From Long Island

Nunley’s Carousel Reopens with a Roar 2022

From LONG ISLAND – by Ann Parry (annparry.com)
August 27, 2022

Nunley’s Carousel site • facebook • MAP • buy tickets
till 9/11/22: Thurs. thru Sun., 11 am – 4 pm

Lion & Horses & Chariot! Oh My!

VIDEO soundtrack: Billy Joel’s ‘Waltz #1 (Nunley’s Carousel)’ on Nunley’s Carousel organ • FULL SCREEN: click lower right corner

What goes around (and around) has come around on Long Island this summer!

We can once again enjoy Nunley’s Carousel, which recently reopened after the Covid-19 pandemic forced it to close in 2020.

The official ceremony on August 16th had speeches, a ribbon-cutting, and the ultimate fun treat for all – especially the many young children and their parents – a nostalgic ride on Nunley’s Carousel’s lion, 41 horses, and chariot.

• my Photo Gallery – Nunley’s Carousel reopens
(Plus, click each photo below to see larger one.)

Garden City, N.Y., U.S. August 16, 2022. Nassau County Executive BRUCE BLAKEMAN, at center, presides over the ribbon cutting ceremony when historic Nunley’s Carousel officially reopens. (© 2022 Ann Parry/AnnParry.com)

The carousel – now under the management of the Long Island Children’s Museum – is located in the Nunley’s Carousel glass pavilion on Museum Row in Garden City, It’s between LICM and the Cradle of Aviation Museum, which previously managed the carousel.

If you’d like to ride the carousel this summer, be sure to visit by September 11th, since it will be closed from September 12 to October 4, 2022 for the Long Island Children’s Museum Fall Fix-Up.

During the ceremony, Nassau County Executive BRUCE BLAKEMAN shared childhood memories of Nunley’s.

Excerpts from his speech:

Let me tell you something, I was one of those kids that grew up at Nunley’s, and I grew up in Valley Stream, probably 4 1/2 – 5 miles from Nunley’s.

And on a Sunday, if we were really good, and my 3 sisters and brother, we would be treated to going to Nunley’s. And we would ride the roller coaster, and we’d ride the other rides.

And of course, the highlight was always the carousel, and it brings back so many childhood memories to be here today.

I just talked to so many people in the community who remember vividly the first time they went to Nunley’s and they used the carousel and they took all the rides,

And you know, this carousel right here is a real work of art. It’s over 110 years old, and the fact that we could restore it is really something special.

[….]

So I couldn’t be more pleased to be here today for the opening again of the Nunley’s Carousel, a place that brought me so many great memories, childhood memories.

I have 3 sisters and a brother. They live in Arizona now. They are gonna be so jealous when I send the photos today of that.

By the way, we got to go [to Nunley’s] if we got good grades and we behaved ourselves, so obviously my sisters got to go a lot more than I did….

Based on the laughs following Blakeman’s final comment, many related to it – I certainly did!

Among those Blakeman thanked for attending:

SUZANNE LEBLANC – Long Island Children’s Museum President
SCOTT BERMAN – Long Island Children’s Museum Board Chair
ANDREW PARTON – Cradle of Aviation Museum President
GARY GRASSO – National Carousel Association Board Member
FRAN PATERSON – Nunley family representative – the great-niece of William Nunley. (photo near end of post)
GARY FARKASH – Baldwin Historical Society President

Nunley’s Carousel Wurlitzer 153 Band Organ

When the carousel first started, I was surprised the music was a recording of Billy Joel performing his ‘Waltz #1 (Nunley’s Carousel)’ on the piano. Why wasn’t the organ playing his music?

During the ceremony, the carousel organ was set so it could only play off music rolls, not MIDI files (Musical Instrument Digital Interface files)
The midi was disconnected.
Blowers providing air for the organ were on.
The pump which provides air to play pipes, and to read the music roll as it passes over the tracker bar, was also on.
To play off the MIDI files, the pump has to be turned off, and the MIDI has to be reconnected.

I look forward to my grandchildren enjoying the full Nunley’s Carousel experience in the future: riding the magnificently carved and decorated carousel horses, lion, and chariot + hearing the carousel organ playing music.

Garden City, N.Y., U.S. August 16, 2022. L-R, BETH OBERGH, of Wantagh, and BOB STUHMER, of Garden City Park, chat when Nunley’s Carousel officially reopens. Stuhmer arranged many of the songs the carousel organ plays. Obergh took care of and operated the carousel for 11 years until all carousel employees were laid off in 2020. (© 2022 Ann Parry/AnnParry.com)

When BILLY JOEL composed ‘Waltz #1 (Nunley’s Carousel)’ he had BOB STUHMER arrange it for Nunley’s Carousel organ. Stuhmer – a member of AMICA (Automatic Musical Instrument Collectors’ Association) and COAA (Carousel Organ Association of America) – gave Nunley’s a CD of music he arranged for its organ and professionally recorded on site. ‘Waltz #1 (Nunley’s Carousel)’ is the first piece on the CD. (see above photo)

Garden City, New York, U.S. August 16, 2022. L-R, ANDREW PARTON, Cradle of Aviation Museum President • [LYNNE D’AGOSTINO, Ed.D., Long Island Children’s Museum Board Member] • SUZANNE LEBLANC, LICM President • BRUCE BLAKEMAN, Nassau County Executive • GARY GRASSO, National Carousel Association Board Member • SCOTT BERMAN, LICM Board Chair • and DARCY BELYEA, Nassau County Commissioner of Parks; pose with carousel in background when Nunley’s Carousel officially reopens. Blakeman holds Historic Carousel Award 2020 plaque presented to Nunley’s Carousel by NCA. (© 2022 Ann Parry/AnnParry.com)

Historic Carousel Award 2020

GARY GRASSO, a board member of the National Carousel Association, presented the Historic Carousel Award 2020 to Nunley’s Carousel. NCA had been waiting since the Covid-19 pandemic hit Long Island to present the plaque. (see above photo)

That’s the ticket

Get useful, updated info here: licm.org/nunleys

One ticket is $3 for members of Long Island Children Museum
One ticket is $4 for non-members
Ten-ticket packs are discounted

… and the Nunley’s Carousel experience is – wait for it – priceless!

Garden City, N.Y., U.S. August 16, 2022. FRAN PATERSON, of Poconos, Pennsylvania, represents the Nunley family when Nunley’s Carousel officially reopens. Paterson, the great-niece of William Nunley, rode the lead horse, her favorite. (© 2022 Ann Parry/AnnParry.com)

Feature Photo (at top of post): Garden City, New York, U.S. August 16, 2022. A young girl and her mother ride on horses when historic Nunley’s Carousel officially reopens. (© 2022 Ann Parry/AnnParry.com).

Nunley’s Carousel Reopens: my PHOTO GALLERY

site: licm.org/nunleys

video: vimeo.com/annparry/nunleys2022

Astronaut Sally Ride statue unveiled at Cradle of Aviation Museum

From LONG ISLAND – by Ann Parry (ann-parry.com)
June 23, 2022

Honoring America’s first woman in space

“About time! Love it” – Ellen Thomas Ehmer, former Gruman worker

Though it was near high noon on a hot day – not my favorite for capturing outdoor photos – I thoroughly enjoyed the dedication ceremony for the Sally Ride statue in front of Cradle of Aviation Museum on June 17th.

• my Photo Gallery – Sally Ride statue dedication ceremony (Plus, click each photo below to see larger one.)

