Friday, November 16, 2018
Vol. 78, No. 46
$1
SERVING PLAINVIEW, HICKSVILLE, AND LEVITTOWN
Levittown Historical Society celebrates 30th anniversary
President Paul Manton and Vice President Bob Koenig receive recognition from Legislator Dennis Dunne. Photos by Betty Johnson On Monday, October 15th, the Levittown Historical Society & Museum celebrated its 30th anniversary with speeches by its board members, past board members, visiting dignitaries in public office, people in the local
educational community, and some exuberant guests. Underscored in these addresses were the legacy of William Levitt, the “Levittown pioneers” of the Greatest Generation and the suburban American Dream they
found here after the hardships of the Great Depression and World War II, Levittown’s history as a microcosm of American history beginning with the Jerusalem settlement in the 17th century, and the larger national and international significance of Levittown as the prototype for modern suburbia. An evening of memories, nostalgia, retrospection, and good cheer (as well as feasting), the anniversary gathering also focused on the future. President Paul Manton announced plans in the offing - in conjunction with the Levittown School District - to modernize, standardize, and enhance the Museum’s exhibits, educational programs, and public accessibility with an eye of Levittown’s 75th anniversary in 2022. He noted that institutions like museums, historical societies, local charities, churches, preservationist organizations, and civic groups are ever in dire need of more members, more volunteers, more donations, and more public support. His twelve yearold daughter, Elizabeth Regina Manton (the Society’s youngest member), addressed the crowd about how she grew up in museums, how social studies is her favorite subject, and how important knowing about the past is in order to understand the present. Indeed, perhaps the most important thing the Levittown Historical Society & Museum does is host more than 700 Levittown and Island Trees schoolchildren every year on field trips. Most extraordinary were the words of Vice President Bob Koenig. A singer/songwriter, pop culture historian, and native of Mineola, Koenig noted that it was his work within the Levittown Historical Society & Museum that inspired his family to move into the community. See page 4
Town collects for Toys for Tots Oyster Bay Town Councilman Anthony D. Macagnone joined with Town Councilman Thomas P. Hand to announce the annual kick-off of this year’s Toys for Tots Collection Drive, which will run through December 13th, in an effort to collect new, unwrapped toys to be used as gifts for children throughout the community. “Under the direction of the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve, the Toys for Tots Drive follows a mission to help ensure
that disadvantaged children within our community do not have to go the holiday season without something to bring them happiness,” Councilman Hand said. “By helping those in need experience the wonderful embrace of the holiday season, contributors will get to play an active role in bringing happiness to one of our nation’s most valuable resources for the future, our children,” Councilman Macagnone said. For those who wish to donate to Toys
for Tots, collection boxes can be found in the following Town facilities: • Oyster Bay Town Hall North (54 Audrey Avenue, Oyster Bay); • Town Hall South (977 Hicksville Road, Massapequa); • Department of Public Works Facility (150 Miller Place, Syosset); • The Town of Oyster Bay Ice Skating Center (at Bethpage Community Park - 1001 Stewart Avenue, Bethpage);
and • Syosset-Woodbury Community Park Community Center (Jericho Turnpike, Woodbury). For more information, please contact the councilmembers, co-chairs of the Collection Drive, at (516) 624-6619 or (516) 624-6305; or visit www.oysterbaytown. com.
Hicksville students honor Board of Ed PAGE 10 Northside students focus on character PAGE 20