Four upcoming community events

BABYLON TOWN
Ceremonies in honor of Sandy volunteers
Two ceremonies will be held this weekend to honor Babylon Town residents who volunteered during the aftermath of superstorm Sandy.

On Saturday, the town is holding an appreciation barbecue and awards ceremony to recognize the efforts of first responders and volunteer organizations. The event, at which Supervisor Richard Schaffer will reveal a ceremonial plaque to the volunteers, will take place at noon in Tanner Park in Copiague.

On Sunday, a special monument will be dedicated in Lindenhurst Village to thank community volunteers. In conjunction with the dedication, a food and toy drive will take place. Those attending are asked to bring nonperishable food items and/or an unwrapped toy. Food items can include personal-care items and pet food. The dedication will take place at 1 p.m. in Shore Road Park.
— DENISE M. BONILLA

WESTBURY
Hall of Fame tribute to high school alum

Westbury High School is getting a Hall of Fame.

Its first inductee: J. Alfred Cannon, a star letterman who graduated from the high school in 1946 and became a psychiatrist, setting up medical centers in Los Angeles and in Zimbabwe, where he died of a heart attack in 1988 at the age of 59.

On Saturday, the school and Westbury village leaders will pay tribute to Cannon, setting in motion what they hope will be an annual tradition, a program called “The Westbury High School Alumni of Distinction.”

Cannon’s accomplishments — winning election as junior and senior class president — are remarkable, said superintendent of schools Mary Lagnado, given that he was one of very few African-Americans attending the school.

He went on to attend and graduate from Columbia University, and later, its College of Physicians and Surgeons.

Cannon’s sister, Ann E. Sweat, 84, of Westbury recalled the family having very little. “We were very poor people, we had to try to do the best we could,” Sweat said. “There are people who have done beautifully.”

The ceremony is to take place at 9 a.m. Saturday, before the school’s homecoming parade.

“He has something that we want in our students,” Lagnado said.

Joan Boes, Westbury’s deputy mayor, said it “is very good for the students to realize some great people have come out of the Westbury schools,” adding, “To make your mark on this world, I think it takes at least that amount of time, if not longer.”

— SCOTT EIDLER

ROOSEVELT
Harvest Festival returns Sunday
The fourth annual Roosevelt Community Farmers Market Harvest Festival on Sunday will celebrate the end of the 2013 season with festivities.

The festival, hosted by the Roosevelt Community Revitalization Group, will be held at the farmers market, on 380 Nassau Rd. in the parking lot of the NuHealth Roosevelt-Freeport Family Health Center, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

There will be also be vendors, fun healthy activities, games, costumes, face painting and other family activities.

The market was created in 2010 to provide fresh locally grown produce to a community with obesity, diabetes and high-cholesterol problems. Roosevelt students, community supervisors and veterans have been selling the fresh produce, organizers had said. Cash, WIC, senior checks and EBT cards are accepted at the market.

For more information, call Roosevelt Community Revitalization Group at 516-544-2955.
— AISHA AL-MUSLIM

NORTH VALLEY STREAM
Ribbon-cutting for Solages’ office
Assemb. Michaelle Solages (D-Elmont) will host a celebratory opening of her district office at 1690 Central Ct. in North Valley Stream on Sunday from 2 to 5 p.m.

The event will feature a ribbon-cutting ceremony at 3 p.m. with community members, local businesses and elected officials. Attendees are encouraged to bring nonperishable food items for a food drive in conjunction with Long Island Cares.

Solages represents the 22nd Assembly District, created last year during the decennial redistricting process, which includes North Valley Stream, Valley Stream, South Valley Stream, South Floral Park, Floral Park, Bellerose Terrace, North Woodmere, Elmont, Stewart Manor, and parts of Franklin Square.

“Now that my first legislative session is complete, I want to bring everyone together in the community,” Solages said in a statement.
— AISHA AL-MUSLIM