Hopefully you have seen the new trees planted in the hamlet of Oyster Bay. The trees have been planted by the Town of Oyster Bay Tree Division and the Highway Department at the request of the Chamber of Commerce Beautification Committee. Chair Dottie Simons said, “The guys from the town make everything happen. They are wonderful, each and every one of them. And, credit goes to Town Supervisor John Venditto. He has a lot of great men working for him.”
The tree project began with past president Alex Gallego who worked with the town as the plan took shape in several phases. It started with trees being planted along East Main Street, last year.
This year, nine trees were planted on South Street, starting at Audrey Avenue with trees at: Anthony’s Piazza; Snouder’s; Dello’s Brothers jewelers; the Homestead; State Bank of LI; Bernstein’s; and at La Posh Salon (the former First Encounter Hair Salon).
The next part of the project took place on Pine Hollow Road where about a half dozen trees were planted along the east side of the road, south of the Boys & Girls Club of Oyster Bay-East Norwich. “We worked with John DeBellis, who expressed the desire to have trees planted along there. We contacted the town and got them to plant the trees there. We also put two planters by the DeBellis property,” said Ms. Simons.
She said, “I hope this is the beginning of the restoration of the Pine Hollow area including new sidewalks along both sides of the road.”
Ms. Simons had a busy Sunday, June 6 when she was organizing much of the work, which included the planting of a lily garden opposite Verrelli’s Market. “My biggest fun was rolling out the planters with the help of 16 volunteers from the Italian-American Citizens Club. There were a host of volunteers, but those 16 are the ones that got the planters out on the streets for me,” she said.
The very best thing about the project, she said, “Everyone I asked for help – gave me help.”
On Sunday morning, June 6, the help included students from Ms. Skoczdopole’s second-grade class at Roosevelt.
Shari Cope-Dombrowski, the new chamber administrative assistant, was there helping. She is replacing Darcy Tabako, who is now giving her full-time energies to her family of young boys. “They are walking, talking and running now. We miss her a great deal,” said chamber President Michele Browner, RN, BSN, administrator and director of nursing for Harbor House Assisted Living.
President Browner said John DeBellis, Jack Micco and Carmine Pirolo each sponsored the planters in front of their Pine Hollow businesses.
“John De Bellis is a new chamber member. We will begin to work together to affect positive changes in the Pine Hollow area,” said Ms. Browner. “We now have on staff, Hector Henriquez, the chamber’s hired caretaker for the planters for the 21-week season.” He will see to it that the plants are watered and stay healthy.
For more chamber information please call 922-6464.
