Category Archives: Wantagh

Lt. Quentin Roosevelt Cadet Squadron SOARS

From LONG ISLAND – by Ann Parry (ann-parry.com)
July 25, 2025 [Post in Progress]

• Lt. Quentin Roosevelt Cadet Squadron 288: ny288.cap.gov

Civil Air Patrol, U.S. Air Force Auxiliary meeting

“We at CAP like to boast that we are the nation’s ‘best-kept secret’ youth program.” – Captain L. Tom Chen, CAP – Deputy Commander, Lt. Quentin Roosevelt Cadet Squadron 288, 2025

When I first read Capt. L. Tom Chen’s message suggesting I cover the Lt. Quentin Roosevelt Cadet Squadron in Wantagh, my first reaction was: “A U.S. Air Force Auxiliary program mainly for teens sounds AWESOME, but is this CAP squadron thing even legit?”

After online research and discussions with Capt. Chen, I knew the squadron was not only legit but also well worth seeing in action personally.

Wantagh, New York, U.S. July 21, 2025. At front are two of the senior cadets leading drills in the main meeting room during the Lt. Quentin Roosevelt Cadet Squadron’s Monday night meeting. (© 2025 Ann Parry/AnnParry.com)

Though I was particularly interested in photographing cadet orientations flights at Republic Airport first, it would be a while before the squadron’s next flight session.

So, on July 21, I attended its weekly Monday night meeting at the Church of St. Jude.

• Instruction & Drills

Attendance at the Wantagh CAP meeting was about a third of the usual size because many cadets were upstate at the annual weeklong NY Wing Encampment, which was held this year at the Hancock Field ANG Base in Syracuse, NY.

CAP

Wantagh, New York, U.S. July 21, 2025. Senior cadet, seen from back at right, speaks with cadets during the Lt. Quentin Roosevelt Cadet Squadron’s Monday night meeting at Church of St. Jude. (© 2025 Ann Parry/AnnParry.com)

CAP

• Physical Fitness

Running the mile

CAP

Wantagh, New York, U.S. July 21, 2025. L-R., Officers ROBERT STEIDEL and WILLIAM BROCHU supervise two cadets from Lt. Quentin Roosevelt Cadet Squadron fulfilling their required one-mile run, at Wantagh High School. (© 2025 Ann Parry/AnnParry.com)

CAP

Wantagh, New York, U.S. July 21, 2025. After running a mile at Wantagh High School, two cadets take a cool-down walk during the Lt. Quentin Roosevelt Cadet Squadron’s Monday night meeting. (© 2025 Ann Parry/AnnParry.com)

Calisthenics

CAP

• Public speaking

CAP

Wantagh, New York, U.S. July 21, 2025. A cadet (not shown) will give a speech on “Dehydration and the Importance of Hydration” during the Lt. Quentin Roosevelt Cadet Squadron’s Monday night meeting. (© 2025 Ann Parry/AnnParry.com)

CAP

• Games – sportsmanship

CAP

• Wrap Up

CAP

Wantagh, New York, U.S. July 21, 2025. Standing at left, Capt. L. TOM CHEN, Deputy Commander of Lt. Quentin Roosevelt Cadet Squadron, addresses cadets during the squadron’s Monday night meeting at Church of St. Jude. (© 2025 Ann Parry/AnnParry.com)

CAP

Wantagh, New York, U.S. July 21, 2025. L-R, 1st Lt. RICARDO GOMEZ NIETO and Officer WILLIAM BROCHU chat during the end of the Lt. Quentin Roosevelt Cadet Squadron Monday night meeting. (© 2025 Ann Parry/AnnParry.com)

CAP

Wantagh, New York, U.S. July 21, 2025. L-R. Aerospace Education Officer 1st Lt. CARL YANNUZZI and Officer ROBERT STEIDEL chat during the end of the Lt. Quentin Roosevelt Cadet Squadron Monday night meeting. (© 2025 Ann Parry/AnnParry.com)

• FEATURE PHOTO (at top of post): Wantagh, New York, U.S. July 21, 2025. A Lt. Quentin Roosevelt Cadet Squadron cadet runs a mile at Wantagh High School during the squadron’s Monday night meeting. (© 2025 Ann Parry/AnnParry.com)

Lt. Quentin Roosevelt Cadet Squadron meeting: my Photo Gallery

Lt. Quentin Roosevelt Cadet Squadron: ny288.cap.gov • calendar

CAP Program at a glance: gocivilairpatrol.com/programs/cadets

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Wantagh, New York, U.S. July 21, 2025. The Civil Air Patrol U.S. Air Force Auxiliary NER-NY-288 Lt. Quentin Roosevelt Cadet Squadron has its weekly Monday night meeting. (© 2025 Ann Parry/AnnParry.com)

Earth Day 2020: PAUSE & Webbed Feet

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From LONG ISLAND – by Ann Parry (annparry.com)
April 28, 2020

How I spent Earth Day on Long Island

SLIDESHOW – “Mill Pond Park, Earth Day 2020” with music
Click lower right corner of video to view full-screen:

Months ago, I ordered a box of 20 disposable N-95 masks. By the time they arrived, not long ago, many local first responders were short on Personal Protective Equipment and could use the masks more than I did.

