Village of Thomaston residents expressed strong opposition at a meeting last Wednesday to a $40 million plan by the Long Island Rail Road to replace the Colonial Road Bridge and make improvements intended to increase bridge safety for local motorists and improve train reliability and customer service along the Port Washington line.

The heated words continued following the meeting when LIRR President Helena Williams accused Village of Thomaston Mayor Robert Stern of turning against the project at the meeting after months of expressing support in meetings with the LIRR and other public officials.

“We were quite surprised by your sudden decision to open the meeting on November 10, 2010 by publicly voicing your opposition to this project without any prior notice to ther LIRR of your concerns,” Williams said in a letter to Stern dated Nov. 16 that was released to the Great Neck News.

Under the proposal, the LIRR would replace the bridge, improve drainage on the railroad track and extend the existing pocket track that would allow the LIRR to turn trains around east of the Colonial Road Bridge – steps Williams said were necessary to improve service on the entire Port Washington line and get the LIRR ready for train service to Grand Central Terminal in 2016.

Williams said in her letter to Stern that at two meetings attended by other public officials and following numerous other meetings “your only request was that the pocket track be fully landscaped” and in other meetings he expressed support for the project.

“We appreciated your advocacy for the proposed project on numerous occasions, including as recently as this past summer,” Williams says, noting that at his suggestion the LIRR agreed to “meet with a small group of adjacent homeowners to preview the benefits of the bridge replacement, pocket track and bridge replacement.”

In responding to Williams’ letter, Stern said it would be acceptable for the LIRR to replace the bridge and fix the drainage issue, but he was concerned that extending the pocket track would impact too many village residents.

“I am unhappy about the plan because the extension of a 1,200 foot long pocket track would have an affect on about 25 homes,” Stern said. “That is a lot of people to bother. Residents who live near the pocket track now already complain about the noise and extending it further will only annoy more homeowners. This is an ideal plan for the rail road, but it would make a mess for the neighborhood. Village residents should do something about it and I will help them contact public officials to solve this problem.”

He said that while he did express support for the project initially, the LIRR made subsequent changes that resulted in his opposition.

At at meeting with LIRR officials at Village Hall in Thomaston last week residents objected to proposed construction of a turn circle at Colonial Road and Grace Avenue and the construction of a pocket track, which provide an alternative to Port Washington as a place for train to turnaround.

“The LIRR is acting very negligent with this project because it does not have any analysis,” said Thomaston resident Burton Weston. “How many people make a right turn on Grace Avenue after crossing the bridge? There is no need to make this turn unless you live on the cul-da-sacs off of that street. Dumping traffic onto Grace Avenue would increase safety concerns for everybody who drives here.”

Michael Zarin agreed with Weston to not build a traffic circle at Grace Avenue.

“There has been no traffic survey to see if this project even has a purpose,” Zarin said. “Great Neck Plaza has made several improvements with a turnaround, but what is the traffic impact there. We have not heard any word from the MTA about this and any alternatives. We also don’t know what the traffic consequences will be when the bridge has to close for a year.”

Thomaston resident Jamie Karasyk said she believes the LIRR’s main goal for this project is to make money and there is no need to build a pocket track at the Colonial Road Bridge.

“The LIRR wants to make more money at the expense of our homes,” Karasyk said. “We don’t want more service or a pocket track which will only create more noise for homeowners who live near the rail road.”

Lawrence Greengrass said it would be a smart decision for the LIRR to build a pocket track near Gilchrest Road because that street has fewer residential properties.

“The LIRR needs to look for alternative sites for the pocket track that is not near the bridge,” Greengrass said. “Gilchrest Road does not have any private homes and is an industrial section that includes a church, the senior center and a LIPA facility. There is a great deal of hostility and concern to expand the operations that the LIRR is proposing and it would have a great impact on this community.”

One village resident asked for a demographic study to be taken before this project begins because she feels the Great Neck population is getting older and more residents are now working at home.

Bob Brennan, director of government and community affairs for the LIRR, said this project is in its early stages. He said the LIRR does not have a design for the project and has not hired a construction company to build a new bridge.

“We are here because we know public input is extremely important,” Brennan said. “There are safety concerns with the bridge and we know it is very noisy because of the open deck. We want to take it out and put a new bridge in.”

Williams said in her letter that the Colonial Road Bridge was built 113 years ago and a is a three-span bridge, “which has exceeded its useful life” and does not meet state Department of Transportation standards.

