Tag Archives: Bruce Blakeman

East Meadow, New York, U.S. October 10, 2023. Man holding American flag and Israeli flag on same pole, and wearing red white and blue Uncle Sam style outfit, is among thousands of people attending a rally at Eisenhower Park to show support for Israel following the surprise Hamas attacks over the weekend. Nassau County Executive Blakeman hosted the nonpartisan interfaith event. (© 2023 Ann Parry, annparry.com)

Rally to Support Israel at Eisenhower Park

From LONG ISLAND – by Ann Parry (annparry.com)
October 24, 2023

Nassau County rally & supply drive to support Israel

Roughly six thousand people attended a rally at Eisenhower Park on October 10th to show support for Israel following the surprise Hamas attacks over the weekend.

Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman hosted the nonpartisan, interfaith event that included community leaders speaking and a supply drive collecting items for victims of the violence.

“Rally to Support Israel

East Meadow, N.Y., U.S. Oct. 10, 2023. A young woman holds sign saying ‘THIS IS A MASSACRE WITHOUT I.D.F. THIS WOULD BE A HOLOCAUST’ and man holds ‘Israel will live!’ sign at rally at Eisenhower Park to show support for Israel following the surprise Hamas attacks over the weekend. (© 2023 Ann Parry/AnnParry.com)

VIDEO – Nassau County Legislator Arnold Drucker speaks at rally:

– rally to support Israel –

“Rally to Support Israel

East Meadow, N.Y., U.S. October 10, 2023. Several people wearing the Israeli flag are among thousands attending a rally at Eisenhower Park to show support for Israel following the surprise Hamas attacks over the weekend. (© 2023 Ann Parry/AnnParry.com)

– rally to support Israel –

“Rally to Support Israel

East Meadow, N.Y., U.S. Oct. 10, 2023. MAZI MELESA PILIP, Nassau County Legislator (Republican – Dist. 10) and former IDF Paratrooper, speaks at podium during rally at Eisenhower Park to show support for Israel following the surprise Hamas attacks over the weekend. (© 2023 Ann Parry/AnnParry.com)

– rally to support Israel –

“Rally to Support Israel

East Meadow, N.Y., U.S. October 10, 2023. Rabbi ANCHELLE PERL, leader of the Chabad of Mineola, speaks at podium during rally at Eisenhower Park to show support for Israel following the surprise Hamas attacks over the weekend. (© 2023 Ann Parry/AnnParry.com)

– rally to support Israel –

“Rally to Support Israel

East Meadow, N.Y., U.S. Oct. 10, 2023. Thousands of people attend a rally at Harry Chapin Lakeside Theater at Eisenhower Park to show support for Israel following the surprise Hamas attacks over the weekend. (© 2023 Ann Parry/AnnParry.com)

– rally to support Israel –

“Rally to Support Israel

East Meadow, N.Y., U.S. October 10, 2023. Man wearing ‘United for Israel Bellmore and Merrick L.I.’ t-shirt is among thousands of people attending a rally at Eisenhower Park to show support for Israel following the surprise Hamas attacks over the weekend. (© 2023 Ann Parry/AnnParry.com)

VIDEO – Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman speaks at rally:

– rally to support Israel –

“Rally to Support Israel

East Meadow, N.Y., U.S. October 10, 2023. Nassau County police officers are next to a large ‘Donations for Israel’ box near an entrance to rally at Eisenhower Park to show support for Israel following the surprise Hamas attacks over the weekend. (© 2023 Ann Parry/AnnParry.com)


FEATURE PHOTO (at top of post):  East Meadow, New York, U.S. Oct. 10, 2023. Man holding American flag and Israeli flag on same pole is among thousands of people attending a rally at Eisenhower Park to show support for Israel.


Rally for Israel:  my PHOTO GALLERY

VIDEOS:

Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman speaks at rally: vimeo.com/annparry/blakeman-rally-israel

Nassau County Legislator Arnold Drucker speaks at rally: vimeo.com/annparry/drucker-rally-israel

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Garden City, New York, USA. April 1, 2023. Florida Governor RON DESANTIS speaks during event when the Nassau County GOP hosts the Gov. DeSantis program on The Florida Blueprint at the Cradle of Aviation, on Long Island. (© 2023 Ann Parry, fromlongisland.com) Feature photo of blog post

Nassau County GOP hosts Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis

From LONG ISLAND – by Ann Parry (ann-parry.com)
April 5, 2023                      – fLI OPINION –

Nassau County Republican Committee Unhitches its Wagon from Uprising Star Trump

On April Fools Day, the Nassau County Republican Committee hosted Florida Governor Ron DeSantis at the Cradle of Aviation Museum. 

