_______ Lynbrook/east rockaway ______
your HEALTH body / mind / fitness
With a focus on August 11, 2022
we lln es s
HERALD Also serving Bay Park
Your Health
Family Wellness Inside Vol. 29 No. 33
East Rockaway revs its engines
Addressing the perilous parkway
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Page 8
AUGUST 11 - 17, 2022
$1.00
Polly Talbott is 2022 Woman of Distinction By DANIEl oFFNER doffner@liherald.com
Courtesy of Polly Talbott
PollY TAlBoTT wITH her family after being presented with a citation as Lynbrook’s Woman of Distinction for 2022.
Polly Talbott’s persistent spirit and years of service to the community earned her the honorary title of Lynbrook’s 2022 Woman of Distinction. Talbott is a certified culinary professional and former owner and operator of A La Carte Culinary Services in Lynbrook for 22 years. Like many in the food service industry, the spread of the virus that causes Covid-19 brought an abrupt end to her
business, which closed its doors in October 2020. Despite this significant setback, she continues to keep busy working as a food stylist, consultant, and private culinary instructor. “It was a complete surprise,” Talbott said of the honor. “I was very flattered and humbled to be honored amongst all of these other women from different towns and villages.” She and nearly a dozen others were honored during a July 28 ceremony at which she Continued on page 6
The Grist Mill Museum is East Rockaway’s historic gem By KEPHERD DANIEl kdaniel@liherald.com
The Grist Mill Museum is a gem of East Rockaway history w i t h e f fo r t s u n d e r w ay t o breathe new life and money into the 325-year-old mill. Built by Joseph Haviland to help create a shipping and trading center, the Village of East Rockaway acquired it in 1960. Soon after it was restored, it was moved from Mill River to its current location in Memorial Park, soon becoming the museum known today. East Rockaway native and Grist Mill Museum chair Regi-
na Cunningham became involved with the museum in 2018. Having a passion for history after two weeks, she couldn’t get enough of what the museum had to offer. “I saw how there was so much history in that little building and I just enjoyed it,” Cunningham said. “What makes me happy is when new people come in after having gone away to different areas and they come back to the museum, saying they want it to keep staying open. I’d like to keep it up as long as I can.” The museum is open weekends from 1 to 5 p.m. in the summer and displays include
an old fire engine pump from the 1800s named Tootsie, along with Native American and bay exhibits, and school and store settings from the 19th to early 20th centuries. Cunningham enjoys seeing community members amazed by the vast history of the museum. “Every time people come in, especially little kids, I show them things from back in the 1800s and I love seeing their joy,” she said. Entry to the museum is free, and being hundreds of year old, the museum requires periodic maintenance and repairs. The mill’s annual Huckleberry Frolic goes a long way to help
by raising money which goes to pay for any maintenance and repairs the museum needs. Cunningham, who now lives in Valley Stream, runs the museum every weekend it’s open. In 2020, she was given the role of the Huckleberry Frolic chairperson. This year’s Huckleber ry Frolic raised more than $5,000
for the museum. While the money raised will do a lot to help the museum, Cunningham says more people need to get involved in organizing the annual Frolic. “It’s too much for one person to do everything,” Cunningham said. “In years past we had more people.” Continued on page 4