Project manager Dan Knote told resident at the meeting that the new bridge would eliminate the steel grating, provide wider travel lanes, a pedestrian sidewalk that complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act and construction of a traffic triangle on Grace Avenue to improve sight distance for drivers when coming off the bridge. Knote said an 8-foot-by-25-foot retaining wall would be built to keep water away from residential properties and the LIRR would hire a landscaper to be responsible for maintenance, fertilization and cutting of trees near the bridge to mitigate noise pollution.

Knote said the Colonial Road Bridge would be closed for one year during construction that would only take place during daylight hours. He said the design phase for the project would be completed in 2011, construction on the bridge would end in 2013 and the project would finish in 2014.

Elisa Picca, chief planning officer for the LIRR, said the rail road foresees more commuters using the public transportation system when the economy improves.

“The pocket track will be favorable for a.m. and p.m. trains to be able to turn the trains around mid-branch,” Picca said. “It is a 20 to 30 minute operation to turn the train around and would give our customers more opportunities to have train service if the pocket track is here.”

Williams said in her letter to Stern that the pocket track would allow the LIRR to schedule trains that began their trips in Great Neck “thereby increasing availability for customers at Great Neck and stations west.”

She went to say that there would be “minimal noise associated with the proposed pocket track” since the track was located in a deep ravine.

On the last morning of her life, Rachel Joy Scott drew picture in her diary depicting a pair of eyes with tears flowing from them onto a bed of roses.

She told a teacher who saw the drawing, “I’m going to have an impact on the world.”

A short time later, the 17-year-old high school junior became the first of 12 students who were shot to death by Eric Harris and Dylan Klebold during their Columbine High School killing spree in Littleton, CO.

Her brother Michael Scott told that story somberly to students assembled in the auditorium of Mineola High School.

Scott, 26, will have told that story in 800 schools by the end of this year as part of an inspirational campaign dubbed “Rachel’s Challenge.” The presentation aims at delivering a message of kindness and compassion, two principles Rachel described as her “codes of life” in an essay she wrote shortly before her death.

It is a non-profit campaign that is making Scott’s late sister sound prescient as he expounded several principles to inform personal perspective and behavior.

The first principle is to eliminate prejudice and look for the best in others. Scott noted that the Columbine killers had adopted Adolf Hitler as a role model. Ironically, he said Rachel had taken Anne Frank, the iconic young Dutch diarist who died in a Nazi death camp, as he role model.

Dare to dream was another principle Scott expounded as he quoted from Rachel’s diary, saying, “Glory only comes when one pursues one’s dreams.”

He related a story about how his sister intervened one day when she saw a disabled schoolmate being beaten up by two bullies. She successfully face the bullies down.

“There are people in this school who are going through horrible things in their life. All it takes is a smile. We have the power to push them over the edge or keep them from going over the edge,” Scott said.

He quoted from one of his sister’s diaries again in expounding another principle: “Kind words and little acts of kindness get huge results.”

The climax of his presentation was the focal point of Rachel’s challenge, to start a chain reaction of compassion that can have an impact on one’s fellows.

Some of the students who sat through the hour-long presentation said it did have a positive impact on them.

“It makes you want to change,” Catherine Braun said.

“It really opens up your eyes,” said Jocelyn Kompancaril.

Michael Scott said making the presentations over the past two years has had a transformational effect on him and his family.

“Being able to share Rachel’s story has brought a lot of healing to our family. We’ve seen a lot of good come out of a terrible tragedy,” Scott said.

The presentation was made in Mineola High School two years ago and students in the school’s “Increase the Peace” organization requested the return visit, according to Ed Escobar, Mineola High School principal.

“It’s one thing to say they’ve seen the presentation. The kids now will meet to brainstorm on ideas,” Escobar said.

Nassau County Executive Edward P. Mangano joined Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD), Police Commissioner Lawrence W. Mulvey, members of the Nassau STOP DWI program, and the families of Nassau Police Officer Kenneth Baribault and Suffolk County Police Officer Glen Ciano to announce an exhibit that pays tribute to police officers from New York State who were killed or injured in the line of duty by drunk drivers.

Called “The Courage to Serve”, the exhibit will be on display at the Roosevelt Field Mall in Garden City from Monday, Nov. 15 through Sunday, Nove. 21. Those profiled include injured Officer Kenneth Baribault and deceased Officer Glen Ciano, along with three other New York State police officers: Trooper Robert W. Ambrose, Trooper Anthony Catalfamo, Jr. and Officer Aldo A. Rossi, Jr. – all affected by drunk drivers.  

