_________________ BALDWIN ________________
HERALD Vol. 33 No. 31
National Night out returns
New partnership brought to MSSN
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Page 11 JUlY 30 - AUGUST 5, 2026
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Neighbors unite to revive Brookside ways, is home to numerous species of plants and animals, but has been in significant decline The Brookside Preserve, a due to vandalism, littering and nature sanctuary situated aging infrastructure. It is under between Baldwin and Freeport the jurisdiction of Nassau known recently for its poor County, and the county adminmaintenance and deteriorating istration, and County Executive infrastructure, is getting a Bruce Blakeman, have been much-needed face criticized by many lift from local volunresidents for the teers. The Environstate of the sanctum e n t a l Ro t a r a c t ary and the NasClub of Nassau sau’s perceived lack County Long Island, of cooperation with along with Freeport local groups seekHigh School’s Intering to make act Club and other improvements vo l u n t e e r s c o m there. prised a group of “The Brookside more than a dozen Preserve has been ChRISTophER people who began one of the lost work last week on MCBRIDE neglected preserves the Brookside Pre- Secretary, in Nassau County,” serve Beautification Environmental Ama Karikari, pubProject, hoping to Rotaract Club of lic relations direcm a ke t h e p a rk ’s Nassau County Long tor of the Environentrance more invitm e n t a l Ro t a r a c t Island ing and accessible Club, said in to the community. describing the On July 11, about 15 volun- extent of littering on the land. teers in total took to the Brook- “Unfortunately, it has also side Avenue entrance of the become a place for illicit activipreserve to try to clear out ties. This is a shame, because it some of the trash and unkempt provides an amazing immersive foliage. The preserve, which nature experience that could be encompasses more than 20 a resource for fun, relaxation acres of woodlands and water-
By ANDREW FRANCIS
afrancis@liherald.com
I
Maureen Lennon/Herald Volunteers Marie Christ, Catalina DeHaerting, Michael Cecere, Gail Milne and Jonathan Barreto joined the Rev. Johnny Mendonca and the Rev. Francis A. Nyarkoh at St. Christopher’s Parish Feast in Baldwin.
The heart behind the annual feast Hundreds of volunteers help keep the tradition alive By AllYSoN FERRARI aferrari@liherald.com
Thousands of visitors who attended St. Christopher Parish’s 51st annual feast over four nights enjoyed carnival rides, live music, homemade food and the chance to reconnect with neighbors on the church grounds. What many didn’t see were the 250 volunteers whose months of preparation helped turn one of Baldwin’s longest-running traditions into another successful summer celebration. From planning that begins each January to assembling booths, preparing homemade meals and organizing games, raffles and entertainment, volunteers spent months transforming the parish grounds into a gathering place for the Baldwin community. For Fr. Johnny Mendonca, the feast’s
greatest success wasn’t measured by attendance or fundraising but by the sense of community it fostered. Now in its 51st year, the annual tradition draws parishioners and non-parishioners alike, bringing together families, friends and neighbors to celebrate faith, fellowship and Baldwin. “That’s the blessing of this feast,” Mendonca said. “People were just helping with a joyful mood ... making community together.” That work begins months before the first visitor arrives. Planning for the annual feast starts each January, when committee members set the dates, reconnect with returning booth captains and volunteers, and map out everything from food stations and games to rides and entertainment. By the time the celebration opens in July, hundreds of volunteers have spent months organizing what CoNtiNueD oN PAGe 10
t’s for the community, and we want the community to feel welcome.
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