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MANHASSET PRESS - DECEMBER 25,1997 M anhasset P ress Founded 1932 Grace S. Anton, Publisher Emerittts Publication Omce: 132 East Second St, Mineola, NY 11501 Phone: (516) 747- 8282 Fax: (516) 742-^7 Web Address: wsm^ntonnemcom Karl V. Anton, Jr, Publisher and Editor in Chief Eileen Brennan, Editor Sharon Abruzzo, Reporter Ann Healy, Reporter Daniel McCue, County Correspondent Bill Dobkin, Features Editor William M. Dei^thal, Jr, General Manager Cary Seaman, General Manager Harriet Heffeman, Director of Advertising Bea Weinberg, Advertising Representative Paul Scheuer, Art Director Sheila Ferrari, Page Designer © 1997 Anion Community Newspapers f On Holiday Movies Once again this year we have the opportunity to see the old movies — A Christmas Carol (in any number of versions). Little Women (in the ‘ 30s version or last year ’ s superb version). It ’ s a Wonderful Life , Miracle on 34th Street — and once again they work their magic, moving us to smiles and tears and leaving us somehow a little better. What is it that they have in common? Surely they are very different, a story about a penurious rich man in 19th century London, about a poor clergyman ’ s family in Civil War era America, about a middle class family man in mid-20th century middle west America, about a single mother and her child in 1 940 ’ s Manhattan, They have in common the triumph of the human spirit and the pos sibility of redemption through a recognition of our common human ity. No matter what we thought of him in the beginning, we all want to cheer when Scrooge realizes that his visits with the Spirits of Christmas Past, Present and Future have all taken place in one night and he still has the opportunity to celebrate Christmas. When George Bailey decides not to jump off the bridge, but to return home and, when that return home becontes a paean to generosity, it ’ s hard not feel at least a prickle behind the eyes. When the thou sands of letters pour in to ^s Kringle we are all letter-writing chil dren once again. Because every one of these films remind us that Christmas (and, by extension, the holidays celebrated by our friends of other faiths) is about much larger concerns than what we get or even what we give. Do you remember the opening line in Little Womenl Jo says to her sisters, “ Christmas won ’ t be Christmas without presents. ’ ’ And then she finds that it surely is. So let ’ s join with Ebeneezer Scrooge when he says: “ I will honor Christmas in my heart, and try to keep it all year. ” E.F.B. J t 'V ...Everyone has lots of family pictures— mostly locked away in drawers and boxes, but I have noticed that more and more people are making what they call “ a family picture wall ’ ’ ...There are pictures of all kinds— old rotogravure brown ones with ladies in bouffant hairdos and bustles — and new ones in full color...Interspersed are often old wedding certificates, graduation diplomas, perhaps a very special picture drawn by a long-ago kindergartner with the sky and the ground far apart and a round sun with rays shooting out and a note on the bottom saying, “ I love you, Mommy ’ ’ ...And one that I have is composed of photos of each grandchild taken on Christmas day every year...The first was only two months old and there she is in one of those stretch terry red Santa suits cbmplete with cap and white pom pom looking wide-eyed at all that ’ s going on...Then there ’ s number two grandchild already six months old clutching her teddy bear and happily smiling at all the toys...and then, another girl-child enchanting in her velvet dress and big hair bow...and finally a boy at six months old and obviously puzzled by the whole affair...and after that, every year, another picture — ^growing from year to year through dolls and trains and into the teens...and finally, the oldest is joined in her Christmas photos by a gorgeous husband!!...This is a really wonderful family picture wall — but the one that shows all the generations and all the ancient ancestors is delightful as well — have one of each...Don ’ t mind putting nails in the wall — have your family before your eyes!! O pinion The World Is Not All Bad By Robert R. McMillan There are a lot of people out there who can only think in terms of what ’ s wrong — rather than what is right with our w«ld. And somehow that negative think ing seems to flow the most from those most intent on redressing the frailties of society. It is like looking at a glass of wa ter and saying it is 5 percent empty, rather than emphasizing the fact that the glass is 95 