News

Town Focus: New Hyde Park

Thousands of Long <a href="/topics//New_York_Islanders">Islanders</a> applauded racers speeding by, hugging the corner of Lakeville Road and <a href="/topics//Jericho,_NY">Jericho</a> Turnpike in New Hyde Park, at the 1904 Vanderbilt Cup. 
 An intrigued Mildred Tassone, while sifting through old photos at Village Hall recently, examined the black-and-white photo of the first international road race in the country. 
 “It was a race that had 100,000 people on the side of Lakeville Road and <a href="/topics//Jericho,_NY">Jericho</a>, amongst farmland, cheering,” said Tassone, vice president of the New Hyde Park Museum, which is opening in April on the second floor of New Hyde Park Village Hall. “The races expanded and it finally got too big to have on the streets [the last race was held in 1910], and ultimately <a href="/topics//NASCAR">NASCAR</a> was formed from this type of racing.” 
 Tassone, who was born and raised in New Hyde Park, plans to launch the museum in the spring to provide residents with photos and documents from the community’s past. 
 “Generations of my family have lived in New Hyde Park since 1915,” said Tassone. “My daughter is the fifth generation of Tassones to live here.” 
 New Hyde Park was formerly called Hyde Park. The English and Dutch settled in the mid-1800s, followed by the Germans, Irish, Polish and Italians. New Hyde Park Village became incorporated in 1927. 
 Village Historian Carol Nowakowski said that in the early 1800s, <a href="/topics//Jericho,_NY">Jericho</a> Turnpike served as a plank toll road for carrying produce to the market in New York City. 
 “Along <a href="/topics//Jericho,_NY">Jericho</a> Turnpike, there were once general stores, Park Theatre, a hotel,” said Nowakowski, 71, who has lived on First Street since 1962. “This was a main thoroughfare with a toll gate at one point. This wide, now-busy road was a dirt road.” 
 In the 1850s, Irish and German immigrants began to buy farms in the area, which only had four houses on Jericho Turnpike and farms scattered throughout open fields. 
 In the early 1900s, the population began to increase and commute to New York City. Cars, and buses became <a href="/topics//Common_(musician)">common</a>, so Jericho Turnpike was paved and widened. By 1924, 140 homes were built and 450 additional acres of farmland were being developed into housing. 
 While researching, Nowakowski found that New Hyde Park’s first Active Hook and Ladder Company was formed in 1896. At that time, firefighters would put out fires with bucket brigades. That practice continued until water mains and hydrants were used starting in 1907. 
 The first fire district was established in 1910, and now there are five companies in the New Hyde Park Fire Department. Nowakowski also remembers the stories her late husband, Frank, would tell about the fire fighting competitions he was involved in. 
 “They had ladder, hose and bucket competitions and they still run these competitions today,” said Nowakowski of the competitions, which started in the village in the 1930s. “It’s a very interesting sport. I personally love it.” 
 In 1886, the first school was built on New Hyde Park Road. Later, School District No. 5 formed in 1905 and because of the increase in population, another school was built. The Sewanhaka Central High School District was created in 1926. The district, which serves New Hyde Park <a href="/topics//Floral_Park,_NY">Floral Park</a>, Bellerose, <a href="/topics//Garden_City_Park,_NY">Garden City Park</a>. <a href="/topics//Franklin_Square,_NY">Franklin Square</a> and <a href="/topics//Elmont,_NY">Elmont</a>, operates several schools including New Hyde Park Memorial High School. 
 “The reason I think people are drawn here is because you have a good education system and there’s a sense of community,” Tassone said. “You have a lot of businesses, it’s close to medical facilities and nothing is too far away.” 
 Nowakowski remembers her husband proposing to her in the kitchen of Walter’s Inn, which was a popular place to have dinner in the 1960s and is now Walk Street Tavern. 
 “While the women stayed home, the men would go after work to one of the local pubs, like Angelo’s, on the corner of South 12th Street and Jericho. It was a small bowling alley and had bowling leagues,” Nowakowski said. 
 Although Frank Nowakowski died in 2003 at the age of 74, she never once thought she’d leave New Hyde Park because “it would always be home.” 
 “I’ve never really wanted to go any other place,” Nowakowski said. “This was my husband’s home. This is my home and when my husband passed away .?.?. well, if it was good enough for my husband all these years it’s certainly good enough for me.”