DeSantis pitched his Florida Blueprint – politics to the right of Trump – to Long Island.

Scottish Festival at Old Westbury Gardens

Garden City, N.Y. USA. April 1, 2023. Trump supporters protest outside the Cradle of Aviation Museum before the event the Nassau County GOP hosts at CAM for Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis. (© 2023 Ann Parry/AnnParry.com)

Before the event started, a few dozen protestors were waving colorful pro-Trump flags at cars passing near CAM’s entrance on Charles Lindberg Blvd.

For though the Long Island event was nominally a stop on the governor’s book tour, it was more importantly an unofficial campaign stop for his undeclared presidential candidacy.

So the Nassau County GOP clearly was no longer acting all in for Trump.

“Gov Ron DeSantis; Trump flags

Garden City, N.Y., USA. April 1, 2023. At entrance to Cradle of Aviation Museum grounds, Trump supporters hold flags by large ‘Chinese Americans… for Trump’ banner during protest before start of event the Nassau County GOP hosts for Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis. (© 2023 Ann Parry/AnnParry.com)

Tickets were free, and the first 300 attendees received a free copy of DeSantis’ new book ‘The Courage to be Free: Florida’s Blueprint for America’s Revival.’ 

VIDEO  – As Ron DeSantis speaks, protestor shouts “Trump” repeatedly:


Early in the event, Nassau County Republican chairman JOSEPH CAIRO introduced several GOP leaders sitting in the VIP section.

“Gov Ron DeSantis; Trump flags

At right, former Rep. PETE KING (R-Seaford) waves to audience when The Nassau County GOP hosts the Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis event. Other GOP notables include, at front far left, former U.S. Sen. AL D’AMATO (R-NY), and, left of King & wearing red tie, Rep. ANTHONY D’ESPOSITO (R-Island Park.) (© 2023 Ann Parry/AnnParry.com)

Prominent Republicans politicians who stood up included Rep. PETE KING (R-Seaford), who attended with his wife Rosemary Weidl; former Sen. AL D’AMATO (R-NY)), who sat with his ex-wife Katuria D’Amato and their two children; and Rep. ANTHONY D’ESPOSITO (R-Island Park).

Cairo then introduced each speaker, including Nassau County Executive BRUCE BLAKEMAN, former Rep. LEE ZELDIN (R-N.Y.), and, finally, FLA Gov. RON DESANTIS.

Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman:

“Gov Ron DeSantis; Trump flags

Garden City, N.Y., USA. April 1, 2023. At left Nassau County Executive BRUCE BLAKEMAN speaks energetically at podium, as Nassau County Republican chairman JOSEPH CAIRO looks on, during event when Nassau County GOP hosts the Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis event. (© 2023 Ann Parry/AnnParry.com)

former Rep. Lee Zeldin:

“Gov Ron DeSantis; Trump flags

Garden City, N.Y., USA. April 1, 2023. Former Rep. LEE ZELDIN(R-Shirley), the 2022 Republican candidate for N.Y. governor, speaks during event when Nassau County GOP hosts the Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis event. (© 2023 Ann Parry/AnnParry.com)

– Gov. DeSantis Event –

“Gov Ron DeSantis; Trump flags

Garden City, N.Y., USA. April 1, 2023. Woman in audience holds ‘The Courage to Be Free,’ a book by Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis. The Nassau County GOP hosted the Gov. DeSantis program on The Florida Blueprint. (© 2023 Ann Parry/AnnParry.com)

Gov. Ron DeSantis:

“Gov Ron DeSantis; Trump flags

Garden City, N.Y., USA. April 1, 2023. Florida Governor RON DESANTISspeaks during event when the Nassau County GOP hosts the Gov. DeSantis event. (© 2023 Ann Parry/AnnParry.com)

While speaking at the podium, Gov. DeSantis commented about the U.S. Navy F11A Tiger jet suspended overhead and how he had served in the Navy.

While earning his law degree from Harvard University, DeSantis joined the U.S. Navy in 2004, and from then to 2010 was a naval officer in the Judge Advocate General Corps. JAGS are attorneys with knowledge of civilian and military law. 

