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HLTOWN -- Port Washington

Many outsiders know of Landmark on Main Street in Port Washington for its theater, which hosts a range of concerts and cultural programs throughout its October through June season. To the community of Port Washington though, the building, located at 232 Main St., is much more. 
 “We identify ourselves as a community center first,” said Sharon Maier-Kennelly, 42, Landmark’s executive director and a 10-year resident of Port Washington. 
 Broadway stars Sutton Foster and Brian Stokes Mitchell and bands such as The Bacon Brothers and The Smithereens have performed to sold-out audiences inside Landmark’s 425-seat Jeanne Rimsky Theatre. But the stage has also hosted countless children’s dance and piano recitals. 
 “We have very low rental rates, so the community can come in and do their own events,” Maier-Kennelly added. 
 Beyond the theater, the not-for-profit Landmark on Main Street also houses 59 units of affordable senior citizen housing, the Port Washington Children’s Center, Parent Resource Center and the Youth Council’s Teen Center. More than 600 people use these resources on any given day, but all of this might never have come to be. 
 When the Port Washington Board of Education announced in 1984 that it would be closing the old Main Street School, a request was made to purchase the property, knock down the building and replace it with a parking garage. 
 “Many people worked really hard to fight that,” said Chris Bain, president of the Cow Neck Peninsula Historical Society. 
 The residents were able to make the case for saving the building, because it was an important landmark for sailors. 
 “It’s a landmark on nautical charts,” said Debbie Greco-Cohen, a native of Port Washington and a sailor herself. “You can see the dome from the water and when sailors would come into the bay they could look on the chart and see they were in Manhasset Bay if they didn’t know where they are.” 
 Residents were divided over how the vacant building should be used, though. One group wanted to create recreational and cultural programs for children and teens, and another favored using the property for affordable senior housing. Their shared goal of saving this historic building and creating resources for the community, brought them together though, and they merged in 1986 to form Landmark on Main Street. The organization eventually partnered with the Town of North Hempstead, which purchased the land in 1991 after voters overwhelming showed their support for Landmark’s plans through a public referendum. Through a combination of public funding and a successful capital campaign, which raised roughly $2 million, the old school building was renovated and Landmark opened in 1995. 
 “There was really this amazing grassroots effort by community members,” said Maier-Kennelly. “It’s our goal to maintain our building as resource for the community.” 
 Today, Landmark covers its operating expenses through sponsorships, sales of playbill advertisements, membership dues and its annual Spotlight Gala. This year’s gala, scheduled for May 10, will feature current Tony Award nominee Stephanie J. Block. 
 “I love that it’s a historic ... multigenerational building, “ Maier-Kennelly said. “From the seniors who live upstairs to the Parent Resource Center, which offers prenatal classes, it’s truly from birth through the aging process.” 
 Elly Shodell, director of the Local History Center at the Port Washington Public Library, said the history of Landmark on Main Street sums up the fighting spirit of the Port Washington people, both past and present residents. 
 Over time, residents have fought a proposal to build a multilevel parking garage near the Port Washington train station, saved countless trees on Main Street and blocked an incinerator from coming into town by lying down in front of construction vehicles, Shodell said. 
 “It’s been this way throughout,” Shodell said. “The people have gone to bat for this community and they’re not afraid … They want to protect what they have.”

Landmark on Main symbol of Port Wash

Landmark on Main Street symbol of Port Washington’s fighting spirit

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The buildings, sidewalks and tunnels of New York City were mostly built with sand that was mined in Port Washington and made into concrete. That “Cow Neck Sand,” as it was called, not only provided the building blocks for Manhattan, but it shaped Port Washington, too. 
 Port Washington was settled in 1644, when the <a href="/topics//Matinecock,_NY">Matinecock</a> Indians sold the land to English families. Until the mid-1800s, the area was called "Cow Neck Village,” because it mainly served as pasture land for the settlers’ cows. Farming was the main industry, but shellfishing took off in the mid-1800s along with sand mining. Between 1865 to 1989, the peninsula was home to the largest sand-mining operation east of the <a href="/topics//Mississippi">Mississippi</a>. 
 “It was a huge employer in town,” said Chris Bain, president of the Cow Neck Peninsula Historical Society. 
 Immigrants came from Italy, Germany, Poland and other parts of Europe to work in the sand mines, which delivered more than 140 million yards of sand to New York City. 
 “It was very tough work, very labor intensive, dangerous at times … but it provided a pathway to a better life in the United States,” he added. 
 Meanwhile, the Danish, Scandinavians and Norwegians were attracted to Port for its nautical work, including fishing, boat building and an early seaplane industry. (The original Marine Air Terminal was located on <a href="/topics//Manhasset,_NY">Manhasset</a> Bay.) Also, moguls like Whitney, Astor and Coe specifically recruited immigrants from England, Ireland and Scotland to work on their <a href="/topics//Sands_Point,_NY">Sands Point</a> estates. 
 “It was an amazing amalgam of people,” said Elly Shodell, who interviewed some of these immigrants through her role as director of the Local History Center at the Port Washington Public Library. “They were all in the same boat, trying to better themselves and make a living in America.” 
 The influx of people to the peninsula spurred the growth of Port Washington, as homes, schools, businesses and services were built to support the growing population. The arrival of the <a href="/topics//Long_Island_Rail_Road">Long Island Rail Road</a> in 1898 also brought new people, particularly white-collar workers looking for a short commute to Manhattan. 
 As these suburbanites settled in houses built on the cliffs near the sand mines, though, they made a push to stop the mining near their homes. 
 “It was not compatible to have somebody who had come in as a commuter from New York City to be on top of these rattling, filthy, dangerous cliffs,” Shodell added. “Politics really ended sand mining.” 
 The last sand mine ceased production in 1989, the Marine Air Terminal moved from Port Washington to <a href="/topics//LaGuardia_Airport">LaGuardia Airport</a> in 1940 and the arrival of yacht clubs interfered with shellfishing in the bay. Although these industries left the area, the workers stayed. The children they raised went on to become doctors, lawyers and prominent people in town, Shodell explained. 
 “They created a vibrant, vital place of mixture and not just snobbery and wealthy people,” she added. “I think they were a mellowing influence on the town.” 
 Port Washington native Debbie Greco-Cohen, 54, is the granddaughter of a sand miner. Her grandfather came from Italy to work in the mines. Her mother moved to Port Washington from <a href="/topics//Wales">Wales</a> and her father was a clam digger. 
 “It’s a great place to live and raise a family,” said Greco-Cohen, who has a daughter of her own now. “I looked at other places to live, but I never found anything I liked as much as Port Washington … There’s so much history here.”

