Tag Archives: North Merrick

North Merrick, New York, U.S. October 18, 2020. NMR North Merrick Runners club members have practice run with staggered starting times for social distancing safety during COVID-19 pandemic. © 2020 Ann Parry, FromLongIsland.com

North Merrick Runners Do It with Social Distancing

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From LONG ISLAND – by Ann Parry (annparry.com)
October 25, 2020

North Merrick Runners – safety comes first

The North Merrick Runners club used staggered start times during its practice run October 18th to ensure social distancing during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Looking forward to cheering on my daughter Sue and her fellow NMR members, I began looking near Park Avenue School for runners about 3:20 PM, optimistically soon after the 3:00 scheduled start time.

• VIDEO  (with music; clips not chronological):
I looked up the sidewalks and road for a while. Then I told my neighbor, who was working in his front yard, that runners in the North Merrick Runners club would be passing by soon, which they did.

After cheering and videoing each runner, and hearing my neighbor also cheer before he left, I stayed on the lookout until at least ten minutes, but no runners, passed by.

20201018 NMR 5K PR route strava

20201018 NMR 5K PR route strava

Enjoy the run!

  • FEATURE PHOTO –  North Merrick, New York, U.S. Oct. 18, 2020. NMR North Merrick Runners club member makes “V for Victory” hand sign during practice run with staggered starting times for social distancing safety during COVID-19 pandemic. (© 2020 Ann Parry)

facebook:  North Merrick Runners

my Vimeo video:  vimeo.com/annparry/nmr

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North Merrick, New York, U.S. June 4, 2020. Black Lives Matter March heads east on Jerusalem Ave and then turns north onto Bellmore Avenue, toward eastbound entrance to Southern State Parkway. Shortly before protestors arrive, Nassau County Police officers park several patrol cars at intersection to stop and divert traffic to make path for peaceful march of largely of young marchers, black and white . Many marchers wore face masks, some masks covering mouth and nose, some masks lowered below mouth as they chanted. Young black man with megaphone led the chant: megaphone man: NO JUSTICE marchers: NO PEACE megaphone man: NO RACIST marchers: POLICE Signs marchers carried included: RIP GEORGE FLOYD - IGNORANCE IS ALWAYS AFRAID OF CHANGE - BLM! - BLACK LIVES MATTER - NO RACIST POLICE

from Merrick, Long Island: Black Lives Matter

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From LONG ISLAND – by Ann Parry (annparry.com)
June 5, 2020

peaceful march in turbulent June

VIDEO – Black Lives Matter March, N. Merrick, NY, Thursday, June 4, 2020:

⇔ Last night, while driving home shortly before 9 PM, I accidentally found myself in the path of a Black Lives Matter March about to turn onto Bellmore Ave from Jerusalem Ave in North Merrick.

When marchers turned, they passed between my car and several Nassau County Police patrol cars parked to block the intersection, so marchers had a safe, clear path.  [google maps]

I held my iPhone out the driver’s window to film the marchers, many spread out for social distancing. Most were young, some black, some white, and most wore masks, either covering their mouths and noses or under their chins.

They carried signs with messages including: RIP George Floyd  –  BLM!  –  Black Lives Matter  – No Racist Police – Ignorance is always afraid of change

A man with a megaphone led his fellow marchers in a chant:  No Justice – No Peace – No Racist – Police

After they continued north for a few minutes, police cleared a path through the intersection, and neighboring cars and I continued south. 

Later, I learned the marchers were part of a massive, peaceful Merrick march that started earlier that night on Sunrise Highway and ultimately blocked traffic on the Southern State Parkway

NAACP.org  •  BlackLivesMatter.com

 ⇔ This Tuesday night, June 2, self-proclaimed reporter got over 10,000 views on facebook when he live-streamed his take on about 30 people at Merrick Road, Merrick, protesting against Black Lives Matters supporters who wanted to march east from Trader Joe’s to Massapequa.

The ugly comments that anti-BLM March group made about the protestors were exacerbated by the videographer repeatedly and inaccurately referring to that small group as The People of Merrick, as if they represented the entire community.

As an aside:  One of the anti-BLM protestors commented how someone was wearing a mask (following CDC guidelines during COVID-19 pandemic) and asked, rhetorically, if the person was a coward.

It’s an anti-mask sentiment I suspect not only the chief executive of the United States but also the COVID-19 virus – if sentient – would share.

