Manhasset claimed the first baby of the New Year born on Long Island. Collin Reighly Kuester born at 1:56 a.m. on Jan. 1 at North Shore Hospital, was greeted by his sister Garrity and parents Kimberly and Terry.

In January Manhasset was in the grip of the big chill. For the first time in years you could walk across lower Manhasset Bay from Plandome to the Great Neck Shore.

Five MHS research students were among the semifinalists in the Intel (formerly Westinghouse) Science Talent Search. Deepa Alagesan, John Patrick Bennett, Christina Ryu, Lawrence Shieh and Alexander Vinberg were named among the nation's 300 brightest and best.

County Executive Thomas R. Suozzi addressed local Rotary Clubs including Manhasset, on Jan. 15. He cited some of Nassau County's assets including rising property values, low crime rate and an improved rating from Moody's and Standard and Poors. Charles O'Shea, chairman of the Nassau County Board of Assessors, confirmed the rumors that he plans to run for re-election in November and intends to point to his success in the reassessment project as part of his campaign.

On Jan. 31, May Newburger, North Hempstead Supervisor, appeared before the League of Women Voters and said the town is in good shape, especially in the fiscal area where, she said, "We have managed to turn a $5 million deficit in 1995 to an $11 million cumulative surplus in 2002 in all town funds." The largest audience ever attended the event at George Washington Manor in Roslyn.

The Manhasset Board of Education, reviewing the final report completed by the district -appointed demographer, Dr. Lloyd Bishop, presented the enrollment projections over a 10-year period, from the current year 2002-03 to 2011-12.

Thomas Dwyer was sworn in as the newest member of the North Hempstead Town Board. Mr. Dwyer was appointed to fill the seat vacated by Councilwoman Doreen Banks who was appointed Commissioner of Nassau County Parks by County Executive Thomas Suozzi.

Tuesday's Children, a Manhasset based nonprofit organization, founded by Chris Burke to offer mentoring programs to children who lost a parent on September 11, 2001, opened NASDAQ on Feb. 11.

The Greentree Foundation donated $10,000 which was allocated by the Manhasset Community Fund to be divided evenly between the Manhasset PAL(new batting cage at Valley Park Baseball Field) and Mental Health Association of Nassau County's local group home (The Terrace, a group home for autistic youths in Plandome).

As part of the New York State Department of Transportation's (DOT) LIE/HOV Capacity Improvement Project between Willis Avenue (Exit 37) and Jericho Turnpike (Exit 40) day and night lane closures are scheduled to begin.

Shane Molinari, a student at Manhasset High School, was accepted into the Plandome Fire Department.

Nassau County Comptroller Harold Weitzman said the county closed its books on 2002 with a $40 million surplus. There is still a structural deficit of about $300 million that must be closed by 2006. Some reasons for the turnaround were better management of county resources, reduction of the county's workforce, increased sales tax revenue and an increase of about $23 million in state and financial aid.

Instead of a 4 percent increase in contributions to state pension funds municipalities in New York State were told by Comptroller Alan G. Hevesi that the amount had been increased to11 percent.

The Manhasset Community Fund held their donation ceremony, as they have done since 1946, which benefits local children, senior citizens, the less advantaged and those with disabilities.

There was a fatal auto accident at the intersection of Northern Boulevard and Manhasset Woods Road on March 17 which involved residents from Bethpage and Bayshore.

The March 19 vote on the $16.8 million referendum for a new library passed 2371 to 1041.

The Manhasset Post 304, American Legion held its annual Community Service Awards Ceremony-- three police officers, three firefighters, two ambulance/ emergency medical technicians and a Manhasset resident were honored for their service to the community.

On March 19 President George W. Bush announced the start of the U.S. led invasion of Iraq, "Operation Iraqi Freedom," to depose Saddam Hussein and to rid Iraq of weapons of mass destruction.

Nassau County Executive Tom Suozzi held a press conference on March 20 to announce the county's preparedness efforts now that the country is at war.

The Manhasset Booster club sponsored the first annual Manhasset Booster Club Girls Day of Lacrosse under the stadium lights.

Brandon Barry of Manhasset was first place winner of the third grade section of the Long Island Chess Nuts Classic Chess Tournament held at Adelphi University.

April 15 was the kickoff for the "Horses of a Different Color" program to help raise money to preserve open space and promote sports and tourism for Nassau County. The horses are painted fiberglass and cost a sponsor $4,000. Mr. Castagna is sponsoring three for the Americana Manhasset and one for Wheatley Plaza.

Town of North Hempstead Supervisor May W. Newburger announced she will not seek a sixth term in November.

Residents of North Hempstead voted in favor of council districts and increasing the number of council members from four to six. Some 9,400 of the town's 223,000 residents voted.

May 3 was the date of the 2003 SCA Fair held at Munsey Park School. CareScout, a Wellesley, MA based company that reviews quality of care data at nursing homes, ranks the Center for Extended Care and Rehabilition (CECR) at North Shore University Hospital in Manhasset as one of the top nursing homes in New York State.

On May 18 the Chamber of Commerce held its first Classic Auto Fest. Three awards went to local auto buffs - Tony DiStefano, Dick Knies and Bob Canale.

Hatty Hong, a Manhasset High School senior, was one of 20 high school students named to the USA Today All-Academic Team. Her essay topic was on ultra-thin poly films. She won a trophy and $2,500.

June 3 school budget defeated and revised budget of $62,749,319, a reduction of $466,000 from the defeated budget, passed on June 25.

June 14, Flag Day, The Manhasset Park Department held a dedication ceremony for the enhanced Plandome Road World War 1 Memorial.

MHS Senior Frolic held, a continuation of a 60-year-old tradition whereby Manhasset parents transform the gym for the party and keep the theme a secret.

John Vlahos, Manhasset's All-County wrestler, has 69 victories - the most by any individual wrestler in the history of Manhasset High.

It is confirmed that the Town of North Hempstead has the right to draw its own councilmanic district lines, rather than have that right ceded to the Board of Elections.

The Manhasset girls lacrosse team captured the New York State Division II Championship, its first state title since 1988.