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Sand, sea and sprawling estates shaped Port Washington

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Port Washington native Matt Meyran, 53, has been working on the water since he was a boy. Each year, he takes hundreds of people out on Manhasset Bay through his business, Port Washington Water Taxi. The boat tours offer unique views of the Execution Rocks Lighthouse, the former Marine Air Terminal site and the Gold Coast mansions that inspired F. Scott Fitzgerald’s book, “The Great Gatsby.” 
 When did you start working on the water? 
 “I’ve been working on the water since I was 12. I started doing striped bass fishing and selling to the restaurants. Then, I worked at the yacht clubs when I was a little bit older and stayed with it.” 
 What inspired you to start Port Washington Water Taxi? 
 “People actually just coming down who couldn’t get out on the boats and wanted to go out on the water and had no other way to do it.” 
 During the tour, you provide many historical facts and stories about the various sites on the bay. What type of research did you have to do? 
 “I love talking to the old timers down on the dock. They would tell stories of when they were growing up who was here, what stars were out there and what mansions were here. I would sit and listen to it and it’s so interesting, so you pick up all the information from them. It’s people who have lived it.” 
 What do you love about Port Washington? 
 “The water was always my love. Even going to school, I was always one of the ones in marine biology where the teacher would ask, ‘Matt could you dissect this for us?’ and I’d come in with my clam knife and open up everyone’s projects for them. It was always the water and fishing and being around the people around the water. They’re just different. I think the saltwater affects everyone a little differently.” 
 How many generations of your family lived in Port Washington? 
 “My brothers and sisters were all raised on a house barge underneath the Whitestone Bridge called Clawson Point. There was six of us altogether and I was the only one raised in Port Washington.” 
 Why do you enjoy giving these tours? 
 “I love the people that come out on the boat. Everyone’s a little bit different. When they come they feel like they’re on vacation. They’ve lived here 40 years some of them, some even longer, and they say they’ve never seen Port Washington like this.”

Water taxi offers unique Gold Coast views

Port Washington Water Taxi tours offer unique views of Gold Coast

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Mariann Dalimonte lives just a short drive from two major malls, but the Port Washington native prefers to buy her children’s shoes at Gail’s Stride Rite on Main Street. 
 “We’d rather go local before we go outside of town,” said Dalimonte, director of development for Residents for a More Beautiful Port Washington. 
 ‘Mom and Pop’ shops around the country have been struggling for decades to compete with big box stores and malls, but in Port Washington, many of these small businesses are still thriving because of a collective effort by merchants, elected officials and residents to shop local. 
 For instance, Dalimonte’s organization has partnered with local businesses so members receive discounts at certain Port Washington stores. The group maintains the tree beds and community parks throughout the business district. In the winter, they also host an event on Main Street called “Port Holiday Magic” to encourage residents to do their holiday shopping locally. 
 There are some vacant stores on Main Street and Port Washington Boulevard, but they are the exception, not the norm. 
 “It’s at a healthy level,” said Warren Schein, co-president of the Port Washington Chamber of Commerce, of the number of empty storefronts. 
 Schein knows first hand, though, how hard it can be to run a successful small business. He used to own a Buster Brown shoe store on Main Street, but gradually saw his customers dwindle when bigger stores opened nearby. Schein was among the chamber members who vehemently campaigned and worked with officials in the town, village and state government to form the Greater Port Washington Business Improvement District, New York’s first inter-municipal BID, in 1995. 
 The BID taxes commercial properties on Main Street, Shore Road, Manorhaven Boulevard and Port Washington Boulevard, but uses the money for street-scaping projects. Since it’s a 501c3, it also acquires grant money, which it provides to local businesses to offset the costs of replacing their awnings, signs and other facade work. 
 North Hempstead Town Councilwoman Dina De Giorgio, a 17-year Port Washington resident, also works closely with the BID, the chamber and local merchants. When the shop owners told her that the one-hour parking meters on Main Street were hurting their businesses, she was able to change most of them to two-hour time limits. (Another public hearing will be held later this spring to decide if the remaining meters on upper Main Street should be changed, as well.) 
 “If you want to park and be able to shop on Main Street, have lunch or get your haircut, an hour isn’t enough time,” she said. “They [business owners] live it everyday, so they know what will make it better.” 
 De Giorgio said she also wants to work with commercial property owners and landlords to identify what types of businesses would be successful in Port Washington and encourage them to move to the community. 
 “The public is asking for more retail,” she said, adding that at the present time, there is no men’s clothing store or a unisex children’s clothing store in town. 
 “A lot of people I know would love to be able to shop in Port Washington if they could get what they needed here,” she said.