Hempstead, NY, U.S. June 17, 2022. Sally Ride statue unveiled at Cradle of Aviation Museum (© 2022 Ann Parry/AnnParry.com)

Garden City, New York, U.S. June 17, 2022. Officials (on left) and students (on right) who won essay contest on Sally Ride pull ropes to uncover statue of Sally Ride during dedication ceremony at Cradle of Aviation Museum. (© 2022 Ann Parry, AnnParry.com)

The inspiring seven-foot bronze statue, titled “The First American Woman in Space,” powerfully commands the new Sally Ride Circle.

Garden City, New York, U.S. June 17, 2022. Andy Parton, President of CAM, speaks at podium in front of covered statue of astronaut Sally Ride during dedication ceremony at Cradle of Aviation Museum. (© 2022 Ann Parry, AnnParry.com)

• VIDEO: Andy Parton & Nassau County Comptroller Elaine Phillips (Read much of Phillips’ speech near end of this post):
Sally Ride statue

Garden City, New York, U.S. June 17, 2022. Officials and leaders (on left), and students (on right) who won essay contest, pull ropes to uncover statue of astronaut Sally Ride during dedication ceremony Cradle of Aviation Museum. (© 2022 Ann Parry, AnnParry.com)

Sally Ride statue

Garden City, NY, U.S. June 17, 2022. Filmmaker Steven C. Barber, the Project Manager of the statue of Sally Ride, speaks during in its dedication ceremony at Cradle of Aviation Museum. (© 2022 Ann Parry, AnnParry.com)

The Project Manager of the “The First American Woman in Space” statue is Steven Barber, a documentary filmmaker. (see above photo)

As Andy Parton, President of Cradle of Aviation Museum, said while thanking those who helped make the statue possible:

“….And, finally, a huge vote of thanks to the man who had the vision and passion to make this project work – Mr. Steve Barber….”

Garden City, NY, U.S. June 17, 2022. George Lundeen, of Lundeen Sculpture, is one of three sculptors of astronaut Sally Ride statue. They all attended its dedication ceremony at Cradle of Aviation Museum on Long Island. (© 2022 Ann Parry)

Project Manager Steven Barber introduced the 3 sculptors of Sally Ride statue – GEORGE LUNDEEN, MARK LUNDEEN, and JOEY BAINER (see above photo):

“I want to introduce, in my humble option – and they get a little embarrassed when I say this, but it is true:

These are not just the greatest sculptures in America, these are the greatest sculptures in the world, for many reasons,
the Family Lundeen, George and Mark,
who have believed in me, which is hard to do sometimes,

So anyway, their unwavering spirit has been amazing for me.

So everybody, put your hands together for George and Mark Lundeen, and master sculptor Joey Bainer, behind the tree hiding, Joey is the heir apparent….”

Garden City, NY, U.S. June 17, 2022. Alexandria Leggitt, who’s working with Barber trying to build ‘Hidden Figures’ monument, poses by the statue of Sally Ride during its dedication ceremony at Cradle of Aviation Museum. (© 2022 Ann Parry, AnnParry.com)

Project Manager Steven Barber also introduced ALEXANDRIA LEGGITT (see above photo):

“….And I do want to also mention we have a great IBM’er, an executive from IBM here, Alexandria Leggit, who has been tireless in the last 2 years.
She has been working with me trying to build the ‘Hidden Figures’ monument.

“So we want to start moving into diversity, which obviously Sally Ride is…”

Garden City, New York, U.S. June 17, 2022. Julia Lauria-Blum, the Curator of the Women Air Force Service Pilots of WWII Exhibit at American Air Power Museum, poses at statue of astronaut Sally Ride during dedication ceremony at Cradle of Aviation Museum. (© 2022 Ann Parry, AnnParry.com)

JULIA LAURIA-BLUM is another of the many accomplished women who attended the Sally Ride statue dedication ceremony. (see above photo)

Now one of the curators at the American Airpower Museum, previously Lauria-Blum was a Curatorial Assistant at the Cradle of Aviation Museum for 14 years.

Garden City, New York, U.S. June 17, 2022. At far left, Elaine Phillips, the Nassau County Comptroller – and CAM Board of Directors: Vice-Chair Anne Shybunko-Moore, and trustees Peter Stearn, Teresa Ferraro, Dr. Kishore Kuncham, and Mike Stromer – attend dedication for statue of Sally Ride at the Cradle of Aviation Museum. (© 2022 Ann Parry/AnnParry.com )

Plaque inscription on statue pedestal:

SALLY RIDE
First American Woman in Space

Commissioned by
Matson Family Foundation
Peter Diamandis: on behalf of the XPRIZE Foundation
Maria Shriver

Project Manager: Steven C. Barber

Sculptors: Mark Lundeen – Joey Bainer – George Lundeen

Dedicated June 17, 2022

Cradle of Aviation

Garden City, New York, U.S. June 17, 2022. Middle and high school student winners of an essay contest about Sally Ride pose in front of statue of Sally Ride during dedication ceremony at Cradle of Aviation Museum. (© 2022 Ann Parry, AnnParry.com)

Nassau County Comptroller Elaine Phillips’ speech:
(video of speech is near start of post)

“…So you’re probably wondering why the Comptroller of Nassau County is standing here talking to you ….

But, when I was elected this past November,
I was the first woman to be elected as the Nassau County Comptroller,
thank you, thank you, yes, and I won’t be the last

And when we actually had our inauguration ceremony here at the Cradle of Aviation,
and beforehand, I was thinking,
What do I say?

You know, I’ve been in politics for X amount of years,
I’ve been in the financial service industry for 35 years,
nobody wants to hear that

And I thought about this museum,
and I thought about women who have made first in science

And Sally Ride came to my mind,
and that day I looked at the young women in the audience
and said:

How do you become the first woman,
or the second, or the fifth, or the one-hundredth?
but how do you get ahead in life?

And the answer, one of the answers, is hard work, obviously
but it is also saying Yes when opportunity presents itself

and I will tell you, there are many times
in many of my jobs, careers in the past
Was I fully fully prepared to do the job?
the answer is No
but I said Yes

And you think about it,
Sally Ride, she didn’t grow up thinking she was going to be an astronaut, the first American woman in space

An opportunity came about,
And she applied, out of thousands and thousands of women and men

So, to the young women out in the audience,
When an opportunity comes, it’s OUR responsibility to say YES….”

FEATURE PHOTO (at top of post) – Garden City, N.Y., U.S. June 17, 2022. Statue of astronaut Sally Ride – the first American woman in space – has unveiling and dedication ceremony at the circle in front of Cradle of Aviation Museum in Long Island. (© 2022 Ann Parry/AnnParry.com)

Sally Ride Statue at CAM: my PHOTO GALLERY

CAM site: Cradle of Aviation Museum

Sculptors: Lundeen Sculpture • @lundeensculpture

Steven C. Barber: @StevenWhartonBarber

Space.com article: space.com/astronaut-sally-ride-statue-cradle-aviation

• click COMMENT to reply to this post

2015 PHOTO: Below, see the metal sculpture (at left) previously in front of Cradle of Aviation Museum:

Farewell to Animodules, Agents of Peace, at Manes Center

From LONG ISLAND – by Ann Parry (annparry.com)
October 11, 2019

When my daughter Laurie and I attended the ANIMODULES Farewell Reception and Founders Talk at the Nassau County Museum of Art last month, I was revisiting the sculptures, and she was seeing the artistic Agents of Peace for the first time.

Click each photo below to see another image

Roslyn, New York, U.S. September 13, 2019. LAURIE GRAB poses in front of large butterfly Animodules at ANIMODULES Agents of Peace exhibit Farewell Reception and Founders' talk by GARY BARAT and CHANDRI BARAT, at the Nassau County Museum of Art's Manes Art & Education Center, named for Dr. HARVEY MANES, who was in attendance and spearheaded the exhibit. (© 2019 Ann Parry/Ann-Parry.com)

Roslyn, NY, U.S. Sept.13, 2019. LAURIE GRAB poses in front of large butterfly Animodules at ANIMODULES Agents of Peace exhibit Farewell Reception and Founders’ Talk at Manes Center, Nassau County Museum of Art. (© 2019 Ann Parry/AnnParry.com) [ RELATED IMAGE ]

GARY BARAT and CHANDRI BARAT, the founders of the non-profit Barat Foundation, each spoke .

