Living in Oceanside

Look what’s Happening

Courtesy Oceanside SAFE Coalition 1st Photo: The Oceanside SAFE Coalition serves as a drug and alcohol coalition to further tackle the substance abuse among youths.

Courtesy Oceanside Kiwanis 2nd Photo: Oceanside Kiwanis hosts summer gazebo readings each Monday from June through August. Freeport resident Lloyd Abrams entertained the crowd with his poetry at a past event.

Courtesy Russell Cohen 3rd Photo: The Cohen siblings — Sami, 9, Jesse, 13, and Jake, 16 — have donated about 50 goodie bags filled with activities, such as games and magazines, to seniors at Oceanside Care Center.

Courtesy Joe Ponte 4th Photo: Oceanside hosts festivities each Memorial Day. Participating this past May were, from left, John Robbins, commander of the Chwatsky Farber Post 717, Jewish War Veterans, parade Grand Marshall Arthur Feltheimer and Chaplain Lenny Levine.

Oceanside:

A community of unity

Situated in the south-central portion of Nassau County, Oceanside has a plethora of visitors in normal circumstances, yet remained a tight-knit community during the dark times of a pandemic.

In addition to having a rich history dating back to the earliest days of settlement on Long Island, Oceanside features a supportive business community as well as a number of civic resources for residents of all ages.

Every summer, the Oceanside Kiwanis and the library present poetry and prose readings at Oceanside’s Schoolhouse Green gazebo, which have continued virtually. And fun at the Green doesn’t stop when summer ends. During the winter, it shines bright with holiday decorations replete with Christmas carolers and a menorah lighting.

Oceanside schools are also a major force in the hamlet, not only responsible for preparing the next generation of Oceansiders for adulthood, but also administering the Department of Community Affairs, which holds community programs, activities for seniors and after-school programs at the district’s facilities.

The Kiwanis and Kiwanettes host holiday gatherings, pancake breakfasts and dinner dances — attended by hundreds — and the money raised is used to serve the community.

Oceanside also features an active Chamber of Commerce, which welcomes new businesses with ribbon-cuttings, and honors community leaders at its annual dinner dance. It works on behalf of members to keep business in Oceanside thriving. During the pandemic, members banned together to help support local businesses, some of which closed temporarily, and others which adapted to a takeout-only model and outdoor dining options before eventually reopening. Other civic groups include the Knights of Columbus, Ladies Auxiliary, Sons of Italy, Rotary Club, Veterans of Foreign Wars and American Legion.

For Oceanside’s houses of worship, there are places for adherants to a wide variety of religious denominations from Oceanside and surrounding communities to feel welcome. Many recently reopened their doors after being shuttered for months amid the virus.

For the younger crowd, you’ll find Boy and Girl Scouts, Little League and Girls Fastpitch.

The Oceanside Fire Department and its volunteers keep residents safe during fires and were first on the scene during Hurricane Sandy, making protection from natural disasters one of the department’s top priorities. They also became even more vital during the pandemic.

An Oceanside treasure is the Marine Nature Study Area, which offers year-round educational opportunities for visitors, students and adults alike, and draws nature enthusiasts from all over.

The award-winning Mount Sinai South Nassau hospital hosts a wide range of informational meetings and healthrelated groups, which are open to the public.

So no matter your interest, you will find Oceanside a welcoming community.