The year 2018 brought many highs and lows throughout New Hyde Park and its surrounding communities.
In late February, the Village of New Hyde Park mourned the loss of village trustee Donald Barbieri, who succumbed to complications from his long fight with Multiple Sclerosis (MS). According to Mayor Larry Montreuil, Barbieri will be remembered for his tremendous pride in the village, who worked hard to make the village a better place for each and every resident.
Tragedy struck again just a month later in March when the Village of Floral Park lost FDNY and Floral Park resident Michael Davidson, who died after responding to a five-alarm fire in a Harlem building, which was being used as a movie set for an upcoming Ed Norton and Bruce Willis film. Members from dozens of emergency response teams assembled from Harlem to Floral Park, saluting Davidson’s final call.
Fast forward through the summer and into September when the Village of New Hyde Park hosted its 23rd annual street fair along Jericho Turnpike. Northwell Health returned as the official sponsor and set up a health and wellness pavilion center—providing demonstrations and information about health and wellness. Approximately 130 sidewalk participants and 150 specialty merchants were on hand to give information about their businesses and to sell their merchandise to residents who came out in support.
Also in September, the Nassau County Friends of the National Rifle Association (NRA) held their highly debated dinner auction and fundraising event at The Inn at New Hyde Park. Protesters on both sides came out to voice their support or disapproval by holding out handmade signs. Many drivers passing by blew their horns in support for those who were protesting against the NRA while Nassau County Police were on hand, both on the ground and horseback, to assure everyone’s safety.
In October, New Hyde Park resident Annemarie O’Connell, who was previously diagnosed with stage IV ovarian cancer, held a fundraiser called “Cocktails For A Cause” at The Inn at New Hyde Park to help raise money for a health center that she wants to open within the village. Residents came out to support her efforts by participating in raffles and enjoying entertainment.
