Friday, October 22, 2021
Vol. 81, No. 43
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SERVING BETHPAGE, OLD BETHPAGE, AND PLAINVIEW
HICKSVILLE HOMECOMING
MacArthur HS student nominated for prestigious award BY GARY SIMEONE
Nassau County Legislator Arnold W. Drucker (D - Plainview) met with Hicksville High School’s Robotics Team at Homecoming.“Hicksville’s homecoming festivities reflect the diversity and enduring spirit that empowers this community to blossom and thrive at the crossroads of our County,” Legislator Drucker said. “It was a pleasure to be on hand for the resumption of such a joyous and cherished tradition.” See page 4
Howl-o-ween Parade
Pets and their human partners are invited to participate in the Levittown 75th Anniversary Howl-O-Ween Pet Parade. All domestic animals may participate, but must be accompanied by a partner of human characteristics. Costumes for all participants are
encouraged. The free event, open to all Levittown and Island Trees school district residents, will take place on Saturday, October 30 from 1 to 3 p.m. at the Bluegrass Lane Park in Levittown. There will be music, raffles, best costume contests
for the pets and children and a day of Halloween fun. Levittown Special Events hosts the Levittown anniversary events. Plans for anniversary activities began in 2017 with a goal of making the community aware of the 75th See page 8
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MacArthur High School student Jack Butler is all about inspiring greatness on and off the field. That is why the senior and football player for the Generals was recently nominated for a prestigious award presented by the Hospital for Special Surgery and the New York Giants NFL football team. The award is given to student athletes who are selected from a handful of candidates throughout the tri-state area. MacArthur football coach Bobby Fehrenbach said that the young man is an inspiration to his team members for his hard work and dedication both on and off the field. “You truly would love to have a team full of Jack Butlers,” said Fehrenbach. “He is a great role model and always puts the team ahead of any personal accomplishments. Even though he was sidelined late last season with an injury and was dealing with COVID at one point, he has still been a presence on the team and throughout the school.” Butler is a peer leader at the High School who has helped incoming freshman adjust to high school life. He also referees youth flag football and helps teach at football and baseball clinics throughout Levittown. Butler, who plays quarterback for the Generals, suffered a serious ankle injury in the first half of a game against Garden City last season. The injury ultimately ended his season with the team and put into doubt whether he would ever play sports again. “Right away, I was just thinking of what’s going to happen next and where am I going,” said Butler. “Once I was actually in the hospital and laying in a bed after surgery, that’s when everything started to rush in about whether or not I’d be able to come back or not.” His perseverance and hard work in the offseason helped him recover enough that he was able to return to the team this season. He went through a grueling rehab process to help him heal before the start of the 2021 fall season. “Had he suffered the injury in the fall, there wouldn’t have been much doubt that he would be able to return this season," said Fehrenbach. “But he only had about five months to recover and then ultimately be cleared to return.” Butler did everything he could to speed the recovery process, including throwing a ball against the wall in his wheelchair to small incremental workouts in the garage area of his home. All of his hard work in preparing his body paid off, and two weeks before the scheduled start of the football season, he was cleared to for See page 8
Free golf for veterans, military PAGE 6 Cub Scouts hold fundraiser PAGE 3