Port Wash keeps Main Street thriving

Port Washington works to keep Main Street thriving

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Just as sand mining, speedboat racing and seaplanes have left Port Washington, my time on the peninsula is coming to an end. 
 On my final day in Port Washington for Newsday’s “Town Focus” series, we will travel back in time to explore some defining aspects of Port’s past. <a href="http://www.newsday.com/long-island/towns/historic-photos-of-port-washington-1.5185773">Click here</a> to view a collection of historical photos of Port Washington provided by the Cow Neck Peninsula Historical Society. You may be surprised by how much the community has changed and how much it has remained the same during the past century. 
 Although Port Washington’s Main Street has evolved over the years, it remains a place where small businesses can thrive despite competition from big-box stores, malls and online retailers. 
 Among the sights depicted in the history gallery is the Main Street School, which now houses Landmark on Main Street. (Chris Mann, a finalist on NBC’s “The Voice,” will be performing here tonight.) One local described Landmark as “the gem” of Port Washington, but the building was nearly torn down and turned into a parking garage. We’ll have a story on Port Washington's history later today. 
 Although my week in Port Washington is ending, there are some great events happening later this month in the community, including a 4-mile bike tour on May 5 to benefit the Lauri Strauss Leukemia Foundation; and PortFest, a community arts festival that will take place on May 11. My colleague, Brittany Wait, will have more on this event and how the organization sponsoring it has been promoting arts education in the Port Washington schools. 
 I had the opportunity to explore the scenic Sands Point Preserve Thursday night and attend a program that featured a falcon, an opossum and an American oystercatcher. Look for the photos, and find out what brought these animals together. 
 I also spent Thursday afternoon touring “East Egg” and “West Egg” aboard one of Matt Meyran’s water taxis. I will now have a new appreciation for the Gold Coast when the latest and much-anticipated film adaptation of F. Scott Fitzgerald’s “The Great Gatsby” hits theaters next week. 
 It seems only appropriate that I should bid adieu to the fine people of Port with these famous words, written by Fitzgerald: “So we beat on, boats against the current, borne back ceaselessly into the past." 
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Town Focus: Day 5 in Port Washington

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Chris Bain, 57, a professional photographer and president of Cow Neck Peninsula Historical Society, grew up in Port Washington and is now raising his three children here. When he’s not taking photos of his hometown or studying its history, he enjoys boating on Manhasset Bay. 
 What do you like about living in Port Washington? 
 I like the fact that it's surrounded by water. Every day you drive past the water, so you see the boats and magnificent sunsets. There's a lot of really good people. It’s the single best commute on Long Island to New York City, because it’s the end of the line. When you're coming home at night you can't miss your stop and in the morning, the train is waiting for you. There's also movie theaters, sports teams .?.?. and a lot of boating. 
 Do you own a boat? 
 I've always had friends with boats, which is a much more reasonable way to approach it. Every summer, I'm out on someone's sailboat or motorboat for a few afternoons. I had a best friend in high school who had a motorboat, so we'd go water skiing in the morning and then go to school. 
 You lived in Los Angeles at one point. Why did you decide to move back to Port Washington? 
 I moved back here because I was starting a family and wanted a good school system. 
 Why is your organization called the Cow Neck Peninsula Historical Society? 
 The original name of the town was Cow Neck. The name Port Washington didn't come till about 1850. Before that it was just a peninsula of land that was gated off from the rest of the island around where 25A is. It was used as pasture land for cows. 
 What would you say really shaped Port Washington? 
 Originally, the town was a seafaring town; shellfish, mostly oysters, was the largest employer. It didn't turn into a commuter town until 1898, when the train got here. If you wanted to go into the city before 1898 you had to hire a horse and buggy to take you to Great Neck and then take the train. It was an all-day affair .?.?. When the town started, everything was down by the water, but .?.?. the center of town shifted from the water up to the train station when it was built and the demand for all those types of services that support a community developed rapidly. 
 How did sand play a big part in Port Washington’s history? 
 In the 1870s, they started mining sand, and this ended up being the best sand in the country. It was the largest sand mine east of the Mississippi and that's the sand that went into building Manhattan .?.?. of the concrete in Manhattan came from Cow Neck sand. It was great, great sand. There were sand-mining operations all over town. It was a huge employer .?.?. They mined all the way till 1970. When I was a kid there were still barges going to Manhattan from Bar Beach.