“This exhibit illustrates the irreparable harm that is caused by intoxicated drivers. It is my hope that while visiting Roosevelt Field, people will take a moment to reflect on these five officers who put their lives on the line every day to protect residents and were tragically injured or killed by drunk drivers,” said Mangano. “Let me be very clear: drunk driving will not be tolerated in Nassau County and we are going to continue doing all that we can to stop it.”

The exhibit has been brought to Long Island thanks to the efforts of Danielle (Baribault) Rella, working with Nassau Police Commissioner Lawrence Mulvey and MADD-Long Island. Simon Property Group Inc. which operates the property has generously donated the space.  The exhibit will be located in the Macy’s Court near the Disney Store.

“The Courage to Serve” exhibit is made possible by the Lewis Henry Morgan Institute at SUNY-Institute of Technology through funding by the National Highway Safety Administration with a grant from the New York State Governor’s Traffic Safety Committee. Dr. Dennis Foley is the Curator and designer.

Town of North Hempstead council members and residents alike remained divided on the issue of fence heights, and the council tabled a proposed amendment to the town’s code at its Tuesday night meeting.

The issue prompted an animated debate, as Town of North Hempstead Councilman Fred Pollack read a complex draft of an amendment that broke down to setting a height of four feet for front yard fences, five feet for side yards and six feet for rear yards.

Councilman Thomas Dwyer immediately objected to any change, saying, “Whenever we change a code, the maximum [height] people can take, they will take it.”

Marietta DiCamillo, president of the North Lakeville Civic Association, said she was thoroughly confused by the proposal Pollack read, which included qualifications for fences abutting commercial properties and roadways.

“This is the most confusing amendment I’ve ever heard. I really want to see my neighbors. I am going to be really upset if my neighbors construct a six-foot fence,” she said.

She said that senior citizens considered higher fences a safety issue, since they would be unable to see their neighbors.

Jim McHugh, president of the New Hyde Park Civic Association, said board members of his organization were on both sides of the issue. They might be willing to compromise on a five-foot side fence but, he said, “Generally, they didn’t want fences above four feet.”

Roslyn Heights resident Jarrett Roth said he favored uniformity in his neighborhood and didn’t understand why the council was revisiting the issue, which he thought had been resolved at a four-foot level last month.

“I live on a 100 by 140-foot lot. I paid a lot for that lot. I don’t want to see my neighbor,” he said. “It’s not about being boxed in. It’s about being safe in my yard.”

New Hyde Park resident Gina Bernstein said she is frightened of a neighborhood dog who barks at her with its paws atop a four-foot fence during her daily three-mile walk, “So I think this is a wise amendment,” she said.

Dwyer noted that the town Board of Zoning Appeals approves 98 percent of the variances residents seek to erect five foot fences for their side yards and six feet fences in back yards, and pointed out that

council and the zoning board had been considering the issue without acting over the past several months.

“I don’t agree with what the BZA does. I think they’re unresponsive,” he said.

Pollack said residents who are denied variances typically buy six-foot fences at Home Depot and install them anyway.

“I totally disagree,” Pollack said.

Literally in the middle between Dwyer and Pollack, Town of Hempstead Supervisor Jon Kaiman said, “So this is interesting.”

Kaiman suggested carrying the issue over one more time for “a little further discussion” and the council voted unanimously to do so.

The dancing performances and the music were mesmerizing, the costumes were dazzling, the food was delicious and the atmosphere appropriately ebullient at the Diwali celebration at Herricks High School last Saturday dubbed “Journey to India” and sponsored by the Indo-US Community organization and the Indian Cultural Club.

Diwali is the Hindu festival of light, celebrating the victory of light over dark, good over evil in an observance that mirrors similar traditions in other religions. It has, over the centuries, become an observance among Indians which transcends its specific religious roots to be a broader celebration of the new year which includes gift-giving.

Different types of lamps are lit to symbolize the triumph of light over darkness.

“This is a great way to energize club that connects with our mission and let them connect with the community at large,” said Jonai Singh, a principal in the Indo-US society and co-president of the Herricks PTA.

Singh estimated that between 400 and 500 people attended the event, the first joint effort between the organizations.

