Category Archives: Hempstead

Hempstead, New York, U.S. April 16, 2025. U.S. Rep. LAURA GILLEN (Democrat - NY District 4) answers a question during her in-person Town Hall at Hofstra University on Long Island. (© 2025 Ann Parry, annparry.com)

Rep. Laura Gillen reaches across the aisles at Hofstra town hall

From LONG ISLAND – by Ann Parry (annparry.com)
April 18, 2025 

  • America’s just barely a functioning democracy  (author’s opinion)

Wanting to get a good aisle seat at Congresswoman Laura Gillen’s town hall, I arrived at Hofstra’s Student Center Theater shortly after 5pm, an hour before doors opened.

VIDEO: Rep. Laura Gillen (NY04) gives an Update at Town Hall:

During the wait, I chatted with someone nearby on line. Suddenly she looked up at me and paused. In little more than a whisper, she said, “I have pension funds invested in the stock market… but I still hope it crashes.”

Then she gave me a little “You know what I mean, don’t you?” nod.

I knew, and I wasn’t shocked.

America’s just barely a functioning democracy. So if someone feels little is making the president obey the law and constitution, tragically, a stock market crash might seem an acceptable horror if it put Trump in check.

By the time the town hall began, I didn’t notice any empty seats. First three Girl Scouts marched up to the stage, where they led the Pledge of Allegiance. Then KIM DOMAGE, of Calvary Tabernacle, sang the Star Spangled Banner.

“Rep. Laura Gillen's Hofstra Town Hall

Hempstead, N.Y., U.S. April 16, 2025. KIM DOMAGE, of Calvary Tabernacle, sings the National Anthem during Rep. Gillen’s town hall. (©2025 Ann Parry/AnnParry.com)

Rep. Laura Gillen (NY04), who’s on the Transportation & Infrastructure and the Science, Space & Technology Committees, began with  an update about her first months in Congress.  [see above video]

When the moderator, Hofstra Professor of Political Science, ROSANNA PEROTTI, explained she’d pick constituents’ questions from a bowl and read them aloud, several audience members called out that people who submitted questions should be able to ask them. 

“Rep. Laura Gillen's Hofstra Town Hall

Hempstead, N.Y., U.S. April 16, 2025. L-R, Dr. ROSANNA PEROTTI , Hofstra Professor of Political Science, reads a constituent’s question out loud as U.S. Rep. LAURA GILLEN (Dem – NY04) listens during her town hall. At left is a blue bowl filled with constituents’ questions written on paper slips. (©2025 Ann Parry/AnnParry.com)

Rep. Laura Gillen and audience members appeared to agree on several questions, including ones about working to reinstate the SALT tax deduction, improve roadway safety and poor water quality, and protect social security and medicare.

LAKEN RILEY ACT

VIDEO: Rep. Gillen’s Town Hall, Laken Riley Act:

But there were also questions on topics some audience members strongly disagree about with the congresswoman. 

Based on angry comments I read on social media after Gillen voted for the Laken Riley Act, I wasn’t surprised when her statements such as, “I support the Laken Riley Act, and I’d vote for it again,” drew loud criticism from several audience members.

After a man shouted, “You should be ashamed of yourself!” security escorted him out of the theater.

“Rep. Laura Gillen's Hofstra Town Hall

Hempstead, New York, U.S. April 16, 2025. During Rep. Laura Gillen’s town hall at Hofstra, audience members turn to back of theater where people are shouting in protest against Gillen’s vote for the Laken Riley Act. (©2025 Ann Parry/AnnParry.com)

TARIFFS & DISCHARGE

VIDEO: Rep. Gillen Town Hall, tariffs & discharge petition:

The audience supported Rep. Gillen’s strong attack against the president’s contradictory, extreme, and unpredictable words and actions about tariffs

Gillen explained there’s a bipartisan (Republican & Democrat) and bicameral (House and Senate) bill, the “Trade Review Act of 2025,” aiming to reassert Congress’s authority over trade policy. It includes that any tariff implemented by administration has to be reviewed by Congress within 60 days, and Congress can stop a tariff at any time.

Rep. Gillen feels the bill is important and hopes it will make it through the House and Senate.  

