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Memorial trees honor the lives of Kiwanians ing Kiwanis Club members, elected officials, the families of those being honored and the Three East Meadow Kiwan- East Meadow Fire Department, ians — Mary Mannino, Norma in which Surless was a commisGonsalves and James Surless — sioner. Parisi touched upon what will forever be remembered planting a memorithrough the recent al tree means to planting of memoEast Meadow. rial trees at Speno “It is an act of Park. continuation, a way All three, who to let life emerge in died during the past the face of loss,” he year, were honored said. “As a tree at a July 12 ceremoflourishes, it ny, when communireflects healing and ty members gaththe enduring ered to pay tribute impact that Mary, to individuals who Jim and Norma had truly embodied the on our lives. Unlike spirit of Kiwanis. a headstone, a tree Joe Parisi, East changes with the Meadow Kiwanis seasons, showing Club’s immediate JoE PARiSi that remembrance past president, said Immediate past does not stay still. It that for decades, the president, evolves — it roots club has been Kiwanis Club the memory of your memorializing of East Meadow loved one in the those who’ve died earth itself, creatduring each calendar year with a tree. The cere- ing a sense of harmony and mony usually is held during peace.” The trees for Mannino, GonEast Meadow Community Day in June, a free event open to the salves and Surless were added public, but it was canceled this to a plot of about 15 additional memorials in Speno Park, year due to rain. The club re-scheduled the directly facing East Meadow dedication for this month, invitContinued on page 2
By JoRDAN VAlloNE
jvallone@liherald.com
Holden Leeds/Herald
Raising a glass for Fire Fest The East Meadow community gathered for Fire Fest on July 12, an event hosted by the East Meadow Fire Department that sports a beer garden, live music, food trucks and more to support the efforts of local heroes. Above, Tyrik Brown, Briana Polidora, Matt Pretter, Kristin Rindos and Jocelyn Mondra at Fire Fest. Story, photos, Page 3.
Robert Neary brings tribute show back to his hometown By JACK SCHWED Intern
As Robert Neary gazed out into a sea of faces singing back at him last year, he saw the dream he’d been chasing for decades come to life. Over 10,000 people crowded Eisenhower Park, the place he once called his “backyard” as a kid growing up in East Meadow — the same park where he once played Little League baseball and rode his sled down snowy hills now stood as a symbol of his success. His concert on July 10 marked his third consecutive year returning to his hometown with his touring tribute band “So Good! The Neil Diamond Experience.”
“I can’t remember a time when I wasn’t performing,” Neary said. As a kid, he would sing along to Elvis Presley albums, and whenever company was visiting, he would take out his guitar and put on a show. Throughout his childhood, his dream of becoming an actor never faltered. During his teenage years, he took acting classes at Nassau Community College, where he would make a momentous decision. “After one of the classes, the professor asked me to stay after,” he recalled. “He said, ‘You know what, you’re wasting your time here. You need to be out in California.” With no hesitation, Neary moved to Los AngeContinued on page 10
A
s a tree flourishes, it reflects healing and the enduring impact that Mary, Jim and Norma had on our lives.