In the Hindu tradition, Diwali celebrates the return of Rama, ancient idol of the heroic ages, from a 14-year exile to his kingdom of Ayodhya. The gods poured flowers and garlands from heaven to show their pleasure for Rama, who is considered the ideal, son, husband and king. The observance is also tied to the emergence of the goddess Lakshmi – consort of Vishnu – who represents beauty, peace, opulence and wisdom.

A very graceful young dancer named Preya Patel performed an elaborate dance from Kothak, a northern Indian state, in the Herricks gym. Aditi Mohan performed a more subtle, and very colorful, peacock dance. And four Herricks High School students delivered a well-coordinated, athletic rendition of the “Jai Ho” dance from the Academy Award-winning “Slumdog Millionaire” film.

Between dance performances, three special guests were honored for their service to the community, including Herricks school board President Christine Turner, state Assemblywoman Michelle Schimel (D-16th A.D.) and Nassau County Police 3rd Precinct Chief Inspector Kevin Canavan.

Schimel, dressed in traditional Indian garb said, “I’m an Indian-American tonight.”

Former Herricks school board member Nalini Chugh introduced Turner, a 20-year member of the board, as a friend who was consistently sensitive to the perspectives of all residents.

“The thing that struck me about Christine is, she’s always able to remember the constituencies that are not in the board room,” she said.

Turner noted that she was a 35-year resident of Herricks and principal of a kindergarten school in Garden City with no plans to end her involvement in the Herricks board.

“It’s been more than a pleasure to serve and work with all the people in this room,” she said, acknowledging board members past and present who were there. “It’s been a privilege to serve this community and I hope to continue because I’m not leaving.”

Singh praised Canavan as someone “who puts his life on the line” to secure the community’s safety.

Students from the Herricks elementary, middle and high schools helped celebrate the event by puting on a fashion show.

Members of the community also were invited to participate in brief lessons in traditional Indian dance.

In an adjoining gym area, there was a bazaar, featuring traditional Indian saris, jewelry and henna hand tattoos.

Nanking Restaurant on Hillside Avenue in New Hyde Park, provided a diverse assortment of traditional Indian dishes for sale.

A phalanx of nearly 200 New York City Police Department officers lined Willis Avenue in front of the Church of St. Aidan in Williston Park on an overcast Tuesday morning to honor the memory of 33-year-old Fred Barraza, an officer in the 110th Precinct and resident of Williston Park who died early last Thursday morning in an automobile accident.

An honor guard of police officers carried Barraza’s flag-draped coffin on their shoulders into the church, followed by mourners who were led by his wife, Allison, and his six-year-old son, Jake, who wore his father’s cap and badge.

Barraza died Thursday morning when his 1994 Honda Accord veered out of control while traveling north on Carman Street in Westbury, crossed into the southbound lanes and struck a tree. Barraza’s cousin, 35-year-old Jose Valdevenito, a passenger in the vehicle, was thrown from the car, according to police, and remains in serious condition in Nassau University Medical Center.

Barraza, whose father in-law was former Village of Williston Park justice Alan Reardon, was in his fifth year of service with the 110th Precinct in North Corona, Queens.

Sgt. Thomas Passolo, Barraza’s immediate superior, said the officer was “big-hearted” and was always willing to take on dangerous assignments as an undercover officer in the precinct’s business unit over the past three years.

“There’s 150 officers in our precinct. You can’t find anybody who would say a bad word about him,” Passolo said. “He was a big Chilean teddy bear.

Barraza’s partner, Officer David Sorponieri, who attended the police academy with him, called his partner’s death “a tremendous loss.”

“He was somebody who was always there for you, someone who always had a smile. He loved the job,” Sorponieri said.

Barraza, born in Chile, came to the U.S. at age two, according to Reardon, who recalled his son-in-law’s warm spirit and his large appetite.

“I loved to cook. He loved to eat,” Reardon said.

Barraza, who stood 6 feet tall and weighed 270 pounds, was an avid sportsman. He was the punter on the New York City Police Department football team and a pitcher on the 110th Precinct softball squad.

He was guardian of his younger brother, Kevin, who delivered the second scriptural reading of the Mass of Christian Burial in St. Aidan’s. A group of his football teammates from Bishop Kellenberg High School were conspicuous in their game jerseys, sitting among the police officers.

Jillian Arzbach, Barraza’s sister-in-law, delivered the first scriptural reading. The first sentence of the reading, from the Book of Wisdom, seemed an apt epitaph for Barraza: “The just man, though he die early, will be at rest.”

Soprano Andrea Martini sang a moving interpretation of “Amazing Grace” following the readings.