Local: Port Wash's sand helped build NYC

Local: How Port Washington's sand helped build Manhattan

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Bronx native Dina M. De Giorgio moved to Port Washington, her husband’s hometown, around the time her now- 16-year-old son, Nicholas, was born. She later relocated her law office to the community, too. De Giorgio, 45, a mother of two, is now in her second year as councilwoman for the Town of North Hempstead’s 6th District and recently announced she’s running for town supervisor. 
 What attracted you to Port Washington? 
 My husband [Joseph] grew up here. Three generations of his family have grown up here .?.?. It’s a wonderful place to raise a family. You really have that small-town feeling. There’s a lot of families here, we have a great school system and a lot of after-school activities for the kids. It’s just a really warm environment. You really feel like you belong to something. 
 What’s it been like to serve as councilwoman for the community? 
 I love Port Washington. It’s the best job to be able to advocate for the people who live here and try to make a place that’s great even better. I get to meet so many people and have experiences I don’t normally get to have. 
 What issues have you found the community cares about the most? 
 “Parking and traffic are the issues that people get passionate about. We have twice as many cars as we had 10 years ago. The streets are narrow, which is sort of the charm of Port Washington, but certain times of day Main Street is crowded. And we have probably the best train line on the LIRR -- a lot of people move to Port Washington, because it’s a great commute -- but we’re a tiny town .?.?. parking can be tough.” 
 How has Port Washington’s Main Street changed over the years? 
 Main Street in Port Washington is facing the same challenges that main streets all over the United States are facing. They are competing with big-box retail and Internet sellers and the price point is important to people .?.?. Different stores come and go, we have some vacancies .?.?. but I think we have a really vibrant Main Street.” 
 Why do you think Port Washington’s Main Street is thriving? 
 People like to stay in Port Washington .?.?. and are very loyal. There’s weeks when I don’t leave the peninsula. I don’t cross Northern Boulevard, because I have everything I need here. 
 What do you think your kids are getting out of the experience of growing up in Port Washington? 
 “A sense of community. They appreciate the comfort of knowing people. We all look out for each other. Once you live here and grow up here, your heart stays here.”

Councilwoman: Port Wash people are ‘loyal’

Councilwoman De Giorgio: Port Washington people are ‘loyal’

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Since I arrived in Port Washington earlier this week, I’ve been enamored with the picturesque views of Manhasset Bay, but today, I’m finally venturing out on the water. 
 Matt Meyran, owner of Port Washington Water Taxi, will be taking me on a guided tour of the harbor Thursday afternoon. I’ll be posting video of the tour on Twitter at <a href="http://www.twitter.com/tarakconry">@TaraKConry</a> and on Newsday’s “Long Island Now” blog. 
 Also, check back later today to read my interviews with North Hempstead Town Councilman Dina De Giorgio, a 17-year Port Washington resident, and Chris Bain, president of the Cow Neck Peninsula Historical Society. 
 We’ll also be taking a look at some of the challenges facing Port Washington businesses and the collaborative efforts aimed at attracting new merchants and helping them succeed. 
 My colleague Brittany Wait (<a href="http://www.twitter.com/BrittanyWait">@BrittanyWait</a>) will also be joining me in Port Washington Thursday to assist with our “Town Focus” coverage. She’ll be speaking with organizers of the second annual Port Fest, which will be taking place on May 11, and getting to know some of the merchants along Main Street. (We’re also hoping to grab a late lunch at Louie’s Oyster Bar and Grille.) 
 Thursday night I’ll be attending an event at the Sands Point Preserve. As part of “Screen Free Week,” a national campaign to encourage chidren to turn off their electronic devices and explore the "real world" around them, the preserve is hosting a program featuring live animals, a scavenger hunt and pizza dinner. 
 Don’t forget to follow us on Twitter and Instagram. Send us questions, tips and suggestions of places to visit before our week in Port Washington comes to an end. Oh, and let us know how you would finish this sentence: “Port Washington is _____.” 
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Town Focus: Day 4 in Port Washington

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Marty Caporaso, 71, a licensed commercial pilot and former real estate broker, has lived in Port Washington for the past 25 years. Now that his daughters are all grown and he is retired, he spends much of his time at the North Hempstead Town Dock, watching the boats go by and fishing. Newsday caught up with him on the dock Tuesday evening. 
 Have you caught anything today? 
 The only thing I caught so far is a cold. I come down maybe every other day now that the season’s started. Last year, I was doing good. I was coming every day and catching these baby blues, little snappers .?.?. They have teeth on them, so you have to be careful when you take out the hook. They’ll get you. 
 Have you always been into fishing? 
 No, I was a commercial pilot. I was in aviation .?.?.&nbsp; and I have my commercial license. Then, I became a flight instructor. I was teaching girls like you how to fly years ago. Now, I just fly for the pleasure. I had a little 150 Cessna, a two-seater, and I would take friends up and people I knew. 
 Have you ever flown a seaplane out of Manhasset Bay? 
 No, but I would love to. They used to fly the seaplane around here, the Clipper, which was Pan American. 
 How many years have you lived in Port Washington? 
 Oh, about 25 years now. I had a house here. I have four daughters, no boys. They went to St. Peter’s and then to Schreiber High School .?.?. Now, I live in Mill Pond Acres, a senior citizen development. My wife works until 10 p.m., so that’s why I’m always looking for something to do. 
 What do you like about living in Port Washington? 
 Just look around. It’s kind of really beautiful .?.?. We have the best schools, the best police departments .?.?. one of the best fire departments, a library that’s out of sight and then, the train station. It goes zip, right to Manhattan. It takes like a half-hour. 
 How would you describe the people in Port Washington? 
 Like me, they’re very friendly .?.?. We kind of help each other, even here on the dock. It’s really a nice place to live.