Roslyn, New York, U.S. September 13, 2019. L-R, Dr. HARVEY MANES and GARY BARAT are at ANIMODULES Agents of Peace exhibit Farewell Reception and Founders' talk by Gary Barat and Chandri Barat, at the Nassau County Museum of Art's Manes Art & Education Center, named for Dr. Manes, who spearheaded the exhibit. (Ann Parry/Ann Parry, ann-parry.com)

Roslyn, NY, U.S. Sept. 13, 2019. L-R, Dr. HARVEY MANES and GARY BARAT are at ANIMODULES Agents of Peace exhibit Farewell Reception and Founders’ Talk, at Manes Center, Nassau County Museum of Art. (© 2019 Ann Parry/AnnParry.com) [ RELATED IMAGE ]

NCMA

Roslyn, New York, U.S. September 13, 2019. CHANDRI BARAT speaks at ANIMODULES Agents of Peace exhibit Farewell Reception and Founders' talk by Gary Barat and Chandri Barat, at the Nassau County Museum of Art's Manes Art & Education Center, named for Dr. HARVEY MANES, who was in attendance and spearheaded the exhibit. (© 2019 Ann Parry/AnnParry.com)

Roslyn, NY, U.S. Sept. 13, 2019. CHANDRI BARAT speaks at ANIMODULES exhibit Farewell Reception and Founders’ Talk at Manes Center, Nassau County Museum of Art. (© 2019 Ann Parry/AnnParry.com) [ RELATED IMAGE ]

NCMA

Roslyn, New York, U.S. September 13, 2019. GARY BARAT speaks at ANIMODULES Agents of Peace exhibit Farewell Reception and Founders' talk by Gary Barat and Chandri Barat, at the Nassau County Museum of Art's Manes Art & Education Center, named for Dr. HARVEY MANES, who was in attendance and spearheaded the exhibit. (Ann Parry/Ann Parry, ann-parry.com)

Roslyn, NY, U.S. Sept. 13, 2019. GARY BARAT speaks at ANIMODULES Agents of Peace exhibit Farewell Reception and Founders’ Talk, at Manes Center, Nassau County Museum of Art. (© 2019 Ann Parry/AnnParry.com) [ RELATED IMAGE ]

The Manes Art & Education Center is named for Dr. HARVEY MANES, who spearheaded the exhibit and also spoke at the event.

Roslyn, New York, U.S. September 13, 2019. L-R, GARY BARAT and Dr. HARVEY MANES discuss large outdoor dragon Animodules at ANIMODULES Agents of Peace exhibit Farewell Reception and Founders' talk by Gary Barat and Chandri Barat at the Nassau County Museum of Art's Manes Art & Education Center, named for Dr. Manes, who spearheaded the exhibit. (Ann Parry/Ann Parry, ann-parry.com)

Roslyn, NY, U.S. Sept. 13, 2019. L-R, GARY BARAT and Dr. HARVEY MANES discuss large outdoor dragon Animodules at ANIMODULES Agents of Peace exhibit Farewell Reception and Founders’ Talk at Manes Center, Nassau County Museum of Art. (© 2019 Ann Parry/AnnParry.com) [ RELATED IMAGE ]

In 2013, Mayor Cory Booker issued a Proclamation declaring the Barat Foundation Animodules as the the official Peace Ambassador of the City of Newark, as they represent a powerful vision of community unity and peace.

Roslyn, New York, U.S. September 13, 2019. Dr. HARVEY MANES is at ANIMODULES Agents of Peace exhibit Farewell Reception and Founders' talk by Garty Barat and Chandri Barat, at the Nassau County Museum of Art's Manes Art & Education Center, named for Dr. Manes, who spearheaded the exhibit. (Ann Parry/Ann Parry, ann-parry.com)

Roslyn, NY, U.S. Sept. 13, 2019. Dr. HARVEY MANES is at ANIMODULES Agents of Peace exhibit Farewell Reception and Founders’ talk, at Manes Center, Nassau County Museum of Art. (© 2019 Ann Parry/AnnParry.com) [ RELATED IMAGE ]

- Click each photo to see another image

While passing a studio on my way out, I saw MERYL FEUER with an ethereal crown of paper cranes, a symbol of peace. The dozens of small birds formed the airy mobile suspended from the ceiling above her.

Roslyn, New York, U.S. September 13, 2019. Visitor is at ANIMODULES Agents of Peace exhibit Farewell Reception and Founders' talk by Gary Barat and Chandri Barat, at the Nassau County Museum of Art's Manes Art & Education Center, named for Dr. Harvey Manes, who was in attendance and spearheaded the exhibit. (Ann Parry/Ann Parry, ann-parry.com)

Roslyn, NY, U.S. Sept. 13, 2019. MERYL FEUER attends ANIMODULES Agents of Peace exhibit Farewell Reception and Founders’ Talk at Manes Center, Nassau County Museum of Art. (© Ann Parry/AnnParry.com) [ DIFFERENT VERSION ]

FEATURE PHOTO at top of post: Roslyn, New York, U.S. September 13, 2019. L-R, Dr. HARVEY MANES and GARY BARAT discuss dragon Animodule sculpture during ANIMODULES Agents of Peace exhibit Farewell Reception and Founders’ Talk at the Manes Center, Nassau County Museum of Art.

Animodules Reception, Manes Center: my PHOTO GALLERY

Barat Foundation: Animodules Agents of Peace

Nassau County Museum of Art: Site • Join

Animodules exhibit also in 7/2019 post

Aurora Borealis at Nassau County Museum of Art

From LONG ISLAND – by Ann Parry (ann-parry.com)
August 10, 2019

Energy: The Power of Art

Last week I had a heavenly time during my first visit to the “Energy: The Power of Art” exhibit at the Nassau County Museum of Art on the Gold Coast of Long Island.

VIDEO: “Aurorae” by Miya Ando [music: “53 Mirrors” by Jeff Oster]

Above video has photos & video of “Aurorae” (2019) by Miya Ando (1978).

As soon as I arrived, I watched an hour PBS documentary about aurora borealis.

Roslyn, N.Y., U.S. Aug. 4, 2019. Visitor walks around MIYA ANDO’s ‘Aurorae’ aurrora borealis installation at Energy: The Power of Art Exhibit at the Nassau County Museum of Art. (© 2019 Ann Parry/AnnParry.com)

Then I lingered long in the Mrs. Vincent de Roulet Gallery with artist MIYA ANDO‘s atmospheric “Aurorae” – her aurora borealis installation commissioned by the Nassau County Museum of Art.

“Aurorae” – an imposing 238 x 120 x 120 inches – is delicate hand painted fabric hanging from a spiral of aluminum suspended from the high ceiling.

Energy: The Power of Art

Roslyn, N.Y., U.S. Aug. 4, 2019. ARTHUR CARTER‘S sculpture ‘Continuous Elliptical Loops’ (stainless steel, 42.5″ x 37″ x26″) is on display at Energy: The Power of Art Exhibit at the Nassau County Museum of Art. (© 2019 Ann Parry/AnnParry.com)

Energy: The Power of Art

Roslyn, N.Y., U.S. Aug. 4, 2019. At left, ARTHUR CARTER‘S sculpture ‘Continuous Elliptical Loops’ (stainless steel, 42.5″ x 37″ x26″) is on display at Energy: The Power of Art Exhibit at the Nassau County Museum of Art. (© 2019 Ann Parry/AnnParry.com)

Energy: The Power of Art

Such haunting lights on Long Island’s North Shore.

fyi fLI: Lorinda “Linda” de Roulet (b. 1931/32), née Payson, of Manhasset, is Mrs. Vincent de Roulet. The “New York Times” called her “First Lady of the Mets” when she bought the baseball franchise in 1978.