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Racing, firefighting highlights of New Hyde Park's history

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"Top Chef" Season 5 contestant Danny Gagnon, 30, grew up in New Hyde Park, but recently moved to Copiague and is executive chef at DoraNonnie Tapas &amp; Wine Bar at Bernard’s Market Cafe in Glen Head. 
 Fun fact: His last name means “winner” in French. 
 Tell me about your time on “Top Chef.” 
 Five years ago, I tried out at the Culinary Institute of America [in upstate Hyde Park], which I graduated from in 2002. I think 120,000 people tried out to make it into the final 16 and I was one of them. What happened is that I got eliminated going into Episode 6 of Season 5. During a group challenge, I put mushrooms in Carla Hall’s salad. She is [now] one of the hosts on [ABC’s] “The Chew.” Even though she knew I put them in, she told the judges, who didn’t like the addition of mushrooms, that she didn’t know I put it in the salad. Everyone knew that I shouldn’t have gone home. It was a bad call. 
 After the show, did people give you special treatment? 
 When I first came back, people treated me like a celebrity. It was surreal. I signed hundreds of autographs, it was crazy. Before I left to film the show in June 2008, I was working as a chef at Babylon Carriage House. Three months later, I returned to the same job. When the show aired I packed the place out. It was great for business. 
 Tell me what you’ve been up to since the show aired. 
 I am now executive chef at DoraNonnie Tapas &amp; Wine Bar at Bernard’s in Glen Head. The restaurant opened about a year-and-a-half ago and the owner gave me full control over the menu and even the name of the place, which combines the names of both my grandmothers. 
 You must be very close to them. 
 Yes, my grandmothers Dora Simon and Nonnie Gagnon taught me to cook. They have both since passed away, but I started cooking with them at age 8. I used to help them cook spaghetti, chocolate, stuffed cabbage, rice, pastries, pretty much anything. I learned all the basics from them and how to cook amazing Italian food. 
 What was it like growing up in New Hyde Park? 
 Everybody knew each other. I had a tight group of friends and we still get together. I love New Hyde Park. I used to play varsity football at New Hyde Park Memorial High School. At that time, it was all about Gladiator football. 
 Seeing as though you have an expertise with food, what places would you recommend to eat at in New Hyde Park? 
 Well, Yesterday’s Diner has fresh sandwiches, wraps and paninis and the absolute best French onion soup that I have ever had. And it goes without saying that you need to check out Umberto’s Pizzeria because they have the best Sicilian slice. 
 Tell me some of your favorite dishes at DoraNonnie Tapas &amp; Wine Bar. 
 One of my favorite dishes is the Nonnie’s jumbo shrimp fusilli with roasted figs and garlic ponzu butter and crushed tomatoes. My favorite appetizer is the mozzarella pillow, which is deep fried mozzarella with marinara dipping sauce. Oh, and my favorite dessert is the lemon ricotta pistachio pound cake with strawberry lemon-lime couli. 
 What kind of advice would you give an amateur cook? 
 The same advice that my grandmothers gave me. Stay focused, work on your speed, timing and technique and most of all, cook from your heart.

'Top Chef' alum talks New Hyde Park roots

'Top Chef' alum Danny Gagnon talks New Hyde Park upbringing

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Today is my last day in New Hyde Park, but there’s still a lot for you to check out. 
 We’ll start with a Q&amp;A with former "Top Chef" contestant and New Hyde Park native Danny Gagnon, executive chef at DoraNonnie Tapas &amp; Wine Bar in Glen Head. 
 Today, I’m meeting with Dan Connor, chairman of the Gladiator Fund, which was founded in 1989 to raise money to pay the medical costs of local disabled children. 
 On Thursday, I met Jason Figorski, general manager of UFC Gym in New Hyde Park. He is recruiting members at the gym’s showroom on Union Turnpike until the 40,000-square-foot workout facility comes to the area in April. 
 After that, I met with Brian Sherwood, head fire chief of the New Hyde Park Fire Department. He has been with the department since 1992, a year after he moved to the community. 
 Did you know the New Hyde Park and Garden City fire departments in the 1930s joined forces to form the Termites, a drill team that practices and competes in firefighting events involving agility, timing and strength? The team, originally called the Gamblers until the 1950s, competes at Michael J. Tully Park in New Hyde Park each year. 
 Thank for the story suggestions this week. If you have any more, please let me know at any point because I can always come back. 
 By the way, I’ll be using <a href="http://www.foursquare.com/brittanywait">FourSquare</a> to check in at places today. Make sure to also follow me via <a href="http://www.twitter.com/brittanywait">Twitter</a>, <a href="mailto:brittany.wait@newsday.com">email</a> or the comments field below. 
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Town Focus: Day 5 in New Hyde Park

