Category Archives: Schools

Schools: Students, School buildings and school grounds, School events on and off school grounds

Hempstead, New York, U.S. March 20, 2012 L-R, Journalists BOB WOODWARD and CARL BERNSTEINarl Bernstein speak on 40th Anniversary of Watergate, at Hofstra University. Lecture was about the Watergate political scandal, which lead to resignation of President Richard Nixon, and is one of Debate 2012 events at Hofstra, which the Commission on Presidential Debates chose as the site of its October 16, 2012 Presidential Debate. (© 2012 Ann Parry, annparry.com)

Woodward & Bernstein on 40th Anniversary of Watergate

From LONG ISLAND – by Ann Parry (ann-parry.com)
November 18, 2012

Bob Woodward & Carl Bernstein speak at Hofstra

To make sure I understood it correctly, I read Hofstra University’s announcement twice that Pulitzer Prize winning journalists BOB WOODWARD and CARL BERNSTEIN were speaking there this year. 

Hempstead, NY, USA. March 20, 2012. CARL BERNSTEIN, investigative journalist, talks about the Watergate political scandal during its 40th Anniversary, at Hofstra University.  (© 2012 Ann Parry/Ann-Parry.com)

Hempstead, NY, USA. March 20, 2012. CARL BERNSTEIN, investigative journalist, talks about the Watergate political scandal during its 40th Anniversary, at Hofstra University. (© 2012 Ann Parry/Ann-Parry.com)

The Commission on Presidential Debates had chosen Hofstra as the site of the October 16, 2012 Presidential Debate, and the Woodward Bernstein lecture was part of a series of events leading up to it.

Hempstead, NY, U.S. March 20, 2012. BOB WOODWARD, investigative journalist, talks about the Watergate political scandal during its 40th Anniversary, at Hofstra University. (© 2012 Ann Parry/Ann-Parry.com)

Hempstead, NY, U.S. March 20, 2012. BOB WOODWARD, investigative journalist, talks about the Watergate political scandal during its 40th Anniversary, at Hofstra University. (© 2012 Ann Parry/Ann-Parry.com)

Ever since playing such pivotal roles in the Watergate scandal, America’s presidential earthquake in the 1970’s, the two have been investigative reporting rock stars, and I was going to see them!

Four Decades Ago

Riding past the Watergate Hotel in 1973, during the summer I spent job hunting in Washington, DC, I stared at the curved buildings as if enough willpower could summon a recreation of the break-in at the Democratic National Committee headquarters there the year before.

In 1974 President Nixon resigned after investigations spearheaded by Washington Post journalists Bob Woodward and Carl Bernstein revealed break-in cover-up attempts that led all the way to the White House. 

In 1976 the Academy Award-winning movie based on their non-fiction book All the President’s Men vividly brought to life the events that both brought down a president and profoundly altered the perception of the institution of the American presidency.

Back to the Present

Forty years later, on March 20, 2012, Bob Woodward and Carl Bernstein spoke at Hofstra University about the Watergate legacy.

March 20, 2012 - Hempstead, New York, U.S. - On stage, L-R, CARL BERNSTEIN and BOB WOODWARD answer audience questions after the investigative journalists spoke on 40th Anniversary of the Watergate political scandal, at Hofstra University. (© 2012 Ann Parry/Ann Parry, ann-parry.com)

Hempstead, NY, USA. March 20, 2012. – On stage, L-R, CARL BERNSTEIN and BOB WOODWARD answer audience questions after the investigative journalists spoke on 40th Anniversary of the Watergate political scandal, at Hofstra University. (© 2012 Ann Parry/Ann-Parry.com)

First they discussed their investigation into the break-in, and its cover-up, of the Democratic National Headquarters at the Watergate office complex in Wash. DC, which lead to the resignation of President Nixon.

Then the journalists answered questions from the full-house audience.

It was the first of a long series of outstanding Hofstra Debate 2012 Signature Events – all open and free to the public – that I covered this year. Talk about setting the bar high!