NCMA ENERGY: my PHOTO GALLERY

Aurorae video: vimeo.com/annparry/aurorae

site: MiyaAndo.com

Nassau County Museum of Art: Site • Join

Moon Fest at Cradle of Aviation: The Eagle has landed

From LONG ISLAND – by Ann Parry (ann-parry.com)
July 30, 2019

During the July 20th Moon Fest Countdown at Cradle of Aviation Museum, visitors filled all three levels of the vast atrium to watch the re-enactment of the Eagle – the 1969 Apollo 11 lunar module – land on the Moon at 4:17 p.m EDT.

Before the Countdown there was a wide variety of activities. My two young grandchildren, who went with their mom, enjoyed building bottle rockets, riding “Moon buggies” outside, and more.

The NY Avengers

Garden City, NY, U.S. July 20, 2019. At right is SAMANTHA CATALANO as Captain Marvel, at left wearing red jacket is DOM CHARLAND as Peter Quill or Star-Lord, and upper right with red hair and green face is EYLIZA MORCIGLIO as Gamora – three Marvel super heroes in The NY Avengers non profit cosplay group, during Moon Fest Apollo at 50 Countdown Celebration at Cradle of Aviation Museum in Long Island. (© 2019 Ann Parry/Ann-Parry.com)

When the NY Avengers, a non profit group of cosplayers, were announced, a large group of visitors gathered at the stage.

There were loud cheers as Peter Quill, or Star Lord, portrayed by DOM CHARLAND, announced the super heroes, including Captain Marvel, portrayed by SAMANTHA CATALANO, who founded the group

Garden City, New York, U.S. July 20, 2019. The NY Avengers non profit cosplay Group, and visitors are on stage during Moon Fest Apollo at 50 Countdown Celebration happening at Cradle of Aviation Museum in Long Island. (© 2019 Ann Parry/Ann-Parry.com)

Celebrating Role of Long Islanders in Apollo 11

Click photo below to see more officials & Cradle of Aviation Museum family:

Garden City, New York, U.S. July 20, 2019. L-R, ALAN CONTESSA, Nassau County Executive LAURA CURRAN, ERNEST FINAMORE, TOM RUHLE (wearing space suit), and visitor SUE MOLLER holding child looking up at astronaut helmet, are at Moon Fest Apollo at 50 Countdown Celebration at Cradle of Aviation Museum in Long Island. Contessa and Finamore worked for Grumman on Apollo 11 mission. (© 2019 Ann Parry/Ann-Parry.com)

Garden City, NY, U.S. July 20, 2019. L-R, ALAN CONTESSA, Nassau County Executive LAURA CURRAN, ERNEST FINAMORE, TOM RUHLE (wearing space suit), and visitor SUE MOLLER holding child looking up at astronaut helmet, are at Moon Fest Apollo at 50 Countdown Celebration at Cradle of Aviation Museum in Long Island. Contessa and Finamore worked for Grumman on Apollo 11 mission. (© 2019 Ann Parry/Ann-Parry.com)

NASA Space Shuttle Astronauts

Three NASA Space Shuttle Astronauts helped make Moon Fest special: CHARLIE CAMARKA, BOB CENKER, and BILL SHEPHERD.

After BILL SHEPHERD presented a lecture in the Red Planet Cafe, he autographed JOEY CASABIANCA‘s cast that Joey’s mom decorated with an Apollo 50 design.

Click photo below to see Bill Shepherd with Casabianca brothers Joey & Michael:

Garden City, NY, U.S. July 20, 2019. JOSEPH (JOEY) CASABIANCA, 13, of Wantagh, shows his foot cast signed by Space Shuttle astronaut Bill Shepherd and decorated by Joey’s mom with Apollo 50 design, at Moon Fest Apollo at 50 Countdown Celebration at Cradle of Aviation Museum in Long Island. (© 2019 Ann Parry/Ann-Parry.com)

CAM

Garden City, New York, U.S. July 20, 2019. At center, NASA Space Shuttle astronaut BOB CENKER poses with, at left, LUCY DEEGAN, 8, and MEREDITH DEEGAN, both of Swords, a town near Dublin, Ireland, at the Moon Fest Apollo at 50 Countdown Celebration at Cradle of Aviation Museum in Long Island. (© 2019 Ann Parry/Ann-Parry.com)

Garden City, NY, U.S. July 20, 2019. At center, NASA Space Shuttle astronaut BOB CENKER poses with, at left, LUCY DEEGAN, 8, and MEREDITH DEEGAN, both of Swords, a town near Dublin, Ireland, at the Moon Fest Apollo at 50 Countdown Celebration at Cradle of Aviation Museum in Long Island. (© 2019 Ann Parry/Ann-Parry.com)

CAM

Garden City, NY, U.S. July 20, 2019. L-R, NASA Space Shuttle astronaut CHARLIE CAMARDA poses with DASHIELL CHEN, 13, at the Moon Fest Apollo at 50 Countdown Celebration at Cradle of Aviation Museum in Long Island. Camarda was in a summer program, for middle school STEM students, at Mount San Antonio Community College in California. © 2019 (Ann Parry/Ann-Parry.com)

Garden City, NY, U.S. July 20, 2019. L-R, NASA Space Shuttle astronaut CHARLIE CAMARDA poses with DASHIELL CHEN, 13, at Moon Fest Apollo at 50 Countdown at Cradle of Aviation Museum. Camarda was in a summer program for middle school STEM students, at Mount San Antonio Community College, California. © 2019 (Ann Parry/Ann-Parry.com)

CAM

Garden City, NY, U.S. July 20, 2019. L-R, NASA Space Shuttle astronaut BILL SHEPHERD, ADRIANA IACONO, 6, of Franklin Square, and Space Shuttle astronaut CHARLIE CAMARDA, are at the astronaut autographing table, at Moon Fest Apollo at 50 Countdown Celebration at Cradle of Aviation Museum in Long Island. (© 2019 Ann Parry/Ann-Parry.com)

The (1/3 Scale) Eagle Has Landed

Countdown began at 4:00, and 17 minutes later a 1/3-scale replica of the LEM descended from the ceiling and touched down on the ground floor at the same time the Eagle landed on the Moon 50 years earlier.

Click photo below to see model of The Eagle lunar module after it landed:

Garden City, NY, U.S. July 20, 2019. Visitors look down from high landing on the 3rd floor staircase near the 1/3 scale model of Apollo 11 Lunar Module The Eagle suspended from ceiling and ready to descend at exact time Apollo 11 Lunar Module landed on the Moon 50 years ago, at Apollo at 50 Countdown Celebration at Cradle of Aviation Museum. (© 2019 Ann Parry/Ann-Parry.com)

Garden City, NY, U.S. July 20, 2019. Visitors look down from landing on 3rd floor staircase near 1/3 scale model of Apollo 11 Lunar Module The Eagle suspended from ceiling and ready to descend at exact time Apollo 11 Lunar Module landed on Moon 50 years ago, at Apollo at 50 Countdown Celebration at Cradle of Aviation Museum. (© 2019 Ann Parry/Ann-Parry.com)

CAM

Garden City, New York, U.S. July 20, 2019. At top, New York State Senator KEVIN THOMAS poses with children from Westbury who attended Moon Fest Apollo at 50 Countdown Celebration at Cradle of Aviation Museum in Long Island, held during same time Apollo 11 Lunar Module landed on the Moon 50 years ago. (© 2019 Ann Parry/Ann-Parry.com)

Garden City, NY, U.S. July 20, 2019. At top, New York State Senator KEVIN THOMAS poses with children from Westbury who attended Moon Fest Apollo at 50 Countdown Celebration at Cradle of Aviation Museum in Long Island, held during same time Apollo 11 Lunar Module landed on the Moon 50 years ago. (© 2019 Ann Parry/Ann-Parry.com)

1960s Room: CBS News Coverage of Moon Landing

A few days later I returned to visit the 1960s style living room with CBS news coverage of the Apollo 11 Moon landing playing on the tube TV with rabbit ear antenna, a neon orange couch and neon green chairs, a Woodstock poster, and Pink Floyd poster with psychedelic art. The dog sleeping in the pet bed was a nice live-in touch.

