New York tourists often flock to Arthur Avenue in the Bronx to sample Italy's finest cuisine, but on Wednesday, June 15, business leaders from all over Nassau County came to Haypath Park in Plainview for "A Taste of Plainview-Old Bethpage." The tasting event ran from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. and approximately 30 vendors attended.

Sponsored by the Plainview-Old Bethpage Chamber of Commerce, the event was created for "great business networking with magic, music, and mirth" as the invitations sent to POB's various enterprises described it. Sheryl Hodes, treasurer of the chamber and branch manager of Astoria Federal Savings Bank, began planning for the date about nine months ago along with Francesca Carlow, chamber president, and Tracey Bateson, loan officer, also of Astoria Federal.

While Bateson said the group did not have major difficulties planning the event, they did discover it took a lot more "to commit your time than to commit a basket." She found that for many, it was a real effort to come away from work to support the community on this date.

According to Bateson, one of the major planning decisions was whether to make it a wine or food-tasting event. Considering the park's family-friendly nature, they chose in favor of the latter. However, the $5 donation to enter the "Taste" included a chance at a wine basket as a door prize.

Local politicians also came to Haypath Park's inaugural event. Of special note, Town of Oyster Bay Clerk Steve Labriola sampled the offerings, mingled with residents, and geared up for the park's upcoming ribbon-cutting ceremony. Also on hand were Nassau County Presiding Officer Judy Jacobs and Legislator Dave Mejias.

Ed Oaker, former Senior Deputy Commissioner of Nassau County's Department of Recreation, discussed how residents of Old Bethpage wanted to be part of Plainview park district's planning. The two towns were thus united into one district, and bought land to build the first comprehensive community park in Oyster Bay, which is located in Haypath Community Park in Old Bethpage.

Patrons of the event commented on their favorite samples. "I liked the Coldstone [Creamery] cakes; they were delicious," said Alison Castaneda, from the POB Village Restoration.

Steve Fox, another taster, had one word for his appetite. "Sushi, sushi, sushi," said the 18-year-old, referring to the California roll Hama Sushi was offering along with chicken kebobs and soybeans.

Meats and sweets weren't the only offerings at the booths, however. Company souvenirs ranged from classic, bigbuzz pens, Astoria Federal Bank letter openers, to creative keys to cut for home or business from Trio Hardware, and Hope Physical and Aquatic Therapy jar openers and pillboxes.

Even more than the free gifts and samples, guests at the Taste of POB appreciated the chance to meet with their patrons in this fashion.

Mark Snider, President of Maptoons, a company that creates cartoon maps for business guides on Long Island, was particularly enthused. "For Maptoons, this was enormously successful because we are the company mapping the Plainview-Old Bethpage business community and now we even had the opportunity to meet some of our customers face to face, and new [customers], too," Snider said.

Rabbi Astrachan raved, "This is the greatest event to hit Plainview-Old Bethpage."

Carlow had to agree. "It's more than I could have imagined," the president of the POB Chamber of Commerce said.

A string trio of violin and cello players from the North Shore Symphony Orchestra provided ambience through Mozart pieces, while Marina Guerrera of Pansy Bloom Florist provided innovative floral arrangements in the form of a palm tree, birds of paradise, and long-stem roses in vases filled with sliced limes.

Other businesses at the event included The Mat King, Tru-Value Deli, Castle Senior Living at Plainview, Clever Cookie, Cravings, La Piazza, Hilton Homewood Suites, Hunan Cottage, Robek's Fruit Smoothies, MassMutual, Kosher Food Emporium, The Main Event, Megan's Pantry, Northfork Bank, Baldino's, Austin Travel, Citibank, Villa Monte Pizza Ristorante, Maxwelle & Dunne's, Piping Rock Water, Dr. B. Well Naturally, Hama Sushi, About Face Boutique and Laser Cosmetica.