Serving Manhasset, Munsey Park, North Hills, Plandome Heights, Plandome Manor, Plandome and Flower Hill
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Friday, September 15, 2023
Vol. 11, No. 37
Guide to the
WILLISTON DAY STREET FAIR 17 Sunday, September 11am - 5pm On Hillside Avenue from
A BLANK SLATE MEDIA
WILLISTON DAY STREET FAIR GUIDE
COUNTY MUSEUM, DIRECTOR PART WAYS
AIDE URGED SANTOS TO QUIT
PAGES 25-44
PAGE 2
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Willis Ave. East to LIRR
N • SEPTEMBER 15, 2023
SPECIAL SECTIO
$70K raised for chorus teacher battling ALS Alumni return the favor Schenkhof gave to so many of his students BY B R A N D ON D U FF Y Aristotle, the ancient Greek philosopher, once said “Today, see if you can stretch your heart and expand your love so that it touches not only those to whom you can give it easily, but also to those who need it so much.” When Mark van Schenkhof, otherwise known as “Mr. V” to his students, wasn’t teaching chorus at Manhasset Secondary School, he often shared with them many of the philosopher’s quotes. “That was his thing, it wasn’t just music it was life lessons he would give you,” said Julie Lavin, a former student of van Schenkhof and Manhasset graduate of the class of 2005. Van Schenkhof, 68, of Port Washington, was diagnosed seven years ago with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, or ALS, a nervous system disease also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease that weakens muscles and impacts physical function. Returning the favor he gave so many of his students, the Manhasset community and alumni have stretched their hearts themselves, raising $70,000 in a GoFundMe to help cover the costs of van Schenkhof’s aroundthe-clock care. Van Schenkhof first started working in the district at Manhasset Middle School in 1999, moving to the high
school two years later. He was the commencement speaker in 2005, the only class that were students of his for six years. Aside from his work in the district, van Schenkhof was also the organist and choir director for Saint Stephen’s Episcopal Church on Carlton Avenue in Port Washington in 2001. The church held a concert to celebrate van Schenkhof’s music ministry in 2021. Upon hearing that van Schenkhof’s battle with ALS worsening, Lavin, classmate Kate Aitken and Sandra Baskin, a retired Manhasset teacher who was van Schenkhof’s pianist, started the GoFundMe on Aug. 31. The page includes a 25-minute tribute from former students to their former teacher, many of whom have gone into the music field themselves due to van Schenkhof. The immense grassroots support is something that van Schenkhof, and his wife Carol–a vocal teacher in Port Washington who also worked with Manhasset students–could have never imagined. “She calls us her angels,” Lavin said on updating the family on the fundraising thus far. “We’ve been able to do so much and she never thought this would be possible ever.” Van Schenkhof’s relationship with Continued on Page 54
PHOTO BY CAMERYN OAKES
Nassau County Police Officers salute during the presentation of the colors at North Hempstead’s 9/11 memorial service.
N. Hempstead honors 66 victims of 9/11 attacks BY C A M E RY N O A K ES Sixty-six bell rings rang out Monday morning over Manhasset Valley Park, signifying the 66 individuals who were once part of the community of North Hempstead before their lives were cut short in the 9/11 attacks 22 years ago. “The ring of the bell feels deep in our heart,” North Hempstead Clerk Ragini Srivastava said. The memorial service included the presentation of the colors, rifle
salute and Playing of Taps by Albertson VFW Post 5253, the poem “When Great Trees Fall” by Maya Angelou read by Nassau County Comptroller Elaine Phillips and wreath presentations by local law enforcement officials. The National Anthem was performed by the St. Mary’s chamber choir, which also performed “America the Beautiful” during the memorial service. “Our commemorations is a solemn occasion that calls upon us to
remember, to reflect and to honor the memory of those ripped from us on that fateful day,” North Hempstead Supervisor Jennifer DeSena said. Two moments of silence were held at 8:46 a.m. and 9:03 a.m., the times when Flight 11 crashed into the North Tower and when Flight 175 crashed into the South Tower. DeSena said the ceremony served as a way for everyone to come together as “one town family” Continued on Page 67