After reading L.I. Herald reporter Andrew Garcia’s article on the Bellmore-Merrick EMS and how it needed PPE, I put on my makeshift face mask, grabbed the unopened box of N-95s, and drove to the not-for-profit’s nearby Bellmore HQ.

• EMT ALEX DOOLEY of Bellmore-Merrick EMS:

While dropping off the masks outside the EMS entrance door, I asked EMT ALEX DOOLEY what protective equipment donations the first responders particularly needed, other than masks, and she immediately said “gowns.”

Since dusk wasn’t far off when I left, I decided to capture Earth Day photos at a nearby South Shore park.

Normally I’d head west to Norman J. Levy Park & Preserve in Merrick, but it was closed because its sprawling trails and secluded areas weren’t social-distancing-friendly and Long Island was a major hot spot for the Covid-19 pandemic. So I instead headed east to Mill Pond Park in Wantagh.

The park borders Merrick Road, where I parked, joining two or three other cars already there, and adjusted my face mask after getting out of the car.

• [digitally colored] Panorama of Mill Pond Park at dusk:

Wantagh, New York, U.S. April 22, 2020. Family feeds swan and geese at Mill Pond Park, as dusk approaches during Earth Day. (© 2020 Ann Parry/Ann-Parry.com)

My iPhone 11 Pro was the best and only camera I had with me. Its 2X optical zoom helped make it possible to capture photos I otherwise couldn’t have while Governor Cuomo’s executive order “New York State on PAUSE” is in effect, currently from March 22 to May 15, 2020.

New York State on PAUSE “NY State remains on PAUSE through May 15. All non-essential workers are directed to work from home, and everyone is required to wear a face covering and maintain a 6-foot distance from others in public”

FEATURE PHOTO at top of post: Wantagh, New York, U.S. April 22, 2020. Two fishermen wearing waders fish at Mill Pond Park on Earth Day as dusk approaches.

Bellmore-Merrick EMS: Membership Inquiry • Donate

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Mill Pond Park 2020 Earth Day: my PHOTO GALLERY

VIDEO: vimeo.com/annparry/millpondpark2020

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180° Fisheye View: Mill Pond Park

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From LONG ISLAND – by Ann Parry (ann-parry.com)
February 24, 2019

Wantagh, New York, USA. February 20, 2019. During snowfall, 2 swans and some mallards swim in Mill Pond Park on Long Island. 180 degree fisheye view of Nassau County public park. (© 2019 Ann Parry/Ann-Parry.com)

When it started snowing Wednesday, I decided to go to a local park to test my new Nikon fisheye lens* that arrived a few days earlier.

I’d capture 180-degree fisheye, 31-degree Fahrenheit landscapes.

Wantagh, New York, USA. February 20, 2019. Split rail wood fence and beyond at Mill Pond Park on Long Island. 180 degree fisheye view. (© 2019 Ann Parry/Ann-Parry.com)

Eisenhower Park, in East Meadow, with its beautiful lake and Veterans Memorial area, was too far from the pet supply store also on my itinerary, so I went south to Norman J Levy Park, in Merrick, where I found a “Park Closed Due to Weather” sign on the entrance gate.

So I headed east to Wantagh and parked along Merrick Road near the wood gazebo at the gate-less south border of Mill Pond Park.

Wantagh, New York, USA. February 20, 2019. Snow falls at Mill Pond Park, with partly shoveled path leading to wood gazebo on Long Island. 180 degree fisheye view of Nassau County public park. (© 2019 Ann Parry/Ann-Parry.com)

Slowly, I walked on the partly cleared path, passed the wood gazebo, and very slowly approached the snowy shore, with a pair of swans swimming nearby and a small flock of mallards further out.

*Nikon AF-S Fisheye NIKKOR 8-15mm f/3.5-4.5E ED Lens

fisheye lens set at 170-degrees – cropped series, swan in pond:

180-Degree (Fisheye Lens – Nature): my Photo GALLERY

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Great photo essay on James Lovell! Makes me want to read his book! Amazing all the events that lined up…

Your tribute to your dad is amazing, just like you and your dad, Ann! I can’t wait to show the…

I am a born and raised son of Nassau County. I could not be more outraged that the citizens of…

Thanks, Lou, that means a lot - so happy you saw this post!

Magnificent presentation!!!

From Long Island

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Category Archives: Wantagh

Lt. Quentin Roosevelt Cadet Squadron SOARS

180° Fisheye View: Mill Pond Park