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Deepika Thadhani, 23, who has lived in New Hyde Park all her life, is public relations and marketing coordinator for the Ronald McDonald House. She graduated from Towson University in Maryland in May 2011 with a degree in public relations and advertising with a minor in business administration. 
 What do you remember growing up in New Hyde Park? 
 The greatest part about living here is that it’s a close-knit community. Growing up, everyone knew each other on the block and we all played outside together. I remember walking to the Lake Success shopping center on Union Turnpike with my friends. And who could forget Umberto’s Pizzeria? Now, that’s a staple in the community. It’s really the people that keep me here. I know the same people now that I’ve known since I was a toddler. Being able to work right here where I grew up is the best. I couldn’t imagine a better place. 
 How did you get into this line of work? 
 The first time I visited the Ronald McDonald House was when I was in Girl Scouts and cooked a homemade meal one night for the families staying at the house. I just fell in love with it after that. I interned during college the summer of 2010, contacting sponsors and donors, writing press releases and “thank you” letters and using social media. I’ve always been interested in doing nonprofit work, or being involved in entertainment, so the job I have now is perfect for me because it combines those two interests. We hold a lot of events here to support the house. 
 What is it like working here and what does it offer the community? 
 Every morning, when I come to work, I’m happy to help families relax and de-stress, escaping what’s going on with their sick child just for a moment. It’s rewarding to know that we can help these families. And we are kind of hidden, so not a lot of people realize what we do or that we’re in their backyard. It’s a very warm and supportive place where families can lean on each other who are in a similar situation. It’s an oasis for parents and siblings. It has a fully stocked food pantry and kitchens for cooking, playrooms with arcade games and Disney-inspired main room with oversized stuffed animals and doorways that look like the front of a castle. 
 Tell me something not a lot people know about the house. 
 We plan to open a Ronald McDonald family room on the pediatric floor of the Stony Brook Long Island Children’s Hospital. It’s going to provide a waiting room for parents with living, kitchen and dining areas, private bathroom, laundry facilities and storage space. It will also offer transportation, meal programs and computer access. 
 What kind of response do you get from visiting families? 
 They’re extremely thankful for the services we provide, especially when they’re not from the area and don’t know the best place to get their next meal. Our volunteers and staff are always thinking of these families, especially at a difficult time in their lives.

LIer finds career, purpose in hometown

New Hyde Park native finds career, purpose in hometown 

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Ines Martin, 44, of Far Rockaway, and her 3-year-old daughter Jacquline, have been staying at the Ronald McDonald House in New Hyde Park since Dec. 9 while Jacquline, who was diagnosed with lymphoma on Dec. 15, have been undergoing chemotherapy treatment at Cohen Children's Medical Center. 
 Tell me your story. 
 I’m a single mother of two. [Her son, Luis, is 5 years old]. When Jacquline had to go to the hospital for pneumonia, the doctor found a lump on the side of her shoulder. She was diagnosed with lymphoma on Dec. 15. Sometimes it takes us too long to get here from Far Rockaway, so we’ve been staying here at the Ronald McDonald House since Dec. 9. 
 How has it been living here at the Ronald McDonald House? 
 It’s a godsend. Driving to the hospital from home, Jacquline could have convulsions from the medications she takes or something could really go wrong and it would take too long for the ambulance to bring her to the Cohen children’s hospital. We plan to move to this area, maybe New Hyde Park, in two weeks to be close to the hospital. I’m so glad to be here. She has seven months of chemotherapy treatment to go and three years of remission. This is just the beginning, but the doctor told us that 90 percent of it is already gone, so they’re optimistic. It’s really a miracle that we caught it so early. 
 How do you put your mind at ease and keep your children occupied? 
 I pray a lot and Jacquline loves Barbie, so we watch Barbie movies all the time and she loves trying on Mommy’s shoes. I just don’t know what I would do without this place. Traveling back and forth from home to the hospital would have been a nightmare. 
 I know Jacquline is a little shy right now, but what’s her personality like? 
 She’s outgoing, loves to cook with me and play with the other kids. She’s shy at first, but once she warms up to you, she’ll be your best friend and will never forget your name. One thing I know is that she’s a fighter and people can’t even tell she’s sick. She’s so strong. 
 What do you think of New Hyde Park, a community you’re slightly unfamiliar with? 
 We spend a lot of hours of the day in the hospital or relaxing here, so I can say that the staff here is friendly and they make it feel like home. You see other families go through a similar situation as you and it makes you comfortable sharing our story. I feel like there are a lot of people looking out for us now. My husband Nicholas died three years ago [at age 34 from a complication of a mixture of medications], so we’re still taking it one day at a time.

