_____________ ROCKVILLE CENTRE ____________
HERALD Vol. 35 No. 49
Foundation gives to local student
MlK hosts a holiday feast
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NoVEMBER 28 - DECEMBER 4, 2024
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Police to install cameras along ‘the bridge’ area, part of a broader initiative to discourage crime and doffner@liherald.com protect the community. “I am pleased to announce Law enforcement officials in Rockville Centre are ramping that we are currently in the up efforts to address a well- process of installing security known spot for underage drink- cameras at each of the three ing and illegal activities. The walk bridges to deter crime, as overpass on Peninwell as enhance our sula Boulevard, patrol ef for ts,” between North VilDodd said last lage Avenue and week. “In the meanH e m p s t e a d L a ke t i m e, t h e Po l i c e State Park — Department continknown locally as ues to conduct “the bridge” — has intensified patrols long been a popular of the walk bridges gathering spot for over Peninsula teenagers taking Boulevard during part in late-night both daytime and bonfires, weekend nighttime hours to parties and other check for unsafe risky behavior. and illegal behavIn response, the iors. As always, we Police Department, ask parents to i n c o l l ab o r at i o n remind their chilwith the Rockville dren about the Centre Coalition for importance of Yo u t h , i s i m p l e - RANDy DoDD obeying the law and menting a series of Rockville Centre making responsible measures aimed at decisions.” police commissioner improving safety The cameras will and curbing illicit be installed along activity. pedestrian pathways at Bulson Police Commissioner Randy Road, DeMott Avenue and Dodd recently announced the Lakeside Drive. The initiative installation of security camer- is part of a sustained effort by as at three footbridges in the
By DANIEl oFFNER
I
Courtesy Patricia Beaumont
Students from Rockville Centre and Long Beach celebrate the Thanksgiving holiday with an annual friendship feast.
Friendship feast fosters life skills By DANIEl oFFNER doffner@liherald.com
Patricia Beaumont, a special education teacher at South Side Middle School, was living in Long Beach when Hurricane Sandy devastated the coastal community in October 2012. “I was swimming in 4 feet of water,” Beaumont recalled. “When the water went down, there were fish and seashells in my house. We lost everything.” Many residents were without power for 50 days. “There were no streetlights, no electricity,” she said. During that challenging time, Beaumont witnessed her neighbors come together to share resources and host community meals, including “guerrilla barbecues” and a fundraiser by Swingbellys Barbecue at the Long Beach Recreation Center. These acts of solidarity inspired her to
create a meaningful event for her students, many of whom have developmental disabilities and require structure and routine in their day-to-day lives, which the storm had disrupted. “To think of Thanksgiving in a happy moment was impossible for some families,” she said. But Beaumont was determined to offer her students and their families something to celebrate. She organized a “friendship feast,” a collaboration between her Life Skills class and the Long Beach School District, which runs a similar program for students with developmental disabilities. The idea is to unite students from both districts for a Thanksgiving meal while teaching valuable skills along the way. Beaumont took her students to Trader Joe’s to shop for ingredients, teaching budgeting and ConTinued on page 5
am pleased to announce that we are currently in the process of installing security cameras at each of the three walk bridges in the area.
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