Man enjoys retirement on Port Wash dock

Enjoying retirement at the Port Washington dock

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For two months, music teacher Elizabeth Riordan rehearsed a song with the fifth-grade chorus at Guggenheim Elementary School in Port Washington. Two miles away, Schreiber High School choir director John Spiezio was teaching the same song to his students. 
 “I would sing one of the lines from the high school part and .?.?. play the piano accompaniment,” said Riordan, 30, of the process she used to teach her 90 fifth graders their part. 
 The two groups finally came together Tuesday to perform for a packed auditorium at Schreiber High School. 
 “When we put it all together, it was just a dream come true,” Riordan said. “The pure sound of the children's voices and the mature and college-level sound of the high school chorus was a beautiful mix.” 
 The audience, which consisted mostly of fourth and fifth graders bused from four different Port Washington elementary schools, witnessed the world premiere of “Lullaby Of The Iroquois,” an original composition piece written by Miggy Torres, a sophomore at Ithaca College. 
 Earlier this year, Spiezio, a 1988 graduate of Ithaca, reached out to Dana Wilson, a professor at the college’s School of Music, to commission the piece. He plans to continue collaborating with Ithaca music majors going forward. When Spiezio introduced the song to his mixed choir, which includes students from ninth through 12th grades, he said they were excited and inspired. 
 “They’re working with a composer whose not some old, dead guy from a foreign land, but a contemporary of their own, someone who is only two years older than them,” said Spiezio. 
 Torres, a Connecticut resident, couldn’t witness the debut of his song Tuesday, but he’s expected to attend Guggenheim’s spring concert on May 30, when the two groups will perform the piece again. 
 They’ll also sing the song Wednesday during the second night of Schreiber’s spring concert series, which features several vocal, band and orchestra groups from the high school. The fourth and fifth graders at Tuesday morning’s assembly also got a sneak peek of these performances too. 
 “We do all we can here in Port Washington to encourage our younger students to keep with the music program for all the many benefits that it provides,” said Sheri Suzzan, the district’s director of creative arts. “Bringing the students up to see the concert is just another way we continue to bridge the gap between our oldest musicians and our youngest musicians.” 
 Having taught many of the high school students when they were in elementary school, Riordan was impressed to see their growth. 
 “It was a really good example for the elementary kids to see where they can go in their music career,” she added. 
 Spiezio hopes the showcase will motivate Port Washington’s younger students to continue studying music throughout their time in the school district and beyond graduation. 
 “We get to be creative, emotional human beings because of the study and experience in arts education,” he said. “This piece was just ink on a page and we brought it to life.”

Student singers get glee with new song

Port Washington high school, elementary students score with original song

Port Washington elementary and HS students collaborate on song

I’m halfway through my week in Port Washington for Newsday’s “Town Focus” series and there’s two things that have become very apparent to me: Port Washington residents are very proud of their town and extremely friendly to outsiders. 
 Take for instance, Marty Caporaso, 71. When Caporaso saw me snapping photos on the North Hempstead Town Dock Tuesday evening, the 25-year “Port” resident put down his fishing pole and waved me over. We chatted about his experience as a pilot, his five grandkids and what he loves most about his community. Look for my interview with him later today. 
 This morning, you’ll find me at Sweet Comfort Bakery, where I will be meeting with North Hempstead Councilwoman Dina De Giorgio. I’m looking forward to hearing her thoughts about Port. 
 Then, in the afternoon, Mindy Germain, executive director of Residents For A More Beautiful Port Washington, will be discussing her organization with me over lunch at Frank’s Pizza on Main Street. 
 I’ll be tweeting and sharing photos about my experiences in Port Washington on Twitter at <a href="http://www.twitter.com/tarakconry">@TaraKConry</a> all week long, and posting stories on Newsday’s <a href="http://www.newsday.com/long-island/towns/long-island-now-1.1732330">Long Island Now blog</a>. 
 Yesterday, I had the privilege of witnessing the world debut of an original piece of music that was performed by students from Guggenheim Elementary School and Schreiber High School. Check it out <a href="http://www.newsday.com/long-island/towns/port-washington-students-collaborate-on-song-1.5172782">here</a>. 
 I still have some exciting activities planned for the rest of my time in Port Washington including a trip to Sands Point Preserve and a water taxi ride on Manhasset Bay. Many of you have sent suggestions via email (<a href="mailto:tara.conry@newsday.com">Tara.Conry@newsday.com</a>) and Twitter of places I should visit and restaurants to try. Please keep those recommendations coming. I’m going to try to do as much as I can. 
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Town Focus: Day 3 in Port Washington