Mom: Ronald McDonald House a ‘godsend’

Mom: New Hyde Park Ronald McDonald House a ‘godsend’

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It’s the second to last day I’ll be spending in New Hyde Park, so I’m going to make it count. I’ll be visiting a former “Top Chef” contestant, a mixed martial arts facility manager&nbsp;and a local fire chief. Does it get any better than that? 
 On Wednesday, I met with Ines Martin, of Far Rockaway, a single mother of two, who has been staying at The Ronald McDonald House, to stay close to her 3-year-old daughter Jacquline while she undergoes chemotherapy treatment. 
 We’ll start out today with a Q&amp;A with Deepika Thadhani, public relations and marketing coordinator for the Ronald McDonald House, who was born and raised in New Hyde Park. 
 Today I’m meeting with "Top Chef" Season 5 contestant Danny Gagnon, who grew up in New Hyde Park, but now lives in Copiague and is executive chef at DoraNonnie Tapas &amp; Wine Bar at Bernard's Market Cafe in Glen Head. 
 Later, I’ll be stopping by the UFC Showroom on Union Turnpike and the New Hyde Park Fire Department to get a tour from Fire Chief Brian Sherwood. 
 On Friday, I’m meeting Dan Connor, of the Gladiator Fund, an organization founded in 1989 to raises money for medical care for local disabled children. 
 Thank for the suggestions over the course of my travels. 
 Do you have any more suggestions on where to eat lunch today? If so, scratch Umberto’s Pizzeria and Restaurant because I already had the pleasure. 
 By the way, I’ll be using <a href="http://www.foursquare.com/brittanywait">FourSquare</a> to check in at places throughout the day. Make sure to also follow me via <a href="http://twitter.com/brittanywait">Twitter</a>, <a href="mailto:brittany.wait@newsday.com">email</a> or the comments field below.

Town Focus: Day 4 in New Hyde Park

Charlene Noll, director of Hillside Public Library in New Hyde Park, has lived in the community her entire life. Noll graduated from Adelphi University with a bachelor’s degree in science and from Queens College with a master's of library science. She said she couldn’t get a teaching job after college, so she chose to be a librarian. 
 Tell me about some of the events the library is or will be offering. 
 We have readings, driving courses, blood pressure screenings, a career and job services program and musical events. In February, we have a puppet show [Friday at 4 p.m.], Valentine Craft Workshop on Feb. 4 at 1 p.m. and a movie showing of “Ice Age: Continental Drift” on Feb. 15 [ at 4 p.m.] We try to hit everyone we think of with some sort of program they’re interested in. We’re one of a few libraries to offer cooking classes, Zumba and yoga. 
 What was it like here after superstorm Sandy devastated the Island? 
 We opened our doors a day after the storm hit. The community came to us to plug in, play boardgames with their family and share their stories over a cup of tea or hot cocoa. 
 How long has the library been in the community? 
 We’ve been here in this building for six years, but the library used to be in a wing of the Manor Oaks Elementary School years before that. The library is a hub of the community. You walk in here and see people reading by the fireplace, learning a new language on the computers and reading to their kids. 
 Tell me about one of your favorite places to eat. 
 There’s the obvious, Umberto’s or Gino’s, but me and my husband love Yesterday’s Diner. The food is great, the price is low and the people who work there are like our friends. They know us when we walk in the door. It just has that cozy small-town feel. 
 What do you remember growing up in New Hyde Park in the 1960s? 
 Well, it wasn’t as congested as it is now. There was a lot more empty space. When I was a kid, I remember seeing the potato fields in north New Hyde Park. In the 1970s, it was so country and open. I remember going ice skating on Ridder Pond. And no one had big houses back then. Over the years, there has been a lot of development. Now, you see a lot of houses that are built out. As a teenager, we didn’t hang out too much in New Hyde Park, we took a bus to Roosevelt Field mall and Jones Beach. 
 What has kept you here all these years? 
 My whole family is here. I have a job I really like and this is a really nice community, with a small-town feel. Although it has changed a lot in the past decades, I love it here. 
 For more information on events offered by the library, visit <a href="http://www.nassaulibrary.org/hillside">www.nassaulibrary.org/hillside</a>.