She explained how the House of Representatives is a majority rules place, and a discharge petition is the one way to get around Speaker of the House Johnson’s control of what Congress votes on.

However, Rep. Gillen candidly described a discharge petition as a long shot, particularly because the procedure requires some Republican to sign onto the petition.

Then she added, “But the more pressure that our colleagues feel to uphold the rule of law, the more likely they might be to join us on some legislation.

When an audience member called out asking what happens if the bill passes but Trump vetoes it, Rep. Gillen slowly said, “If Trump vetoes it… he vetoes it.”

Prof. Rosanna Perotti, the moderator, added, “We all know what happens at that point. That’s the civics thing.” Then she read the next question.

At the end of the town hall, several audience members also made their frustration clear when they shouted the president must be impeached.

FUTURE TOWN HALLS

Rep. Gillen’s town hall was the first of a series she plans to hold. I want to attend others because I learned quite a few things and appreciated hearing the audience reactions during the Hofstra town hall.

About civic engagement: 

Constituents who see the president as acting in an unconstitutional way need to feel hope it’s possible to stop those actions.

Civic engagement was touched on, for example, when Gillen stated how [constituents] putting pressure on [her Republican] colleagues can help pass bills, and Perotti said if Trump vetoes a bill then it’s time for the “the civics thing.”

But I’m not sure if many audience members had time during the event to appreciate the crucial role civic engagement may play when Republicans control the Executive Branch, both Houses, and have a conservative Supreme Court. 

Building on that,  it could be helpful to:

  • discuss in detail how civic engagement is crucial because it helps put pressure on officials or candidates we disagree with, and helps support ones we agree with. Discuss the role marches, protests, contacting elected officials, volunteering for candidates… can play.)
  • We need to feel our elected officials are listening to us. 
    If the audience brings up impeachment, explain what facts make it unrealistic right now. Go over those reasons even if they were discussed earlier in a different context.

For those of us who agree America’s just barely a functioning democracy: Work to help get our country through this crisis.


also seen at town hall:

“Rep. Laura Gillen's Hofstra Town Hall

Hempstead, New York, U.S. April 16, 2025. Dr. JOYLETTE WILLIAMS, Democratic candidate for Nassau County Clerk, attends Rep. Gillen’s town hall. (©2025 Ann Parry/AnnParry.com)

    • Rep. Gillen’s Hofstra town hall
“Rep. Laura Gillen's Hofstra Town Hall

Hempstead, New York, U.S. April 16, 2025. JOE SCIANABLO, Democratic candidate for Town of Hempstead Supervisor, attends Rep. Gillen’s Town Hall at Hofstra University on Long Island. (©2025 Ann Parry/AnnParry.com)


fLI FYI:

from authoritarian’s playbook

  • attack the Free Press
  • attack the Rule of Law
  • attack Academic Institutions
  • attack Civil Liberties such as free speech and freedom of religion
  • silence Political Opponents

• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

democracy – representative democracy – republic

  • Democracy has different forms, including representative democracy and direct democracy – similar to how a car can be a pickup truck, a limousine, an SUV.
  • Representative democracy and republic are basically the same.
  • Our founders referred to our representative democracy or republic as a democracy

Feature Photo  (at top of post):  Hempstead, New York, U.S. April 16, 2025. Congresswoman LAURA A. GILLEN (NY-04) holds town hall at Hofstra University. 


Rep. Laura Gillen’s town hall:  my PHOTO GALLERY my VIDEOS

Rep. Laura Gillen:  gillen.house.govcontact/newsletter subscribe

Hofstra University:  hofstra.eduDept. of Political Science

Girl Scouts of Nassau County:  gsnc.org

Kim Domage:  facebook.com/kim.domage

Joe Scianablo:  facebook.com/profile.php?id=61575047587490

CONTACT ME


“Rep. Laura Gillen's Hofstra Town Hall

Hempstead, N.Y., U.S. April 16, 2025. U.S. Rep. LAURA GILLEN (D-NY04) holds an in-person town hall at Hofstra University. (©2025 Ann Parry/AnnParry.com)

Hempstead, N.Y., U.S. May 4, 2022. Shirleen Allicot, a 2004 graduate of Hofstra’s Lawrence Herbert School of Communication and current Eyewitness News anchor, speaks at the opening ceremony of the WABC Long Island Bureau at LHSC.

