Oceanside/Island Park
to all our readers of the Christian faith
HERALD Infections as of Dec. 21
1,815
CoMMuNITY uPDATE
Infections as of Dec. 14 1,658
$1.00
lights, spirits are bright in I.P.
A donation of masks to the oFD
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DECEMBER 24- 30, 2020
Vol. 55 No. 52
Friedberg JCC is overcoming Covid struggles grams almost immediately after the shutdown, which, she added, would likely be a permanent feaThough the Friedberg JCC has ture going forward. The wellness lost revenue and is operating at center also returned to in-person limited capacity because of the classes in October. coronavirus pandemic, clients Upon reopening, wellness cenare starting to return to its fit- ter administrators followed all ness center, and virtual classes Centers for Disease Control and are thriving. Prevention and “Our program New York state income has defiguidelines, includnitely been affected ing requiring face by the shutdown, coverings everyand our program where but in the income is what suppool, social distancports our whole ing, temperature bu s i n e s s, ” s a i d checks, deep cleanJackie Ruiz, the ing of all facilities J C C ’s we l l n e s s and limits on classJACkIE RuIz director. “We’re es. Though the cenrunning as much as Wellness director, ter is per mitted we can, but safely. Friedberg JCC occupancy of up to Overall, we took a 35 percent of capachit, and our proity, Ruiz said, it has gram income has dramatically mostly hovered around 20 perdropped, with the majority of our cent. services not being able to run.” Roni Kleinman, the JCC’s Despite the pandemic’s executive director, said that while impact, Ruiz said, more members she was proud of what it accomhave returned to the gym in the plished in facilitating a safe past few months, and she is opti- return, there have been difficulmistic about the future. The well- ties. ness center closed on March 16, “Despite the challenges, our following an executive order by commitment to serve our comGov. Andrew Cuomo, and was munity in times of crisis is stronclosed until Sept. 2. Ruiz said the JCC began offering virtual proContinued on page 8
By MIkE SMollINS msmollins@liherald.com
Courtesy Town of Hempstead
Sending Christmas trees from Dee’s Dee’s Nursery, in Oceanside, recently hosted its annual Trees for Troops event, at which it donates Christmas trees to uniformed servicemen and women stationed overseas.Taking part in the festivities were, from left, New York State Trooper Israel Vasquez; Col. Tom Sullivan; Nassau County Police Commissioner Patrick Ryder; Dee’s owner Joe DiDomenica; Catherine O’ Reilly, DHL Express manager of commercial air aviation; Hempstead Town Councilman Anthony D’Esposito; and two celebrity guests from the North Pole.
Shell Creek field named for Island Park Little League icon By ToNY BEllISSIMo tbellissimo@liherald.com
Shell Creek Park was recently renamed in honor of John “Jack” Leddy, a longtime coach, president and leader of the Island Park Little League. The field will now be known as John “Jack” Leddy Memorial Field. A ceremony date remains to be determined, but it will likely be sometime in the spring. “The Island Park Little
League is proud and grateful to have this honor bestowed on a man that is considered the cornerstone of our foundation,” the IPLL said in a statement. “Jack Leddy gave selflessly to the children of our community for years, and was respected and revered by his players and peers. Many of our past players that were coached by Jack — some now with grandchildren of their own in the league — will undoubtedly share in the pride
and joy we feel, as they knew the man and experienced his enthusiasm and dedication to the sport of baseball and the kids that played it.” Leddy wore many hats in the Island Park Little League. He began coaching in 1968, and the following year served as the Island Park District Representative in New York District 30, which is now Little League International. He became presiContinued on page 7
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e’re open for everybody, and we’re safe.