Garden City, New York, U.S. July 25, 2019. L-R, father BILL WALSH and mother KATE WALSH of Port Jefferson, and son KEVIN WALSH of Miller Place, sit on sofa in American 60s style living room, while watching CBS Apollo 11 news coverage on a tube TV set, with simulation of July 20, 1969, lunar module Moon Landing. The Cradle of Aviation Museum set was for its recent Apollo 11 Countdown on the 50th Anniversary of man first walking on the moon. (© 2019 Ann Parry/Ann-Parry.com)

Garden City, NY, U.S. July 25, 2019. L-R, father BILL WALSH and mother KATE WALSH of Port Jefferson, and son KEVIN WALSH of Miller Place, sit on sofa in American 60s style living room, while watching CBS Apollo 11 news coverage on tube TV set, with simulation of July 20, 1969, lunar module Moon Landing. Cradle of Aviation Museum set was for its Apollo 11 Countdown on 50th Anniversary of Moon Landing. (© 2019 Ann Parry/Ann-Parry.com)

News Photos of Apollo at 50 Anniversary, Cradle of Aviation Museum

The NY Avengers Instagram: nyavengers

Gotham Geek Girl: The Avengers of NY Assemble at Cradle-Con

site: Cradle of Aviation Museum

Nassau County Museum of Art: Reflections on Times & Space

From LONG ISLAND – by Ann Parry (ann-parry.com)
July 16, 2019

Deciding to take advantage of the nice-in-the-shade weather the first weekend in July, my friend Bob and I went to the Nassau County Museum of Art on Sunday, the last day of its “That 80s Show” exhibit. I also looked forward to seeing Animodules at the Manes Center, and new outdoor sculptures by conceptual artist Marko Remec.

Roslyn, New York, U.S. July 7, 2019. [NOTE: YELLOW filter added to image] “Vertebrate Progression (Field Totem)” outdoor sculpture of domed mirrors was created and installed by artist Marko Remec near the Manes Center at the Nassau County Museum of Art, which commissioned the work. (© 2019 Ann Parry/Ann-Parry.com)

Roslyn, New York, U.S. July 7, 2019. [yellow filter added to image] “Vertebrate Progression (Field Totem)” outdoor sculpture of domed mirrors was created and installed by artist Marko Remec near the Manes Center at the Nassau County Museum of Art, which commissioned the work. (© 2019 Ann Parry/Ann-Parry.com)

Click each photo to see a different, related image

After parking, we walked up the path leading to the Saltzman Fine Art Building, when I saw Pamela, a friend and fellow photographer, a few yards away from us, chatting with someone as they headed toward the parking lot.

Roslyn, New York, U.S. July 7, 2019. PAMELA WALDROUP poses next to bronze sculpture “Girl on a Bicycle “(1964) by Bruno Lucchesi, on the grounds of the Nassau County Museum of Art, Long Island. (© 2019 Ann Parry, Ann-Parry.com)

After getting Pamela’s attention, we laughed… for ever since the exhibit opened, we’d planned to see it, but weather and scheduling conflicts got in our way. Now, serendipity had landed us at the same space at the same time, so we could at least capture a few photos by the “Girl on a Bicycle” (1964) sculpture by Bruno Lucchesi.

That 80s Show

Roslyn, New York, U.S. July 7 2019. During last day of “That 80s Show” exhibit at Nassau County Museum of Art, visitors are in gallery, with paintings from left to right: “Toward the Brightest Light,” 1986, by Julian Schnabel (b. 1951); (at center) “Southern Comfort, “1984, by Sandro Chia (b. 1946); “The Human Comedy, 1987, by Annette Lemieux (b. 1957); (above mantel) “Easter Painting,” 1982, by Gregory Amenoff (b. 1948). (© 2019 Ann Parry/Ann-Parry.com)

After renewing my membership, I entered a spacious gallery hung with five huge paintings and a few smaller, though not small, ones. [See above photo]

Since the gallery was part of the “That 80s Show” exhibit, it wasn’t chance the artists and I shared birthdays within about ten years of each other.

Two of the artists died at tragically young ages, and, as I feared, it was of tragically times-related causes. Jean-Michel Basquiat was only 27 when he died in 1984 of a heroin overdose. Tseng Kwong Chil was only 40 when he died in 1990 of an AIDS-related illness – which, near the same time, stole my much missed, musically gifted brother in his thirties.

Roslyn, New York, U.S. July 7, 2019. Visitor looks at artwork from Men in the Cities series by Robert Longo (b. 1953). From L-R, the first 3 are Untitled, analog silver gelatin prints, 20 x 16 inches; at extreme right is “Men in the Cities: Eric,” (1983), lithograph on rag paper, 71 1/2 x 35 7/8 inches. (© 2019 Ann Parry/Ann-Parry.com)

More than once, I was struck how visitors looking at artwork impacted, even transformed, the experience. The above photo of a man looking at works from the “Men in the Cities” series by Robert Longo is one example, and a different man near a different lithograph by Robert Longo is another.

Animodules

Roslyn, New York, U.S. July 7, 2019. The Wolf Animodule is on display at the exhibition of Animodules, an urban art form of nonviolent superheroes, at the Manes Center at Nassau County Museum of Art on Long Island. (© 2019 Ann Parry/Ann-Parry.com)

Animodules – an original urban art form of nonviolent super heroes – were on display both inside and outside the Manes Center. They filled the large room with a positive, vibrant energy.

These Agents of Peace were first created at the Barat Foundation, a non profit in Newark, New Jersey.

Animodules Mission: “Transforming lives and communities through collaborative public art to promote peace, social justice, diversity, and beautification of public space.”

Roslyn, New York, U.S. July 7, 2019. Commissioned Artist Animodules - 13 inches, handp-painted on aluminum by artists of the Bridge Art Gallery - are inside display case at the exhibition of Animodules, an urban artform, at the Manes Center at Nassau County Museum of Art, on Long Island. (© 2019 Ann Parry/Ann-Parry.com)

Roslyn, New York, U.S. July 7, 2019. Commissioned Artist Animodules – 13 inches, hand-painted on aluminum by artists of the Bridge Art Gallery – are inside display case at the exhibition of Animodules, an urban art form, at the Manes Center at Nassau County Museum of Art, on Long Island. (© 2019 Ann Parry/Ann-Parry.com)

This is the first museum exhibition for Animodules, and it runs through to September 15, 2019.

Final Reflections

Roslyn, New York, U.S. July 7, 2019. “Vertebrate Progression (Field Totem)” outdoor sculpture of domed mirrors was created and installed by artist Marko Remec near the Manes Center at the Nassau County Museum of Art, which commissioned the work. (© 2019 Ann Parry/Ann-Parry.com)

Perhaps in part because I’m fond of (literally) shiny things, I’m a fan of Marko Remec’s three outdoor sculptures commissioned by the Nassau County Museum of Art.