In his eulogy, Rev. Monisgnor James McDonald praised Barraza and the officers assembled at mass for what he called the “extraordinarily difficult” profession they had chosen.

“You know sadness, injustice and cruelty every single day. It’s a profession where you are willing to give your life for the people, people you don’t even know,” he said. He said they are an imitation of Jesus Christ, and paraphrased those words attributed to Christ, adding, “Greater love has no man than he who lays down his life for his friend.”

Recalling the reading Kevin Barraza delivered from St. Paul’s letter to the Thessalonians, Msgr. McDonald concluded, “We shall be with the Lord forever. May he give Fred eternal peace.”

Barraza’s brother Alvin, read an open letter to his brother at the end of the funeral service.

“You were my rock, my superman, you were always there for me,” he said. He described him as a “spontaneous, adventurous man” who “lived life with no fear.”

“You were the kindest, most caring person I’ve ever known,” he concluded.

As Martini sang the closing hymn, “On Eagle’s Wings,” the police officers filed out of the church and resumed their positions in the middle of Willis Avenue as the honor guard proceeded down the main aisle with the coffin. Two buglers played taps as the honor guard placed the coffin back in the funeral hearse and removed the flag that had covered it.

A lone bagpiper played as the hearse drove away slowly with the honor guard marching on either side of it.

Along with his wife, young son and brothers, Barraza is survived by many aunts, uncles, nieces and nephews, some of who he visited each year in his native Chile.

Whether at peace or at war in America, solemn pride reins on Veterans Day.

Locally, those same reflections of the sacrifices of those who have served were carried forward to new generations on Nov. 11.

Attending his first veterans’ event in uniform as a new member of the Cub Scouts, 6-year-old Dillon Silva clearly understood the message of more than 90 years.

“Veterans Day is about the soldiers because they fight for us,” said Silva, of East Williston Pack 8.

Standing at the monuments dedicated to the townspeople and villagers who have served in wars past, armistice was recognized by more than a hundred residents who attended two separate services – although the fight rages on for U.S. troops abroad.

In 1918, a temporary cessation of hostilities went into effect between the Allied powers and Germany during WWI on the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month. The first ceremony of the day commemorated the event at precisely the same time.

Through speech, tribute and prayer, Chaplain Joseph Dellaquila and Commander Charles Boyd of the local chapter the Veterans of Foreign Wars officiated on the Williston Park Village Hall front lawn.

With traffic being halted by police, renditions of “God Bless America” and “Taps ” was played and bells rang out from a nearby tower. Veterans, local officials and townspeople gathered at the corner of Willis Avenue and Meagher Place for the ceremony highlighted with a speech by former Williston Mayor Roger Fay.

Fay, 93, recited a brief history of Armistice Day, which is generally regarded as the end of the First World War. In 1919, Pres. Woodrow Wilson proclaimed the first commemoration of Armistice Day in the U.S. In 1954, Congress officially changed the name to Veteran’s Day to honor American veterans of all wars.

“These solemn services are a tribute to you,” said Boyd,” a Korean War veteran. The former U.S. Marine sergeant also gave a silent tribute to fallen comrades.

Following the brief ceremony, the group moved to East Williston for a similar tribute at the war memorial on the village green.

At each ceremony, a group of award-winning Cross Street School students recited “In Flanders Fields.” The 1915 Canadian poem has become a symbol of Remembrance Day worldwide.

“We ask that you bless our veteran’s today and in the hereafter,” said Rev. Thomas Tassone of the Church of St. Aidan, who also sang the “Star Spangled Banner” on the green.

Using the event as a “teaching point” for younger generations, U.S. Navy Reserve Cmdr. Bill Kempner encouraged East Williston children to give thanks to those who serve.

“Veteran’s are people who wrote a check with their name on it,” said Kempner, a Navy veteran since 1972. “When you see a man in uniform like me, go up to them shake hands and say thank you.”

“Remember them everyday for what they have done,” said East Williston Mayor Nancy Zolezzi while thanking military veterans and event volunteers during the second ceremony.

U.S. Army veteran Jim Mason of Bellerose, N.Y., said he was happy with the turnout. “It’s nice to see everybody out here for the holiday,” said Mason, who served in Korea from 1951-53.

Other local attendees included representatives from various veterans’ organizations, elected officials and dozens of Boy Scouts, Webelos and Cub Scouts who helped out with the ceremonies.

