Thomases Are A Long Island Ambassador Family

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Thomases Are A Long Island Ambassador Family

Friday, 27 April 2012 00:00

The Thomas family of Massapequa is among the three families chosen as a 2012 Long Island Ambassador Family by the Long Island Division of the New York Chapter of the March of Dimes. Other families are the Raymars of Merrick and the Theologitises of Lake Grove. These families were selected because of their first-hand experience with premature births.

Vaulted into the world in critical condition at just 25 weeks gestation, weighing 1 lb. 11 oz. and 1 lb. 14 oz. respectively, Grace Michelle and John Russell Thomas of Massapequa had a rough start to life. Grace spent five months in neonatal intensive care units undergoing surgery to fix her heart, struggled with respiratory issues and collapsed lungs, eventually resulting in additional surgeries and the use of a ventilator. Her twin, John, spent three-and-half months in the NICU also requiring life saving heart surgery at just 10 days old. John then experienced the typical preemie journey in the NICU. It wasn’t until his discharge that a profound hearing loss was discovered and his prognosis was uncertain. Today, John and Grace are typical 2-year-olds. John can hear and understand the world around him and Grace is still the fighter she was since the day she was born.

“Every day, thousands of babies are born too soon, too small and often very sick. Our team is walking in March for Babies because we want to do something about this,” said their parents, Danielle and Gregg.

The annual March for Babies event will take place on Sunday, April 29 at Eisenhower Park in East and on Sunday, May 6 at Stony Brook University. Register and raise money online at www.marchforbabies.com or call 496-2100 for more information.

News

Proposed School Budget Is Under Tax Cap

Wednesday, 15 May 2013 00:00

Declining enrollment and

reserve funds are key factors

As voters in the Massapequa Union Free School District approach the Tuesday, May 21, budget vote, the proposed spending plan retains popular educational programs while keeping the rise in spending to 1.49 percent.

Despite what district officials call unprecedented increases in state-mandated employer pension contributions, as well as rising health insurance costs, the overall budget is up just over $2.7 million.

Rebuilding Together Long Island

Thursday, 16 May 2013 00:00

Rebuilding Together LI volunteers, sponsors from Long Island Board of Realtors and their associates from Albany, working on a home in Cedarhurst damaged by Sandy. After Massapequa resident Sol Goldstein and several friends helped finish building a house for a family 20 years ago for Habitat for Humanity, they had a question: “What do we do now?” They were all retired, had enjoyed working together and accomplishing something for a family in need, and wanted to do more.

“I was looking for something [to do] hands-on,” said Joe Botkin, of Williston Park, a retired principal, who had worked with Goldstein in building the home.

Sports

Coach of the Month: Vinny Zanfardino

Thursday, 16 May 2013 00:00

Vinny Zanfardino started his coaching career in 1997 when he stepped up to coach his daughter’s Little League team.

What started as a hobby turned into a full-blown obsession for Zanfardino, 48. Coaching became an outlet to do some good for children while staying close to the game he loves: baseball.

Golf Course To Be Named In Honor Of Colby

Thursday, 16 May 2013 00:00

On Saturday, May 18, the Town of Oyster Bay will conduct a ceremony to officially re-name its golf course in honor of Joseph Colby, a resident of Massapequa Park who served as the Town of Oyster Bay’s 56th supervisor. The Honorable Joseph Colby was appointed supervisor in 1977 and was elected to that office five times in the following ten years. He was then elected as a New York State Supreme Court Justice in 1988, a post he held through his retirement from public service in 1992. The unveiling will take place at the main entrance of the course off South Woods Road in Woodbury.

“When the sign for Honorable Joseph Colby Town of Oyster Bay Golf Course is unveiled, it will celebrate an outstanding career in public service,” Supervisor John Venditto said. “Joseph Colby has always had the needs of the public as his top priority and has been widely respected for his innovation and responsiveness. This golf course will now forever bear his name as a tribute to his outstanding legacy.”