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Vol. 26 No. 32
Clubhouse up in flames
Photographer honored by town
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HERALD $1.00
august 3 - 9, 2023
Remembering a longtime theater man had a very different way of looking at things in the world, and life, that were not necessarIf you ask people they feel ily mainstream, but very forabout Donald Davidson, the ward thinking.” The couple had known each answer they’d give is fairly simple: ‘We need more people like other for 52 years, she said, having attended the same elehim.” Davidson was creative and mentary school in Levittown. talented in many walks of life, They formally met in junior best remembered by most as an high school and started dating integral part of the in 1972, when they North Merrick were both 15. They School District’s married at the age Theatre Arts proof 21 and moved to g r a m , wh e re h e Merrick the followworked with stuing year. dents and designed Donald Davidson sets, alongside began working as a teachers Joyce Kelcontractor, before ley and Gail Appel. they went into the “We need more JoYCE KEllEY video business people like Donald teacher together, she said, Davidson,” Kelley but he always had a said. “He was always friendly passion for the arts, music and and kind, big hearted — gener- theater. ous. Very creative and talented. “He had a very big personalIf you want to make this world ity, where he could walk into a better place, we need more any environment (and) immepeople like Donald Davidson.” diately fill the room,” Helen Davidson died on July 7. He Davidson said. “He was very was 66. friendly, very empathetic, espe“Music and the arts has cially with kids. Donald loved always been his best compan- the kids and always had this ion,” his wife, Helen Davidson, gift relating to the kids.” said. “He was always very intelThe Davidsons had been ligent, quick witted, had an married 17 years when they amazing sense of humor. He
By JoRDaN ValloNE
jvallone@liherald.com
Dan Tommasino/Herald
‘Keep on dreaming’ with the Eli Young Band The Eli Young Band, a country music group, hit the stage at Eisenhower Park’s Harry Chapin Lakeside Theatre on July 27 as part of Nassau County’s free outdoor concert series. Story, more photos, Page 10.
Helping others in need, nurse prepares for second mission trip By JoRDaN ValloNE jvallone@liherald.com
If you ask Sophia Specht about ways in which you can help others, she’ll tell you it doesn’t have to do with money. Donating your time, simple products, and outside-the-box thinking can have an impact on others’ lives. A nurse at Huntington Hospital, Specht is preparing to embark on her second mission trip this year, having taken her first in May. While she understands that not everyone may have the luxury to take time off from work and pay to travel to where help is needed, donating medical supplies and scrubs at home can make a huge differ-
ence abroad. Specht has always been committed to giving back when possible. Now living in Bellmore, she grew up in Wantagh, where she helped start a recycling club at Wantagh High School in the late 1980s. She has volunteered at local animal shelters, and was a paramedic at the WantaghLevittown Volunteer Ambulance Corps. “We live in such a disposable society,” Specht said. “I’m looking around my house right now, and I have these reusable shopping bags. My house has three people, and we probably have 30 bags. You can bring them to a food pantry, and the pantry will pack food for their clients to Continued on page 4
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e was always friendly and kind.
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