Town Focus: Day 2 in New Hyde Park

It’s my second day in New Hyde Park exploring, talking to longtime residents and getting a taste for the community.

We’ll start out with a Q&A with Village Mayor Daniel P. Petruccio, 53, who announced on Jan. 3 that he’s not running for re-election after 12 years of service to the community.

Today, I’m getting a bite to eat with Greater New Hyde Park Chamber of Commerce president Mark Laytin at Umberto’s Pizzeria and Restaurant, which opened in 1965.

Later on, I’ll be talking to Charlene Noll, director of Hillside Public Library, and then checking out the Sea Cookie Workshop, which gives children an opportunity to explore the ways sea creatures find food, while decorating a cookie with frosting and sprinkles.

Later in the week, I’m meeting some families at The Ronald McDonald House, a place for families to stay to be close to their seriously ill child undergoing medical treatment.

On Friday, I’m closing out the week meeting with Dan Connor, of the Gladiator Fund, which was founded in 1989 to raises money for medical care for local disabled children.

Follow my travels throughout the week, because I could always use your suggestions on finding a place to eat breakfast, lunch or dinner.

I’ll be using FourSquare to check in at places, but make sure to also follow me via Twitter, email or the comments field below.