‘Eyewitness News’ opens Long Island Bureau at Hofstra

From LONG ISLAND – by Ann Parry (ann-parry.com)
May 14, 2022

WABC-TV  ABC 7 & Lawrence Herbert School of Communication launch L.I. partnership

‘Nothing spoils a good story like the arrival of an eyewitness.’  – Mark Twain (1835-1910)

VIDEO 1 – Dr. Susan Poser tells why it was a no-brainer to green light project to have WABC’s Long Island Bureau at Hofstra:

With great anticipation and my Nikon Z9, I drove to the Grand Opening ceremony of the Eyewitness News Long Island Bureau at Hofstra’s Lawrence Herbert School of Communication on May 4th.

Thanks to the prediction of a storm, which never arrived, the event was held at  Studio A, rather than outside LHSC.

Hempstead, NY, U.S. May 4, 2022. WABC-TV / ABC 7 opens its Long Island Bureau inside the Lawrence Herbert School of Communication at Hofstra University. (© 2022 Ann Parry/AnnParry.com)

Hempstead, N.Y., U.S. May 4, 2022. JAMES JACOBS watches his wife take photos of Lawrence Herbert School of Communication, with new Eyewitness News Long Island Bureau sign, and ABC7 van, at Hofstra. (© 2022 Ann Parry)

Eyewitness News reporter CHANTEE LANS will be stationed full-time at the Long Island Bureau, and ABC7 vans have their own parking spaces next to the LHSC building.

This is MAJOR for several reasons, including:

1 •  It will give Lans a solid chance to become familiar with, and gain insight about, Long Island, its people and events.

2 •  It will give Hofstra communication students an ongoing chance to see, and develop a working relationship with, a professional cover news….

Hempstead, NY, U.S. May 4, 2022. MARK LUKASIEWICZ, Dean of Lawrence Herbert School of Communication, speaks during opening ceremony of the WABC-TV Long Island Bureau at Hofstra University. (© 2022 Ann Parry/AnnParry.com)

Hempstead, N.Y.,U.S. May 4, 2022. MARK LUKASIEWICZ, Dean of Lawrence Herbert School of Communication, speaks during opening ceremony of WABC-TV Long Island Bureau at Hofstra. (© 2022 Ann Parry/AnnParry.com)

‘The world needs good journalists right now, and I believe that’s what this is about.’ – Dean Mark Lukasiewicz (May 4, 2022)

The hosts of the event were DR. SUSAN POSER, Hofstra’s president; and Dean MARK LUKASIEWICZ of the Lawrence Herbert School of Communication.

Creating an Eyewitness News Long Island Bureau at Hofstra began in 2018, the year Lukasiewicz became Dean at Hofstra. During his long and distinguished career in journalism, he worked at ABC for 11 years.

Hempstead, NY, U.S. May 4, 2022. CHAD MATTHEWS, president of ABC-owned television stations, speaks at the opening ceremony of the WABC-TV Long Island Bureau at Hofstra. (© 2022 Ann Parry/AnnParry.com)

Hempstead, N.Y., U.S. May 4, 2022. CHAD MATTHEWS, president of ABC-owned television stations, speaks at opening ceremony of WABC-TV Long Island Bureau at Hofstra. (© 2022 Ann Parry/AnnParry.com)

Guests included CHAD MATTHEWS, the new president of ABC Owned Television Stations; DONALD SCHAEFFER, Chair of the Hofstra Board of Trustees; ABC anchor BILL RITTER, who emceed the ceremony, SHIRLEEN ALLICOT, a graduate of LHSC and current Eyewitness News anchor; Hofstra LHSC students; Hofstra staff and alums; community leaders and officials.

The long-standing mutual respect between Chad Matthews and Dean Lukasiewicz was evident during each of their speeches, and Matthews mentioned he was happy the abc7 Long Island Bureau at Hofstra opened before he named a new General Manager of WABC New York.

