Friday, February 18, 2022
Vol. 82, No. 7
$1
SERVING BETHPAGE, OLD BETHPAGE, AND PLAINVIEW
VALENTINES FOR VETS
Hicksville pizzeria celebrates Billy Joel’s mother’s birthday BY GARY SIMEONE
Supervisor Saladino and Councilman Imbroto with AMVETS Post 21 Commander Richard DeJesu and local veterans, who received Valentine's cards created by school children. On behalf of school children from throughout the Town of Oyster Bay, Supervisor Joseph Saladino and Councilman Lou Imbroto presented hundreds of “Valentine’s for Veterans” to AMVETS Post 21 in Oyster Bay. Thousands of students prepared beautiful valentines which are being
distributed to Veteran organizations including the American Legion, Veterans of Foreign War (VFW) and AMVETS as well as hospitals and nursing homes. The initiative serves as an important reminder to our hometown heroes that their service and sacrifice will never be forgotten.
Blood drive Hicksville FD Nassau County Legislators Laura Schaefer and Rose Marie Walker, together with the Hicksville Fire Department and New York Blood Center, will be hosting a blood drive on Tuesday, March 15th from 2:45 to 8:45 p.m. at the Hicksville Fire Department,
20 East Marie Street, Hicksville. Appointments are preferred, but walk-ins are welcome if capacity permits. To schedule an appointment, please call the New York Blood Center at 1-800-933-BLOOD or visit www.nybc. org
The Bethpage Newsgram is published every Friday by Litmor Publishing Corp. Periodical Postage paid at Hicksville, N.Y. 11801 Telephone 931-0012 - USPS 3467-68. Postmaster: Send Address Change to: The Bethpage Newsgram, 821 Franklin Ave., Suite 208, Garden City, N.Y. 11530 • Meg Norris Publisher
It was free pizza for everyone at DiMaggio’s Pizzeria in Hicksville this past Tuesday, as the local establishment celebrated what would’ve been the 100th birthday of Rosalind Nyman Joel. Joel was the mother of famous Long Island musician Billy Joel, who grew up in the town. Community and civic leaders, including Oyster Bay Town Supervisor Joe Saladino and Nassau County Legislator Rose Walker, were on hand to celebrate the occasion. In honor of the “Piano Man’s” mother’s birthday, DiMaggio’s gave out free pizza to everyone and dedicated a pizza pie in her name. “Rosalind, or Roz as she was known, passed away in 2014 at the age of ninety-two,” said Sal Stile, the owner of DiMaggio’s. “She raised her son Billy and daughter Judy in Hicksville and put everything she had into helping Billy launch his music career. She paid for his piano lessons and helped lead him on the road to success. Rosalind will always be remembered as an integral part of this Community.” Stiles said that Rosalind always got her pizza at DiMaggio’s and that one of Billy Joel’s early bands played musical gigs at the establishment. Supervisor Saladino said that he was proud to celebrate the life of Rosalind Nyman Joel and the music of her son Billy, whose music is “the soundtrack to our lives.” “Rosalind Joel, who we like to call the “Piano Mom,” would have a-hundred year old today,” said Saladino. “Neighbors and friends might remember that not only is she the mother of one of the world’s most famous musicians, and famous residents of the Town of Oyster
Bay, but she was an active member in the community. She bought pizza for her kids here and loved sharing the thin crust pizza with her on the way to piano lessons.” He added that while it was important to recognize the legacy of the Joel family, it was equally important to recognize the significance that local establishments like DiMaggio’s have on our neighborhoods. “Establishments like DiMaggio’s Pizzeria are woven into the fabric of our community. Sal (Stiles) and even other owners of pizzerias in the area are well respected in the community.” County Legislator Rose Walker said she has been a member of the Hicksville community for seventy-plus years and hanging out at the Village Green, where See page 11
Community leaders and employees of DiMaggio’s Pizzeria in Hicksville came together at the restaurant recently to celebrate what would’ve been the 100th birthday of Rosalind Nyman Joel, a longtime member of the local community and the mother of famous Long Island musician Billy Joel.
District builds new treatment plant PAGE 17 Public skating sessions during break PAGE 4