The Oyster Bay Main Street Association ran an International theme window-decorating project for merchants in Oyster Bay. Snouder's Corner Drugstore, Terri's Color Creations and Rich-Bern Travel signed on for the event.

"I felt it made a big difference in the hamlet. Even though it was done by a small number of stores, still the quality was high. I hope it will expand next year," said Bill Sheeline, president of the Oyster Bay Main Street Association.

"Unfortunately someone, in a car accident, broke the window at Snouder's," he added. On Saturday, Dec. 22 the area around the drugstore was cordoned off with yellow police crime scene tape.

Snouder's had several windows decorated by local youth. The South Street window was designed to show two holidays: both Christmas and Three Kings Day. It was created by four Oyster Bay High School seniors: Vanessa Baracaldo, Peter Whitelaw, William Davis and Komal Wadyal.

The window project was coordinated by Susan Oleson and Jeralyn Hanrahan. Ms. Oleson worked to enlist the businesses and Ms. Hanrahan, a C.W. Post professor of contemporary art, worked with the creators of the window decorations. Ms. Hanrahan grew up in Oyster Bay and has returned here to live.

"The concept I had, even before Sept. 11, was that Oyster Bay is multicultural. The design for Snouder's was originated by Vanessa Baracaldo. It was purely her idea. She was very clear about her concept. Vanessa's mother collects little figurines that are part of her culture and she was doing them. Oyster Bay High School art teacher Victoria Bell was wonderful. She let the students use her classroom on Friday afternoons from 2:20 to 6 p.m.

"I went to the Girl Scout meeting and gave them supplies to make the ones for Snouder's windows. I gave a design example to Troop 138. They used glitter, glue, paper and photographs.

"For the other troop, we thought of a menorah. The Scout leader Helene Smith had the girls do it and she dropped it off with me.

"This is a kind of beginning. I really enjoyed working with the high school students and liked the Main Street meetings."

She said she wanted to include the Doubleday Babcock Seniors, but would do that next year. "I see it as having double the amount of people now that the store owners have seen the results and will be more interested in the project."

Ms. Hanrahan also wanted to thank Mr. Kurtz, the OBHS Interact advisor for getting his students involved. They did cut outs of snowflakes and other shapes for several other store windows.

"The kids were really excited to be part of it and to see their stuff up in town. It gives a sense of community and security," she said.

Bill Sheeline was pleased with the efforts and that "Sounder's actually had several windows decorated." He counted off, there was a Chinese Dragon, a Menorah and a Christmas Tree all created by different groups. (See photos.)

"Terri's Color Creations on East Main Street had artists from Laurette Kovary's Art House Studio in East Norwich. The young artists took things like brushes and combs and dipped them into sparkly colorful material and hung them in the windows. They really looked terrific," he said.

Rich-Bern Travel had all hand cut detailed ornaments hung in the mullioned windows of the East Main Street business. Rich Cieciuch is on the MSA board. That work was helped by OBHS art teacher Victoria Tell. ("She was wonderful," said Katie Schwab.)

The Chinese dragon window was created by Nicole McAlevy; Andrea Twiford; Adrienne Zate and Anna Marie Ricco.

Mr. Sheeline said, "The design committee was also responsible for the large wreath put up on the side of Snouder's. It added a lot to the downtown area," he said.

The award ceremony was held at the Book Mark Café on Wednesday, Dec. 19. Among those present were board members Jerrit Gluck, Chris Mills, Ed Mohlenhoff, John Specce and Katie Schwab, MSA executive director, as well as Susan Oleson, a design committee member.

Oyster Bay Town Supervisor John Venditto gave proclamations to the MSA and to the three retailers who participated in the project.

Also taking part in the presentation was Valerie Dillon Best of Dillon Galleries who gave books to the young people who participated in the project. The books were of the various artists Ms. Best has dealt with in the past. "She told about how important art is and how much fun it is and how it uplifts a community. She encouraged them in their work," said Mr. Sheeline.

"Oyster Bay Town Supervisor John Venditto spoke about how important youth is to the town and how we are counting on them not only now, but when they grow up and settle in the town as adults and begin giving back to the community."