Feature Photo (top of post): Hempstead, New York, U.S. March 20, 2012 L-R, Journalists BOB WOODWARD and CARL BERNSTEIN speak on 40th Anniversary of Watergate, at Hofstra University. Lecture was about the Watergate political scandal, which lead to resignation of President Richard Nixon.


Woodward & Bernstein, Hofstra: my PHOTO GALLERY

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Miss Wantagh Pageant 2012

Miss Wantagh Pageant 2012

From LONG ISLAND – by Ann Parry  (ann-parry.com)
July 5, 2012

The Miss Wantagh Pageant has been a tradition here on Long Island, New York, since 1956.

Wantagh, NY, USA. July 4, 2012. KELLY GARLAND, Miss Wantagh 2010, attends Miss Wantagh Pageant ceremony, a long-time Independence Day tradition on Long Island. (© 2012 Ann Parry/Ann-Parry.com)

Wantagh, NY, USA. July 4, 2012. KELLY GARLAND, Miss Wantagh 2010, attends Miss Wantagh Pageant ceremony, a long-time Independence Day tradition on Long Island. (© 2012 Ann Parry/Ann-Parry.com)

Soon after yesterday’s Wantagh July 4th Parade, a large crowd gathered on the front lawn of the Wantagh Elementary School on Beech Street for the Miss Wantagh Pageant winner announcement and Crowning Ceremony.

Miss Wantagh 2011, KARA ARENA, sang two patriotic songs in such a lovely voice it was easy to mistakenly assume artistic talent is one of the qualities contestants are judged on. In fact, the Miss Wantagh Pageant, which is not a beauty pageant, crowns a high school student based mainly on her academic excellence and community service.

Wantagh, NY, USA. July 4, 2012. Miss Wantagh Pageant 2012 winner Hailey Orgass receives trophy from Eden Held Miss Wantagh 2009 at crowning ceremony. 1st runner up was Alyssa Kelly, 2nd runner up was Paulina Renda, & 3rd runner up was Alyson Hopkins. (© 2012 Ann Parry/Ann-Parry.com)

Wantagh, NY, USA. July 4, 2012. Miss Wantagh Pageant 2012 winner HAILEY ORGASS receives trophy from EDEN HELD Miss Wantagh 2009 at crowning ceremony. 1st runner up was ALYSSA KELLY, 2nd runner up was PAULINA RENDA, & 3rd runner up was ALYSON HOPKINS. (© 2012 Ann Parry/Ann-Parry.com)

The new Miss Wantagh:

Wantagh, New York, U.S. July 4, 2012. HAILEY ORGASS, Miss Wantagh Pageant 2012, holds trophy at crowning ceremony, a long-time Independence Day tradition on Long Island. (Ann Parry/Ann Parry, ann-parry.com)

Wantagh, New York, U.S. July 4, 2012. HAILEY ORGASS, Miss Wantagh Pageant 2012, holds trophy at crowning ceremony, a long-time Independence Day tradition on Long Island. (Ann Parry/Ann Parry, ann-parry.com)

Other participants in the ceremony included former Miss Wantaghs KELLY GARLAND (2010) and EDEN HELD (2009); ELLA STEVENS, the Coordinator of Miss Wantagh Pageant; Nassau County Legislator DAVE DENENBERG, who announced the 1st Runner Up; and Nassau County Clerk MAUREEN O’CONNELL, who announced Miss Wantagh 2012.

Miss Wantagh Pageant 2012: PHOTO GALLERY 

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Merrick, N.Y., U.S. Nov. 13, 2010. Clarinetists Stanley Drucker and Naomic Drucker take curtain call after performing in concert presented by Merrick-Bellmore Community Concert Association. (© 2010 Ann Parry, annparry.com)

Stanley Drucker Concert 2010

From LONG ISLAND – by Ann Parry (annparry.com)
November 20, 2010

Last Saturday, world-famous clarinetist STANLEY DRUCKER gave a concert presented by the Merrick Bellmore Community Concert Association at Calhoun High School. NAOMI DRUCKER, his wife and fellow clarinetist; and pianist MARILYN SHERMAN LEHMAN also performed, to the added delight of the audience.

