East Meadow Past President Dolores Rome and CEMCO Corresponding Secretary Liz Fries made sure that they keep the lights shining during this Holiday Season. At  the Tree & Menorah lighting at the TOH Veterans Memorial Park

Dolores and Liz along with the East Meadow Chamber purchased new ribbons and lights to make the town square light the town.

For those who do not know the story of our first Town Square it was the vision of 1996 Chamber President Patrick Curry. He saw a large parcel of land at Veterans Park and wanted it to become a community park. Years went by and in 2000, then President Richard Bivone decided to have our first Holiday Lighting on this piece of land. He received Town approval and with the help of his Chamber board they placed flags in the frozen ground where the new brick walkway would soon be placed. He reached out to then NC Legislator Gonsalves and joined with CEMCO President Joe Parisi to work together to create this lighting. In the year 2000 our community’s first lighting began there and has been continuing each, and every year since. Richard has been officiating and serving as Master of Ceremonies every year.

The menorah that still stands today was hand made by EMHS students. The tree was replaced many times, our most recent was donated by the Kirby family. The Knights of Columbus places the crèche each year. The EMFD escorts Santa to the site, to give the children candy canes & fire hats. Boy Scouts from Troop 362 have played an important part for many years. The EMHS band plays holiday music each year along with music by MPG Inflatables, Mike Luzzi. The vision of a community park became a reality.

Over the years the “Lighting” has grown and an event the community looks forward to each year. There is now face painting by Pat Tropea & Betty Tucker, ornament decorating by Patrick Curry, Dave Jones and David Gravely, Boy Scouts Troops 362, 157 and 2830. Donuts by Joe Dazzo of Dunkin Donuts and starting last year hot chocolate donated by Jane & Robert Dugan of 7-Eleven on EM Ave. So beautiful to see the community and businesses so involved.

As time went by our Town Square gained a beautiful gazebo, with the efforts by the East Meadow Chamber of Commerce, NYS Senator Kemp Hannon and the Town of Hempstead

In 2001 then President James Skinner started a “brick campaign” and he and PP Richard Bivone worked with the Town on the plans for the gazebo, lighting, landscaping, and benches in the park.

That parcel of land today stands as our Town Square where people walk around looking for their brick, or just walking through, sitting on the benches reading or taking in life.

We both have been so grateful to have had the opportunity in organizing this Holiday Lighting since 2000 and hope to continue for many more years. We thank all the past Presidents that have been involved in its creation, CEMCO and the Town of Hempstead. We would be remiss if we did not thank Richie Weiss, Ken Panaro and the park staff.

Holiday Lighting December 2, 2021  at 6:00

We wish everyone a Merry Christmas and Happy Hanukkah. Remember don’t just drive by Veterans Park. Stop by and visit. Bring the family and take some photos. Enjoy your park!

EAST MEADOW CHAMBER OF COMMERCE SUPPORTS 

AMERICAN LEGION POST 1082

East Meadow Chamber Welcomes  Richie Krug Jr. from Century 21/ The Krug Team as their new President