Hempstead, NY, U.S. May 4, 2022. BILL RITTER, anchor of Eyewitness News, emcees the opening ceremony of the WABC-TV Long Island Bureau at Hofstra University. (© 2022 Ann Parry/AnnParry.com)

Hempstead, N.Y.,, U.S. May 4, 2022. BILL RITTER, Eyewitness News anchor, emcees the opening ceremony of WABC-TV Long Island Bureau at Hofstra. (© 2022 Ann Parry/AnnParry.com)

Eyewitness News anchor BILL RITTER emceed the event.

Ritter’s known Chad Matthews and Dean Mark Lukasiewicz for decades, and I enjoyed the heartwarming, funny anecdotes he shared about each.

Ritter narrated the ceremonial unveiling of the Eyewitness News sign as we watched it on the large screen on stage.

Hempstead, NY, U.S. May 4, 2022. Front L-R, KRISTIN THORNE, WABC investigative reporter; reporter; DANIEL GALL, LHSC student; LHSC student, watch opening ceremony of the WABC-TV Long Island Bureau at Hofstra. (© 2022 Ann Parry/AnnParry.com)

Hempstead, N.Y., U.S. May 4, 2022. Front L-R, KRISTIN THORNE, WABC investigative reporter; WABC reporter; DANIEL GALL, LHSC student; LHSC student, watch unveiling of Eyewitness News sign during opening ceremony of WABC-TV Long Island Bureau at Hofstra. (© 2022 Ann Parry)

Outside the entrance of the LHSC building, two communications students braved the sunshine, as Ritter put it, to remove the blue cloth covering the sign at the entrance of the Communications building:

Hempstead, NY, U.S. May 4, 2022. Eyewitness News anchor BILL RITTER watches screen as blue cover falls to reveal new Eyewitness News 7 Long Island Bureau sign on facade of the Lawrence Herbert School of Communication building at Hofstra. (© 2022 Ann Parry/AnnParry.com)

Hempstead, N.Y., U.S. May 4, 2022. Eyewitness News anchor BILL RITTER watches screen as blue cover falls to reveal new Eyewitness News 7 Long Island Bureau sign on facade of Lawrence Herbert School of Communication building at Hofstra. (© 2022 Ann Parry)

Councilwoman DOROTHY GOOSBY, Legislator TOM MCKEVITT, Councilman ANTHONY D’ESPOSITO, and Nassau County Executive BRUCE BLAKEMAN were among those attending not just because of their offices but because they were former Hofstra students.

Hempstead, NY, U.S. May 4, 2022. L-R, MARK LUKASIEWICZ, Dean of Lawrence Herbert School; official; ANTHONY D’ESPOSITO, Town of Hempstead councilman; DOROTHY GOOSBY, Town of Hempstead councilwoman; CHANTEE LANS, Eyewitness News' L.I. Bureau reporter; SUSAN POSER, Hofstra president; BRUCE BLAKEMAN, Nassau County Executive; official, and TOM MCKEVITT, Nassau County legislator, pose for photo at opening ceremony of the WABC-TV Long Island Bureau at Hofstra. (© 2022 Ann Parry/AnnParry.com)

Hempstead, N.Y., U.S. May 4, 2022. L-R, MARK LUKASIEWICZ, Dean of Lawrence Herbert School; official; ANTHONY D’ESPOSITO, Town of Hempstead councilman; DOROTHY GOOSBY, Town of Hempstead councilwoman; CHANTEE LANS, Eyewitness News’ L.I. Bureau reporter; SUSAN POSER, Hofstra president; BRUCE BLAKEMAN, Nassau County Executive; official, and TOM MCKEVITT, Nassau County legislator, pose for photo at opening ceremony of WABC-TV Long Island Bureau at Hofstra. (© 2022 Ann Parry/AnnParry.com

And the Mark Twain quote at the top –  “Nothing spoils a good story like the arrival of an eyewitness” – alludes to a third reason why this Hofstra alum finds it major that Eyewitness News will have a reporter stationed full-time at the Long Island Bureau:

3 • Covering news as an eyewitness makes it more likely the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth of the story will be shared.