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Kathleen Mooney, 50, of Locust Valley, has been working as an administrator in the Port Washington School District for the past 13 years, but the 2012-2013 school year marks her first as superintendent. She oversees a student population of close to 5,300. 
 What initially attracted you to the Port Washington School District? 
 It [the district] had a very good recommendation for being a high-achieving school district. I also like the diversity of the community. 
 What role does the school district play in the community? 
 You have a number of different little towns [in Port Washington] .?.?. the schools are one of the places that brings everyone together. Everyone works to support each other. There’s a "Pride in Port Parade" in the fall that .?.?. brings out the chamber of commerce businesses, former athletes from the high school come back to be honored, and all the schools march in the parade. It is a true community event. We also have some grant organizations that contribute to the schools .?.?. and Residents for a More Beautiful Port Washington, which focuses on environmental issues, is very active in our schools. 
 What unique programs do Port Washington offer? 
 We’re very proud of our music program. I feel like our student performances could rival Carnegie Hall .?.?. We’re known for our Intel Science finalists, our middle school is one of New York State’s "Schools to Watch" .?.?. and we have a very strong arts program. We also have a TV studio and radio station. 
 What are the challenges currently facing the school district? 
 We’re very proud of the quality programs we offer in our school district and we certainly want to be able to maintain those programs. There’s so many competing forces that influence that including state ed mandates and agreements with our different bargaining units. 
 How is the district tackling these issues? 
 We reached an agreement with our teachers' association for some salary concessions. I think that went a really long way in creating more of a goodwill feeling in the community. People really felt that the educators were with us in trying to meet the economic challenges and not lose programming .?.?. Before we knew we had the agreement with the teachers, we were looking at cutting close to 22 teaching positions. 
 What are the strengths of the district? 
 Our strength is our students. They’re polite, respectful, socially conscious and civic-minded. That’s a reflection of the community. Our students get involved in a whole variety of causes. They really care about the world at large.

Supervisor: Students a 'reflection' of area

New Port Washington superintendent: Students a 'reflection' of the community

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Kevin Shields, 45, of Port Washington, and his siblings, Robert Shields and Patti Shields, are the third generation of his family to own and operate Shields Hardware in Port Washington. Their grandfather John F. Shields and his brother, William Shields, opened the store in 1917 on Lower Main Street, not far from where it stands today, and the business has since expanded to include plumbing, heating, water filtration and other niche services. 
 What was the shop like when it opened in 1917? 
 It was about the size of this shop here. We were opened during the "Blue Laws," legislation that prevented storekeepers from being open on Sundays. However, since we were at a port of call -- Port Washington used to be more of a commercial boating community -- and there needed to be a store open in the port in case anyone needed supplies, that was us. 
 How long have you been at 267 Main St.? 
 We had a fire in 1990, which actually consumed about five of our buildings. We moved across the street to a property we owned, built this building here and then moved in in 2002. We basically just took our footprint and pushed it down the street. 
 Why do you think your family’s business has thrived when so many other independent hardware stores have shuttered with the rise of big-box home improvement chains? 
 The answer is quite simple: Every time you come into my place of business, there is a minimum of 1-2 Shieldses here at all times. We watch the business, we know exactly who’s here and how they’re being taken care of. We are very hands-on. There’s not a single Shields who works less than 60 hours a week. 
 What do you think keeps your customers coming back? 
 We’re customer service. People come in here and they expect to be waited on. We don’t just point … we take our customers to where our stuff is and we assist them any way we can. We’re also licensed plumbers, so … when you’re asking for a plumbing part, I’m giving you information based on years of service. We’ve all kind of been working here since we were 5. 
 How has your business evolved over time? 
 We’re niche oriented. For instance, we do a tremendous business with water quality. People in this community are very concerned about the quality of their drinking water. If you’re a customer of ours, we’ll go to your home, test your water for free and see what we can do to improve that quality. Another niche is we offer a day of beauty for your barbecue … and have a complimentary ship-to-store program with 70,000 items you can order online. 
 What advice do you have for other local merchants? 
 If you watch your business and grow with the times, the needs and demands of the people in the community, you’ll prosper. Being the oldest doesn’t make you the best, but being the best makes you the oldest.

Port Washington hardware store endures

Family-owned Port Washington hardware store stands test of time

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For the second day of our Town Focus in Port Washington, we’ll continue to explore the community’s defining aspects including its schools, businesses and history. 
 I had the opportunity yesterday to meet with Kathleen Mooney, the superintendent of the Port Washington School District. Mooney, who is in her first year in the position of schools chief, spoke candidly about the strengths of the district, the challenges it's facing and the support it receives from the community. Look for my interview with her later this morning. 
 She also told me that the district is very proud of its music program and later this morning, I will have a chance to watch Schreiber High School students perform as they rehearse for their upcoming spring concert. 
 What do you think are the greatest strengths of Port Washington’s schools? Let me know by sending a tweet to <a href="http://www.twitter.com/tarakconry">@TaraKConry</a> on Twitter. (Each day, Newsday features a “Top Tweet” from a Long Islander in the paper. You never know, yours just might show up in print.) 
 Later today, I’ll continue to delve into Port’s past by getting a tour of the Port Washington Public Library’s Local History Center from director Elly Shodell. 
 I will also be spending time on Main Street and Port Washington Boulevard getting to know some of the merchants that contribute to the community’s thriving downtown. The family-owned Shields Hardware, for instance, has been in business in Port Washington for nearly 100 years. Why have the Shields been successful while many other “mom and pop” hardware stores have shuttered, unable to compete with big-box businesses? Find out later today. 
 Also, check back this afternoon to learn how Port Washington’s Chamber of Commerce has been helping the business community flourish. Much of the work that the chamber does is focused on encouraging residents to support local businesses. In keeping with the “shop local” theme, please let me know what places in Port Washington I should patronize during my time here. So far, I’ve enjoyed a delicious maple spice latte at the Dolphin Bookstore Cafe and a gyro from Ayhan’s Mediterranean Marketplace Cafe. Have other recommendations of places to try (preferably ones with wifi)? Send me a tweet or email me at <a href="mailto:tara.conry@newsday.com">Tara.Conry@newsday.com</a>. 
 And don’t forget to follow me throughout the day on Twitter, Instagram and on LI Now.

