_________________ ________________ Glen COVe Get S.M.A.R.T. (SAVE MORE AND COMMUNITY UPDATE REDUCE TAXES) Infections as of April 5 3,824 HERALDDEADLINE APRIL 30TH Infections as of March 29 3,694 THE LEADER IN PROPERTY TAX REDUCTION Sign up today. It only takes seconds. Higher Connolly students Apply online at 18/21mptrg.com/heraldnote itc FG or call 516.479.9171 Hablamos Español Education make their mark Demi Condensed Maidenbaum Property Tax Reduction Group, LLC Pull-out section Page 12 483 Chestnut Street, Cedarhurst,Page NY 11516xx $1.00 VOL. 30 NO. 15 APRIL 8 - 14, 2021 Senior Center prepares to reopen to members By JILL NOSSA time, the members were really [email protected] good about following the rules,” e did it she said. “We really had no Local seniors will once again successfully issues. I think that they were have a place to socialize with the W just so relieved to be back.” anticipated reopening of the before, and I think that Members will be able to take Glen Cove Senior Center on part in activities in person, Monday. After a challenging we can do it again. though Rice said that programs year, the facility will welcome would also be livestreamed to members on a limited basis. CHRISTINE RICE include those at home. There The center initially reopened Executive director, Glen Cove will be limited programs in the last October, but in mid-Decem- Senior Center morning and afternoon, with ber, with Covid-19 case numbers lunch served at noon. The activi- rising and a holiday surge that we can do it again.” ties will vary from day to day, expected, Nassau County The center will reopen at 40 though Dancercise and tai chi ordered it to close to reduce the percent capacity, which means will be offered three times the risk of spreading the virus. It that as many as 96 people can be first week, and there will be finally got the go-ahead to move in the building at a time. Tem- daily Bingo. forward with reopening late last peratures will be checked, masks “Each day is different,” Rice month, and the staff has been will be required and members said. “We really try to continue busy contacting members and must call ahead to register. They and encourage exercise, because preparing the building. Because will be assigned tables, and fill people are very stationary at this coronavirus protocols had been out health screening forms. Rice point. They’re not out walking, put in place for the October explained that tables and chairs they’re not out doing what they reopening, Executive Director would be sanitized between uses would normally do, so we really Christine Rice said she expects and after meals, and every after- try to give them more opportuni- this one to go smoothly. noon would be devoted to deep ties to exercise.” “We did it successfully cleaning. Even when it was closed, the before,” she said, “and I think “When we reopened the last CONTINUED ON PAGE 2 Courtesy Carolyne Dilgard-Clark Bingo makes Mondays fun again Hopping around the city The Easter Bunny paid a visit to Glen Cove residents on East Online game is still going strong a year later Island recently for the neighborhood’s annual egg hunt. Braylin Bullock and his grandmother Jackie Bruce looked delighted to meet him. By JILL NOSSA nection when everyone, it would be perfect.” [email protected] seemed, was staying at home, Bingo, he said, seemed like Glen Cove resident Eric Shuman something people of all ages Despite all of the hardships created a website and began a would be comfortable playing. of the past year, there has been free weekly online Bingo night And he was right: Since the pro- some good news amid the coro- that has continued to grow. gram began last May, it has navirus pandemic. As they have “Shortly after the pandemic attracted players from ages 4 to adjusted to a new normal, many started, I felt like I needed a way 104. people have gotten creative, par- to keep in touch with family and “Every week since we’ve ticularly in the ways they con- friends, other than just a phone started, we’ve added something nect to others. Seeing a need for call or Zoom,” Shuman said. “I new, and we get more and more socialization and personal con- thought an interactive game CONTINUED ON PAGE 21 2 Glen Cove Senior Center set to reopen CONTINUED FROM FRONT PAGE MEMBERS center was actively supporting its roughly 2,000 mem- PARTICI- bers with virtual programs, meal deliveries and out- PATED IN a reach. “From day one, the staff was willing to do whatev- chair yoga er needed to be in order to make sure the seniors were class at the being taken care of during this time,” Rice