__________________ Merrick _________________
CoMMUNItY UPDAtE Infections as of Feb. 21
6,271
Infections as of Feb. 14 6,121
HERALD
Author honors ‘fur-ever’ friends
B’way star from N.B. adjusts
Merrick library gets a grant
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FEBRUARY 25 - MARCH 3, 2021
Vol. 24 No. 9
New ASL club shows ‘signs’ of progress recalled of communicating with Cassandra. “I taught my friends basic signs as well, and realized Sitting in a pew at the Church that this could seriously help of Jesus Christ of Latter Day other people.” Saints in Plainview, Lily Hodson Last fall, Hodson, now 17, watched a woman standing near started an ASL club at Sanford the altar, using her hands to H. Calhoun High School to teach translate the hourh e r p e e r s, a n d long service into raise awareness of American Sign deaf culture and Language so deaf history in the hearand hard-of-hearing community. ing congregants “A lot of people could follow along tend to be uncomwith the hymns fortable talking to and prayers. deaf or hard-of“Every time I hearing people went, I would because they never watch her sign the experienced the whole program,” communication said Hodson, of boundary between MADElINE Merrick. “It was so someone who is Calhoun High cool to look at.” hearing and someHer interest led School student one who is not,” Hodson, who was Hodson said. “The 13 at the time, to goal is to make it teach herself ASL. Every Thurs- more of a comfortable situation day, she attended “Intro to ASL” and teach kids who can hear that activities hosted by the church, . . . you can communicate with read books and used online them normally. You can cross resources to develop her profi- that barrier.” ciency. Hodson even asked a deaf Hodson’s mother, Sharon, is a congregant named Cassandra to special-education paraprofeshelp her learn certain words in sional at Calhoun and the club’s ASL, and, in return, Hodson adviser. The two talked about signed the sermons for her. “It was a win for me,” she Continued on page 4
By AlYssA sEIDMAN aseidman@liherald.com
I
Andrew Garcia/Herald
tHE HERAlD INtERVIEwED Andrew Conlin in his Merrick home as he approached his 100th birthday in 2019. The longtime resident died at 101 on Feb. 7.
Longtime Merokean, storied WWII veteran, dies at 101 By ANDREw GARCIA agarcia@liherald.com
Andrew Conlin, a World War II veteran, former New York City police officer and longtime Merrick resident, died Feb. 7, at age 101. His maintained his jovial, fun-loving attitude into his later years, family members said — and his personality was on full display when the Herald interviewed him in his Merrick home for his 100th birthday in 2019.
“I personally will miss his laugh,” said Dennis Conlin, Andrew’s youngest son. “Dad loved a good laugh.” During his interview with the Herald, Conlin’s laughter filled the room, and his sharp recollection of notable events was interjected by high-spirited “Bops!” and “Zows!” As he sat in his favorite armchair, he could hardly sit still as he retold his life story. Despite nearing his 100th birthday, Conlin lifted his
hefty, red lacquered accordion onto his lap to play a song. “I used to pick up tunes by ear,” he said. “I’d remember what to play after one listen, but I couldn’t tell you one key from the other,” he added with a laugh. To prepare for the interview, Conlin drafted six pages of hand-written personal history, including his departure for World War II, in neat script. “It didn’t take me long — maybe two hours,” he said Continued on page 3
f you’re somewhere noisy and need to communicate and knew how to sign, you’d be all set.