Remec’s “The Vertebrate Progression (Field Totem)” was a short make-your-own-path walk from the Manes Center, and typically would be viewed from the road, where one wouldn’t notice a couple of dome mirrors were damaged and some were removed from the end.

The convex dome mirrors of the other two sculptures – the 26-foot-tall “Would That I Wish For (Tall Totem)” [see feature photo at top of this post] and the horizontal “NYET” – were fine off the ground on well-beaten paths.

Even if the sweaty-in-the-open-field weather didn’t stop me from spending quite as much time as I’d like to capture far and close up views of the Field Totem, I’d want to return with my Nikon during each of the seasons.

Roslyn, New York, U.S. July 7, 2019. Close up of part of “Vertebrate Progression (Field Totem)” outdoor sculpture of dome mirrors, which was created and installed by artist Marko Remec near the Manes Center at the Nassau County Museum of Art. (Ann Parry/Ann Parry, ann-parry.com)

Roslyn, New York, U.S. July 7, 2019. Close up of part of “Vertebrate Progression (Field Totem)” outdoor sculpture of dome mirrors, created and installed by artist Marko Remec near the Manes Center at the Nassau County Museum of Art. (© 2019 Ann Parry/Ann-Parry.com)

Feature Photo at top of post: Roslyn, New York, U.S. July 7, 2019. “Would That I Wish For (Tall Totem)” 26-foot-tall sculpture was created, and installed in front of the Arnold and Joan Saltzman Fine Art Building, by artist Marko Remec, at the Nassau County Museum of Art, which commissioned the work.

NCMA Reflections: PHOTO GALLERY

Nassau County Museum of Art: Site • Join

Barat Foundation: Animodules Agents of Peace

Andrew Chaikin: Over the Moon about Space

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From LONG ISLAND – by Ann Parry (ann-parry.com)
May 30, 2019

VIDEO 1 [00:21] Chaikin’s favorite quote:

An Evening with Andrew Chaikin, at the Cradle of Aviation Museum, Thursday, May 23, began with refreshments near the “LEM” room, home of the actual Apollo LM-13 lunar excursion module built for the cancelled Apollo 18 mission.

What a great setting for photos of the bestselling author of “A Man on the Moon: Voyages of the Apollo Astronauts”!

And when asked if I wanted him to go on the surface of the (simulated) moon – the first time anyone offered that in all the years I captured photos there – I was so surprised I blurted out, “Are you sure it’s okay?” He smiled and good-naturedly assured me he had permission.

Garden City, New York, USA. May 23, 2019. At left, author ANDREW CHAIKIN takes a selfie with ALAN CONTESSA, who worked on the real Apollo 11 lunar module, as they stand in front of the genuine Lunar Module LM-13, built for cancelled Apollo 18 mission.

Garden City, New York, USA. May 23, 2019. At left, ANDREW CHAIKIN takes a selfie with ALAN CONTESSA, who worked on the Apollo 11 lunar module, as they stand in front of the genuine Lunar Module LM-13, built for cancelled Apollo 18 mission. (© 2019 Ann Parry/Ann-Parry.com)

After capturing photos of Chaikin at LM-13, I saw a few guests come in, including Alan Contessa, who, as a 22-year-old Grumman employee in 1969, was responsible for making and installing the gold silver thermal foil covering the lower part of Apollo 11’s lunar excursion module LM-5, the “Eagle” of “The Eagle has landed” fame.

My favorite LM area photo of the evening shows Chaikin taking a selfie with Contessa as they’re standing in front of the LM-13 thermal foil, which Contessa, as a volunteer, worked on for the Cradle of Aviation display.

Soon it was time to go to the JetBlue Sky Theater Planetarium, for Chaikin’s talk about growing up on Long Island and interviewing Apollo astronauts.

VIDEO 2 [44:10] Chaikin’s talk:
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Chaikin became obsessed with space when he was five, and he was 12 when he met his first NASA astronaut, Alan Bean, who later became his dear friend and mentor.

Young Chaikin literally dreamed of meeting Neil Armstrong and getting his autograph. During a trip with his parents to Washington DC in 1971, he found out Armstrong was working at NASA Headquarters. The second time Chaikin went to HQ, he ran into Armstrong in the hallway, where the astronaut signed an autograph for him, and then took a selfie of the two of them.

As adults, they got to know each other as friends, and in 2002 Chaikin’s wife Victoria Kohl took a picture of Armstrong and Chaikin, who was holding that 1971 selfie.

Chaikin, an animated, knowledgable, and fascinating speaker – and I’m not saying that just because we have the same birthday – talked about the Apollo 11 mission in great detail, with photos and videos projected on the huge screen behind him. NOTE: Video 2 above includes most of Chaiken’s talk.

During the Q&A, the first guest called on asked if Chaikin thought the [2018 biographical drama] movie “First Man” portrayed astronaut Neil Armstrong accurately. The audience laughed when Chaikin quickly answered, “Not at all….”

The evening ended with the CNN Films documentary “APOLLO 11,” but I had to leave before it ran on the giant curved screen, so I returned to the IMAX theater with a friend to see the film that Sunday afternoon.

Walking up and up and up the theater stairs, we turned into the second row from the top, sat down, and enjoyed the awe-inspiring, newly unearthed views of the Apollo 11 astronauts, support teams, and the mission itself.

Feature Photo at top of post: Garden City, NY, USA. May 23, 2019. At left, ANDREW PARTON, Pres. of the Cradle of Aviation Museum introduces, at right, author ANDREW CHAIKIN in the museum’s JetBlue Sky Theater Planetarium.

Andrew Chaikin at Cradle of Aviation: MY GALLERY

Video 1 – Chaikin’s Favorite Quote: vimeo.com/annparry/chaikinquote
Video 2 – Chaikin’s Talk: vimeo.com/annparry/chaikintalk

CradleofAviation.org
AndrewChaikin.com
Vanity Fair article on documentary “Apollo 11”

Nunley’s Carousel Mural: Next Stop, Baldwin!

From LONG ISLAND – by Ann Parry (annparry.com)
March 15, 2019

Photo Video with carousel music captures historic Nunley’s Carousel Mural Unveiling in Garden City, on Saturday night, March 9th:

It’s not surprising that well over a hundred children and adults flocked to Nunley’s Carousel Pavilion for the Mural Unveiling Ceremony, and the free refreshments and carousel rides.

My parents brought my brothers and me to Nunley’s to ride the carousel, play miniature golf, and have pizza during the late 1950’s to 1960’s.

My daughters’ dad and I brought them to Nunley’s during its last ten years in Baldwin.

My grandson and granddaughter have each had a birthday party at Nunley’s Carousel in Museum Row in Garden City.

And that’s just a glimpse of how Nunley’s Carousel touched one multi-generational Long Island family.…

Garden City, New York, USA. March 9, 2019. L-R, CAYLA KEMPF and her mom COLETTE KEMPF, from Maspeth, Queens, are riding carousel horses during Unveiling Ceremony of Nunley’s Carousel mural. The Kempf family is related to a silent partner of the carousel’s original owners, of Murphy’s Carousel Company. (© 2019 Ann Parry/AnnParry.com)

Michael White

Artist Michael White, a Baldwinite, shared memories of Nunley’s and explained he chose to paint a closeup of the carousel’s lead horse – which wears a striking red, white and blue banner on its shoulder, and red roses in its mane – because the acrylic mural is 7 feet tall and about 5 feet wide, so including a vast scene such as the whole carousel wouldn’t make sense.

In Fit Shape

The mural has an uncommon shape – at first glance it looks like a rectangle, but it isn’t.

The mural’s base is wider than its top, and they’re parallel.