said. “We Glen Cove were relieved that we had the ability to continue doing Senior our jobs even when we were at home. We knew that Center last things were still moving along, and that our members fall. The knew we were still there for them.” center will April 8, 2021 — GLEN COVE HERALD 2021 — GLEN COVE April 8, Over the past year, the center’s staff has delivered more than 17,500 meals to local seniors. They are reopen to dropped off at their front door, and often include members something extra, like masks, hand sanitizer, thought- on April 12. ful notes and desserts. Site Manager Jacqueline Tecce and her assistant, Heidi Clines, prepared and orga- nized the delivery of the meals, with the assistance of kitchen supervisor Martha Benitez, kitchen staff Cynthia Rivera and Sherry Walker, and bus driver Tilman Brown. The staff also provided counseling, referrals, out- reach, resources and other assistance to those who Courtesy Glen Cove Senior Center needed it. Social worker Sherri Meagher has coun- seled seniors dealing with isolation and physical lim- see people in person. “The majority of members are has received from the City of Glen Cove, Nassau itations, offered resources and referrals to those in really looking forward to coming back,” Rice said, County and community members. need and arranged for help with food shopping and “and I think the vaccines have helped them feel com- “I believe we truly learned that there are so many finding affordable housing. fortable about it.” other ways we can help seniors,” she said. “This cen- Another way the staff helped members stay con- Mimi Simonetti, 94, the Bingo caller at the center, ter is one of the best, and I think that we’ve all nected was through Zoom calls held twice a week by said she enjoys playing online Bingo, but added, “I’m learned you can help on so many different levels, and Laurie Huenteo, which gave members a chance to looking forward to going back.” make sure people know that they’re not alone. check in, see familiar faces and feel less alone. “It’s Rice took over as director in October 2019, and the “It’s nice to do what we’ve been doing for them this comforting for the members to have that connection, job has turned out to be much different than she year,” Rice added, “but I think everybody’s ready to so they can see their friends,” Rice said. expected. But it has been a learning experience, she get back to normal.” Of course, video calls haven’t satisfied the need to said, and she is thankful for the support the center Spring Is Spruce Up Season Receive a $500 discount toward FOREST KITCHEN & BATH sink and faucet YOUR ONE STOP SHOP FOR COMPLETE HOME REMODELING with a full We offer quality Cabinetry, Countertops, Tile, Plumbing Fixtures, remodel! Come and see Lighting, Hardware, Flooring, Outdoor kitchens and much more! our new We are a Gold Dealer of Karndean luxury vinyl flooring on Long Island. Stop by our 5000 square foot kitchen cabinet Call today to schedule your free in-home consultation with one of our professional showroom to see how we can turn your dreams into reality! colors and styles designers. Full installation, construction and contract services available. for 2021. 1119423 10 Morris Ave. Glen Cove, NY 11542 • (516) 609-3016 • www.forestkb.com • [email protected] 3 GLEN COVE HERALD — April 8, 2021 April 8, HERALD — GLEN COVE Photos courtesy Community Easter Dawn Committee VIDEOGRAPHER ZACHARY GOTTERBARN looks on as the Rev. Roger Williams leads all clergy and other faith leaders in prayer prior to the fifth annual Community Easter Dawn Service held in Glen Cove’s Morgan Park. Community celebrates Easter at Morgan Park By JILL NOSSA Darson, Rev. Fr. Kevin J. Dillon, Rev. Fr. [email protected] Mark L. Fitzhugh, Rev. Gia Lynn Hall, Rev. Lance Hurst, Pastor Tommy Lan- Early on Easter Sunday morning, near- ham, Rev. Juanita Lopez, Piper Lynch, ly 150 people came together to celebrate Evangelist Merle Richards, Rev. A.H. the holiday in an outdoor, socially dis- Sparkman, Elder Gaitley Stevenson- tanced ceremony at Glen Cove’s Morgan Mathews, Rev. Roger C. Williams, Rev. Fr. Memorial Park. Shawn Williams and Paul Schmalzried. Against the backdrop of the Hemp- “With so much division in our society stead Harbor and a 16-foot cross that was these days, it is important for fellow temporarily erected near the jetty, attend- Christians to come together and celebrate ees once again gathered on the Morgan and honor what unites us as Christians, Park beach for the fifth annual Bilingual the Resurrection of Jesus Christ,” Kevin Community Easter Dawn Service.