Hempstead, NY, U.S. May 4, 2022. DOROTHY GOOSBY, Town of Hempstead Senior Councilwoman, District 1, speaks at the opening ceremony of the WABC-TV Long Island Bureau at Hofstra University. (© 2022 Ann Parry/AnnParry.com)

Hempstead, N.Y., U.S. May 4, 2022. DOROTHY L. GOOSBY, Town of Hempstead Senior Councilwoman, District 1, speaks at opening ceremony of WABC-TV Long Island Bureau at Hofstra. (© 2022 Ann Parry/AnnParry.com)

ABC7NY + Hofstra

Hempstead, NY, U.S. May 4, 2022. At right, SUSAN POSER, Hofstra President, speaks with, at center in light jacket, JEFF ABRAMS and family, during WABC-TV / ABC 7 opening ceremony for its Long Island Bureau inside the Lawrence Herbert School of Communication at Hofstra. (© 2022 Ann Parry/AnnParry.com)

Hempstead, N.Y., U.S. May 4, 2022. At right, SUSAN POSER, Hofstra President, speaks with, at center in light jacket, JEFF ABRAMS and family, during WABC-TV / ABC 7 opening ceremony for its Long Island Bureau at Hofstra. (© 2022 Ann Parry)

ABC7NY + Hofstra

Hempstead, NY, U.S. May 4, 2022. BRUCE BLAKEMAN, Nassau County Executive, speaks at the opening ceremony of the WABC-TV Long Island Bureau at Hofstra University. (© 2022 Ann Parry/AnnParry.com)

Hempstead, N.Y., U.S. May 4, 2022. BRUCE BLAKEMAN, Nassau County Executive, speaks at opening ceremony of WABC-TV Long Island Bureau at Hofstra. (© 2022 Ann Parry/AnnParry.com)

ABC7NY + Hofstra

Hempstead, NY, U.S. May 4, 2022. ANTHONY D’ESPOSITO, Town of Hempstead councilman, speaks at the opening ceremony of the WABC-TV Long Island Bureau at Hofstra. (© 2022 Ann Parry/AnnParry.com)

Hempstead, N.Y., U.S. May 4, 2022. ANTHONY D’ESPOSITO, Town of Hempstead councilman, speaks at the opening ceremony of the WABC-TV Long Island Bureau at Hofstra. (© 2022 Ann Parry/AnnParry.com)

ABC7NY + Hofstra

Hempstead, NY, U.S. May 4, 2022. Front L-R, CHARMISE WOODSIDE-DESIRE, Hofstra's Assistant Director for Alumni Affairs, and SARA HENDRICKS, WRHU radio station's professional-in-residence, chat during ceremony when WABC-TV / ABC 7 opens its Long Island Bureau at the Lawrence Herbert School of Communication. (© 2022 Ann Parry/AnnParry.com)

Hempstead, v U.S. May 4, 2022. Front L-R, CHARMISE WOODSIDE-DESIRE, Hofstra’s Assistant Director for Alumni Affairs, and SARA HENDRICKS, WRHU radio station’s professional-in-residence, chat during ceremony when WABC-TV / ABC 7 opens its Long Island Bureau at the Lawrence Herbert School of Communication. (© 2022 Ann Parry/AnnParry.com)

ABC7NY + Hofstra

Hempstead, NY, U.S. May 4, 2022. L-R, MARK LUKASIEWICZ, Dean of Lawrence Herbert School; ANTHONY D’ESPOSITO, Town of Hempstead Councilman; CHAD MATTHEWS, President of ABC-owned television stations; SUSAN POSER, Hofstra President; DOROTHY GOOSBY, Town of Hempstead Senior Councilwoman; DONALD SCHAEFFER, Chair of Hofstra Board of Trustees, and TOM MCKEVITT, Nassau County legislator, pose for photo at the opening ceremony of the WABC-TV Long Island Bureau at Hofstra. (© 2022 Ann Parry/AnnParry.com)

Hempstead, N.Y., U.S. May 4, 2022. L-R, MARK LUKASIEWICZ, Dean of Lawrence Herbert School; ANTHONY D’ESPOSITO, Town of Hempstead councilman; CHAD MATTHEWS, president of ABC-owned television stations; SUSAN POSER, Hofstra president; DOROTHY GOOSBY, Town of Hempstead councilwoman; DONALD SCHAEFFER, Chair of Hofstra Board of Trustees; and TOM MCKEVITT, Nassau County legislator, pose for photo at opening ceremony of WABC-TV Long Island Bureau at Hofstra. (© 2022 Ann Parry/AnnParry.com)