Librarian enjoys New Hyde Park's 'small-town feel'

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Rylan Moraes, 7, frosted a shortbread cookie with blue icing, added marshmallow for eyes, coco berries for lips and a chocolate chip for a nose, covering it in blue sprinkles. 
 The second-grader at New Hyde Park Road School was among the 17 children who learned the unusual ways animals eat food at Hillside Library in New Hyde Park. 
 “The coolest thing I learned was that Starfish eat food with their stomachs outside their body,” said Moraes, of New Hyde Park. 
 Gina Van Bell, educator at the Cold Spring Harbor Whaling Museum, impressed the students in grades 2-5 the most with the fact that Starfish can turn their stomachs inside out to partially digest food that is too large to fit in its mouth. 
 Van Bell then held out a shark jaw, running her fingers over its sharp teeth, explaining how they tear through their prey before swallowing. 
 “Some animals eat in amazing ways,” Van Bell, 32, of Hicksville, said to the students. “Our saliva helps break down and digest our food to get to our belly. Some animals don’t have teeth and some have teeth, but don’t use them and other animals swallow rocks.” 
 Van Bell started by asking the group, “How do we get food to our stomach?” 
 Julia Esposito, 7, a second grader at New Hyde Park Road School, raised her hand, adding, “We take our hand, put the food in our mouth and chew it and then it goes into our belly.” 
 Other students were more excited to talk about their pets. One child mentioned her pet bird, who uses his feet to eat. 
 Roby Shaji, 7, a second grader at Hillside Grade School, added, ”I think it’s really cool that snakes use their poison to make animals stop moving and swallow their entire food in one gulp.“ 
 Van Bell and the kids played a memory game, which involved matching pictures of tools with animals to demonstrate how animals find, catch and eat their food. 
 For example, they matched-up coral with tape to explain how coral catches its tiny floating prey and also a shark with a knife because sharks tear their prey first. 
 “I just think it’s so important to teach these kids more about the creatures that live in the ocean,” Van Bell said. “This game and the artifacts I brought pique their interest in places of mystery. This is a great way for them to learn what they can, as early as they can.”

Students learn how animals eat food

New Hyde Park students learn how animals eat food 

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I’m halfway into my week in New Hyde Park walking throughout the community and meeting its residents, workers, business leaders and visitors. 
 We’ll start out today with a Q&amp;A with Charlene Noll, director of Hillside Public Library, along with a story about local children learning about the ways animals find and eat food while we are decorating cookies with frosting and sprinkles at the library. 
 Today, I’m also meeting families at The Ronald McDonald House, a place for families to stay to be close to their seriously ill child undergoing medical treatment. 
 I might also be stopping by the New Hyde Park Fire Department on Jericho Turnpike to get a tour of the firehouse from one of its fire chiefs. 
 And on Thursday, I plan on talking with a representative from the UFC Gym, set to open this spring in New Hyde Park, to see how its arrival could impact the community. 
 On Friday, I’m meeting Dan Connor, of the Gladiator Fund, an organization founded in 1989 to raise money for medical care for local disabled children. 
 Thanks to everyone for the suggestions I've received so far. 
 On Tuesday, I thoroughly enjoyed the best slice of margherita that I have ever had. I was told by several people to have breakfast at Yesterday’s Diner, so that’s exactly how I’ll be starting my Wednesday. Any suggestions on where to eat lunch? 
 Don’t forget, I’ll be using FourSquare to check in at places throughout the day. Make sure to also follow me via <a href="http://www.twitter.com/brittanywait">Twitter</a>, <a href="mailto:brittany.wait@newsday.com">email</a> or the comments field below. 
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Town Focus: Day 3 in New Hyde Park

