Rotary Hosts Boys & Girls Club’s Tom Bruno

Hicksville fixture hasn’t received funds

since July; in danger of shutting down

The guest speaker at the Oct. 11 Hicksville-Jericho Rotary meeting was Thomas Bruno, executive director of the Hicksville Boys & Girls Club.
The club strives to improve each child’s life by implementing programs that help promote self-esteem, positive values and morals, and dignity. Adolescents are assisted in making healthy choices for themselves and are encouraged to use their time, energy and talents in a positive manner.
Youth come to the club to receive tutoring, computer training, homework help, and mentoring or ESL. They also provide a variety of recreational programs designed to develop skills, as well as fill members’ idle time.

Housing Lottery For Returning Veterans

Mangano: Hicksville home being

built for one of our nation’s heroes

Building on his recent success of creating new affordable homes for veterans in Mitchel Field, Nassau County Executive Edward P. Mangano is inviting veterans of the Iraq and Afghanistan conflicts to enter a lottery to win a brand-new house built by Homes for Homecoming Heroes, Inc. on a site in Hicksville that was donated by Nassau County. Homes for OurHomecoming Heroes, a not-for-profit corporation, will select a qualified veteran who is in need of housing and construct a residence on the property to suit the specific needs of the selected veteran. The veteran will then be able to purchase the new home at the cost of construction.
Mangano stated, “My administration is determined to provide affordable housing for our nation’s heroes and their families’ right here in Nassau County. I am thrilled that Nassau County was able to partner with Homes for Homecoming Heroes to provide a veteran with this wonderful opportunity to own a home in Nassau.”

HCC Holds Meet The Candidates Night

Assembly, senate and judicial incumbents, hopefuls address questions at forum

(Editor’s note – More information regarding the candidates mentioned in this article will appear in the upcoming Anton Community Newspapers’ Voter’s Guide, which will be published Oct. 25.) 

The Hicksville Community Council held a meet the candidates forum on Thursday evening, Oct. 4 at the Hicksville Community Center on West Carl Street that provided residents an opportunity to see who could be representing them in several different political positions come November. 

Community Council member Joel Berse – who asked the audience to observe a moment of silence for Nassau County Legislature Presiding Officer Peter Schmitt, who died of a heart attack on Wednesday, Oct. 3 – led the event as judicial candidates Colin O’Donnell, Joy Watson, William O’Brien, Doug LaRose and Anthony Paradiso, U.S. Congressional hopeful in the 2nd District Steve Labate (R) and New York State Assembly incumbent in the 15th District Michael Montesano (R) spoke on their backgrounds and plans if elected (or re-elected) to their respective positions. 

Hicksville High School Homecoming 2012

The buzz of excitement that comes with a traditional Hicksville homecoming made gray skies feel like the sun was shining for several thousand students, teachers and local supporters who attended the yearly Walker Field event.  

The Hicksville Council of PTAs coordinated this 22nd Annual Homecoming Fair, which began at 10 a.m. Fundraising activities included games of skill and chance, face painting, blow-up bouncers, raffles, snack stands and scientific demonstrations, with all profits designated to fund scholarships for deserving Hicksville High School graduating seniors. 

Hose Co. 4 Hosts Annual BBQ, Car Show

Portion of proceeds to benefit Brain Aneurysm Foundation

The Hicksville Fire Department hosted their Second Annual BBQ Competition and Car Show on Sept. 23 at Cantiague Park in Hicksville. Company 4, led by Capt. John Imbriale, 1st Lt. Michael Doerflein and 2nd Lt. Matthew Keyer, gave credit to the entire company for their efforts and hard work in the planning and execution of their event.

Fifteen cook teams, 20 vendors and more than 200 show cars wowed the large crowd taking in the sights on the first day of autumn. The festivities were opened by Hicksville’s own Nassau County Legislator, Rose Marie Walker; followed by the national anthem performed by Samantha Farrell.

‘Arts Alive LI’ Fostering Arts, Creativity All October

Island-wide, multi-venue festival showcasing finest in culture, artistry

For the month of October, Long Islanders won’t have to travel into Manhattan to get an art and culture fix.

On Sept. 27, the Cradle of Aviation Museum, located at 1 Davis Ave. in Garden City, hosted representatives from the Long Island Arts Alliance (LIAA), Bethpage Federal Credit Union, the Long Island Community Foundation and local elected officials as they announced the month-long festivities promoting Long Island’s finest artists and their works.

“Arts Alive LI has something for everyone,” said Theresa Statz-Smith, executive director, Long Island Arts Alliance. “I truly believe that thousands will discover, as they journey to exhibition spaces, museums, theaters, historic venues, festivals and other gathering places why Long Island is one of the strongest cultural destinations in the country.”

Nassau County Legislature Presiding Officer Peter Schmitt Dies

Nassau County Legislature Presiding Officer Peter Schmitt died suddenly on the morning of Oct. 3. According to Ed Ward, spokesperson from the legislator’s office, Schmitt, 62, collapsed while in a budget meeting with Nassau County Executive Ed Mangano in the Theodore Roosevelt Executive and Legislative Building and was rushed to Winthrop Hospital. He died at 11:55 a.m.

“Nassau County has lost a dedicated public servant,” said Mangano in a statement. “My wife Linda and I lost a friend of over 20 years. Presiding Officer Peter Schmitt served the residents of Nassau County with great integrity and pride. I had the privilege of serving closely with Peter in the legislature since its creation in 1996, where he distinguished himself as an outspoken advocate for the residents of the 12th Legislative District.”

BOE Responds To Overcrowded Class Concerns

Dutch Lane parents unite to show dismay over 30-child class

More than a dozen parents from Dutch Lane School were at the Sept. 19 Hicksville Board of Education meeting regarding Dutch Lane’s only first-grade class, which includes 30 children – a number some parents believe is too large.

According to Hicksville Board of Education President Susan Powell, the district adopted a policy three years ago as a response to the down economy.

Annual Hicksville Homecoming Fair Is September 29

The Hicksville Council of PTAs proudly announces the 22nd Annual Homecoming Fair will take place on Saturday, Sept. 29. All are invited to join in the fun at this wonderful community event.

The Fair is scheduled to begin at 10 a.m. at Hicksville High School’s John A. Walker soccer field. As in the past a number of activities will be featured, including many fun attractions like the ever-popular Castle bouncer, a giant slide and an obstacle course plus many game booths courtesy of the individual PTA units and school clubs. Lunch can be purchased as you walk along the fairgrounds thanks to the Hicksville Athletic Booster Club and the generosity of Applebee’s. Snack items will be available for purchase at various booths during the day.

‘Wine U Design’ Getting Better With Age

From crushing grapes to bottling, patrons are promised the best in ‘fermentertainment’

Normally, Long Islanders pack up their cars and head eastbound on the LIE for a winemaking or tasting experience, but Wine U Design gives aspiring local sommeliers the freedom to create and bottle personalized wines right here in Hicksville.  

The winery opened its doors at 156 Engineers Drive three years ago when co-owners Vincenzo Saulle and Gianni Fabrizi envisioned bringing several generations worth of family tradition to the contemporary corporate world.