Nassau County Supreme Court Justice Ira Warshawsky declared on Friday that he would not issue an order for a hand recount of ballots cast in the 7th state Senate District race between incumbent Democrat Craig Johnson and Republican challenger Jack Martins until a mandatory county-wide audit of 3 percent of the new electronic machines takes place.

“This court is not going to order any hand count at this time,” Warshawsky said.

Martins, the mayor of the Village of Mineola, maintained a margin of more than 400 votes in the race, with results fluctuating as 3,535 absentee ballots from the 260 election districts were being counted.

Democrats registered a slight edge over Republican absentee ballots, 1,495 to 1,428, with Conservative and Independence ballots at 75 apiece. A block of 467 ballots from uncommitted voters make up the balance, along with eight Liberal ballots, five Right to Life ballots, two Green Party ballots and one Working Families ballot.

Warshawsky said he also would not order a download of ballot records from the voting machines. He directed that the mandatory random 3 percent county audit begin before Nov. 17, the date originally scheduled, and suggested that a 3 percent audit of the machines in the 7th state Senate District be conducted as well. He further directed that the Nassau County Board of Elections continue counting absentee, affidavit and so-called emergency ballots – ballots that could not be recorded by the machines – in no particular order.

“Whatever you can agree to do that makes it easier for the staff,” he instructed attorneys for both candidates and the Democratic and Republican election commissioners.

GOP elections attorney John Ryan complained at the outset of the Friday morning proceeding that Democrat board of elections representatives were not fully cooperating and had not yet commenced the absentee ballot count that day. Nassau County attorney John Ciampoli suggested that the judge himself visit the board of elections and leave a representative of the court to monitor the process.

“They’re just supposed to do their job. They’re supposed to count the ballots,” a visibly annoyed Warshawsky said.

Thomas Garry, attorney for Democratic Elections Commissioner William Biamonte, assured the judge his side would “remedy” any problems in proceeding with the ballot count.

Attorney Steven Schlesinger, representing Johnson, said there were “significant discrepancies” in the numbers of ballots recorded by the machines and those issued to voters in half of the election districts in the 7th district polling places. Outside the chamber, he told reporters that the discrepancy represented approximately 100 ballots in those election districts.

But the “hundreds” of emergency ballots Schlesinger suggested might remain uncounted in machines were officially logged at 149 on Friday.

“This is the same thing the [Republican] party had in its playbook in Bush versus Gore,” Schlesinger said.

“I don’t believe that’s true,” Warshawsky said.

Attorney Peter Bee, representing Martins, said a private audit would put a “burden” on both sides, repeating his argument earlier in the week that a full recount was unjustified without evidence.

“This is a fishing expedition,” Bee said.

Schlesinger argued that he should be allowed to look for discrepancies through a full recount. But Warshawsky said there was no “material evidence” of irregularities, which would necessitate such a move. The statutory county-wide audit and the additional 3 percent audit of 7th state Senate District voting machines is intended to detect any anomalies in the votes recorded. Subsequent county-wide audits would follow if irregularities were revealed.

On site at the board of elections ballot counting, Biamonte said that process would take at least five more days.

With Warshawsky leaving for vacation in Hawaii, the next court date in case is Nov. 29. But the judge said he could be reached by either side by cell phone in the interim and could issue court orders in the interim.

The New Hyde Park Girls 12U softball team won the Franklin Square Pistillo Fall Classic Championship with a sensationally played 3-2 win over a strong Floral Park team.

The girls from New Hyde Park went undefeated in the fall league then rolled through the playoffs with four straight single-elimination game victories.

NHPLL beat Roslyn, Garden City South and Hicksville before beating Floral Park in the championship game.

This NHP team had some 2010 year. They won the Bellmore Memorial Day Tournament, NJBL league championship, District 29 Championship, Section 5 Championship, New York State Championship and the Eastern Region Championship all in the 10U divisions before playing up this fall and capping a tremendous season with the fall championship.

In all the team went 43-2 in 2010.

They used the same recipe for success all year, pitching, defense and aggressive base running.

As they did all year, Melissa Ward and Jenny Hickey pitched lights out all fall despite having to adjust to the bigger 12-inch softball and the longer pitching distance of 40 feet. Ward and Hickey pitched three innings each in the championship game allowing just three hits each while combining to strike out seven batters.

The defense was tremendous again. Dani Giordano threw a perfect strike from left field to 3rd baseman Maggie Donnelly to nail a runner.

