Catholic school needs to mull alternatives, hate crimes, NRA cartoon, Rocky Point museum, more

Catholic school has alternatives to mull

Perhaps doubling the pool of candidates by admitting males to Our Lady of Mercy Academy in Syosset should be considered to keep the school open [“ ‘Mercy girls don’t quit,’ ” News, Feb. 15].

A few years after I graduated in 1969 from the all-boys St. John’s Preparatory School in Brooklyn, I witnessed the closure of several Catholic all-boys schools, including the one I attended.

The Brooklyn Diocese said it could not support its schools and planned to close several.

My prep relocated into a closed diocesan school, Mater Christi High School, in Astoria, Queens. This was done with new management, which reinstated Mater Christi’s co-ed tradition. St. Francis Prep also became a co-ed Catholic school, separated from the diocese, also in Fresh Meadows. Both prep schools are maintaining their enrollment needs and are flourishing.

The sisters at OLMA who have managed superbly over the past 95 years are faced with a crisis that was successfully resolved at other institutions.

They should let others try to keep OLMA open. A new board of trustees, aggressive fundraising and preparing for the future with an endowment must be addressed if OLMA is to continue its mission and survive the next 95 years.

 — James P. Kelly, Huntington

We hate and don’t learn from our past

The dastardly deeds that have befallen our fellow humans sadly have plagued us for all eternity [“LI hate crimes a challenge for legal system,” News, Feb. 12].

Why is it that we never learn from our sordid past?

As a proud Jew and Zionist, learning of the Holocaust and the destruction of 6 million Jews plus millions of others was beyond devastating. Surely this could never happen again. But, alas, then comes Oct. 7, another unspeakable attempt to reignite Jewish annihilation.

Slavery and the Civil War ripped the heart out of America, so we must have learned from that craven blemish on our society.

Fast-forward to current-day America with more anger, hatred and vitriol in politics and everyday life since the 1860s.

It seems that humanity is forever destined to be mired in its own ignominy, arrogance and self-righteousness.

 — Joel Reiter, Woodbury

Cartoon treatment of NRA is irresponsible

Matt Davies’ Feb. 16 political cartoon treatment [Opinion] was irresponsible as he used a broad editorial brush in painting members of the National Rifle Association as a bunch of rampaging lunatics at the Super Bowl parade in Kansas City, Missouri. And that “H.Q.” was pleased with it, to boot.

At the time, there had been no evidence from the police as to who perpetrated this crime or any potential membership in the NRA. I am confident that the two men who were eventually arrested are not members.

To assert that the NRA was pleased with this shooting is indeed irresponsible.

 — Bruce Wichard, Dix Hills

Rocky Point museum has plenty of history

The other museum in our town, besides the World War II museum, is the Hallock Homestead Museum, built circa 1721. It was overlooked in “Buying In: Rocky Point” [Real Estate, Feb. 16].

Like communities to our east and west, Rocky Point was settled by farming families before the American Revolution. At our museum, established in 2013, visitors learn about our early history and the 20th century history of RCA’s famous transmitting station.

Restoration of the Homestead is nearly complete. We help preserve not only the numerous historic sites in our community but also educate homeowners with our rain garden planted in partnership with ReWild Long Island.

There is immense pressure to build on every small lot in Rocky Point, and trees are removed. We welcome young families, but we would like our fragile environment preserved.

 — Suzanne Johnson, Rocky Point

The writer is president of the Rocky Point Historical Society Hallock Homestead Museum.

Why wear PJs and slippers in stores?

Nancy Dervan’s My Turn essay, “Hat lover fancies life with a bonnet on it” [act2, Feb.  4], brought back many memories.

I, too, used to get a new dress, coat, hat and shoes and matching pocketbook for Easter every year to wear to Mass and then to visit grandparents later that day.

But it was Dervan’s other remarks that prompted me to me write this letter.

It still amazes me to see people in supermarkets and other stores wearing pajamas and fuzzy slippers. I don’t know who started this trend, but to me it just seems as if many people don’t want to show any pride in themselves anymore.

 — Peggy Stein, East Meadow