Hiram Cowhey Joins Olympians, National Champions At Ice Show

Hiram Cowhey, a second-grader at Northside Elementary School in Farmingdale was selected to perform on Sunday, Dec. 16, as part of the Olympic Ice Show’s Holiday Dreams On Ice cast. The show was held at Cantiague Park in Hicksville.

“It was awesome skating with all the big girls,” Cowhey told the Farmingdale Observer afterward. “And Ross Miner knew how to spell my name.” He has been ice-skating and taking lessons in Bethpage for more than two years. His mother, Shivonne said, “We like him [Hiram] skating in these events so he gets to see the progression within the sport, and the more advanced skills and routines; we also enjoyed watching the show.”

Farmingdale District Respond To Connecticut Shootings

Local officials, parents address safety concerns

News of the elementary school massacre in Newtown, CT, struck fear in parents around the world. Although 90 miles away from the tragedy, local schools, including those in the Farmingdale School District, checked and rechecked their safety procedures and policies. 

Superintendent of Farmingdale Schools, John Lorentz said, “In the wake of this heartbreaking event, district administrators and staff have reviewed all safety and security measures to assure the community that our students and staff are safe in our schools.”

School District Earns NYSSMA Presidential Citation

The Farmingdale School District music department was recently selected as the recipient of the highly prestigious New York State School Music Association (NYSSMA) Presidential Citation Award, the highest honor recognizing school districts with comprehensive and exemplary music programs. NYSSMA grants this award to districts that are models for music education. Each year, NYSSMA is permitted to select a maximum of two districts from the entire state as recipients of the Presidential Citation Award.

“The Farmingdale School District continues to provide the highest quality academic and extracurricular programs possible in order for our students to achieve their goals and aspirations,” said Farmingdale School District Superintendent John Lorentz. “Earning the highest ranking from NYSSMA is a testament to the outstanding work of our music teachers and students. It is an honor to have NYSSMA recognize the accomplishments of the district’s music program.”   

Farmingdale Schools Announces Storm Make Up Days

Superintendent discusses midterm week changes

With all the time lost due to Hurricane Sandy, it was inevitable; members of the Farmingdale Board of Education took the superintendent’s recommendation to hold classes on what would have been the balance of winter recess, Feb. 19-22. The decision was made at the recent board meeting held on Dec. 5.

This will allow the district to keep intact the state-mandated 180 days of instruction. This is key because any district that falls under that number loses state aid, in this case, $100,000 a day. This will also allow the district to keep one snow day aside should the need arise in the coming months.

John DiBartolo’s Military Service Honored

Editor’s note: The following is an essay submitted by Josephine Detz about her father, Pfc. John G. DiBartolo. This is part of a series of essays, which were submitted by our readership for the Anton Newspapers Military Heroes Essay Contest with the American Airpower Museum of East Farmingdale and The Collings Foundation. Essay winners recently flew in historic aircraft stationed at the American Airpower Museum.

In My Father’s Footsteps

This journey I have embarked upon started Jan. 29, 2000. My father’s journey began on April 3, 1943, his first day in the U.S. Army.

In his service diary he wrote, “Last day in civilian life, will never forget that day for the rest of my life.” I wonder what he was thinking as he left his family and sweetheart, my mother. His name is John G. DiBartolo and he was only 19 years old.

I was only too happy to make a donation for the building of the World War II Memorial in Washington, DC. I wanted to honor my dad by registering his name; I did not want him to be left out. After doing so, I became more and more curious about exactly where he was and what battles he fought in while in Europe. So I decided to try and find out but had no idea at the time all the research I was facing. I don’t think my dad knew exactly what he was in for when he was drafted. So now I began to take the same journey he took some 57 years ago.

The Knights Of Pythias Fraternal Organization 148th Anniversary

Congressman Peter T. King Presents American Flag

With 40,000 thousand members worldwide, and 18,000 thousand members just in New York alone, the Knights of Pythias is a fraternal organization , that participates in an immeasurable ense amount of charitiescharity, a, as well as raising e money to help organizations, as well as helpingand its members who are in need. This year marks the 148th anniversary of the organization.

The Knights of Pythias was founded in Washington, D.C. on Feb. 19, 1864. Members worldwide are involved in their community. Along with being an international fraternity, it is one based on charity, principle, friendship, and benevolence. The Knights are dedicated to universal peace.

Andrew Keen Honors His Father’s Military Service

Long Island community brings home fallen Marine

Editor’s note: The following is an essay submitted by Andrew Keen about his father Constantine Keen. This is part of a series of essays, which were submitted by our readership for the Anton Newspapers Military Heroes Essay Contest with the American Airpower Museum of East Farmingdale and The Collings Foundation. Essay winners recently flew in historic aircraft stationed at the American Airpower Museum.

My dad, Constantine (Gus) Keen, was a young teenager sitting in a theatre with a bunch of his buddies when the movie was interrupted by the announcement that the Japanese had attacked Pearl Harbor. He and his friends, who were all underage to enlist, decided that they’d forge their birth certificates and join the service. 

Santa Claus Comes To Town

Residents march down Main Street in holiday parade

The Farmingdale Chamber of Commerce’s annual holiday parade was held on Saturday, Nov. 17 along Main Street, from Northside Elementary School to the Village Green. Residents of Farmingdale including, the Farmingdale High School band, and the Dalerettes, local officials and dozens of Girl Scouts, all showed their Christmas pride. 

Ratner, Wang Tapped To Help County Solve Coliseum Conundrum

Renaissance Downtown chosen as master developer

The owner who decided to move the New York Islanders off Long Island once its lease expires in June 2015 may play a role in filling the potential void left by the teams’ departure. County Executive Edward P. Mangano, developer Bruce Ratner, Isles owner Charles Wang and Don Monti of Renaissance Downtown think they have a plan in place to solve the developmental conundrum that is the Hub, which includes Nassau Coliseum.

The group announced a strategic “Reuse Plan” on Tuesday, Nov. 20 that reportedly will transform the Coliseum within the first half of 2013. Others have tried and failed where Ratner is venturing and the 77-acre site in Uniondale could become barren in three years once Wang departs for Brooklyn’s Barclays Center.

SFFD Hosts Dozens Of Out Of State Workers

Village Also Hosting Electricians And Tree Crews

It’s been three weeks since Hurricane Sandy and Nor’easter Athena have ripped through the region, causing millions of dollars in damage and inconveniencing thousands of residents. The South Farmingdale and Village Fire Departments, including the Village Hall have become temporary barracks for more than 100 out-of-state utility workers who are supplementing the recovery efforts on Long Island.

South Farmingdale Fire Commissioner Thomas Mastakouris said within the first couple of days of the storm recovery, many of the out of state workers were sleeping in their utility trucks in vacant parking lots. The temperatures were still at freezing overnight when some of the workers were sleeping out in their trucks.