_________________ FREEPORT _________________
HERALD Also serving Roosevelt
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APRIl 3 - 9, 2025
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Church marks 27 years with a celebration many individuals that were in attendance.” The pastors included the Deeper Life Deliverance Fel- Rev. William Thomas, of St. lowship and Deliverance Cen- John Baptist Church in West ter marked a significant mile- Hempstead; Bishop Nor man stone last Saturday, celebrating Lyons, of Fountain of Life the 27th pastoral anniversary Church in Uniondale; and Bishof Overseer Regina Johnson ops Jason Corbett and Johnawith a grand celebration that thon Fowler, of Improving Lives Church in was preceded by a Goose Creek, South month of fellowCarolina. ship with allied The National churches. Conference of The g athering E f f e c t ive M i n i s took place at the tries, founded by church’s temporary Johnson in 1990, location, the Mount played a pivotal C av a l r y B a p t i s t role in the festiviChurch in Westties. bury, which has Alongside Deepbeen sharing its RegINA JoHNsoN er Life, NCEM space with Deeper Overseer includes True Life as members Foundation Church await the construction of their own church, their in upstate Glen Falls, led by first, on Ocean Ave in Freeport, Overseer Darrel Perkins; Greatdubbed by the ministry as the er Jerusalem Baptist Church in Brooklyn, led by Overseer City of Refuge. “It was an awesome, awe- Anthony Nisbett; and Greater some celebration throughout Faith Christian Church in the month of March, where Schenectady, led by Overseer various pastors came in, along Harold West. Pastors from with their churches, and ren- these churches joined in the dered services,” Johnson said. celebration. “NCEM conference is some“And it was something that, personally, I will never forget — thing, a work that God estabthe love that was shown by so Continued on page 4
By MoHAMMAD RAFIQ
mrafiq@liherald.com
Jason Thomas/Herald
‘The Woods’ a huge success The Baker, played by Andrew Koehler, his wife, played by Jackie Bakewell, and the Witch played by Kate Russo face off in a pivotal scene from Lighthouse Repertory Theatre Company’s production of Into the Woods. Story, photo, page 2.
Veteran William Downes to lead Memorial Day parade By MoHAMMAD RAFIQ mrafiq@liherald.com
Retired Sgt. Maj. William Downes, 91, a dedicated U.S. Army veteran and long-time community member, has been selected as the grand marshal of the Freeport Memorial Day parade. The Freeport American Legion Post 342 bestowed the honor upon Downes, who served two years of active duty during the Cold War. He was drafted in 1957 and stationed at a secret guided missile site in Cleveland, Ohio. Afterward, he continued his service in the National Guard and Army Reserve for 26 years. Beyond his military contributions, Downes
also served as a disaster communicator in the aftermath of the Sept. 11 attacks and American Airlines Flight 587, using his skills as a licensed amateur radio operator to aid in emergency responses by coordinating between different agencies such as the Salvation Army. His daughter, Robin Downes, 65, who cares for him at his home in Roosevelt which he purchased in 1956, said the grand marshal designation is important, “allowing people to remember my father, because he doesn’t remember the great contributions that he has made to this country, you know. So that’s what it means to be being honored, that people are taking the time to Continued on page 31
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he purpose was, of course, to win souls to the kingdom.