ABC7NY + Hofstra

Hempstead, NY, U.S. May 4, 2022. SEDGWICK EASLEY, Executive Asst./Publicity Director to Village of Hempstead Mayor Waylyn Hobbs, speaks at the ceremony of the WABC-TV Long Island Bureau at Hofstra. (© 2022 Ann Parry/AnnParry.com)

Hempstead, N.Y., U.S. May 4, 2022. SEDGWICK EASLEY, Executive Asst./Publicity Director to Village of Hempstead Mayor Waylyn Hobbs, speaks at the ceremony of the WABC-TV Long Island Bureau at Hofstra. (© 2022 Ann Parry/AnnParry.com)

ABC7NY + Hofstra

Hempstead, NY, U.S. May 4, 2022. Far left, guest talks with (seen from back) WABC reporter KRISTIN THORNE and president of ABC-owned television stations CHAD MATTHEWS, and at front right table LHSC students chat, at Studio A at Lawrence Herbert School of Communication during opening ceremony of the WABC-TV Long Island Bureau at Hofstra. (© 2022 Ann Parry/AnnParry.com)

Hempstead, N.Y., U.S. May 4, 2022. Far left, guest talks with (seen from back) WABC reporter KRISTIN THORNE and president of ABC-owned television stations CHAD MATTHEWS, and at front right table are LHSC students, at Studio A at Lawrence Herbert School of Communication during opening ceremony of the WABC-TV Long Island Bureau at Hofstra. (© 2022 Ann Parry/AnnParry.com)


FEATURE PHOTO (at top of post) – Hempstead, N.Y., U.S. May 4, 2022. SHIRLEEN ALLICOT, a 2004 graduate of Hofstra’s Lawrence Herbert School of Communication and current Eyewitness News anchor, speaks at the opening ceremony of the WABC Long Island Bureau at LHSC. (© 2022 Ann Parry/AnnParry.com)


VIDEO 2 – After heartfelt, funny intro from ABC anchor BILL RITTER, Dean MARK LUKASIEWICZ says what the world needs right now:


ABC 7 Opens L.I. Bureau at Hofstra:  my PHOTO GALLERY

LI Advocate: Eyewitness News sets up shop at Hofstra’s Herbert School  [Megan Naftali, May 5, 2022]

Lawrence Herbert School of Communication

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Hempstead, N.Y., U.S. April 18, 2022. L-R, student 'BADGER' and Prof. BRET BENNINGTON take quick break for photo at 'EARTH DAY: Help Plant a Native Pollinator Garden' at Student Garden at Stuyvesant Hall in Hofstra University.

Hofstra Earth Day 2022: getting down & a bit dirty

From LONG ISLAND – by Ann Parry (ann-parry.com)
April 22, 2022

Planting a native pollinator garden  (after a few years, it doesn’t need watering!)

Hempstead, N.Y., U.S. April 18, 2022. At Hofstra University, Professor BRET BENNINGTON, extreme right, poses with students during'EARTH DAY: Help Plant a Native Pollinator Garden.'(© 2022 Ann Parry/AnnParry.com)

Hempstead, N.Y., U.S. April 18, 2022. Professor BRET BENNINGTON, extreme right, poses with students during ‘EARTH DAY: Help Plant a Native Pollinator Garden’ at Hofstra University.(© 2022 Ann Parry/AnnParry.com)

PHOTO GALLERY | Also, click each photo to see it larger

Though I have bird feeders and don’t use pesticides in my yard, I want to make it more hospitable and inviting to birds, squirrels, butterflies… and help Long Island’s ecology.

So I was excited to cover the hands-on event “EARTH DAY: Help Plant a Native Pollinator Garden” that BRET BENNINGTON, Professor of Geology, Environment, and Sustainability, presented at the Student Garden at Stuyvesant Hall, Hofstra University.

