The Alzheimer's Day Program, now called the "Our Space" program, based at the Herricks Community Center, 999 Herricks Road, New Hyde Park, celebrated 20 years of success with a gala dinner held at the newly renovated Inn at New Hyde Park.

The event honored Diane Schmalz, RN, BSN, who developed and directed the program when it first started and due to her leadership the program grew from one day a week in 1987 to its current three-day weekly schedule.

Also honored was former North Hempstead Town Councilman Anthony D'Urso, who has always been very supportive of the program. So much so, he became a member of the Alzheimer's Advisory Board many years ago.

Over the years Schmalz' expertise has assisted many families in understanding the devastating illness of Alzheimer's and helped them make the right choices to provide the best care for their loved ones. Her warmth and understanding has welcomed more than 1,000 clients to the program. Further, she was successful in obtaining town, legislative and private grants to enable the program to grow and provide more services to clients. For 18 years, her leadership, dedication and creativity has had a positive impact on the adult day services. She has been a recipient of the Outstanding Service Award from the Long Island Alzheimer's Foundation and the Adult Day Services Hero Award and from The Information Source for Adult Day Centers.

Tony D'Urso has devoted his life's work to public service. For 30 years he used his architectural training and expertise with the City of New York. He spent his free time volunteering with youth sports organizations and community groups. He was elected a town councilman and served in that capacity for 14 years.

D'Urso became a member of the Herricks Alzheimer's Advisory Board which led him to join the Herricks Community Fund, where he served as a vice president. He was instrumental, on both boards, in obtaining grants from the Town of North Hempstead and introduction to the Greentree Foundation. He encouraged the members of the Alzheimer's Board to contact anyone who could help in the job of fundraising.

Even in retirement, D'Urso continues his public service by utilizing his architectural and building skills for "Bridges to Communities," building homes for the needy both here and in Central America.

Along with the recognition given to the honorees by the Alzheimer's co-Coordinators Ann Tountas and Sheryl Cohen, they were also honored by New York State Assemblywoman Michelle Schimel; by representatives for New York State Senator Craig Johnson and by North Hempstead Town Clerk Leslie Gross on behalf of Town Supervisor Jon Kaiman.

The group was then entertained by some of the super talented members of the Herricks Community Players, under the direction of John Hayes and producer Carol Hayes, who is also a member of the Alzheimer's Advisory Board. All of the proceeds from every Herricks Community Players production go to the Herricks Community Fund that in turn helps support the Herricks Alzheimer Day Program.