________ Franklin square/elmont _______
HERALD Vol. 25 No. 52
Santa visits schools
Condemning the congestion plan
Page 10
Page 12
DECEMBER 21 - 27, 2023
$1.00
Christmas Family Night at the library “I bought as many toys as I possibly could,” Senat said. Senat spent a great deal of The end of the year offers time at the Elmont Public the community a chance to Library in his childhood, back come together to celebrate the when it was across the street at holidays. For Mimi Pierre- a smaller location. “I grew up here loving to Jo h n s o n , f o u n d e r o f t h e Elmont Cultural Center, and read, loving to be in this many others, it’s a time to library,” Senat said. “And being bring families in a position I’m in together for a good now, to give back to cause. kids; when I was The Elmont Cultheir age, I wish tural Center hosted someone came back its second annual and did stuff like Christmas Family this. So it just felt Night at the Elmont right.” Public Library on Pierre-Johnson Dec. 14. With the w a s h i s S u n d ay help of former New school teacher Yo r k J e t G r e g when he was a Senat, toys were child. handed out to all of “I look at him as the children who MIMI PIERREa model for these attended. k i d s wh e n t h e y JoHNSoN “ Fo r m e, t h i s meet him,” Pierremeans that I get to founder, Elmont Johnson said. “He’s see the smile on Cultural Center a football player these kids’ faces and he’s buying when we start to give the toys toys for the kids in his commuout,” Pierre-Johnson said. nity. To me, that’s what commuThe first toy was given out to nity is. Community is making the child who won the musical it better, passing it on and givchairs contest. Legos, Nerf toys ing back.” and girls’ crafts and much more Taqiyya Burch, who attendhelped make the holidays ed last year’s event, appreciates brighter. Continued on page 5
By REI WolFSoHN
Correspondent
Tim Baker/Herald photos
Sisters parker Szachacz, 7, and Zoey Szachacz, 9, of island park stroll through a Winter Wonderland in Franklin Square last weekend.
Walking in a Winter Wonderland Franklin Square-based nonprofit Rescuing Families welcomed folks to its Winter Wonderland last weekend to spark the holiday spirit in town. For anyone who missed the holiday fun, take a look at Page 3 to see more photos of the Christmas light festivities and more information on when to stop by. the abominable Snowman is ecstatic to see all of the smiling faces walk through the Winter Wonderland in Franklin Square this holiday season. Stop by 1010 Lewiston St. in Franklin Square next weekend to soak up the Christmas spirit.
F
or me, this means that I get to see the smile on these kids’ faces when we start to give the toys out