Town Focus: Day 2 in Port Washington

Chris Mann’s first North American tour will bring him to Port Washington later this week, but it won’t be the Kansas native’s first trip to “Port.” 
 Mann’s music career has taken off since he earned a spot on Team Christina Aguilera and finished fourth last May on Season 2 of NBC’s hit singing show, “The Voice.” While still searching for his big break though, the Wichita-born Mann would frequently ride the Long Island Railroad from Manhattan, where he was living at the time, to Port Washington to practice with his keyboardist. 
 “It was such a nice, peaceful break from the city,” said Mann, 30, of his visits to “Port” between 2006 and 2009. “Seeing all the boats heading out of the docks, the wildlife, the birds ... the quaintness of it all was so refreshing to me.” 
 Mann also developed a fondness for downtown Port Washington, particularly the restaurants on Main Street. He said he’s looking forward to indulging in the local fare when he returns to Port Washington on Friday night to perform at Landmark on Main Street’s Jeanne Rimsky Theater. 
 “It will be an intimate evening of music,” said Mann of the 8 p.m.concert. 
 Mann will perform a collection of upbeat ballads that he said are appropriate for all ages. The set list will include “fan favorites” from Mann’s run on “The Voice,” some numbers he performed in his PBS special, and songs off his debut album “Roads.” There will be a few covers and new material that audiences have not heard from him yet, but he plans to close out the show with a version of “My Way” that Paul Anka wrote exclusively for him. 
 Sharon Maier-Kennelly, executive director of Landmark on Main Street, said even big name performers enjoy playing at the 425-seat Jeanne Rimsky Theater because of the intimate setting, which allows them to really connect with the audience. 
 “We also have great acoustics, so they know they are going to sound good,” she added. 
 Mann has spent the past year in the studio recording “Roads” and a Christmas album sold exclusively through Walmart. In addition to his PBS concert, he’s also performed at the televised tree lighting at Rockefeller Center and “Christmas in Washington.” Although he described the experience of singing for the president of his country as “a huge honor,” he’s looking forward to being on the road. 
 “I’m excited to get out and meet people and perform,” said Mann. “I’m better live, because no show is the same and I love to interact with the audience.” 
 Mann’s success thus far can be attributed to taking risks and being true to himself. He quit his job working on the show “Glee” to try out for “The Voice,” and when he sang an Andrea Bocelli song at his blind audition, Mann said some of producers thought it wasn’t a good idea. 
 “The whole purpose was not to apologize for what I love about music and sing the kind of music I like,” said Mann, who describes his style as “pop classic.” 
 “It says a lot that people really enjoy the type of music that I enjoy,” he added. “It’s really easy to conform, but if you do what you do best, no one can do that better than you.” 
 Tickets are still available for Chris Mann’s concert at Landmark on Main Street. Prices range from $20 to $30. Contact the box office at 516-767-6444. &nbsp;