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Mark Laytin, 61, who has lived in New Hyde Park for 40 years, is president of the Greater New Hyde Park Chamber of Commerce, which is in its 50th year. He owns a marketing company&nbsp;that represents Invisus and Wake Up Now, technology software companies in Utah. 
 Tell me about the chamber of commerce. 
 I have been with the chamber for seven years, and president since January 2012. About 235 businesses, comprised of retail stores, services and professionals, belong to the chamber. There are about 2,000 businesses in this area. 
 While sitting across from Laytin during lunch at Umberto's Pizzeria &amp; Restaurant in New Hyde Park, which first opened in the mid-1960s, he was asked what he thought of the place. 
 I've been eating here since 1968, a couple years after it first opened. I ate here as a teenager and I noticed throughout the years how much bigger it has gotten. It has almost tripled in size. 
 Describe the business atmosphere in New Hyde Park. 
 Our vacancy rate seems to be lower than most places even in light of a poor economy. Let me tell you about what we do. As a chamber, we often support local charities. We hold an annual golf outing to support the Gladiator Fund, and also support St. Baldrick’s, the Ronald McDonald House and Katie McBride Foundation. We also give scholarships out to a senior at each of the high schools. A senior who shows great academic achievement and service to the community from New Hyde Park Memorial High School, Herricks High School, Sewanhaka High School and Great Neck South High School will be awarded a couple hundred dollars. 
 Tell me something interesting that not a lot of people know about. 
 Well, a few years ago there was a fire at Nuzzi Fuel and Oil Company right next door and it burnt down, exposing a wall that had an advertisement from what looked like the 1930s of a Chinese restaurant next to Umberto's parking lot. I thought that was neat. And where the Stop &amp; Shop on Hillside Avenue is now, well, there used to be potato farms. 
 What makes New Hyde Park unique and why have you stayed here all these years? 
 I like the fact that it's centrally located as far as transportation. I have family here and have deep roots in the community. I'm comfortable here. And I use the chamber as my way of giving back to the community to help it grow. I love it because it's close to the city, has great medical facilities and you can find all sorts of ethnic cuisines. This place, Umberto's, is the best. I have friends who come from Manhattan or the South Shore for their pizza. You can't beat the&nbsp;Margherita slice here.

Chamber prez on village's 'slice' of life

New Hyde Park chamber president discusses village's 'slice' of life over pizza

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New Hyde Park Village Mayor Daniel P. Petruccio, 53, announced on Jan. 3 that he will not be run for re-election after 12 years in the post. 
 Petruccio was raised in Brooklyn and moved to New Hyde Park to raise a family in 1986. He owned a discount variety store in Brooklyn for 16 years, but says he closed it down to raise his family in a safe village. He has been director of guidance at Chaminade High School in Mineola for 10 years. He also teaches 11th grade religion. 
 So, you won’t be running for re-election. Why is that? 
 I get total fulfillment in my full-time job. It’s so rewarding. I do this job [as mayor] because someone needed to do it, but honestly I don’t identify with this job. I give it my full effort, but my priority list goes as follows: family first, full-time job and part-time job. Being mayor isn’t designed to be a full-time job like some people make it. I’ll be the first person from my board leaving in 12 years. 
 Tell me some of your biggest accomplishments serving as mayor. 
 We’ve implemented a comprehensive improvement project involving roadwork and have found ways to fund several beautification projects within the village over the years. We have beautified the outside of Village Hall, installing an electronic sign and benches, fencing and gardening throughout pocket parks. We’ve planted shrubs near parking lots. I have also made it one of my goals to streamline financial and administrative operations. For example, we’ve reduced department heads. 
 Tell me about the business district in New Hyde Park. 
 The closest we have to a main street is Jericho Turnpike, but there are challenges. It doesn’t have that quaint feeling that many main roads can have. It’s a wide, state road. So, 10 years ago we began implementing “Operation Main Street,” which allows us to apply for grant monies to add brick pavers, new lighting and kiosks and beautify bus stations along Jericho Turnpike. This spring, we would like to put in center medians on Jericho Turnpike to take traffic calming measures, [and] make the road more pedestrian-friendly, installing more timers to help pedestrians cross the street and reduce dangerous turns into traffic. 
 Tell me how unique the village is and what it has to offer its residents. 
 We’re a very interesting village because it’s split into two townships. The southernmost half, south of Jericho Turnpike, is in the Town of Hempstead and almost everywhere above Jericho Turnpike is in North Hempstead. And an interesting tidbit is that this building, Village Hall, which was built in 1906, used to be the New Hyde Park Elementary School. My office used to be the principal’s office. 
 The village historian mentioned fire department competitions. Tell me more. 
 It was so foreign to me coming from Brooklyn until one summer night when I heard the revving of the fire engines. I lived near Tully Park, and that’s where the firemen would practice and compete, climbing fire truck ladders and rolling out the hoses. They still do it today, but in the spring. The competitions are designed to increase agility and response time of fire departments. It’s also for bragging rights. 
 To close out our discussion, tell me what you like most about New Hyde Park and what advice you would give the next mayor. 
 What I always loved most was the diversity of people living and working in New Hyde Park. My kids got a really great snapshot of what the world is like. They were exposed to people from various backgrounds and of different financial needs. I would give him the same advice our Village Attorney John Spellman gave me. Never refer to the village as my village because that implies that you own it. The village belongs to its residents and you are the voice of the residents. You serve them.

