year’s wish for Great Neck is, as ever, one for peace, and particularly peace among neighbors. In this large, diverse community we call Great Neck, we are all neighbors. But we do not always get along with one another. Perhaps, for the New Year, we could all consider trying to appreciate our differences and taking special care to be sure that the quality of life we have all come to enjoy may be preserved for us and for future generations.

A happy and peaceful New Year for Great Neck!        

 

 

Great Neck Notebook: December 28, 2011

The Good Old Days

Like anyone else with half a brain, I miss the good old days. Holiday time brings that out in me; I slip seamlessly from an adult male 63 years old to an adult male 10 years old.   It’s so easily done, that both of us—the 63 year old and the 10 year old—look the same to the casual observer.

I suspect, like many of you, all the frenzied shopping, that infects America each December like a bad case of the flu, makes me want to lock myself in the bathroom and not come out until January heralds a return to sanity.

Editorial: Happy Holidays!

On Sunday we celebrate both Christmas and the sixth night of Hanukah. We would like to take this opportunity to wish all of our readers a very Happy Hanukah and a very Merry Christmas!
Having the two holidays coincide can be very special, as we see menorahs and Christmas trees placed side-by-side in shops, along with a delightful mixture of tree ornaments and dreidels, chocolate Hanukah ‘‘gelt’’ and candy canes, and a tumble of red and green and blue and silver wrapping paper and bows.
We hope that all of our friends and neighbors take the time, and make the effort, to enjoy all of these holidays together, as one community. While it is a real joy to celebrate your own holiday, it is a special joy to really appreciate someone else’s holiday too.
Merry Christmas and Happy Hanukah!

Great Neck Notebook: December 20, 2011

The Unexpected Gift

Salesmen who sell lumber and plywood (like me) get few chances to inject whimsy into the ordinary course of commerce. But holiday time is the season of miracles and if not miracles, then tiny surprises.

So it was when I put a phone call into one of my customers in Long Island City last week. I was nearby, but there being few legal places to park in that area, I decided to call and ask if they needed any material. I was disappointed when the customer’s answering machine went on, but in a flash realized this was a golden opportunity.

Editorial: Think Holiday Shopping... Think Great Neck!

Now that Thanksgiving has come and gone, we are well into the Hanukah and Christmas seasons. We all anticipate the joys of those holidays, the family get-togethers, the parties, and the fun of giving and receiving gifts.

Retailers say that the day after Thanksgiving is the biggest shopping day of the season. But this year, with Hanukah and Christmas so close together, it should be a pretty long and busy holiday shopping season all month. And, once again, we want to remind everyone that when you think shopping, think Great Neck.