__________________ SEAFORD _________________
HERALD A dance for the ages
off to a strong start
Greetings for Passover
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Vol. 72 No. 17
APRIl 18 - 24, 2024
$1.00
A shining light on the water Seaford museum hosts presentation on history of Fire Island Lighthouse torical society. At the event, Reich told the museum audience that she The Seaford Historical Soci- worked as a Fire Island docent ety recently invited author and for more than 11 years, dedicatSouth Shore Long Island resi- ing five of those years to dent Angela Reich to make a researching and working on her novel, which presentation on the was published in history of Fire November 2018. Island and the infa“I just decided to mous shipwreck of knock on the door, The Elizabeth off basically, and ask to New York Harbor. become a docent, Reich’s presentaand I just got so into tion was one of the it that I couldn’t highlights of an stop,” Reich said. April 11 meeting at the Seaford HistoriShe discussed the cal Museum, where Fire Island Lightshe delved into the house — a popular book she wrote on l a n d m a rk o n t h e the subject, entitled G re at S o u t h B ay “Shipwreck of that was originally Hopes.” built in 1826 at 74 Also during the feet high, at what meeting, the historiwas then, the end of cal society the island. The lightannounced that it Judy BoNGIoVI house served as a lith a s r e c e i v e d a President, Seaford eral beacon of hope $ 5 0 , 0 0 0 g r a n t t o Historical Society to ships importing replace the damaged and exporting goods roof of the museum, through New York with renovations scheduled to Harbor. begin on April 15. The museum Only steps away from the was built in 1893 as a two-room original, the current lighthouse schoolhouse and became the stands at 150 feet tall. AccordSeaford Historical Museum in ing to Reich, architects realized 1976. Since then, the property the lighthouse needed more has been maintained by the his-
By RACHEl BAMGBoSE
Herald intern
M
Danielle Sinacori/Herald
Rockin’ for a cause Musical act Paul Mahos and the New Life Crisis rocked out before a crowd at Mulcahy’s in Wantagh during the Michael J. Cawley Memorial Foundation’s 22nd annual Benefit on April 6. Story, more photos, Page 3.
Celebrating outstanding businesses
Chamber of Commerce hosts annual installation dinner By CHARlES SHAW cshaw@liherald.com
The Wantagh Chamber of Commerce partied like it was the 1930s at last week’s installation dinner, as it celebrated the contributions of several of its members. The event, which attracted a crowd of around 70 guests, took place on April 11 at Gatsby on the Ocean, at Jones Beach’s historic West Bathhouse. “This is such a beautiful place that represents the history of Wantagh,” chamber President Cathy McGrory Powell said. “It’s such a historic place, and it’s an incredible example of art deco. We’re really excited to be able to do this here
tonight.” McGrory Powell, who has been the organization’s president since 2019, was sworn in again by Nassau County Legislator Michael Giangregorio, who also presented several special award winners with citations. Looking back, McGrory Powell said, getting involved with the chamber was a matter of making a difference in the business community. “I love the community,” she said. “I always want to do more for the community, and make memories with people and help our businesses.” She and her husband, Bill Powell, operate Universe Home Services in Seaford, which is celeContinued on page 4
r.
Giangregorio came to the rescue and hand-delivered the check to my home first because he knew what I’d been through.
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