Its sides aren’t parallel, but are equal in length, and have equal angles where they reach the bottom.

In short, with the help of two long words, the mural is an isosceles trapezoid.

White’s acrylic equine needs to be that shape to fit the permanent home it’s heading to soon.

Baldwin Bound

This spring, the mural is scheduled for an outdoor installation on a trestle pillar of the Baldwin LIRR Train Station, only a 1/3 mile from the location of Nunley’s Carousel & Amusement Park in Baldwin from 1940-1995.

If my brothers and I, or if my daughters, had headed northwest after a visit to Nunley’s Carousel in Baldwin, we could have walked to the Baldwin Station in the time it takes to play the above video twice.

Garden City, New York, USA. March 9, 2019. LAURA CURRAN, the Nassau County Executive, rides Nunley’s Carousel carved wood lion during mural unveiling ceremony of Nunley’s Carousel horse.(© 2019 Ann Parry/AnnParry.com)

On the Carousel of Time

County, town, and state elected officials; Baldwin non-profit organization officers and members, and LIRR rep attending the mural unveiling included:

Nassau County Executive Laura Curran
Nassau County Legislator Debra Mulé
Town of Hempstead Supervisor Laura Gillen
NYS Assemblywoman Judy Griffin

Baldwin Civic Association (BCA) reps included:
President Darien Ward
Corresponding Secretary Susan Cools
Beautification Committee Chair Rita Cavanagh

Baldwin Historical Society President Gary Farkash

LIRR Community Relations Representative Vanessa Lockel

During the mural unveiling ceremony, many of the above shared their memories, from those decades ago to recently, of Nunley’s Carousel.

Some people in Video at beginning of post (click name to see a photo):

Joanne Adams	Judy Griffin	Cayla Kempf
Rita Cavanagh	Kelley Hochheiser	Colette Kempf
John Cools	Maureen Lennon	Andrew Obergh
Susan Cools	Vanessa Lockel	Beth Obergh
Jean Smyth-Crocetto	Liam McGuire	Bob Stuhmer
Laura Curran	Karen Montalbano	Darien Ward
Gary Farkash	Gary Monti	Michael White
Laura Gillen	Debra Mulé

Feature Photo at top of post: Garden City, NY, USA. March 9, 2019. Rita Cavanagh (Baldwin Civic Assoc. Beautification Committee Chair) and Darien Ward (BCA President) look at mural that Ward and artist Michael White just uncovered at Unveiling Ceremony, at Nunley’s Carousel Pavilion.

Nunley’s Carousel Mural photos: PHOTO GALLERY

my video: Nunley’s Carousel Mural

Sites:

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

Astronaut Mike Massimino: From Long Island to Space

From LONG ISLAND – by Ann Parry (ann-parry.com)
June 24, 2018

Garden City, NY, USA. June 21, 2018. L-R, JOSHUA STOFF, Curator of Cradle of Aviation Museum; astronaut MICHAEL MASSIMINO; ANDREW PARTON, Executive Director of CAM; and GREG SANTI, Human Resources Manager at Curtiss Wright, pose at 10th Annual Luncheon. (© 2018 Ann Parry/Ann-Parry.com)

Garden City, NY, USA. June 21, 2018. L-R, Josh Stoff, Curator of Cradle of Aviation Museum; astronaut Mike Massimino; Andy Parton, Exec. Director of CAM; and Greg Santi, HR Manager at Curtiss-Wright, pose with illustration of Massimino. (© 2018 Ann Parry/Ann-Parry.com)

NASA space shuttle astronaut MICHAEL J. MASSIMINO – Franklin Square’s inspiring and fun space ambassador – captivated three audiences this Wednesday, June 21, at the Cradle of Aviation Museum: during its 10th Annual Luncheon, a small group Meet & Greet, and a free lecture at the JetBlue Sky Theater Planetarium.

VIDEO of Massimino’s 8-minute acceptance speech:

Air & Space Hall of Fame Induction for Class of 2018

Mike Massimino, aviation pioneers LOUIS and CONNIE MANCUSO, and aviator and Newsday founder ALICIA PATTERSON were the inductees for the Long Island Air & Space Hall of Fame Class of 2018 honored during the Cradle of Aviation Museum’s Annual Luncheon, presented by the Curtiss-Wright Corporation.

Garden City, NY, USA. June 21, 2018. L-R, Astronaut Mike Massimino, Deborah Henley, and Louis Mancuso Jr. pose at Long Island Air & Space Hall of Fame at Cradle of Aviation Museum. (© 2018 Ann Parry/Ann-Parry.com)

A highlight of Massimino’s acceptance speech was when he poetically described his reaction to seeing the curve of our planet fill his field of vision during his second space walk:

“The beauty of our planet was kinda overwhelming…. This must be the view from heaven…. That’s not quite right…. This is what heaven must look like….

“What made that possible, those memories possible…. all come back here to Long Island…. the mentors I met along the way, this museum being here at the right time in my life to set me on that journey that ended up 350 miles above our planet to work on Hubble.”

The other inductees were honored posthumously: LOUIS MANCUSO JR. accepted on behalf of his parents, and DEBORAH HENLEY, Vice President and Executive Editor of Newsday, accepted on behalf of Alicia Patterson.

Garden City, NY, USA. June 21, 2018. Space Shuttle Astronaut MIKE MASSIMINO is holding GIOVANNI, 3 1/2 years old, from Manhasset, wearing an astronaut's space suit costume, after the museum's Members Meet & Greet. (© 2018 Ann Parry/Ann-Parry.com)

Meet & Greet

During the Meet & Greet, a few dozen lucky museum members and STEM students (Science Technology Engineering Math) sat around a conference table and asked Massimino questions.

When asked about space food, Massimino said it was good, and then explained how everything gets recycled, including urine, so, “Yesterday’s coffee is tomorrow’s coffee,” as Expedition 39 commander Koichi Wakata memorably observed in 2014 about recycling on the ISS (International Space Station).

Garden City, NY, USA. June 21, 2018. Space Shuttle Astronaut Mike Massimino, a Long Island native, gives free lecture in JetBlue Sky Theater Planetarium at the Cradle of Aviation Museum. (© 2018 Ann Parry/Ann-Parry.com)

Garden City, NY, USA. June 21, 2018. In the JetBlue Sky Theater Planetarium, Space Shuttle Astronaut Mike Massimino displays photo of him sending email to Johnson Space Center for his twitter feed. (© 2018 Ann Parry/Ann-Parry.com)

Evening with Mike Massimino Lecture

Massimino’s lecture at the JetBlue Sky Theater Planetarium was part of the Cradle of Aviation Museum’s Countdown to Apollo at 50, a multiyear celebration of the 50th anniversary of the Apollo 11 moon landing on July 20, 1969.

Garden City, NY, USA. June 21, 2018. Space Shuttle Astronaut Mike Massimino gives lecture in JetBlue Sky Theater Planetarium at the Cradle of Aviation Museum. (© 2018 Ann Parry/Ann-Parry.com)

When a young audience member asked Massimino how he became an astronaut, he went into great detail, including how the Cradle of Aviation Museum played a key role when he was growing up.

FYI from FLI: In the late 1980’s, my daughter Sue went to Space Camp at the Cradle of Aviation, then in an unrestored hangar. I’m still searching for the name of the CAM photographer who captured this photo of 10-yr-old Sue wearing a genuine spacesuit that summer.

