Tag Archives: 2018

Garden City, NY, USA. Nov. 24, 2018. Peppa Pig walks in atrium of Long Island Festival of Trees holiday event, an annual family fun at the Cradle of Aviation Museum on Long Island. All proceeds raised benefit the non-profit charity Cerebral Palsy Association of Nassau County, Inc.

Long Island Festival of Trees 2018

From LONG ISLAND – by Ann Parry (annparry.com)
November 28, 2018

When did Long Island’s winter holiday season arrive this year, at least for me? 

Garden City, New York, USA. November 24, 2018. The Festival of Trees, an annual family fun holiday event at the Cradle of Aviation Museum, has a free ice skating rink in the atrium. All proceeds raised - including from sale of donated decorated Christmas trees - benefit the non-profit charity Cerebral Palsy Association of Nassau County, Inc., of Long Island.(© 2018 Ann Parry/Ann-Parry.com)

Garden City, NY, USA. November 24, 2018. The Long Island Festival of Trees, an annual holiday event at the Cradle of Aviation Museum, has a free ice skating rink in the atrium.(© 2018 Ann Parry/AnnParry.com)

Not in October when witch costumes and candy canes debuted in tandem at stores. Not weeks ago when we had our first snow. It was last weekend, when the annual Long Island Festival of Trees opened at the Cradle of Aviation Museum.

The atrium had a two-story high, candy-themed Christmas tree, an elf taking visitors’ pictures with Santa, and a free ice skating rink, complete with free skates.

All proceeds raised — including from the sale of uniquely decorated Christmas trees, and Department 56 village porcelain pieces, all donated — benefited the Cerebral Palsy Association of Nassau County, Inc.

While admiring a tree decked out as an elegant peacock near the skating rink, I saw Peppa Pig stroll into view. Peppa certainly had a long walk ahead of her through the vast museum if she planned to see all the vendors, events, and decorations… though, alas, no muddy puddles *Snort* 

Cerebral Palsy of Nassau County site: CP Nassau

Long Island Festival of Trees 2018:  PHOTO GALLERY 

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Levittown, New York, USA. June 4, 2018. Debate between Congressional District 2 Democratic primary candidates Suffolk County Legislator DuWayne Gregory and Liuba Grechen Shirley, held by Seaford Wantagh Democratic Club at Levittown Hall.

Grechen Shirley & Gregory Debate: Rivals of ‘The King’

From LONG ISLAND – by Ann Parry (annparry.com)
June 6, 2018

Levittown, NY, USA. June 4, 2018. Debate between Congressional District 2 Democratic primary candidates Suffolk County Legislator DuWayne Gregory and Liuba Grechen Shirley, held by Seaford Wantagh Democratic Club at Levittown Hall.

Levittown, NY, USA. June 4, 2018. Debate between Congressional District 2 Democratic primary candidates Suffolk County Legislator DUWAYNE GREGORY and LIUBA GRECHEN SHIRLEY, at Levittown Hall. (© 2018 Ann Parry, AnnParry.com)

On June 26th, Democratic Primary voters in NY Congressional District 2 will determine which candidate – LIUBA GRECHEN SHIRLEY or Leg. DUWAYNE GREGORY – challenges the long-entrenched Republican incumbent in the midterm election.

Levittown, NY, USA. June 4, 2018. Candidate Liuba Grechen Shirley speaks during Congressional District 2 Democratic primary debate with Suffolk County Legislator DuWayne Gregory held by Seaford Wantagh Democratic Club at Levittown Hall. (© 2018 Ann Parry/Ann-Parry.com)

Levittown, NY, USA. June 4, 2018. Candidate LIUBA GRECHEN SHIRLEY speaks during NY Congressional District 2 Democratic primary debate with Suffolk County Legislator DUWAYNE GREGORY at Levittown Hall. (© 2018 Ann Parry/AnnParry.com)

Community organizer, business and non-profit leader Liuba Grechen Shirley and Suffolk County Legislator DuWayne Gregory faced each other Monday, June 4, in a debate held by the Seaford Wantagh Democratic Club at Levittown Hall.

Levittown, NY, USA. June 4, 2018. Candidate Suffolk County Legislator DuWayne Gregory speaks during Congressional District 2 Democratic primary debate with Liuba Grechen Shirley held by Seaford Wantagh Democratic Club at Levittown Hall. (© 2018 Ann Parry/Ann-Parry.com)

Levittown, NY, USA. June 4, 2018. Candidate Suffolk County Legislator DUWAYNE GREGORY speaks during NY Congressional District 2 Democratic primary debate with LIUBA GRECHEN SHIRLEY at Levittown Hall. (© 2018 Ann Parry/AnnParry.com)

The two Democrats, not surprisingly, have much more in common than not, but there are differences and points they each stressed.

Gregory is the Majority Leader of the Suffolk County Legislature, where he’s been legislator for the 15th District since 2008, compared to Grechen Shirley who hasn’t held an elected office.

Grechen Shirley’s fundraising efforts have been more successful; plus, the mother of two toddlers recently gained national attention when she became the first female congressional candidate to get FEC approval to use campaign donations for childcare when she’s working on her campaign.

The following short videos – each about 5 minutes – are Gregory’s and  Grechen Shirley’s closing statements, and give insights about the candidates and the goals each would have if elected to congress:

  • VIDEO – DuWayne Gregory’s closing statement:

  • VIDEO – Liuba Grechen Shirley’s closing statement:

The candidates most forcefully voiced opposition for their Republican opponent running for his 14th term, Rep. Pete King, a politician they agreed neither reflects the values, nor serves the needs, of his constituents well.

When an audience member asked Gregory and Grechen Shirley what would happen if he or she didn’t win the June 26th primary – each promised to support the winner’s campaign to unseat King. 

[DISCLOSURE: Photography I’ve done for Grechen Shirley has appeared elsewhere, but nowhere on this blog.]

Gregory & Grechen Shirley Debate:   PHOTO GALLERY

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