Members of Port Washington North and surrounding communities converged for a second time on November 18 at the Port Senior Citizen's Center in Manorhaven to express their ideas on the plan to develop the waterside area of Shore Road. While opinions diverged, one position that seemed certain was the fact that the fate of this strip on waterfront is inextricably linked to Shore Road and its traffic. FULL STORY

The Nautical Center of the Port Washington Public Library has been busy in the past few months. They presented Our Bay in History, an exhibit that pays tribute to the history of Manhasset Bay. The opening reception that drew a capacity crowd to the library on Sept. 8, highlighted the Star Class of boats that originated in Port Washington, Flying Boats, from the early Pan American Clipper flights to Gold Cup speedboat racing, and the Purdy Boat Company, with its rich history of famous boats. The exhibit was planned originally to end by October, but due to popular demand, the exhibit is still on display on the second floor of the library. At the Nautical Center annual Holiday Party in early December, Chairman Stretch Ryder showed the group a plaque that is part of the Nautical Center's Keel Project. This project was developed to raise awareness of the historical and successful life of the Star boat class. Back in 1910 "Pop" Corey, a member of the Manhasset Bay YC, raced a small 17-ft boat known as the Bug, which was a very wet and uncomfortable boat. William Gardner, who lived in Port Washington, thought he could improve on the design, and the result was the first Star boat. Corey owned Star boat No. 1 until he died in 1943. The first 22 boats were built by two local boat yards: the Isaac E. Smith boatyard built 22 boats in 1911 and the Purdy Boat Company built 32 more during the 1930s. The Star class was formally organized in 1922 and is considered one of the most successful sailing boats ever. To commemorate the Star class and to educate residents and visitors to Port Washington, the Nautical Center has restored a keel from an early Star boat, and has developed a plaque to accompany the keel. These two items will be "planted" in the promenade near the location of the old Fearon Marina in Port Washington North this winter. The official ceremony will wait until milder weather, most likely in the spring. The bronze plaque reads: "Star Class Keel - At this location the first 22 Star Class boats were built by Ike Smith in the winter of 1910 to 1911. The plans were drafted by Francis Sweisguth from the office of the world famous naval architect, William Gardner, who was a resident of Port Washington. From this small boat, and under the leadership of Commodore George 'Pop' Corey, from the Manhasset Bay Yacht Club, and the Commodore George Elder from the Port Washington Yacht Club, grew the world's most famous one design racing sailboat. The Star was chosen for the Olympic Games in 1932. The Star Class World Championship continues to be one of the top international sailing prizes in the world. Presented by the Port Washington Public Library, The Nautical Center, 2003." Look for information on the spring ceremony in late April or early May. FULL STORY