The year of 2017 brought many highs and lows through Plainview-Old Bethpage and its surrounding communities.
Back in February, Steve the Yorkie was found abandoned in his animal carrier on Washington Street after dark. The pup faced almost certain death due to the overnight winter chill, but thankfully a jogger heard its distressed yelps and called 911. Steve was eventually adopted and by all accounts, is currently enjoying a happy and warm home.
Later that month, a bomb threat was called into the Mid-Island Y Jewish Community Center and the community responded with a candlelit vigil against hate and bigotry.
Similarly, when hateful anti-Semitic graffiti was found in Haypath Park in March, students from the local schools sprang into action to cover the hate with messages of love and inclusion.
Fast forward a couple of months to June when Country Pointe began to finally take shape at Round Swamp and Old Country roads. The development also revealed two tenants: a massive ShopRite and a Trio Hardware—both of which were to relocate from cramped space at Morton Village. The new ShopRite officially opened for business in August.
Also this past summer, two science-minded students at Plainview-Old Bethpage John F. Kennedy High School—Alyssa Iryami and Audrey Shine—earned first place at the Spellman High Voltage Electronics Clean Tech Competition, beating out 230 others from around the globe with a project that seeks to use silk from silkworms for various essential applications.
And finally, before the winter chill set in, the Plainview-Old Bethpage Chamber of Commerce held its annual fall fair, which saw hundreds of residents enjoy more than 90 vendors and attractions for hours of enjoyment.
Cheers to 2017 and here’s to more local success stories in 2018.
