Bethpage-Tribune_2004-02-20

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SERVING BETHPAGE, ISLAND TREES, OLD BETHPAGE, PLAINVIEWf SEAFORD AND PLAINEDGE
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VOL. 42 NO. 4 February 29 - 26, 2004 FORTY CENTS
St. Paul Evangelical Lutheran
Church Rebuilding Project
Left to right: Dennis Brady, Gary Bretton, Ed Mangano,
Pastor Ancira, Michael Martin, Ken Martin.
On February 8th, 2004 St. Paul
Evangelical Lutheran Church
celebrated the Official Ground
Breaking of the
Remodeling/Renovation of their
Church. It has been roughly 20
months since lightning struck the
church back on June 22, 2002.
In conversations with members,
friends of the congregation and
residents of Bethpage, a number of
people have asked about the status
of St. Paul's rebuilding project. After
many unexpected delays for various
reasons, we have finally received
the last required approval to
proceed. The contractor has
completed the demolition of the
interior of the church, which was
destroyed by fire, smoke and water.
Also, many of you have noticed that
the roof over the Parish Hall has
been removed. This is in preparation
for a delivery of steel that will allow
our church to add a second floor.
Fortunately, structural damage was
minimal, but the esthetic parts of the
interior were destroyed. In addition
to the expansion, we will do work to
have our 80-year-old building
brought up to code and add some
valuable upgrades for handicap
accessibility, a sprinkler system and
most importantly, a lightning
suppression system.
The major delay now is the
weather; subfreezing temperatures,
ice and snow. Framing for the
Sunday School and various meeting
and storage rooms is in place, and
the foundation for the elevator shaft
is in place. Major work for electricity,
plumbing and heating remains to be
done before interior work can begin.
We are planning for a late
spring/early summer date for
occupying the building, and are
anxiously awaiting the day we can
once again have our services and
other activities in the rebuilt facilities.
We cannot express enough our
thanks for the outpouring of help
from many in our Bethpage
community. The Bethpage Fire
Department has graciously
permitted us to use their facilities for
our church services; St. Martin of
Tours has provided class rooms for
continuation of our Sunday School
classes; the PAL and the American
Legion have opened their facilities
for use in various meetings and
classes; the Methodist Church has
provided facilities for our Little
Gospel Lights Preschool. Many
other individuals and organizations
have provided moral and financial
support. This is, indeed, a wonderful
community. Not only do we thank
each of these people and
organizations, but especially we give
thanks to our Lord for sustaining us
throughout this ordeal, and for
providing for our needs. When our
rebuilding has been complete, we
would like to invite everyone to
come by and see what you have
helped to accomplish.
Bethpage PTA Reflections
Winners Honored
Bethpage High School PTSA
and JFK Middle School PTA
recently honored this year's winners
of the PTA National Reflections
Contest. The contest recognizes
student achievement in the arts and
literature.
Nine students from JFK Middle
School, representing three
categories, won for excellence.
They are Lauren Dean (Gr. 8-Art),
Irene Marinos (Gr. 8-Art), Vera
Fichtelberg (Gr. 8-Art), Alexandra
Soto (Gr. 6-Literature), Joan Noe
(Gr. 6-Literature), Danielle Mole (Gr.
7-Literature), Gabriella Gallo (Gr. 6-
Photography), Annie Beinberg (Gr.
6-Photography), and Melissa Rohr
(Gr. 6-Photography). Special
congratulations to Melissa, whose
entry will be judged at the state
level.
Six students from Bethpage High
School, representing two
categories, were also recognized as
winners. They are Erica Mitchell (Gr.
9-Art), Christine Scully (Gr. 9-Art),
Melissa Beretin (Gr. 9-Art), Andrea
Ong (Gr. 9-Literature), Stevie
Hochenberger (Gr. 9-Literature),
and Emily Kobel (Gr. 10-Literature).
Special congratulations to Emily,
whose entry was also selected to be
judged at the state level.
Ronny Ciarniello was the
Reflections Committee Chairperson
for both schools.
(L-R): Lauren Dean (Gr. 8-Art), Irene Marinos (Gr. 8-Art),
Vera Fichtelberg (Gr. 8-Art), Alexandra Soto (Gr. 6-Literature),
Joan Noe (Gr. 6-Literature), Gabriella Gallo (Gr. 6-
Photography), Annie Beinberg (Gr. 6-Photography), and
Melissa Rohr (Gr. 6-Photography) are congratulated by PTA
Reflections Chairperson Ronny Ciarniello. Missing from the
photo is Danielle Mole (Gr. 7-Literature).
(L-R) PTA Reflections Chairperson Ronny Ciarniello
congratulates Erica Mitchell (Gr. 9-Art), Christine Scully (Gr 9-
Art), Melissa Beretin (Gr. 9-Art), Andrea Ong (Gr. 9-Literature)
Stevie Hochenberger (Gr. 9-Literauire), and Emily Kobel (Gr
10-Literature).