percent full. From some sermons to news broad casts, the emphasis is on the negatives surrounding us. For example, there is little doubt that there are homeless and hungry people in the world. But, to go on and on about how diey are being neglected with out specific cOTnments about the organiza tions which every day address those prob lems puts the accent on the wrong place. There is much more good in the world than evil. Remember that old song which goes, “ You ’ ve got to accentuate the posi tive and eliminate the negative. ” It really makes my point. All of us would be a great deal better off if we accentuated the positive on a more regular basis. When those seriously intent on correct ing a wrong in a community or the world only wring their hands in despair, that hardly becomes a call to positive action. I cannot understand why people focus so much on negatives when they are trying to create positive change. Yes, problems have to be identified and laid out in de tail. Unfortunately, that is where most people stop. There is rarely a positive call to specific action by those outlining the concerns. diya™, tei#Ki»ie VeHiicili™,. Le«ri J news is no news.\ It seems that good Litters to the Editor -g _ ^ '■ — \r\' • ties for local government. Throughout my temn I have worked with hundred^ of peo ple from all parts of the town to meet those challenges and take advantage of those opportunities. Whether it was creation of the town ’ s Envircmmental Thist Fund, develqrment of a coordinated effort to enhance mir wa terfront, legislation to protect trees or finding a solution to a complex traffic problem, my experience has been that the best ideas come ftair our residents. When I was elected, I believed that the town ’ s most important natural resource was our three harbors and bays. Quickly, I learned that it was actually our pet^le! Of course I was disappoint^ with the results of the election, but the ability to change government is fundamental to our system. Although I will no longer serve as a councilman, it is my firm intention to re main active. My commitment to a healthy and vibrant waterfront, a modem zoning code, a beautifiii environment and decent, affordable housing will not expire with my term. Again, thank you and my best wishes for a happy and healthy New Year. Fred L. Pollack Councilman Overwhelmed By Generosity Wfe would like to express our deepest thank you to all the generous Manhasset residents who donared children ’ s suf^lies on Sunday, Dec. 14 to the New York Soci ety for the Prevention of Cruelty to Chil- di^. The amount of donations was more than we ever expected and the Society was overwhelmed by die generosity of ourea community. Many children will start off their lives on a more positive note titanks to your efforts. Eileen P. Cuneo Seval LaRocca Suzanne O ’ L. Mills Nhmsey Park Women ’ s Club Pollack to Remain Active As my term as town councilman draws to a close, I want to thank the people of North HempstetKi for giving me the privi lege and honor of serving in that ct^acity. We live in a wonderful and vibrant community. Its diversity provides endless challenges and equally endless c^portuni- Robert McMillan co-hosts 'Face- Off onWUW and is an attorney widt McMinartf Rather, Bennett artdRiganoin Melville. Lcttere to the editor are weloMned by ti» Manhasset Press. We reserve ti»e right news doesn ’ t sell papers or boost Nielsen ratings. I wish that could change as it would mean that society is in transforma tion. There is little doubt in my mind that all of us become, to some extent, what we read and watch. Let us keep in miml. While some people are hungry, others are being fed by donations of food and the operation of soup kitchens by dedicated volunteers. While some people are homeless, others are being cared for in shelters and through the creation of affordable housing. While some people are unemployed, 95 percent of us are working. While some people are suffering from serious diseases, others are being saved through clearly the best medical delivery systems in the world. While some people are being poorly ed ucated, others are taking action to correct inadequacies in our schools. There is a great deal of good in the world, and I just wish that the good would be more regularly celebrated. Wal lowing in a pool of self-inflicted pity may make the purveyors of negativism feel good about themselves and their efforts to be critical. But, what do they achieve? Ticy only develop more hand wringers. Clearly, those who only lament the negd- -fives-mouf-seeiefy can-stir no oire to pos itive action.
