Bethpage-Tribune_2001-04-06

              C ? ! ^ ^ •* Bethp rnrwune
YOUR =^*—^ OFFICIAL HOMETOWN NEWSPAPER
VOL. 35 NO. 14 APRIL 6-12, 2001 40 Cents
/o/i» Poppe Selected As Nassau County s
Woman of the New Millennium
Joan Poppe and her husband Bob were all smiles as Joan was
presented her citation for being selected as one of Nassau County's
Women of the New Millennium. Nassau County Legislator Ed Mangano
selected Joan for her endless devotion to her community and most
importantly for her commitment to Veterans and remarked that "It
gives me great honor to present Joan Poppe with this special honor.
Joan holds a special place in my heart and I am honored to call her a
friend. Congratulations to her and Bob as welj_as her entire family."
The Poppe family was on hand to be a part of a very special tribute
to a very special and loved person.
Most people in Bethpaye know a
wonderful woman named Joan
Poppe She is truly an ama/iny lady
with endless devotion to not only
Bethpage but also to hei country
Having beef! involved with so many
organizations in town Joan has
certainly made hot mark as a
community activist Yet her /vuik
with the American I eyion I adies
AiiAinai / nas piobaniy given hoi me
most personal satisfaction as Joan is
one of the most patriotic and
devoted people one could ever meet
Whether it is selling raffles outside of
King Kullen in sub-zero
temperatures or going door to door
to local merchants to hang Memorial
Day posieis Joan just never stops
She is (ietoimined to make sure mat
no one ever forgets the brave men
I ( ontinutd on p&fs 5
Student Winners in VFW
Voice of Democracy Programs
On Monday, March 19, at Kramer Lane School, Butehorn Brothers Post
4987, Veterans of Foreign Wars of the U S , held its annual Voice of
Democracy Awards Night, honoring 35 First-, Second-, and Third-Place
winning students from eight schools - Bethpage High School, Kramer Lane
School. Charles Campagne School, Central Boulevard School, Kennedy
Middle School, and LaSalle Regional School - all in Bethpage - plus John H.
West School from Plainedge and Grace Day School from Massapequa
A total of 489 essays was submitted, 12 in Voice of Democracy, 84 in
National Youth Essay, and 393 in Local Youth Essay competitions All 489
participatants received individual Certificates of Participation from Butehorn
Brothers Post 4987 VFW
For the first time, a Bethpage First Place student in the National Youth
Essay Competition went on to win First Place at the VFWs District Level,
and from there he went to the New York State level for further judging. The
young man is Justin Pintucci, a Fifth Grader at LaSalle Regional School Post
4987 awarded plaques on behalf of District and State to Justin, whose next
step up is the National level, where the First-Place winner can take home a
$10,000 Savings Bond! We wish him all the best in his "Quest for the Gold."
VFW Post 4987 awarded certificates, cash awards, and V.O.D. medals to
a total of 35 winning students of Voice of Democracy, National and Local
Youth Essay competitions. In addition, each winner received a Citation from
New York State Senator Carl Marcellino, a Certificate of Merit from New
York State Assemblyman Steven Labriola, a Certificate of Achievement from
Nassau County Executive Tom Gulotta, a Citation from Nassau County
Controller Fred Parola, a Citation from Nassau County Clerk Karen Murphy,
a Certificate of Recognition from the Nassau County Legislature, including
Ed Mangano, Salvatore Pontillo, and Peter Schmidt, a Certificate of Merit
from the Town of Oyster Bay, represented by Town Supervisor John Venditto
and including Town Council members Angelo Delligatti, Leonard Symons,
Joseph Muscarella, Christine Preston, Bonnie Eisler, and Anthony
Macagnone
There was a good showing of elected officials, including Nassau County
Executive Tom Gulotta, who did his usual fine job as Guest Speaker
Other notables attending were Mary Ann Karageorges, President of the
Plainedge Board of Education, Michael B Mirotznik of Steven Labriola s
office, Doreen R Pennica, Legislative Assistant to Ed Mangano, Joseph
Pascarella of the Nassau County Executives office, and Gregory Carmen,
Nassau County Legislative Assistant
Also in attendance were New York State VFW Senior Vice Commander
Ben Thompson, District #1 Youth Essay Chairman Jack Stem, and Nassau
County Voice of Democracy Chairman James Hasselmann
Butehorn Brothers Post 4Q87 presented Certificates of Appreciation to
each of the eight schools participating, a plaque to Host school, Kramer Lane,
and a special plaque to our dedicated V O D judge, Rene Lesetz
As is the custom. VFW Post 4c>87 Commander Ken McDonough
opened the evening as a regular Post meeting \t\er the Pledge of
Allegiance and salute to the flag, the "meeting" was adjourned and
turned over to Bert Carlson PP(\ Voice of Democracy and Youth
Lssay Chairman, who conducted the Awards ceremonies in a Kramer
lane School Auditorium crammed with students proud families and
well-wishers ol the winning Students
(Sti I'hotui on nHN 10 O II