Hempstead, N.Y., U.S. April 18, 2022. At Hofstra University, students shovel mulch to add to prepare garden beds during'EARTH DAY: Help Plant a Native Pollinator Garden.' (© 2022 Ann Parry/AnnParry.com)

Hempstead, N.Y., U.S. April 18, 2022. At Hofstra University, students shovel mulch to add to prepare garden beds during ‘EARTH DAY: Help Plant a Native Pollinator Garden.’ (© 2022 Ann Parry/AnnParry.com)

Hofstra undergrad and grad students planted the university’s first native pollinator garden with species grown from seed by Hofstra students in a greenhouse on the rooftop of Gittleson Hall.

Hofstra Earth Day

Hempstead, NY, U.S. April 18, 2022. During Prof. Bret Bennington’s ‘EARTH DAY: Help Plant a Native Pollinator Garden' at Hofstra University, students prepare garden beds by digging into soil to loosen it, and then covering it with newspapers and then mulch. (© 2022 Ann Parry/AnnParry.com)

Hempstead, NY, U.S. April 18, 2022. During Prof. Bret Bennington’s ‘EARTH DAY: Help Plant a Native Pollinator Garden’ at Hofstra University, students prepare garden beds by digging into soil to loosen it, and then covering it with newspapers and then mulch. (© 2022 Ann Parry/AnnParry.com)

Hofstra Earth Day

Hempstead, NY, U.S. April 18, 2022. During ‘EARTH DAY: Help Plant a Native Pollinator Garden' at Hofstra University, students prepare garden beds by digging soil to loosen it, and then covering it with newspapers and then mulch. (© 2022 Ann Parry/AnnParry.com)

Hempstead, New York, U.S. April 18, 2022. During ‘EARTH DAY: ‘Help Plant a Native Pollinator Garden’ at Hofstra University, students prepare garden beds by digging soil to loosen it, and then covering the soil with newspapers, and then mulch. (© 2022 Ann Parry/AnnParry.com)

Hofstra Earth Day

Hempstead, NY, U.S. April 18, 2022. During Prof. Bret Bennington’s ‘EARTH DAY: Help Plant a Native Pollinator Garden' at Hofstra University, students prepare garden beds by digging into soil to loosen it, and then covering it with newspapers and then mulch. (© 2022 Ann Parry/AnnParry.com)

Hempstead, NY, U.S. April 18, 2022. During Prof. Bret Bennington’s ‘EARTH DAY: Help Plant a Native Pollinator Garden’ at Hofstra University, students prepare garden beds by digging into soil to loosen it, and then covering it with newspapers and then covering the newspapers with mulch. (© 2022 Ann Parry/AnnParry.com)

Hofstra Earth Day

Hempstead, NY, U.S. April 18, 2022. During Prof. Bret Bennington’s ‘EARTH DAY: Help Plant a Native Pollinator Garden' at Hofstra University, students prepare garden beds by digging soil to loosen it, and then covering it with newspapers and then mulch. (© 2021 Ann Parry/AnnParry.com)

Hempstead, NY, U.S. April 18, 2022. During ‘EARTH DAY: Help Plant a Native Pollinator Garden’ at Hofstra University, students students plant native pollinator plants in prepared garden bed. (© 2022 Ann Parry/AnnParry.com)

Hofstra Earth Day

Hempstead, NY, U.S. April 18, 2022. During ‘EARTH DAY: Help Plant a Native Pollinator Garden' at Hofstra University, students prepare garden beds by digging soil to loosen it, and then covering it with newspapers, and then mulch. (© 2022 Ann Parry/AnnParry.com)

Hempstead, New York, U.S. April 18, 2022. During ‘EARTH DAY: Help Plant a Native Pollinator Garden’ at Hofstra University, students plant native pollinator plants in prepared garden bed. (© 2022 Ann Parry/AnnParry.com)

Hofstra Earth Day

Hempstead, NY, U.S. April 18, 2022. During Prof. Bret Bennington’s ‘EARTH DAY: Help Plant a Native Pollinator Garden' at Hofstra University, students prepare garden beds by digging into soil to loosen it, and then covering it with newspapers and then mulch.

