Picketers Create Distraction

Construction Continues At Christ Church

On the beautifully clear morning of April 25 members of the North East Regional Council of Carpenters marched in step along Northern Boulevard and chanted in unison, “Same work! Same pay!”

The Rev. David Lowery, pastor of Christ Church, said the men strike twice a week for about an hour, from about 8:30 to 9:15 a.m. and they have not disturbed the ongoing construction. Lowery added they have a right to picket, but not to block the driveway, and they don’t.

Earth Day Community Clean-up On High Street

The blue plastic chairs were carefully placed in a long line on the cement walkway; the blue rectangular “rest time” mats were strewn haphazardly about the lawn. Both were about to undergo a scrubbing, having paired with the Earth Day Community Clean-up sponsored by the Town of North Hempstead on Saturday, April 20. Family service worker Betsy Panameno was delighted the classrooms were undergoing a spring cleaning.

Ms. Chennel Davis, assistant teacher to Ms. Gladys who instructs fourth and fifth-graders, at the EOC, came up with the idea of using the remains of the downed tree as a seating area. It will be more inviting when the tree stump is removed, Panameno said, and she said they are hoping someone with the proper equipment will volunteer to remove it.

Trees Re-planted

April 23 began a tree-planting program that will eventually replace thousands of trees that, according to Nassau County Executive Edward P. Mangano, fell or were damaged by Superstorm Sandy. “Superstorm Sandy changed the face of Nassau County forever,” the county executive said. “This tree planting program will continue until we have addressed every location throughout Nassau County that lost trees due to the storm.”

Village of North Hills Mayor Marvin Natiss has been in an ongoing dialogue with the county since the slaughter of the trees along Searingtown and Shelter Rock roads. “The county executive knows how disturbed I have been. Not all those trees were compromised,” Natiss said.

Clinton Draws Overflow Crowd

‘Common Humanity’ lecture at Temple Sinai

The long anticipated speech by former President Bill Clinton was received by an overflow crowd of 1,700 people who packed into Temple Sinai Tuesday April 16. The audience came to hear Clinton deliver a talk entitled, “Embracing Our Common Humanity.”

The large New York media contingent on hand was given all of five minutes to hear and report on Clinton’s speech. While the media was given the short shrift, the audience received better treatment. Indeed, based upon the long-standing ovation and introductory remarks by the Congregation’s President David Schwartz, it was clear that Clinton’s appearance was considered the crown jewel in the temple’s Distinguished Lecture Series.  While Clinton was the first American president to visit Temple Sinai, he was not the first head of state. Other speakers in the series have included former Israeli prime ministers, Ehud Barak and Shimon Peres, plus Nobel Prize laureate Elie Wiesel and former United State Secretary of State, Dr. Henry Kissinger. According to Temple Sinai officials, the goal of the lecture series is to present the congregation and the community with the most inspiring and important speakers of our time.

The SCA Fair is One Week Away!

Saturday, May 4 is that magical day when the SCA Fair returns to Manhasset. Held at the Munsey Park School on Jimmy’s Field, rain or shine from 10 a.m.-5 p.m., this unforgettable event will offer many exciting attractions. Chaired by Daniela Buchholz and Dianne Tolentino, with tremendous help from Santina Petruso and Concetta Slaney, the fair will offer many exciting attractions, including thrilling rides, such as Gravitron, Pharoah’s Fury, the Round Up and Super Shot. Sample a selection of foods from the International Food Tent and visit the SCA Grill and hot dog booth for authentic fair grilling. You can also shop the wide variety of wares offered by vendors under the Big Tent, scale a rock climbing wall, test your strength at Iron Man and have fun enjoying a great selection of rides, games and activities for all, including face painting, baseball pitch and pie throwing.  Make sure to stop by the grand raffle booth and enter to win some really fantastic prizes!

One more date added…There is still time to purchase Unlimited Ride Advance Tickets in person this Saturday, April 27 at Raindew at 465 Plandome Road from 9 a.m.– 4 p.m.  These tickets are only available to purchase in advance and are not available the day of the Fair and this is the absolute last day they will be available. Ride all day for $35 per person or buy two tickets for $65. These Unlimited Ride Advance Sale Tickets are exchanged for bracelets on the day of the Fair at the Bracelet Exchange Booth. Once you receive your bracelet, you may ride any ride as many times as you wish. Advance tickets that were ordered by mail can be picked up at Victoria Parisi’s home at 139 Kensett Road on Friday, May 3, between 1–7 p.m.  For more information, please contact Victoria Parisi at 627-7758 ( This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it ) or Caroline Kenlon at 627-4556 ( This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it ).

Chamber Member of the Week: April 26, 2013

Showcase Kitchens

When John Starck, president of Showcase Kitchens, was spending much of his time traveling to Manhasset and nearby locations for design and installations of kitchens and bathrooms, he decided it was time to move. Although his family can trace its business roots for four generations in the same location in Brooklyn since 1933, it relocated to Manhasset 14 years ago.

Starck says he knows “how to translate client ideas into a stunning design that integrates beauty and function – one that embodies who they are and how they live.” North Shore residents, he believes, are generally passionate about their homes and enjoy collaborating on the design process.  “Since we moved here, he adds, “we have installed thousands of kitchens and bathrooms.” They rely on word-of-mouth recommendations and their business has thrived.

Manhasset Public Library Vote And Election

Budget Vote
Yes  188

No  119
 
Trustee Election

Heidi McNamara   225
(5-year term)

Cindy Cardinal       214
(unexpired one-year term)

 Floating In Space

A Jetson-like environment in the future may not be just a cartoon.

Imagine floating as if you were in space, drifting in a gravity free environment.  Manhasset native Captain John Henry Benisch II no longer has to imagine it — he lives it. Captain Benisch, a pilot for the Zero Gravity Corporation, is one of the three-man team that maneuvers the Boeing 727, G-FORCE ONE, flying parabolic arcs to create weightlessness.  

Adopt-a-Pole Flower Baskets

A Manhasset Tradition

It’s time to submit your applications and payments for Manhasset’s annual Adopt-a-Pole program. In May, Alex Otis of Manhasset Florist will hang baskets of fresh red, white and blue flowers from light poles along Plandome Road. The Town of North Hempstead has kindly agreed to water the plants as needed. Alex shows last year’s crop to Diane Harragan, Coach Realtors, who has been coordinating the program for the Manhasset Chamber of Commerce for 10 years.

Part of Manhasset’s charm is that tradition is integral to many of its activities. A relatively new tradition was started in 1999 by the late Betsy Chesebrough in an effort to beautify Manhasset. Mrs. Chesebrough initiated the Adopt-a-Pole program that offers sponsorship opportunities for decorating light posts along Plandome Road. It was a simple idea, but brilliant. The three-fold result was that sponsors could have names engraved on a plaque on the pole, Plandome Road would be more attractive at key times during the year, and revenue would cover costs. Some sponsors appreciated the opportunity to name their stores and businesses on the plaques, others listed family names, while others honor the memories of family members or friends. Some sponsors joined with others to share the cost of one pole.

DeGiorgio Announces For Supervisor

Councilwoman Dina DeGiorgio announced her candidacy for North Hempstead Town Supervisor at a fund raiser Thursday, April 18 at H on the Harbor in Port Washington.  

DeGiorgio, a Republican who currently represents the sixth district on the Town Council, which encompasses Port Washington and parts of Manhasset and Plandome, was surrounded by Nassau County Executive Ed Mangano, State Senator Jack Martins and former U.S. Senator Alphonse D’Amato.