Independence Day parade, 2019, Wantagh

Many Wantagh and Nassau County organizations made today's Independence Day parade a half-hour success. My camera worked against me, and I lost the first 14 photos. The photos below are from the near end of the parade, after the Wantagh Fire Department's rolling equipment. Many thanks to all who participated. I was grateful that the Kiwanis club distributed good-quality flags to the enthusiastic spectators. 

Any photo may be enlarged by clicking on it.

New pastor and new associate pastors at St. William

On June 26, 2019, the pastor of St. William the Abbot retired and three other priests were reassigned. Arriving in their place are Rev. Joseph H. Fitzgerald, Rev. Collins Yeboah, and Rev. James Hansen. Their biographies and photos are given in the parish bulletin of 6.30.2019, linked HERE. Look for pages 6 and 7.  
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Mere youths! I'm guessing that the pastor is about age 45, Fr. Collins about 35, and Fr. James about 30.
Deacons generally remain in their parishes, so all four deacons are the same.
The bishop appoints pastors for six-year terms, with a second term often granted.
Associate pastors (curates) serve unspecified periods of time.

Memorial Day in Seaford, New York, 2019

These photos were taken of the parade marching north on Washington Avenue, Seaford, N.Y., near Hickory Street.

The Memorial Service concluded at the Seaford Middle School.

Seaford NY school budget passed

On May 21, 2019, the school budget for the next fiscal year passed, 1,015 to 404. The capital fund expenditure for grounds and doors passed 989 to 415. It seems that about 1,419 people voted, 73 fewer voters than in 2018.  Bruce Kahn (incumbent) and Kevin Devlin won seats without opposition.

Seaford library budget approved 66-8.

In an annual vote on April 17, 2019, the Seaford Public Library budget for the next fiscal year was approved 66-8. Unopposed incumbent board trustee Catherine DiPietro was reelected to a five-year term.

Veterans Day, 2018

Veterans Day, 2018, was a Sunday, and I presume many organizations, civil and religious, had commemorations at the same 11 a.m. hour, the centenary of the Armistice of 1918. At the Seaford American Legion Post, Judge Terence Murphy, former post commander, was master of ceremonies. In attendance were veterans, Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts, and members of the Seaford Fire Department. An honor guard fired three volleys, and taps were played. Mr. Murphy then announced, "It is now 11 a.m. The war is over."

Above, Post Chaplain Charles Wroblewski with friends after the outdoor ceremony.
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About 116,000 United States military personnel lost their lives in the Great War, many due to fatal influenza they encountered. May they rest in honor and in peace.
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From the Brooklyn Daily Eagle, May 28, 1922:
  Sun, May 28, 1922 – Page 23 · The Brooklyn Daily Eagle (Brooklyn, Kings, New York) · Brooklyn Public Library

Brooklyn Daily Eagle, May 31, 1922, the day following Decoration Day.  Wed, May 31, 1922 – Page 21 · The Brooklyn Daily Eagle (Brooklyn, Kings, New York) · Brooklyn Public Library
I am puzzled that neither the monument nor the news stories give the names of the "sons of the village who fought overseas." A compilation of those who lost their life lists only one from Seaford, but that is Seaford, Delaware.

Seaford election results

The election results in Seaford in 2018 generally followed the pattern of 2016, when Mr. Trump received about 65% of the vote in each of the election districts.
This year, there was a serious contest for the New York State Senate, in particular the seat of incumbent Seaford resident John Brooks. During October, many lawns in Seaford carried placards for Pete King (who won) and Jeff Pravato (who lost to John Brooks). Newsday briefly uploads to its website a detailed count of each election district in Nassau and Suffolk Counties, a useful tool which unfortunately disappears from the web within a few days. Therefore, I will try to give some Seaford numbers on this blog.
In that race for the 8th New York Senatorial District, Brooks received 38% in his own neighborhood around Maple Street, and Pravato 62%. Prevato's strongest districts were near the Massapequa Village Hall and south of Merrick Road in Massapequa. He won all of Seaford's election districts. The citizens of  Copiague, Amityville, Freeport, and much of Merrick, mainly away from the waterfront, chose John Brooks, who won the seat with 54% of the district.
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Governor Cuomo received 59% of the votes in Nassau and Suffolk Counties. His lowest count nearby was 109 votes in Biltmore Shores, Massapequa, against 401 votes for Marc Molinaro. Cuomo won no election district in Seaford.
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Kirsten Gillibrand received 67% of the Nassau-Suffolk votes, but lost Seaford with 37%.

Graduation

Patch reports HERE that the number of graduates of Seaford High School in June, 2018, was 178. The number of graduates of Wantagh High School was 247. The number graduating from Massapequa High School was 593.
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Fifty-two graduated from eighth grade at St. William the Abbot School.
One hundred ninety-one graduated from eighth grade at Seaford Middle School.
Fifty-seven graduated from eighth grade at St. Rose of Lima School.
Twenty-six graduated from Maria Regina School's eighth grade.

Memorial Day, 2018

Shortly after 10 a.m. on Monday, May 28, 2018, members of the Seaford American Legion Post 1132 led the Memorial Day parade north on Washington Avenue. My camera balked as they passed, so I offer photos of some following marchers.

Clicking on any photo will enlarge it.

Any photo may be enlarged by clicking on it. I have not yet learned when this monument was erected, nor have I learned how many people from the hamlet (not village) of Seaford participated in the Great War in France. A hundred years ago was the first American battle of the war, a victory at Cantigny. which cost 199 American lives.

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The beautification of this monument is a project of the Seaford Wellness Council.

Seaford school budget passed

On May 15, 2018, the Seaford school board budget for the new fiscal year passed, 1,117 votes to 375.  Also permission to establish a Capital Reserve passed, 1,082 to 383.
Andrew Parisi gained 905 votes to defeat Edward Rail, who got 482 votes.
It seems that about 1,492 people voted.

Projected enrollment in various school districts

A chart in Newsday of 5.3.2018 presented various statistics about Nassau County public schools. Below are some sample enrollments. In the case of central school districts with separate elementary school districts (Sewanhaka, Valley Steam, Bellmore-Merrick), the number totals all K-12.

15,261 Sewanhaka
11,045 Bellmore-Merrick
9,327 Valley Stream
7,052 Levittown
6,741 Massapequa

2,856 Wantagh
2,262 Island Trees

2,243 Seaford
2,040 Locust Valley
1,353 Carle Place
1,169 East Rockaway

These are merely projected enrollments for the new school year.  New families sometimes arrive in late August, and some transfer to other schools or move away.