Over 60 ... And Getting Younger: March 22, 2013

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Over 60 ... And Getting Younger: March 22, 2013

Written by Stanley Greenberg Friday, 22 March 2013 00:00

A Wish Fulfilled

As a die-hard Brooklyn Dodgers and New York Mets baseball fan, I have always desired to go to spring training to see my teams perform in the Grapefruit League. Last week, at 78 years old, my wish came true.

With three other gentlemen, we flew to West Palm Beach Airport. Next we picked up a Toyota Avalon at Alamo Car Rental and proceeded toward Port St. Lucie to watch the 2013 Mets. On the way (Route 95 North), a black cloud filled with rain tried to get in our way, but it could not stop us. We had great hopes that our three-day stay would not be rained out. As it turned out, the Florida sun greeted us in Port St. Lucie. It was great to wear shorts and golf shirts under a sunny sky. We checked into the Main Stay Hotel ($75 a night).

Our first game against the Washington Nationals started at 6:10 p.m. at the Mets’ ball field. It is named Tradition Field and it is a lovely baseball stadium. The field has high quality grass and a beautiful grass-lined berm in center field. As we lay on the berm, Ike Davis hit a huge homerun, not far from us.

We also saw David Wright, whom we designated as the All-American Boy because he is one. The Mets lost 6-4. Because Manager Collins was trying out his new crop of players, no other Mets were on the field that we recognized, pitchers included.

After a good night’s rest, the next day we traveled south to Roger Dean Stadium in Jupiter, Florida to watch the Mets play the Miami Marlins. The Marlins had just traded our beloved Jose Reyes to Toronto, so we had no love for them.

We had lunch in a strange place in Hobe Sound, Florida. It was called “Harry and the Natives,” established in 1941. There were strange signs all over the place, such as “Eat, drink and be Harry,” “I’ve got friends in low places,” and “Please notify your nurse when you leave.” Plus there was a life size statue of Marilyn Monroe, with her dress blown up in the air.

The next game, our Mets lost again. We saw Duda and Tejada in this game. Discontented, we drove back to Port St. Lucie. In the morning, we watched the Mets work out. That afternoon, the Mets were playing the St. Louis Cardinals. Cardinal fans are so ardent, they almost outnumbered the Met fans. It was a romp and a rout of our poor Mets. Three games, three losses, but we were not discouraged.

That night, we ate at a fabulous fish restaurant called the Food Shack. Never have I eaten such fresh fish, prepared so wonderfully. I had blackened Tuna.

Our trip came to a close as we boarded the Southwest flight back to Islip. A dream fulfilled: now, if only the poor Mets could win the pennant!

News

Hicksville Native Wins FIT Award

Thursday, 23 May 2013 00:00

Hicksville native Jae Lee recently rose to the top of his senior class at New York Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT), winning the Critic Award for sportswear. But fashion wasn’t the path that Lee originally chose.

In high school, Lee excelled in art classes and thought that he wanted to go to college and major in fine arts. However, he said, it was while watching an episode of “Project Runway” that he had a revelation. “All of a sudden I was thinking that it was something I could/should do and that’s what kind of led to it,” he said. He made up his mind that he was going to apply to fashion school and enlisted the help of one of his art teachers in school to help him. “We really scrambled and put together this presentation in about two weeks, where other people, I’m sure, worked on theirs for months,” he said. Lee said that when he went to present his portfolio, he didn’t think the meeting went well at all. “Everyone was really well prepared,” he said. But, he admitted, it must have gone better than he thought, because he was accepted to FIT.

WWII Armor Museum Opens

Thursday, 23 May 2013 00:00

In the face of cancelled air shows and the downgrading of NYC’s Fleet Week, Nassau County Executive Edward Mangano announced on May 9, that American soldiers will be forever honored on Long Island through the creation of the Museum of American Armor to be built at Old Bethpage Village Restoration thanks, in part, to a million dollar gift from Lawrence Kadish.

“We are watching powerful tributes to our American military reduced or eliminated across the nation and its just plain wrong,” stated County Executive Mangano. “Fortunately, the Memorial Day weekend air show at Jones Beach will be held regardless of the loss of the Thunderbirds, but Fleet Week in New York City will be greatly diminished and across the country air shows are being cancelled weekly. Nassau County is moving in another direction. An armor museum that honors every American soldier will be created on county property this year which will not only pay tribute to those who have defended our nation but will also strengthen the county’s tourism and destination industry and provide a new source of revenue.”

Sports

For The Love Of Tennis

Thursday, 23 May 2013 00:00

Hicksville residents honored by tennis association

The U.S. Tennis Association Long Island Region has recognized several Hicksville residents for their tennis playing or volunteering achievements. The group was honored at the USTA Long Island Region’s 23rd Annual Awards Dinner, which recognizes superior efforts both on and off the tennis court.

Terry Fontana received the Vitas Gerulaitis for the Love of Tennis award. She has been a longtime fixture in the Hicksville tennis community and is the driving force behind the Hicksville Community Tennis Association (CTA), which, since 1995, has been promoting the development of tennis as a means of healthy recreation and physical fitness and to create a community resource for physical activity throughout the area.

Lady Comets Honor Departing Seniors

Thursday, 23 May 2013 00:00

It was a cold season for softball this year, colder than usual. Anyone who knows the sport recognizes that the weather can be changeable, but this softball season was fraught with snow, pouring rain, cancelled games, frigid temperatures, and blowing winds that would cause any team to crave the warmth of indoors.

That wasn’t the case with the Hicksville High School Lady Comets Varsity Softball team. They played through it all like champions, and endured the rough weather like superstars.