Hempstead, N.Y., U.S. April 18, 2022. During Prof. Bret Bennington’s ‘EARTH DAY: Help Plant a Native Pollinator Garden’ at Hofstra University, students students plant native pollinator plants in prepared garden bed. (© 2022 Ann Parry/AnnParry.com)

Hofstra Earth Day

Hempstead, NY, U.S. April 18, 2022. At Hofstra University, Prof. BRET BENNINGTON has EARTH DAY: Help Plant a Native Pollinator Garden. (© 2021 Ann Parry/AnnParry.com)

Hempstead, N.Y., U.S. April 18, 2022. At Hofstra University, students and Prof. BRET BENNINGTON (in red and black vest) plant garden during EARTH DAY: ‘Help Plant a Native Pollinator Garden.’ (© 2022 Ann Parry/AnnParry.com)  related image

Hofstra Earth Day

Hempstead, N.Y., U.S. April 18, 2022. During Prof. Bret Bennington’s ‘EARTH DAY: Help Plant a Native Pollinator Garden,’ Nodding Pink Onions are among the perennials planted in Hofstra’s first native pollinator garden with species grown from seed by students in the greenhouse on rooftop of Gittleson Hall. (© 2021 Ann Parry/AnnParry.com)

Hempstead, N.Y., U.S. April 18, 2022. During ‘EARTH DAY: Help Plant a Native Pollinator Garden,’ Nodding Pink Onions are among the perennials planted in Hofstra’s first native pollinator garden. (© 2022 Ann Parry/AnnParry.com)

Rooftop Greenhouse at Gittleson Hall

Hempstead, New York, U.S. April 18, 2022. At Hofstra University, BRET BENNINGTON and GAIL BENNINGTON tend plants in the West Greenhouse on the rooftop of Gittleson Hall at Hofstra University.

Hempstead, N.Y., U.S. April 18, 2022. At Hofstra University, L-R, Prof. BRET BENNINGTON and instructor GAIL BENNINGTON tend plants in the West Greenhouse on rooftop of Gittleson Hall. (© 2022 Ann Parry)   greenhouse image

GAIL BENNINGTON, Adjunct Instructor of Geology, Environment, & Sustainability, assisted during the garden planting.

After the event, I went to GIttleson Hall where she showed me the rooftop greenhouse…  and a timeless pair of sneakers (see end of post).

Long Island Native Plant Initiative

Hempstead, New York, U.S. April 18, 2022. At Hofstra University, BRET BENNINGTON and GAIL BENNINGTON tend plants in the West Greenhouse on the rooftop of Gittleson Hall at Hofstra University.

Hempstead, N.Y., U.S. April 18, 2022. At Hofstra University, L-R, Professor BRET BENNINGTON and ANTHONY MARINELLO, Secretary of Long Island Native Plant Initiative, talk during ‘EARTH DAY: Help Plant a Native Pollinator Garden.’ (© 2022 Ann Parry)

ANTHONY MARINELLO, the Secretary of the Long Island Native Plant Initiative (LINPI) and owner of Dropseed Native Landscapes Native Plant Nursery, was at the planting.

At an Earth Day event earlier that afternoon, Marinello explained why planting native plants in gardens is so important for protecting the ecology of Long Island.” [from Hofstra site]

If you’re interested – like I am – in learning the benefits of planting a native plant garden, and how to do it, LINPI’s site is a helpful resource:

• Long Island Native Plant Initiative:  linpi.org  plant fact sheets


Feature Photo at top of post: Hempstead, N.Y., U.S. April 18, 2022. L-R, student ‘BADGER’ and Prof. BRET BENNINGTON take quick break from planting to pose during ‘EARTH DAY: Help Plant a Native Pollinator Garden’ at Student Garden at Hofstra University.


Hofstra Earth Day 2022: my PHOTO GALLERY

Hofstra University:  hofstra.edu •  Environment & Sustainability 

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Hempstead, N.Y., U.S. April 18, 2022. Hempstead, New York, U.S. April 18, 2022. GAIL BENNINGTON holds up sneaker, with illustration of Charles Darwin and a giant tortoise at the Galápagos archipelago, that Prof. Bret Bennington received as gift. (© 2021 Ann Parry/AnnParry.com)

Hempstead, New York, U.S. April 18, 2022. Adjunct Instructor GAIL BENNINGTON holds up a sneaker – with illustration of Charles Darwin and a giant tortoise at the Galápagos archipelago – from pair Prof. Bret Bennington received as a gift. (© 2022 Ann Parry/AnnParry.com)