New Hyde Park mayor recalls 12-year run

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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&amp;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 <a href="http://www.foursquare.com/brittanywait">FourSquare</a> to check in at places, but make sure to also follow me via <a href="http://www.twitter.com/brittanywait">Twitter</a>, <a href="mailto:brittany.wait@newsday.com">email</a> or the comments field below. 
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Town Focus: Day 2 in New Hyde Park

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Robert Katulak, 59, of Florida, N.Y., has been superintendent of the New Hyde Park-Garden City Park Union Free School District for the last five years. He is married to Johanna Katulak and has a 27-year-old son, Robert Christopher Katulak. 
 What does it take to be successful as superintendent? 
 It starts with a shared vision and mission of what we want the district to achieve and offer, whether it’s providing new upgrades to the curriculum or implementing the new teacher assessments. We need to make sure students are given every opportunity they need to be well-rounded students when they leave us. 
 Tell me about the district and some of the programs if has to offer students. 
 We have four elementary schools in the district, with a total of about 1,600 children in kindergarten through sixth grade. We have an enrichment program that allows sixth graders to play senators, voting on bills at Village Hall and researching benchmark legislation. And of course we have math and science fairs for students to showcase their talents. We also have the Caring Ambassadors program, which we just implemented this year. It’s a peer training program to train sixth graders on roleplaying certaining situations involving bullying. It teaches kids to be an upstander to deter bullies, not a bystander. I tell the kids, “Once you type something mean about someone and press send on your computer, it’s always going to be in cyberspace.” 
 How has your district responded after the Newtown, Conn. tragedy? 
 Of course, we always have social workers for the students to talk to, and we have been tightening security and welcoming input from the PTA and parents to make our kids safer. For some schools, I know there’s been a push to put armed guards in buildings, but we’re not looking to do that. I’m curious to see what parents have to say about that, but right now we’re using the pass system. Visitors need a pass to walk through our doors and have to be announced. 
 What’s your favorite part about being superintendent? 
 I have the ability to be with the kids every single day whenever I want to be. I love listening to the kids prepare arguments in class and I make it one of my primary goals to visit classrooms in each of the schools every week. I like to think that every kid in the district knows me by name and the kids see me as someone in charge of the schools, but also know they can come to me with their problems. And that’s unique because when I was young I didn’t even know the superintendent’s name. 
 I know you don’t live here, but I’m sure you’ve mingled with the community. How would you describe New Hyde Park in terms of quality of life? 
 This is a very close-knit community and residents are very involved in education, sporting events and school programs. It’s a very centered community where everyone works well together. Although the community has a diverse religious and social population, residents have blended well, but at the same time maintained their own identity. 
 Tell me about what it’s like interacting only with kids at the elementary level, since there are no middle schools or high schools in the district. 
 You have students who say such insightful things. Some are already looking at going to college and comparing themselves to their parents on what they should do in the future. I think we downplay how brilliant these elementary students can be. Many of them have a great amount of street knowledge and common sense.

Superintendent dotes on 'brilliant' kids

New Hyde Park-Garden City Park superintendent discusses his 'brilliant' elementary students 

