Island Trees High School Homecoming Day Parade

The Island Trees community came out in full force on Homecoming Day 2012.  Superintendent Dr. Charles Murphy led the homecoming parade along with members of the board of education, Island Trees High School Principal Nicholas Grande and Assistant Principal Pamela Hostetter. The Island Trees High School Marching Band and Kickline followed.

WFD Honors Its Firefighters And Members

‘Medal of Honor’ awarded to Bloomfield and Chowske

In ceremonies held on Oct. 1, the Wantagh Fire Department (WFD) recognized and honored several of its members for acts of heroism and outstanding work.

The highest award, the “Medal of Honor” was presented to Ex-Captain Thomas Bloomfield and Ex-Captain Ron Chowske for their rescue of an unconscious 80-year-old man in a Wantagh house fire.

Sparks Fly In The Debate Arena

Town hall format and Obama’s performance finds president rebounding in the polls

On Tuesday, Oct. 16, Hofstra University was the site for the second of three debates between President Barack Obama and Governor Mitt Romney. Hofstra had also hosted a debate between then-Democratic nominee Obama and GOP nominee Sen. John McCain back in 2008, making the school just the second university to host consecutive presidential debates. (St. Louis’ Washington University was the other.)

With Romney scoring what many considered an upset victory over Obama’s decidedly lackluster performance in the first debate, this follow-up was going to be a “deal maker or breaker in this campaign,” according to political pundit Chris Matthews, who spoke at Hofstra the prior week. Shortly after moderator Candy Crowley took the stage at 9 p.m., it was clear both candidates were prepared to come out swinging, making for a lively hour and a half that found roughly 65 million viewers tuning in to the town hall-style debate, according to the Nielsen Ratings.

General MacArthur Pride Reigns At Homecoming

Dylan Pearce and Samantha Johnson crowned

Students, staff and members of the Levittown community displayed their school spirit and community pride during MacArthur High School’s annual homecoming game and parade. The weekend event commenced with an afternoon pep rally in the school’s auditorium with cheering for the various athletic teams and introduction of the school’s athletes.

Prior to homecoming game, the administration and members of the board of education led the procession of floats, marching bands, cheerleaders, and homecoming court members in the parade from Cherrywood Shopping Center in Wantagh to the high school athletic field.

Schumer Urges Navy To Expedite Bethpage Reimbursement

Water district has borrowed millions already for water treatment

U.S. Senator Charles Schumer has called on the U.S. Navy, by way of the Department of Justice, which is representing the Navy in legal proceedings, to immediately agree to reimburse the Bethpage Water District (BWD) for the money it has spent on equipment and treatment plants to purify drinking water contaminated by the toxic Bethpage plume.  The district has had to issue bonds of almost $14 million for the construction and operation of equipment to treat the drinking water, and repaying those bonds will cost approximately $3,000 per household if the district is not reimbursed. The BWD has already had to make the first payment of $1 million, which will cost ratepayers approximately $100 this year. Schumer, who has been a leading advocate for aggressive cleanup of the plume, called on the U.S. Navy to immediately begin paying the Bethpage Water District for the cost of the equipment and treatment plants so that ratepayers are not charged for cleaning up a situtation they did not create.

Edmond Farah Is Guest Of Honor At Marines’ Banquet

Legion post hosts 1st Marine Corps District

American Legionnaires at Post #1033 offered up their post headquarters for the night to host the 1st Marine Corps District’s ‘Mess Night’ for more than 80 locally stationed marine officers.

The officers, dressed in full winter dress uniform arrived at the post by the busload and were treated to, cocktail hour on the first floor hall, while preparations were being finalized in the lower hall for their banquet, which included Marine Corps anthems and song, a privately catered meal and other traditions of the “mess night” event.

Annual Wounded Warriors Concert On November 3

For several years now, dozens who dedicate their time and efforts, including Roslyn firefighter Henry Krukowski and his wife Betty, are ramping up to pulling off what is fast becoming one of Long Island’s larger fundraising events. Each November, for the past two years, volunteers have pooled their resources selflessly for the Roslyn Rocks for the Wounded Warriors concert, which benefits the Nassau County Fire Fighters’ Operation Wounded Warrior (NCFF-OWW) organization.

The Roslyn Fire Department and Steve Dassa Entertainment are presenting this year’s doo-wop show, “The Return of the Original Brooklyn Reunion,” which is open to the public, on Saturday, Nov. 3 at 7 p.m. at Roslyn High School on Round Hill Road. The playbill includes Herb Cox and the Cleftones; Larry Chance and the Earls; Phil Cracolici and the Mystics; Jimmy Gallagher and the Passions; and Emil Stucchio and the Classics. 

Marching Band ‘Home Show’ Returns To DAHS

A first for this year’s band members

Four years ago this October, Division Avenue High School (DAHS) played host to the New York State Field Band Conference Competition Home Show. On Sunday, Oct. 14 the marching band, all new members, will get their first shot at hosting the showcase and competition event.

“I am very excited for the students, parents, and community of Division Avenue and Levittown for being able to host their first NYSFB Marching Band Home Show since 2008,” said Michael Bastone of DAHS’ music department. “My sincere thanks go out to all the students and parents who have worked so hard to make this event possible; I consider myself very lucky to be able to work with so many talented students each and every day, and I am truly honored to be their director.”

Vandals Destroy Gazebo At Veterans’ Memorial Park

Chamber members call for its rebuilding

Calls began streaming in to the news desk at the Levittown Tribune on Wednesday, Sept. 26 as community members were outraged and saddened to see police activity surrounding the gazebo that once stood at the edge of the Veterans’ Memorial Park, near the Levittown Public Library.

“The roof is down on the ground and looks as though all of the supporting beams have been destroyed; so sad,” said Mary Lynn Borst.

Nassau County Legislature Presiding Officer Peter Schmitt Dies

Nassau County Legislature Presiding Officer Peter Schmitt died suddenly on the morning of Oct. 3. According to Ed Ward, spokesperson from the legislator’s office, Schmitt, 62, collapsed while in a budget meeting with Nassau County Executive Ed Mangano in the Theodore Roosevelt Executive and Legislative Building and was rushed to Winthrop Hospital. He died at 11:55 a.m.

“Nassau County has lost a dedicated public servant,” said Mangano in a statement. “My wife Linda and I lost a friend of over 20 years. Presiding Officer Peter Schmitt served the residents of Nassau County with great integrity and pride. I had the privilege of serving closely with Peter in the legislature since its creation in 1996, where he distinguished himself as an outspoken advocate for the residents of the 12th Legislative District.”