Later in the game Giordano made a great throw to Donelly from 1st base to nail another runner. Ann Grimshaw gunned down the potential tying run in the last inning on a perfect throw to Samantha Merino covering 2nd base on an attempted steal.

Hannah Arkin made a running catch in center field with a runner on 2nd to stop a rally in the 5th inning. Emma Nidermaier cut off a single to right center then threw a perfect strike to Ward who fired to Grimshaw at home plate to get a big out in the 3rd inning.

Sophia Jacoby had two assists at 2nd base. Hickey scored the first run of the game after a single in the first inning, then moving to 3rd on two steals before scoring on an Grimshaw single.

Kim Velsor scored the second run when she led off the 3rd inning with a walk, stole 2nd, moved to 3rd on a perfect bunt single by Kayla Fitzpatrick and then scored on a great base running play on a ground ball in front of the plate.

Samantha Merino had two excellent at bats both ending in walks. In the 4th inning after Merino walked she stole 2nd, 3rd and home on a wild pitch.

That aggressive base running was the difference in every close game all year for this team.

Gabby Morales and Sheila Krische played solid in the outfield all fall, backing up every play on the bases. These girls play excellent fundamental softball. They are ready to move up to the major division this coming spring.

The New Hyde Park Kool Kats were on the winning side of their match with the Brentwood Diamonds by the score of 2-1.

The Kool Kats who are currently in second Place in the U-17 division 4 of the LIJSL, with a record of 5-1-1, started out a bit shaky.

At about the 20-minute mark a speedy forward for the Brentwood team pulled away from the defense and placed the ball into the far corner of the net to put the Diamonds up 1-0.

Despite a series of corner kicks and relentless pressure by the Kool Kats they were not able to find the net.

Finally, during the 32nd minute right wing Emily Bunyon (assist) gathered the ball and made a crossing pass to Lady Abikaram (assist) who found striker Casey Naab cutting to the net. Casey banged the ball home for the Kool Kats first score of the game.

The pressure continued with the Kool Kats tallying 9 shots on goal in the first half in addition to nine corner kicks.

With about a minute left in the first half New Hyde Park’s Goal Keeper, Lisa Famularo, came up big stopping a hard low shot that she had to dive to her right to stop. This kept the game knotted at 1-1 going into the break.

When the 2nd half began it was evident that the Kool Kats were determined to leave the field victors.

The defense really stepped up holding the Diamonds to zero shots in the 2nd half. Defensive Captain Emma Innella along with Lady Abikaram, Brianna Higgins and Erin Balletta were all solid, but the difference in the game was the play of Kerry Neubert who had an outstanding game on defense.

The Kool Kats were able to keep the play in Brentwoods half, putting another eight shots on goal for a game total of 17 shots on goal while holding the Diamonds to just 3 shots on goal for the game.

The game winner came early in the 2nd half.

At the 56th minute stopper Brianna Higgins (assist) passed the ball to Naab, who scored her 2nd goal of the game (10th of the season) to put the Kool Kats in front for good.

The midfield composed of Emily Bunyon, Kim Brown, Victoria Lofaro, Devon McClosky and Midfield Captain Jenna Madonna controlled the game.

Due to injuries and the loss of key personnel, for the game, Lady Abikaram had to play both midfield and defense. Abikaram rose to the occasion playing an outstanding game in both positions.

Coach Wheeler was very pleased with the performance of the team.

Hopefully the girls can continue to shine in their three remaining games.

Our very own Great Neck Bruins Bantam team is the hottest team on Long Island, right now.

They are currently undefeated in LIAHL games. Each competition has been lopsided as they have handled opposing teams with ease.

The team is a great mix of players led by goalies, Emily Becker and Nick Salerno.

The rearguards are Billy Chakalis, Liam Fitgerald, Paul Majewski, George Pappous and Freddie Ondris. Steve Cacchioli, Jordan Domnitch, Jarrett Greben, Lucass Kranacher, Ian Lam, Dagoberto Rodriguez, Justyn Tesoriero, Andrew Voight and Jordan Zelniker comprise the forward unit that has led the team to early-season dominance.

Their upcoming schedule includes a match with the Titans at the Andrew Stergiopoulos Ice Rink on Saturday, Nov. 13.

They play a road tilt the following day up in Brewster at 4:20 p.m.

The following Saturday, Nov. 20, they are home challenging the Aviators and end the weekend traveling to Rye Playland for a game against the Mariners.