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Children ran circles around Ronald McDonald, balloons floated up to the high ceiling and patrons receive engraved spatulas as a “thank you” for their support. 
 The New Hyde Park McDonald’s grand opening was on March 22, 1991. Its owner, Larry Anderer, remembers the day like it was yesterday. 
 Nicknamed “Larry McDonald,” Anderer this year is celebrating his 22nd anniversary as owner of the McDonald’s, which is housed in a Georgian-style mansion dating to 1795. 
 “We took a big risk putting all our assets into this business, but on opening day, we had a huge turnout,” said Anderer, 71, of Rockville Centre. 
 Anderer worked in data processing at IBM and as managing director of Wall Street County NatWest Government Security, a subsidiary of debunked British company National Westminster Bank, until it closed in 1989. He then moved on to business franchising. 
 “When the firm closed on Wall Street, I sat down and reflected about where I wanted to go from there,” Anderer said. “At the time, McDonald's wasn't so trendy, so it was a safe risk to take.” 
 The mansion, formerly known as the Denton House, was abandoned before McDonald’s purchased the property in 1985. Residents were upset with the idea of it being torn down to look like a typical fast-food facility, so they petitioned for historic landmark status and won in 1987. Anderer pays fees to the franchise to own and operate the McDonald’s. 
 The house, which is commonly referred to as “McMansion,” was restored to its former glory and has retained its 1920s exterior look with white pillars and blue shutters. 
 “We overcame opposition because we took great strides to go out into the community to make sure we did everything we could to make it right,” Anderer said. “In my opinion, it’s a faithful replication of what it looked like in the 1920s.” 
 Larry Anderer’s son, Michael Anderer, decided to follow in his father’s footsteps. Michael, now 42, learned the trade in his father’s McDonald’s and now owns locations in Mineola and West Hempstead. 
 “I saw how much he enjoyed what he was doing and I wanted to be able to partner with him on something that gave him success,” said Michael Anderer, whom Larry Anderer and his wife Joan adopted from South Vietnam in 1971 after Larry served in the Marines there from 1965-66. “I saw what the commute and pressures of being an executive on Wall Street did to him over the years. After seeing his energy come back when building something on his own, I wanted to be a part of that.” 
 Bill and Deborah DiNoia walked into the quaint restaurant on Wednesday, their eyes drawn to the high ceiling, T-shaped staircase and hanging patchwork quilt with golden arches sewn on. 
 “This place is gorgeous,” said Deborah DiNoia, 61, of Levittown. “We travel a lot, so we eat at McDonald’s all the time and there’s no McDonald’s like this. It’s just so homey.” 
 Her husband, who was treated for kidney stones earlier that day, hadn’t eaten in 24 hours. 
 “We’ve been driving by for years and I’ve always wanted to stop in,” said Bill DiNoia, 61. “It helps that I’m starving. I’m glad we finally made it in.” 
 The couple ordered their usual Big Mac and Angus burger, respectively, with Diet Cokes. 
 “I’m going to tell my daughter and her kids about this and then they’re going to come here,” Deborah DiNoia said. “I’d describe this place as walking into a restaurant, not into a franchise. “I’m coming back. I feel very comfortable here.”

McDonald's serves out of old LI mansion

New Hyde Park McDonald's stands out in historic home

Today will be the first of five days I will spend in New Hyde Park, a village in the Town of North Hempstead, getting a taste for what it has to offer. 
 We’ll start out with a story on Larry Anderer, who this year is celebrating his 22nd anniversary running the New Hyde Park McDonald’s in a house that dates back to 1795. 
 Today, I’m meeting with Robert Katulak, superintendent of the New Hyde Park-Garden City Union Free School District. Then I’m speaking with village historian Carol Nowakowski and Mildred Testoni to learn some interesting tidbits about the community. Make sure to check back in the next couple days for a historical video and story. 
 To close out the day, I’m meeting with Mayor Daniel P. Petruccio at Village Hall to discuss what makes New Hyde Park so unique. 
 Later in the week, I will be meeting with Mark Laytin, president of the Greater New Hyde Park Chamber of Commerce, and Charlene Noll, director of the Hillside Public Library, before checking out the Sea Cookie Workshop for children at the library on Tuesday. 
 I plan to also stop by the Ronald McDonald House, a home away from home for families of seriously ill children undergoing medical treatment in nearby hospitals. 
 And I’m ending my week by meeting Dan Connor, chairman of the Gladiator Fund, a local organization which raises money to pay for medical care for disabled children. 
 Please follow me throughout the week, because I could always use your help finding neat places to check out, especially when it comes to locating a spot for lunch or dinner. 
 I’ll be using <a href="https://foursquare.com/brittanywait">FourSquare</a> to check in at places, and my colleague Erin Geismar will be in New Hyde Park today, as well. <a href="http://www.twitter.com/eringeismar">Follow her</a> on Twitter, or contact me via <a href="http://www.twitter.com/brittanywait">Twitter</a>, <a href="mailto:brittany.wait@newsday.com">email</a> or the comments field below. 
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Town Focus: Day 1 in New Hyde Park

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