On Sunday June 22, the Birchwood Civic Association dedicated East Birchwood's newly renovated entrances and signs at a well-attended ribbon cutting ceremony and celebration. Special guests included Town of Oyster Bay Supervisor John Venditto, Town of Oyster Bay Councilwoman Rose Walker, New York State Congressman Charles Lavine and Jericho School District Superintendent Hank Grishman, as well as members of the library and school board, fire department and auxiliary police.

Over 100 residents and families of the East Birchwood community gathered at the entrance of 106/107 and Birchwood Park Drive to celebrate the completion of the project, share brunch and to hear the community's leaders and local politicians speak about the importance of the East Birchwood community.

Attendees described the dedication celebration as a wonderful day with cooperation from the weather, despite a questionable forecast.

Both the Jericho Fire District and Jericho Auxiliary Police assisted with logistics and traffic control. There was plenty of food and desserts, give-aways and balloons provided a festive flair.

With a membership of nearly 1,100 families, the Birchwood Civic Association is one of the most active and influential civic associations in the region. It was founded in 1956 to promote and protect the best interests of the residents of the East Birchwood, and later, the Manors, developments in Jericho and to encourage community and civic spirit.

In 2006, in honor of East Birchwood's 50th anniversary, the BCA's board of directors decided to embark upon an ambitious plan to renovate each of East Birchwood's entrances. The renovations were to include new custom signs, masonry walls, and new landscaping. The entrances to be renovated included 106/107, Birchwood Park Drive at Robbins Lane, Merry Lane and Marion Lane.

The BCA entrance committee engaged in a lengthy process pursuing a vision for the entrances that would reflect the unique character and charm of the East Birchwood neighborhood. Fuschetto and Sons Landscape Design, and GC signs of Glen Cove were selected to accomplish the BCA's goals.

Following countless meetings and planning by the committee and the BCA Board of Directors, within one year all of the neighborhood's major entrances are now completed and have received rave reviews.

BCA President Craig Snyder, while addressing the attendees at the celebration, commended the BCA's Board of Directors for their dedication and commitment to the community. Snyder further spoke of the special and supportive nature of the community residents, adding that in East Birchwood you are home when you pass through the entrance to the neighborhood and not when you pull into your driveway.

"The entrances we have completed now properly reflect the special nature of our neighborhood and our residents, and we are proud to dedicate them to the best neighbors and the best neighborhood in the world," he said.

"The event was a success on many levels," said Ita Pam, BCA membership chairperson. "It was a great opportunity for association members to spend time with neighbors and their families, as well as serving as another example of what the BCA can accomplish thanks to its dedicated members."

The BCA expresses special gratitude to everyone who worked so hard to make Sunday's event such a success, especially to Membership Chairperson Ita Pam and the event's planning committee, including Roy Chipkin, Barbara Krieger, Enid Kotowitz, Doreen Leibowitz, Ruth Sholemson, Richard Staller and Peggy Weiss, with assistance from Gloria Jacobson, Roy Pam, Jay Rosenbaum and Laramie Snyder.

The BCA wishes to thank everyone who attended and participated, and reminds everyone to stay involved and stay informed by attending the next BCA meeting, which will be announced on the BCA website at www.EastBirchwood.org.