The coaches hope the confidence that has carried them so far will continue as they push to clinch a playoff berth.

As always, come down to Parkwood on Saturday mornings and cheer on the Bruins.    

From the time he was a teenager, Stanley Sichel wanted to fly airplanes.

The 93-year-old veteran, a 57-year member of New Hyde Park VFW Post 8031, finally got his chance a couple of years after enlisting in the U.S. Army during World War II, flying a B-29 in missions over Japan near the end of the war.

When he initially enlisted in January 1941, it wasn’t likely that would happen. His service obligation would last a year, unless something changed. On Dec. 7, the world changed. As he and two friends stopped for coffee at a diner during a drive to report to Fort Bragg, they heard the news about the Japanese surprise attack on Pearl Harbor.

“All of us looked at each other and damn near fainted,” he recalled.

A sympathetic sergeant at Fort Bragg got Sichel transferred to the Army Air Corps, but when he subsequently went through the battery of requisite tests at a base in Nashville, he was pegged to be a bombardier.

“I was the saddest guy around. I wanted to fly,” he recalled.

For reasons he still doesn’t know, his assignment was changed to pilot and soon after he was training in B-17s and the much larger B-29s in Clovis, NM.

“I enjoyed it. I had no trouble learning to fly it,” he said.

Sichel always seemed to have good fortune while in the service. Recovering from a hand injury that kept him from flying for a few months in Clovis, he sign on to go up in a training mission as a passenger to recoup back flight pay. His captain told him not go on the mission. That plane was lost in a thunder storm and never returned.

After his lengthy training period, Lt. Sichel was finally given his own crew – five other officers and five enlisted men – and was ultimately shipped to Saipan as part of the 883rd bomber squadron in the 73rd bomber wing of the 20th Army Air Force to start flying missions.

“The plane I got was one of the oldest planes they had up there. But it flew good,” he recalled.

Good enough to see he and his crew through 18 missions of 25 they took off on, with mechanical problems forcing them to turn back several times. It was 15 hours round trip between Saipan and Japan, and most of the missions proceeded without incident, but there were a few close calls.

On a mission to drop incendiary bombs on Tokyo, Sichel dropped his bomber from its 20,000-foot cruising height to 7,000 feet over his target. He was aware of the danger because an air raid using incendiary bombs would produce a kind of firestorm that could produce treacherous fiery updrafts.

“With the thermals that come up from them, you could get caught up in it,” he said.

And that is exactly what started to happen that night, as Sichel frantically pulled back on his steering column to attempt to bring his plane out of the firestorm below. The B-29 was headed up at an extreme 80-degree angle. HItting a 90-degree angle would mean certain loss of control and a fallback into the conflagration below. At that moment, he said thought he was experiencing his last moments on earth.

“We felt we weren’t going to make it. We were lucky,” he said.

On another occasion, Sichel had nearly piloted his B-29 to the target when one of the plane’s four engines cut out. He hit the target and made an emergency landing on Iwo Jima, the halfway point between Japan and Saipan. And once, emerging from a thick cloud cover, he found himself staring at Mount Fuji and barely averted flying straight into it.

The other near accident he recalled was a nearly unsuccessful take-off from the rocky 10,000-foot runway on Saipan. He built up the plane’s speed to its normal pre-flight 180 miles per hour, but it wasn’t responding. As he reached the end of the runway, the plane started losing altitude, skimming along the narrow sandbar that led down to the ocean. He ordered his co-pilot to pull up the landing gear, preferring to bottom out on the belly of the aircraft if it came to that, and then suddenly, the plane rose gradually and he said he breathed a heavy sigh of relief.

On landing, the head of his maintenance crew pointed out that the propellers on his inboard engines – mounted lower than the outer engines – all have slightly inverted tips from skimming the water on the difficult take-off.

Sichel feels proud about his six months of flying missions from Saipan, but he recalls the mixed feelings he and his crew had about those missions over Japan.

“We felt good because we were keeping the Japanese from going out against us. We felt bad because of the people we were killing down them, that weren’t in the war. We felt had about that, but there was nothing we could do about it,” he said.

He also recalled viewing the unimaginable devastation over the city that had been Hiroshima during a mission the day after the first atomic bomb was dropped.

Since that time, he’s never flown again. He finished his high school degree when he came back – he attended Sewanhaka before enlisting – worked for 26 years for the Port Authority and raised a family.

And once each year, until recently, he’s revisited his memories of the Pacific War in reunions with his flight crew.