MERRICK - NOV 13, 2010: Stanley Drucker, world famous Clarinetist formerly of New York Philharmonic for 60 years, performing during MBCCA concert (Ann Parry/Ann Parry, Ann-Parry.com)

Merrick, NY, USA. Nov. 13, 2010. Clarinetist STANLEY DRUCKER performs during concert presented by Merrick Bellmore Community Concert Association. (© 2010 Ann Parry/Ann-Parry.com)

While dropping off concert flyers at the Drucker home the week before the concert, I told Mrs. Drucker I’d like to take photos during concert night.

She looked up, smiling. “Since you’re a photographer,” she said, “you might enjoy our photos.”

What an understatement!

And suddenly I was on a fun and moving tour of photos, posters, and other artwork throughout their home, including guest bathroom – all which helped bring to life the professional musical careers of the Drucker family: dad Stanley and mom Naomi, classical musicians; son LEON, double bassist Lee Rocker for The Stray Cats; and daughter ROSANNE DRUCKER, alternative country singer.

Naomi Drucker is an enchanting wood sprite come to life, which made me look forward to the concert not only for the music, but for the chance to photograph such warm, charismatic Long Islanders.

Stanley Drucker, world famous clarinetist and former member of New York Philharmonic for 60 years, and Naomi Drucker, clarinetist and her wife, performing at MBCCA Concert, New York, November 13, 2010 (Ann Parry/Ann Parry, Ann-Parry.com)

Merrick, NY, USA. Nov. 13, 2010. L-R, Clarinetist NAOMI DRUCKER, pianist MARILYN SHERMAN LEHMAN, and clarinetist STANLEY DRUCKER perform at MBCCA Concert. (© 2010 Ann Parry/Ann-Parry.com)

It can be quite challenging to capture concert photos of instrumentalists, where about 95% of the photo is dark costumes, grand piano, and stage curtains and the rest is face, hands, and a tuxedo shirt that all seem to be about 9-light-stops away.

MERRICK - NOV. 13: Marilyn Sherman, pianist, after performing with Stanley Drucker and Naomi Druciker in concert presented by Merrick-Bellmore Community Concert Association, November 13, 2010, in Merrick, NY, USA (Ann Parry/Ann Parry, Ann-Parry.com)

Merrick, NY, USA. Nov. 13, 2010. Pianist MARILYN SHERMAN LEHMAN performs at concert presented by Merrick Bellmore Community Concert Assoc.  (© 2010 Ann Parry/Ann-Parry.com)

I used my Nikon D200 with Nikkor 18-200mm zoom lens, and did my best – including 1600 ISO and exposure compensation – but it’s motivated me to seriously consider getting the Nikkor 70-200mm f/2.8 lens, so I can use my Nikon D700 for similarly extreme lighting situations in future.

MERRICK - NOV. 13: Stanley Drucker, clarinetist; with (R) wife Naomic Drucker, with bouquet of flowers during curtain call after performing in concert presented by Merrick-Bellmore Community Concert Association, November 13, 2010, in Merrick, NY, USA (Ann Parry/Ann Parry, Ann-Parry.com)

Merrick, NY, USA. Nov. 13, 2010. Second from right, Clarinetist STANLEY DRUCKER signs autographs for young fans, and second from right is clarinetist NAOMI DRUCKER, after concert presented by Merrick Bellmore Community Concert Assoc. (© 2010 Ann Parry/Ann-Parry.com)

Though Mr. Drucker retired last year after a stellar 60 year career with the New York Philharmonic, he remains an active international performer.

When I think about how our Merrick Bellmore Community Concert Association* was formed a few years after Mr. Drucker joined the NY Philharmonic, I’m in awe of his legendary career.

FYI from Long Island:  *MBCCA was founded in 1953 by Betty Mordoff Hendrix, my mother Mary Ann Parry, Leon Summit, and Bertha Winter.


FEATURE PHOTO (at top of post):  Merrick, N.Y., U.S. Nov. 13, 2010. Clarinetists Stanley Drucker and Naomi Drucker take curtain call after performing in concert presented by Merrick-Bellmore Community Concert Association. another view


Stanley Drucker Concert: my PHOTO GALLERY 

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