Serving Port Washington, Manorhaven, Flower Hill, Baxter Estates, Port Washington North, Sands Point
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Friday, September 15, 2023
Vol. 9, No. 37
PortWashingtonTimes t Washington Guide to the
WILLISTON DAY STREET FAIR 17 Sunday, September 11am - 5pm On Hillside Avenue from
A BLANK SLATE MEDIA
Willis Ave. East to LIRR
WILLISTON DAY STREET FAIR GUIDE
GUIDE TO PRIDE IN PORT
AIDE URGED SANTOS TO QUIT
PAGES 25-44
PAGES S1-S28
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N • SEPTEMBER 15, 2023
SPECIAL SECTIO
Port honors 9 residents killed in 9/11 attacks Day of horror, terror recounted BY C A M E RY N O A K ES Rabbi Alyssa Mendelson Graf was a student in New York City on the day of the attacks and remembered stepping out of the subway to a beautiful fall day. She described it as a sense of blessing. Moments later she saw one of her classmates in shock after witnessing the first plane fly into the South Tower, which she had not seen herself. At the time she said she didn’t know that her cousin, who was a firePHOTO BY CAMERYN OAKES fighter in Brooklyn Heights, was in his ladder truck driving over the Brooklyn Port Washington Police officer salutes while members of the Long Island Gay Men’s Chorus sing the Bridge to the scene after the attack. That was his last ride. National Anthem.
“He ran into the building like so many first responders, brave and maybe afraid but willing to do what it took to save the people whose lives were in jeopardy that day,” Mendelson Graf said. But in remembering the lives lost that day, Mendelson Graf also recalled the sense of hope that many people experienced as they came together. The Village of Manorhaven hosted a 9/11 memorial service Monday afternoon to honor the lives lost that day, as well as commemorate the response to the aftermath of the attacks. “May we never forget that on that day we did not focus on nationality, Continued on Page 54
$70K raised for ex-teacher battling ALS 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, other-
wise 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 around-the-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 his students has lasted longer than just their time together in class. Until about a year ago, Lavin said any Continued on Page 54