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Friday, January 9, 2026
Vol. 3, No. 2
THE GATEWAY TO NASSAU COUNTY SERVING FLORAL PARK, BELLEROSE AND STEWART MANOR
JLCS Winter Concerts bring cheer to community
Fifth and sixth grade chorus
Fire department closes, citing lack of volunteers
Floral Park Centre Fire Company, a 100-year-old fire department, said that it has ceased operations as of January 1st. Fire Chief Martin Tolan cited a lack of volunteers, as well as increased training requirements, and costs for mandated equip-
ment. The New Hyde Park Fire Department and the Nassau County Police Ambulance will now answer calls in that area. The department was founded in 1925 and functioned for 100 years before
John Lewis Childs School’s band, chorus and orchestra students filled the auditorium with holiday cheer during their Winter Concerts on Dec. 17 and 18, treating the audiences to a lively program of seasonal music. The concert opened with performances by the fourth, fifth and sixth grade concert band, led by band teacher Brett Vasquez. The group performed “Snow Day,” “Jingle Bells! Samba Bells!” and “Journey on the Yukon Express.” The spotlight then shifted to the third and fourth grade chorus, under the direction of music teacher Chelsea Stern, who entertained the crowd with “Hot Chocolate,” “Hanukkah Shalom” and “Corky the Porky Reindeer.” Adding a jazzy flair to the program, the stage band Snazzy Jazzies took the stage to perform “Sugar Plum Swing” and “Who Let the Elves Out?” featuring Mr. Vasquez on electric bass guitar.
Under the leadership of orchestra teacher Michael Caprino, the fourth grade cadet orchestra followed with performances of “5th Avenue Rock” and a winter mix, arranged by Mr. Caprino himself Choral music returned as the fifth and sixth grade chorus filled the risers, singing “Nun, Gimel, Hei, Shin (A Dreidel Song),” “Carry the Light” and “All I Want for Christmas Is You.” The concert concluded with the fifth and sixth grade advanced orchestra, under the direction of orchestra teacher David Elyaho, who brought the event to a festive close with “Icicles,” “Rock of Ages” and “Jingle Bell Rock.” After weeks of rehearsals, the students stepped onto the stage with confidence, showcasing their talents for classmates, friends and family during the three concert performances. See page 6
shutting its doors. Chief Tolan said that firefighters in the FP Centre Company are being welcomed into other departments in the area if they want to continue volunteering.
The Floral Park Villager Published every Friday by Litmor Publishing Corp. Telephone 516-931-0012 Postmaster: Send Address Change to: The Floral Park Villager, 821 Franklin Ave., Suite 208 Garden City, N.Y. 11530 • Meg Norris, Publisher
Concert Band
Floral Park Village is a 'Tree City' PAGE 4 Urban Explorers enjoy holiday party PAGE 3