_____________ ROCKVILLE CENTRE ____________
SAV E W HE N Y OU B U NDLE A UT O & HO ME INS U R A NC E
HERALD NoVEMBER 21 - 27, 2024
WIN NER
ALEX ANDERSON
516.544.2728 530 MERRICK RD.
Across from Pantry Din er
Aanderson8@allstate.com
$1.00
The Anderson Agency
123 805 123 123738 804 805 123 1111 1111 1240028 028
Vol. 35 No. 48
Presented by
lichoiceawards.com 2023-202 2023 4
4.9
St. Agnes hosts Readers Day Page 6
HER ALD
The Vineyard Church marks a milestone riers and help people connect with God. After training under John The Experience Vineyard Wimber, the founder of the Church celebrated its 40th anni- Vineyard movement, the Pittversary on Sunday, Nov. 17, at lucks left California to plant a church on Long Central Synagogue Island. By 1984, the Beth Emeth in Vineyard Christian Rockville Centre. Fellowship South The milestone Shore was bor n, event drew over 300 with a mission to attendees, including provide worship, members who have build community, been part of the care for the poor, church since its and launch other e a rl y d ay s a n d churches. those who joined By 1990, the along the way. church had purPastor Ray Longchased its current wood, who has led building at 251 Merthe congregation rick Road, continusince 2015, reflected ing the legacy of on the church’s ministry estabjourney, its dedicalished by the prevition to serving the ous congregation. community, and its RAy loNGwooD Around the same v i s i o n f o r t h e Pastor, time, the church future. The Experience opened the Parish “The variety of Vineyard Church House in Freeport, individuals coming offering housing for together to celebrate what this church is about single mothers and their chilwas probably the biggest joy,” dren. “Providing a home for the poor” became a cornerstone of Longwood said. The Vineyard Church traces the ministry’s mission. Over the decades, the church its roots to 1982 when Lance and Cheryl Pittluck envisioned a expanded its community impact ministry that would break barContinued on page 2
By DANIEl oFFNER
doffner@liherald.com
Tim Baker/Herald
Runners on your mark. Get set. Go. Alyssa Grillo, 36, of Rockville Centre, smiles as she approaches the finish line. She completed the Rockville Centre 5K run in 31 minutes and 55 seconds. Story, more photos, Page 3.
Historic homestead faced with the potential of redevelopment By DANIEl oFFNER doffner@liherald.com
A Civil War-era homestead at 24 South Park Ave. in Rockville Centre is one of the last remaining vestiges in the area that predates the incorporated village. “It is one of the oldest houses in the village,” Matt Cliszis, village historian and member of the Rockville Centre Historical Society, said. “South Park Avenue was all residential homes until the turn of the century.” The property’s cur rent owner, Jose ph DiFigueroa, is proposing to redevelop the property into a three-story, mixed-use building with a restaurant on the lower level, two floors of medical office space and a rooftop lounge. While much of the original home remains intact, the area directly surrounding it has changed significantly. Today, it is located in what is considered to be the heart of the downtown
business district, but at the turn of the century most of the local businesses were located on Village or Centre avenues. Over the years, the property, which is currently unoccupied, has housed several businesses, including The Cook’s Fancy, a gift shop specializing in home and cookware, and Cork & Kerry, a speakeasy-style cocktail bar that closed during the pandemic in 2020.
A new proposal for the property
Representing DiFigueroa, William Bonesso, a zoning and land use attorney with the firm Forchelli, Deegan and Terrana Law, addressed the Board of Zoning Appeals on Nov. 13, seeking a substantial occupancy permit and variances for a zero-foot front yard setback, rooftop dining and a shortfall of 56 parking spaces required by code, where none have been provided. “The building is compliant in terms of the Continued on page 16
A
fter 40 years, our diverse congregation will continue to be a place where our culture is focused on helping those who are hurting.