'The Voice' singer comes to Port Washington

'The Voice' contestant Chris Mann comes to Port Washington on first tour

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A pair of rubber duckies, a SpongeBob SquarePants figurine and an Etch-a-Sketch were among the toys that were slated for the junkyard, but instead earned a second life Sunday in Port Washington. 
 More than a dozen kids gathered in the backyard of Laurie Scheinman’s shop, Wit and Whim, to take part in an "everyday upcycle" project as part of the store’s monthlong celebration of Earth Day. 
 While Scheinman, 50, and her staff wielded hot glue guns, the children dug through tubs of broken and unwanted toys, meticulously selecting the ones they wanted to place on two wooden ‘W’s’ that would soon hang in the store’s window display. 
 “I think that it’s really cool to see toys that are going to be art instead of being thrown away,” said Michele Lanfant, 9, of Port Washington, while admiring her work. 
 All of the toys used for the project were donated by local families like the Johnsons. When Liz Kase-Johnson, 40, of Port Washington, learned that Scheinman was collecting toy parts she saw it as an opportunity to clean out her attic and teach her children, Lucy, 3, and Sam, 8, a lesson. 
 “It makes them feel aware of the waste in our house and the plastic-ness of the toys that are generated today,” she said. “This is an exciting idea to give kids the inspiration of transforming garbage into art.” 
 The concept of reinvention and giving old items a new life defines Scheinman’s store. Much of the merchandise inside the stop, located at 6 Carlton Ave., are vintage or have been "upcycled." 
 “Everything in this store has a story,” said Scheinman, who travels around the world to find unique items to sell in her store. “I don’t buy it if I don’t know the story.” 
 After paying her store’s rent and small staff, Schneiman donates all her profits to charities and will only carry new merchandise if the manufacturer gives back in some way. 
 Scheinman, a 15-year Port Washington resident and mother of five, opened Wit and Whim in September 2012 as a passion project, but she’s spent most of her life working as a family and child therapist. 
 “I do love hanging out with kids,” she said while helping the children with the project, which will hang in her store’s window throughout May. 
 “Sometimes we just throw things out,” she told them. “But every time you walk by you are going to see you were a part of this.” 
 By hosting events like this throughout the year, Scheinman’s store has become more than just a shop. It’s also a community gathering place, explained Kase-Johnson. 
 “Laurie is an absolute inspiration to the community,” she added. 
 Laurie Kaufman, 41, came all the way from Forest Hills with her daughter, Abigail, 6, to participate in Sunday’s event. They heard about it from Abigail’s grandmother, Susan Nathanson, of Great Neck, who often shops at Wit and Whim. 
 “It is the most imaginative, creative, funky and interesting store,” Nathanson said. “I hope that she [Abigail] learns that things don’t have to be discarded. There’s another use for them.” &nbsp;

Kids 'upcycle' broken toys in Port Washington

Toys headed for the dumpster become window art at Wit and Whim in Port Washington

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Good morning, Port Washington. 
 Today is the first of five days that I will spending in the community of Port Washington as part of Newsday’s “Town Focus” series. I have a busy week ahead of me that will begin early Monday morning with a trip to the Sandminers Monument along West Shore Road. 
 Sandmining is a vital part of Port Washington’s history, which you’ll hear more about later this week from Chris Bain, president of the Cow Neck Historical Society. (Bain, a professional photographer, says the best time to photograph the monument is in the morning when the sunlight reflects off the bronze statues’ faces.) 
 Afterward I’ll be looking for a place to grab a cup of coffee, so please let me know if you have any recommendations. I’ll also be stopping locals on Main Street to hear their thoughts about “Port” and what drew them to the community. If you’re in the area, I could be asking you. 
 I’ve already heard many wonderful things about Landmark on Main Street and I’m looking forward to getting a tour of the Jeanne Rimsky Theater when I meet with Sharon Maier-Kennelly, Landmark’s executive director, this afternoon. I recently spoke with Chris Mann, a finalist on Season 2 of NBC’s “The Voice” who will be performing there on Friday. 
 Later today I’ll also be sitting down with Dr. Kathleen Mooney, the superintendent of the Port Washington School District, to hear her thoughts about Port Washington, the strength of its public schools and the challenges facing students and staff. 
 If you’re walking past Wit and Whim on Carlton Avenue Monday you might notice an eclectic piece of artwork in the store’s front window. It was created Sunday afternoon by a group of very young artists and their toys. You’ll find that story posted later today. 
 As I make my way through Port Washington this week, send me suggestions of places to visit, local dishes to taste and activities to try. Let me know what you have always wanted to learn about Port Washington and be ready to answer some questions, too. Like for instance, do you ever get tired of looking at that view from the waterfront shopping area Inspiration Wharf? 
 You can join me on my travels by reading the Storify below, which will be updated in real time, or follow me on Twitter and Instagram at @TaraKConry. &nbsp; 
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 [<a href="//storify.com/li_now/town-focus-day-1-in-port-washington" target="_blank">View the story "Town Focus: Day 1 in Port Washington" on Storify</a>]
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Town Focus: Day 1 in Port Washington

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It’s almost time to begin our weeklong adventure in the community of Port Washington in our next installment of the <a href="http://newsday.com/townfocus">Town Focus series</a>. 
 Beginning Sunday, I will be spending each day in “Port” getting to know the interesting people and places that make up this charming waterfront community. 
 I’ve already learned some fascinating tidbits about Port Washington’s past. Did you know many celebrities were drawn to the community in the early 1900s to watch speed boat races in Manhasset Bay and try their luck at the Sands Point Casino? 
 I am eager to discover more of Port’s history and tell the stories of the community’s current residents, local officials and business owners. Please reach out to me on Twitter using <a href="https://twitter.com/search/users?q=%23townfocus">#townfocus</a>, email <a href="mailto:tara.conry@newsday.com?subject=Town%20Focus%3A%20Port%20Washington">tara.conry@newsday.com</a> or stop me if you spot me walking around the neighborhood if you’d like to share a story.. 
 Also, send me your suggestions of your favorite places to visit in Port Washington. Tell me what activities I should try. I’m sure I will work up an appetite during all this sightseeing, so I’d appreciate some restaurant recommendations, too. 
 Whether you’re a native of Port Washington or a newbie, a visitor or an outside admirer, I bet you have your own questions about Port. Send them my way and I will track down the answers for you. 
 Lastly, don’t forget to follow <a href="http://twitter.com/@tarakconry">@tarakconry</a> to join in my travels in Port Washington and beyond.

Port Washington: Let's hear from you

Port Washington: We want to hear from you

Town Focus: Port Washington

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