New Playground Equipment Installed at Blumenfeld Family Park

To the delight of children and families in Port Washington, older playground equipment at Blumenfeld Family Park was recently replaced with new playground equipment. This project was orchestrated by the Town of North Hempstead Parks and Recreation department.

Short But Meaty August 3 School Board Meeting

In keeping with the summer season, the School Board breezed through its meeting of Tuesday, August 3. But it got a lot done.

Dr. Gordon and the board were very pleased to accept some significant gifts from the community to the school district and students: $30,000 from the Port Washington Education Foundation for numerous grants across the district; $1,200 from the Weber Middle School H.S.A. (Home-School Association) for a Cultural Arts program on the Holocaust; money raised by the AAPW and the Parent Baseball Committee for regulation backstop; batting cage; bullpen; and two dugouts, at the baseball field at Guggenheim elementary; and enough money from the Port Washington Soccer club to reinstate three of the four soccer teams that had been cut for budget reasons. As District Athletic Director Joannon explained, “That’s 75 kids playing, who wouldn’t have.”

Heroic Osprey Rescue at Half-Moon Beach

Thanks to the help of local residents, a young osprey that was trapped in a nest at Half-Moon Beach in Sands Point was rescued and is now flying free again. Rosalind Schaefer provided the details of the story and photos of the heroic rescue to Port News.

Is This a Park or a Building Site? And Who Decides?

When is a park not a park? Or, more pointedly: When does a piece of undeveloped land become a park, in the eyes of the law?

This is the question which Myron Blumenfeld, local resident and environmental activist, wants a judge to answer.

Valedictorian’s Commencement Speech: Time to Unite

(Editor’s note: This is the commencement speech that was given by 2010 Schreiber Valedictorian Luke Record, published here in its entirety.)

Before I begin, I would just like to thank those who helped me with this speech, particularly Mrs. Mills and Mrs. Schulman. Just like all the teachers here at Schreiber, they were willing to go above and beyond what was required of them, and for that I will forever be sincerely grateful. Welcome members of the school board, Dr. Gordon, administrators, faculty, family and friends (a quick Happy Birthday to my sister Phyllis), and finally, the class of 2010, or should I say Seniors X! It is my privilege to be able to represent such an amazing body of students on this glorious day. My Grandpa advised me to keep it short, so I will try my best! To be marked with an X is very fitting, seeing that we were the treasure this school has always been looking for. We all know X marks the spot! Although there have been many individual accomplishments over the past four years, our most significant contribution to this school has been our collective passion for learning. Just like a puzzle, the graduating class of 2010 can only be truly appreciated when all the pieces are looked at as a whole. I am but one piece to the puzzle, but I do know when we work together, we can accomplish anything!

Massive Storm Causes Damage in the Area

High Winds Measured at 60 MPH

A strong thunderstorm hit Port Washington this past Sunday, causing damage and power outages for many in the area. According to the National Weather Service, high winds were measured at speeds as high as 60 miles per hour as the storm moved through the area around 3 p.m.

Trustee Change at Village of Flower Hill

Mayor Weiss Appoints New Acting Village Justice

With gratitude and sadness, the Village of Flower Hill accepted the resignation of Trustee Anthony DiSanto as he retires from the Board of Trustees. Mr. DiSanto has been a village official since 1999 when he joined the Planning Board. In 2001 he became a member of the Zoning Board of Appeals and in 2005 was elected a trustee of the village. In his place, the village is fortunate to welcome Elaine Phillips. Ms. Phillips served as trustee to the Village of Munsey Park until her move to Flower Hill and is well known for her community service activities.

Rice: Florida Woman Promises Baby to Adopting PW Couple

Instead Steals $7,000 and Keeps Baby, Says DA

Nassau County District Attorney Kathleen Rice announced that a Jacksonville, Florida woman has been charged with stealing more than $7,000 from a Port Washington couple to whom she had promised to give her baby for adoption despite already promising the baby to another couple.

PWFD Puts Out Fire on Manhasset Isle

On the Fourth of July, the Port Washington Fire Department put out a fire on Manhasset Isle that started in the front yard of a house on Sintsink Drive West. The fire quickly spread to the house next door, creating two house fires that filled the area with smoke.

Trees Cut Down on Port Boulevard

Local Residents Upset; But Developer Had Proper Permits

Many people in Port Washington reported to Port Washington News that they were upset to see mature trees cut down in front of the Monfort Property on Port Washington Boulevard, from Campus Drive to the post office, on the morning of Monday, July 12. They were particularly upset because they expected to have notice for this type of situation, due to a town ordinance. However, Port Washington Boulevard is a state road, meaning that different rules apply, and the owner and developer of this property, Victor Musso, told Port News that he had all of the proper permits to cut down these trees.