Project Independence Holds Information Session at Harborview

North Shore LIJ Provides Information On CPR

When Vita Scotti and Jan Stone thought residents at the Harborview Active Adult Community should have a working knowledge of CPR and training in the use of the portable defibrillators that are placed in various locations on the premises, they reached out to Kelly Steinman, R.N. with the Town of North Hempstead’s Project Independence.

The mission of Project Independence is to assist and enable aging seniors to remain in their homes in familiar surroundings as they grow older. One of the elements of the Project is to provide education to qualifying communities. It was under the educational provisions that Steinman put Scotti in touch with Catherine Blotiau, a nurse educator with the outreach program of the North Shore/LIJ Health Care Network, one of the many local organizations and businesses that partner with Project Independence.

Pollack, DeGiorgio Debate Town Issues

Town council candidates square off during League of Women Voters forum

The Port Washington/Manhasset Chapter of the League of Women Voters held a Meet the Candidates forum on Oct. 11, which provided an opportunity for community members to ask questions to the Town Council, 6th District candidates, who are Democratic incumbent Fred Pollack and Republican challenger Dina DeGiorgio. Mary Ann Fleming, a member of the League of Women Voters from an outside chapter who was the moderator of the forum, told the many attendees in the packed auditorium that they could ask questions after the candidates provided their opening statements.

‘Model Blocks’ Project Kicks Off

Aims to revitalize four blocks on Main Street; public meeting on Nov. 17

The Model Blocks project kicked off on Thursday, Oct. 20 at the LIRR station house. Project leaders include Residents for a More Beautiful Port Washington, BID, the Chamber of Commerce, Town Supervisor Jon Kaiman and Town Councilman Fred Pollack.

Describing the idea as “A New Main Street,” this project aims to develop new sidewalks and streetscape enhancements along with design guidelines and zoning changes that will jumpstart the restoration and revitalization of Port Washington’s Main Street. Community partners, merchants, building owners, developers, local, state and county officials attended the kick-off to show the community they support this project, and to encourage everyone to attend the public meeting on November 17. 

Dedication Ceremony for Bay Walk Park, Port North Pier

Port North pays tribute to the people who contributed over the past 15 years

On a beautiful, sunny October day, the Village of Port Washington North and the Town of North Hempstead held the dedication ceremony for the Bay Walk Waterfront Park, the Port North Pier, and the Bay Walk Nautical Art Museum. The concept of this waterfront park along Manhasset Bay was developed 15 years ago, and many people in the community and several government entities have been involved with making this dream a reality.

Port North Village Trustee and Deputy Mayor Michael Schenkler provided the introduction, and said that he moved to Port Washington from Queens because of the open space, the parks and recreation, and the opportunities for art and culture. “It is thrilling to help provide for the future more opportunities to access our beautiful waterfront,” Schenkler said.

Lively Debate With Jon Kaiman and Lee Tu

Incumbent supervisor, challenger weigh in on Town of North Hempstead issues

Many people attended the Port Washington/Manhasset Chapter of the League of Women Voters Meet the Candidates forum on Oct. 11 in order to get a better sense of the North Hempstead Town Supervisor candidates, Incumbent Jon Kaiman (D) and Challenger Lee Tu (R). Mary Ann Fleming, a member of the League of Women Voters from an outside chapter, was the moderator of the forum. While she asked the crowd at the beginning of the debate to not applaud until the end, many people were so enthused by the lively debate that they could not contain their applause and were clapping for both candidates.

Bay Walk Nautical Art Musuem Unveiled

First Outdoor Museum in Nassau County

The dedication on Sunday, Oct. 9 at the Bay Walk Pier was actually three dedications at once: the Bay Walk Park, the Bay Walk Pier and the Bay Walk Nautical Museum, which is the first outdoor museum in Nassau County.

Mayor Robert Weitzner, who was repeatedly commended by local elected officials as the driving force for this project during the last eight years, spoke of the experience that inspired him to conceive of an outdoor art museum for the waterfront.

Dedication for Bay Walk Park Held on Sunday, October 9

On Sunday, Oct. 9, the Village of Port Washington North, in partnership with the Town of North Hempstead, held a dedication ceremony to honor the creation of the Bay Walk Waterfront Park, the Port North Pier, and the Bay Walk Nautical Art Museum. The Bay Walk Waterfront Park extends for about two-thirds of a mile along Manhasset Bay on Shore Road, and provides the community with a recreational path, numerous seating areas, and beautiful landscaping. The Port North Pier provides sightseeing opportunities, a fishing dock, and nautical access from Manhasset Bay. The full story on the dedication ceremony and additional photos from the event will be featured in next week’s issue of Port Washington News.                                

- K.P.

Chatting With New Schreiber High School Principal Ira Pernick

Recently, Port News sat down with the new principal of Schreiber High School, Ira Pernick, who has been meeting with many members of the community in order to get to know everyone. In meeting with the local newspaper, Mr. Pernick offered information on what he believes his role is as school principal at Schreiber.

Mr. Pernick made it clear that he wants to be accessible to people, and that transparency in school issues is also important. “I really believe in open access. I know it is a big place and I know that people are demanding, but that’s okay – I have their children here,” Mr. Pernick said. In describing his strong feelings on access to the community, he further explained that he enjoys the public part of his position as principal and that he would not want to be someone who never leaves the office.

The Little Book Store That Could

Dolphin Bookshop Celebrates 65 Years in Business and Stands at a Crossroad

As I sit across from Patti Vonk, the owner of the Dolphin Bookshop, she bubbles with enthusiasm and dedication talking about “opening a world for kids,” maintaining a high quality inventory and creating a nurturing environment for all customers. The phrase that jumps to mind to describe Patti’s relationship to the store is, “labor of love.”

Most of us in town don’t remember a time when Dolphin wasn’t headed by a member of the Vonk family, however the store was first opened in 1946 and there were two previous owners. Dorothea Vonk, Patti’s mother, first came to Dolphin as an employee and purchased the shop in the early ’70s. When Dorothea transitioned from employee to owner, the Dolphin Bookshop became part of the fabric of the Vonk family.

Local Resident Begins Long Walk From Port Washington to Boston

Journey Will Raise Awareness for Brain Cancer Research

On October 1, local resident Heidi Gottlieb will begin a long walk from her home in Port Washington to Mass General Hospital in Boston, Massachusetts, where she was last treated for a cancerous brain tumor. As the director and founder of non-profit organization Brain Matters, Gottlieb states that the purpose of her walk is to raise awareness for the need for more funding and research for brain tumors.

According to the company’s mission statement, Brain Matters was created to bring awareness to the public about brain tumors; a personal mission for Heidi Gottlieb, as she is a brain tumor survivor herself. About 20 years ago, she was diagnosed with a cancerous brain tumor and has had two surgeries and two rounds of radiation. Gottlieb deals with many side effects – she has lost hearing in one ear, her vocal chord is paralyzed, and her vision and ability to swallow have been compromised – but she feels that she is lucky to be “still standing.”