Garden City, NY, USA. June 21, 2018. Space Shuttle Astronaut MIKE MASSIMINO gives lecture in JetBlue Sky Theater Planetarium at Cradle of Aviation Museum. Volunteer puppy raiser FLORENCE SCARINCI is seated next to dog she's training from Canine Companions for Independence, a Medford non-profit. (© 2018 Ann Parry/Ann-Parry.com)

Garden City, NY, USA. June 21, 2018. Space Shuttle Astronaut Mike Massmino gives lecture in JetBlue Sky Theater Planetarium at Cradle of Aviation Museum. Volunteer puppy raiser Florence Scarinci is seated next to dog she’s training from Canine Companions for Independence, a Medford non-profit. (© 2018 Ann Parry/Ann-Parry.com)

NASA rejected Massimino when he applied to be an astronaut – the first, second and third times. Persevering, he applied a fourth time – and the rest is Hubble Space Telescope repairs and recurring role of playing himself on The Big Bang Theory history.

In one of the photos Massimino displayed on the dome, he was in the space shuttle writing the first tweet ever from space. Here’s that message he sent to Johnson Space Center, so they could post it on his @Astro_Mike twitter feed:

“From orbit: Launch was awesome!! I am feeling great, working hard, & enjoying the magnificent views, the adventure of a lifetime has begun!”

Laughing, he said his tweet didn’t compare well to Neil Armstrong’s 1969 historic first spoken words ever coming from the moon:

“The Eagle has landed. That’s one small step for [a] man, one giant leap for mankind.”

Garden City, NY, USA. June 21, 2018. Former NASA astronaut MIKE MASSIMINO is inducted into Long Island Air & Space Hall of Fame Class of 2018 at Cradle of Aviation Museum. (Ann Parry/Ann Parry, ann-parry.com)

Astronauts

I first saw Mike Massimino in 2010, during Cradle of Aviation Museum’s Legends in Air & Space Lecture series. Seeing him in action throughout Thursday reinforced how he’s an upbeat, self-reflective, cool-nerd sort of guy “everyone would like to be or have as a friend.”

In fact, many astronauts I’ve crossed orbits with also exuded a personable, centered quality – not surprisingly, since it’s an essential quality for working well in space.

“Spaceman”

At the museum’s gift shop, I bought two signed copies of Massimino’s 2016 book, “Spaceman: An Astronaut’s Unlikely Journey to Unlock the Secrets of the Universe” – one for myself and one for my brother Lou (“Luigi”), a physics teacher at Durham Academy, NC, and fellow aerospace and astronomy buff.

Mike Massimino Lecture: PHOTO GALLERY

Air & Space Hall of Fame 2018: PHOTO GALLERY

Site: MikeMassimino.com | twitter: @Astro_Mike

Old Westbury Gardens Winter Holiday – Now & Then

From LONG ISLAND – by Ann Parry (ann-parry.com)
December 23, 2017

Last Sunday, while entering the snowy grounds of Old Westbury Gardens with my friend Bob, I thought back to 2007, when I visited the Gold Coast estate during a biting, heavy snowfall.

PAST – 2007

That day 10 Decembers ago, I stayed outside capturing photos until I absolutely had to go to Westbury House, beg mercy from volunteers in the Entrance Hall, take off my gloves and boots, and stand toasty close to the fireplace.

Old Westbury, New York, USA. Dec. 5, 2007. At Westbury House, the Entrance Hall window with black wrought iron grill gives hazy glimpse of snowstorm. (Ann Parry/Ann Parry, Ann-Parry.com)

Slowly defrosting in the impressively elegant wood and marble hall, I imagined myself back outside the mansion, but during the Great Blizzard of 1947, when the John and Margarita Phipps family lived there….

FANTASY 1947

I was a trespasser with a noble mission – wielding my Kodak in the snowstorm to capture ghostlike images of trees – and, alas, flirting with hypothermia.

Without warning, a tall stranger swept me off my numb feet and whisked me to the mansion. As we took off our coats, I noticed he, too, had a camera strapped around his neck.

We sat in front a fireplace surrounded by books, and he put his hand to his chest. “Victor, Victor Hasselblad – a… a husgäst of Phipps,” he said softly and with a melodic accent. “And you, lilla frusen lövsångare?”

“Oh my,” I said, “You’re THE Victor Hasselblad!”

The genius nodded.

“You’ve just GOT to develop a Hasselblad camera for civilians!” I said, and then started to tell him why….

Old Westbury, New York, USA. December 17, 2017. A lighted Christmas tree decorates the formal dining room of Westbury House at Old Westbury Gardens during its Winter Holiday event. (Ann Parry/˙ 2017 Ann-Parry.com)

Old Westbury, New York, USA. December 17, 2017. A lighted Christmas tree decorates the elegant dining room of Westbury House at Old Westbury Gardens during its Winter Holiday event. (© 2017 Ann Parry/Ann-Parry.com)

PRESENT – 2017

Now I’m, at times, better about coming in from the cold before losing feeling in my extremities.

But I always do my best to protect my camera. So last weekend when Bob and I arrived at Old Westbury Gardens and stepped out of the car on to slippery icy snow-covered grounds, we headed straight to Westbury House.

Once inside, we heard what sounded like live music coming from the Ballroom just ahead. We were right, for in a far corner of the vast room, pianist ANGELINA FUSCO was playing traditional Christmas music on a Steinway grand piano, backlit by large windows. Capturing the atmospheric scene was a fun challenge.

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Old Westbury, New York, USA. December 17, 2017. Pianist ANGELINA FUSCO plays Christmas music on Steinway grand piano to entertain visitors at Old Westbury Gardens museum, a former estate of John Shaffer Phipps, during snowy winter holiday weekend on Long Island's Gold Coast. (© 2017 Ann Parry/Ann-Parry.com)

Old Westbury, New York, USA. Dec. 17, 2017. Pianist ANGELINA FUSCO plays Christmas music on Steinway grand piano at Old Westbury Gardens museum during Winter Holiday weekend. (© 2017 Ann Parry/Ann-Parry.com)

The Main Hall was a must see, especially for families with children, since that’s where Santa sat surrounded by a Christmas tree, fireplace that was a great setting for holiday photos, and stairway strewn with stuffed animals looking as if they’d spilled out of Santa’s bag as he made his way up to the Children’s Quarters on the Third floor.

Old Westbury, New York, USA. December 17, 2017. Santa sits ready for visitors next to a Christmas tree on second floor of Westbury House at Old Westbury Gardens museum during winter holiday weekend. (© 2017 Ann Parry/Ann-Parry.com)

Bob lingered longest in the bedroom with a large-scale model train traveling around the room, disappearing for a while each lap as it followed tracks under the bed.

Visitors of all ages also enjoyed the charming scene in Mrs. Phipps’s bathroom, where deer and penguins watched a fawn take a bubble bath in the green and white bathtub.

Old Westbury, New York, USA. December 17, 2017. In the Westbury House children's sunny bathroom of Old Westbury Gardens museum, deer and penguins watch over fawn taking a bubble bath. (Ann Parry/Ann Parry, ann-parry.com)

Old Westbury, New York, USA. December 17, 2017. Deer family and penguins watch over a fawn taking a bubble bath in Mrs. Phipps’s bathroom at Westbury House at Old Westbury Gardens, a Long Island Gold Coast estate. (© 2017 Ann Parry/Ann-Parry.com)

As closing time neared, we visited the Porch facing West, with its three walls of windows, and enjoyed hot cider and the panoramic, ungilded dusk view.

Old Westbury, New York, USA. December 17, 2017. At Westbury House, two Christmas trees flank the Porch facing West, with panoramic view of snowy grounds during Winter Holiday event at Old Westbury Gardens. (© 2017 Ann Parry/Ann-Parry.com)

And when it was time to go, we made our way through the snow once again.

Old Westbury Gardens Winter 2017: PHOTO GALLERY

Musician Angelina Fusco’s site: AngelinaFuscoMusic.com

Old Westbury Gardens: SITE • JOIN