Town Focus: Day 4 in Great Neck
Great Neck Village welcome sign on Aug. 16, 2012. Credit: Brittany Wait
As I continue exploring Great Neck this week, on my second to last day, I plan to meet even more people for the historical story I’m working on.
The first person I’m meeting is Tom Jennings, a volunteer firefighter at Alert Fire Department Co. 1, and the department’s historian. He’s giving me a tour of the firehouse, showing me historic photos, old plaques and pictures of previous members.
If I have time, I’m going to stop by the Great Neck Farmer’s Market at the Village Green Park between Arrandale Avenue and Middle Neck Road. It runs from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. The vendors include Orient Organics Farm, Goodale Farms, Blue Duck Bakery, DelPozzo Foods, A Taste of the North Fork, Horman's Best Pickles, Dora's Gourmet, Life is Grruff and Papa Pasquale.
The first thing I did Wednesday morning was meet Alice Kasten, president of the Great Neck Historical Society, at the Great Neck Library. She took me on a tour of Great Neck, Great Neck Estates, Great Neck Plaza, Saddle Rock, the Saddle Rock Grist Mill, Kings Point, the United States Merchant Marine Academy in Kings Point, and Saddlerock Park and Marina.
I couldn’t have asked for better weather. It was 80 degrees with blue skies and a light breeze. It should be about the same today, just a little warmer. Let’s cross our fingers.
On Wednesday, I ordered a turkey and avocado wrap with honeydew bubble tea at Entre on Grace Avenue. It was amazing. I highly recommend stopping by there if you’re in the area.
Have any recommendations on where to eat lunch on Thursday? Tell me below, or via Twitter.
I also met with Rabbi Seth Adelson and president Alan Klinger from Temple Israel of Great Neck on Old Mill Road Wednesday. I learned a lot about the Jewish culture in Great Neck and the history of the temple. Do you have any more questions for them? If so, let me know.
Just before, I met with Jean Celender, mayor of Great Neck Plaza. We got to know each other and I got a small taste of what makes the village so special.
I want to hear from you. Please tell me how my coverage of Great Neck has been and how I can do even better. Reach out to me via email, Twitter, or in the comments below. And check out the historical video of Great Neck above.