NAVY jet above former NAVY JAG DeSantis:

“Gov Ron DeSantis; Trump flags

Garden City, N.Y., USA. April 1, 2023. A Grumman F-11A Tiger jet is suspended in the Cradle of Aviation Museum atrium, where Nassau County GOP hosts the Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis event. Nose of jet was over stage. (© 2023 Ann Parry/AnnParry.com)

DeSantis made many comparisons between Florida and New York, and between Florida and the U.S. government.

An aside: DeSantis said so much he meant as unflattering about New York that I wondered how it struck his hosts. 

NO STATE INCOME TAX – The governor said how Florida, unlike New York, has no state income tax, and how his state has the warmer weather, though no mention was made of his state’s growing hurricane season. And he stressed in how [once COVID increased workers’ opportunity to work from home] the biggest increase in U.S. migration to Florida has come from New York recently. 

“Gov Ron DeSantis; Trump flags

Garden City, N.Y., USA. April 1, 2023. The Nassau County GOP hosts the Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis program on The Florida Blueprint at the Cradle of Aviation. (© 2023 Ann Parry/AnnParry.com)

CULTURE WARS – Abortion, Education, COVID 19, LGBTQ Rights, Gun Safety….

But it was Opposite Day when Gov. DeSantis presented ways his Trumpian conservative brand of anti-woke CULTURE WARS supposedly is making Florida free. For example:

‘Don’t Say Gay’ law

The governor portrayed his authoritarian approach to what Florida’s schools aren’t allowed to say and do as somehow increasing freedom. 

Florida is where folk go to die from guns   cdc.gov states map 

DeSantis continued to claim Florida has lax gun safety regulations because largely unfettered gun rights are constitutionally guaranteed by the Second Amendment. 

And those regulations are getting even laxer.

On April 3rd, at a non-public event two days after he spoke on Long Island, DeSantis signed legislation allowing residents to carry a concealed loaded weapon without a permit anywhere in the state. 

“Gov Ron DeSantis; Trump flags

Garden City, N.Y., USA. April 1, 2023. At left, ALEX KRAEMER, from NEWSMAX, interviews young man holding ‘The Courage to Be Free,’ a book by Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis. Trump supporter is at far right. The Nassau County GOP hosted the Gov. DeSantis event. (© 2023 Ann Parry/AnnParry.com)

Second Amendment, ratified in 1791:
“A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms shall not be infringed.”

DeSantis’ approach to gun safety makes solid sense, as long as one ignores a few things:

1) The first half of the amendment, “A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State,” states the reason for giving the rights is in order to maintain a well regulated Militia. How is that related to a person owning assault rifles, carrying concealed weapons without permits…?

2) In 1791 “Arms” referred to handguns or long guns that could hold one shot at a time.

3) Florida’s rate of deaths due to gunfire is about 3X that of New York, which has significantly stronger gun safety regulation. cdc.gov states map 

with faint praise:

Though Ron DeSantis isn’t quite as big a danger to America as insurrectionist Donald Trump is, the United States of America needs far better than either.

Thankfully, they won’t be our only candidates, Republican or otherwise, for president in 2024.


FEATURE PHOTO (at top of post) Garden City, N.Y., USA. April 1, 2023. Florida Governor RON DESANTIS speaks during event when the Nassau County GOP hosts his program on The Florida Blueprint, at the Cradle of Aviation on Long Island. (© 2023 Ann Parry/AnnParry.com) 


Gov. Ron DeSantis event on Long Island: my PHOTO GALLERY

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Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America

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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 after Covid-19 pandemic forced it to close in 2020. (© 2022 Ann Parry, annparry.com)

Nunley’s Carousel Reopens with a Roar 2022

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

Nunley’s Carousel  sitefacebookMAP 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.)

“Nunley’s

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. 

“Nunley’s

Garden City, N.Y., U.S. August 16, 2022. AARON, 2, of East Meadow, rides on a horse, with his mother holding him, when historic Nunley’s Carousel officially reopens (© 2022 Ann Parry/AnnParry.com)

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!

“Nunley’s

Garden City, N.Y., U.S. August 16, 2022. Nassau County Executive BRUCE BLAKEMAN rides on the lion when Nunley’s Carousel officially reopens.  (© 2022 Ann Parry/AnnParry.com)

Among those Blakeman thanked for attending:

“Nunley’s

Garden City, New York, U.S. August 7, 2012.  Nunley’s Carousel organ has panels above it decorated with paintings of Long Island landmarks and iconic scenes. (© 2012 Ann Parry/AnnParry.com)

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.

“Nunley’s

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)

“Nunley’s

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!

“Nunley’s

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

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