 ⇔ 48 minutes ago, today, an email from NY State Senator John Brooks (District 8) landed in my inbox:

Last night, we witnessed a second wave of protests over the tragic death of George Floyd. In good part, this second march was the direct result of spiteful remarks gone viral, made by ignorant people flanking the peaceful march the day before. Let’s be clear, in Merrick there exists an overall community of wonderful people who genuinely believe in the fundamental principles upon which this nation was founded. Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness combined with the understanding that all are created equal provides the basis of outlook, action, and acceptance of any Merokian I have come to know.

The remarks made by these ignorant few do not reflect the opinions and beliefs of the people of the Merrick community or, for that matter, any community on Long Island. Yesterday, many Merokians walked along in protest, while many others stood on sidewalks providing support, applause, and even bottles of water to the passing marchers. In response to the tragedy of George Floyd, I witnessed members of this community march in support of the most basic of human rights, and I was proud; In response to vile words of thinly veiled hatred by a minority of instigators peddling divisiveness, I witnessed this community come together once again to protest that hatred in a peaceful way, and I was inspired.

Merrick is a community of fairness and understanding, of acceptance and fellowship, and I am proud to represent this community in the NY State Senate.

Sincerely,    John E Brooks

I largely agree with Sen. Brooks’ above statement.

⇔ Walk the Walk

Segregation is rampant on Long Island, and – as Newsday’s undercover investigation found – it didn’t happen by accident. [*see links below] 

Yes, we need to Talk the Talk of the truth that Black Lives Matter and deserve equal justice, and to Walk the Walk by supporting/participating in Black Lives Matter protest marches.

Be we also need to take the countless steps needed to have our community, our Long Island communities, be more diverse and reflect the truth that Black Lives Matter and deserve equal justice, housing, health care, education and job opportunities….

*Newsday  – Three-year investigation uncovers widespread unequal treatment by real estate agents on Long Island (2019):

• Undercover Investigation:  racial steering by real estate agents

• Opinion/EDITORIAL (Updated Nov. 17, 2019): Segregation’s stain on Long Island can be overcome

FEATURE PHOTO at top of post: Merrick, New York, U.S. June 4, 2020. North Merrick, New York, U.S. June 4, 2020. Black Lives Matter March heads north on Bellmore Ave in direction of eastbound entrance to Southern State Parkway.

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North Merrick, New York, U.S. September 11, 2019. At Park Avenue School students and staff listen to a patriotic song, and then each class with its teacher pauses in front of the 9/11 Memorial Garden garden in front of the entrance, on their way back into the school. Some shook hands or hugged NICHOLAS CARRANO, 15, of Merrick, a member of Boy Scout Troop 123 and student at Mepham High School. Earlier in ceremony, Principal E. Speidel of the K-6 elementary school talked about the significance of 911 and the 9/11 Memorial Garden, on the 18th Anniversary of the terrorist attacks Sept. 11, 2001.

Building Memories at Park Avenue School 9/11 Memorial Garden

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From LONG ISLAND – by Ann Parry (ann-parry.com)
September 12, 2019

Early yesterday, the 18th Anniversary of 9/11, I heard a woman’s solemn, amplified voice coming through my open windows and thought it was from a neighbor’s TV playing the annual Manhattan 9/11 ceremony.

Having another idea a few minutes later, I walked outside and looked down the road to Park Avenue School.

North Merrick, New York, U.S. September 11, 2019. L-R, NICHOLAS CARRANO, 15, of Merrick, a member of Boy Scout Troop 123, and Park Avenue School Principal EILEEN SPEIDEL pose for photo after outdoor remembrance ceremony on 18th Anniversary of terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001. (© 2019 Ann Parry/Ann-Parry.com)

N. Merrick, New York, U.S. September 11, 2019. L-R, NICHOLAS CARRANO, 15, of Merrick, a member of Boy Scout Troop 123, and Park Avenue School Principal EILEEN SPEIDEL pose for photo after outdoor remembrance ceremony on 18th Anniversary of terrorist attacks on Sept. 11, 2001. (© 2019 Ann Parry/Ann-Parry.com)

Hundreds of students, their teachers, and Principal EILEEN SPEIDEL were outside listening to a patriotic song as they faced the 9/11 Memorial Garden and the American Flag flying at half mast in front of the school’s entrance. 

September 11th Remembrance Day

Two days earlier, Governor Andrew Cuomo signed legislation (Senate 41661/Assembly 1801B) for September 11th Remembrance Day.

The new law, effective immediately, calls for a brief moment of silence in public schools throughout New York State at the beginning of the school day each Sept. 11th, to encouraging dialogue and education in the classroom and ensure an ongoing understanding of the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks and their place in history:

Governor Andrew Cuomo: “9/11 was one of the single darkest periods in this state’s and this nation’s history, and we owe it to those we lost and to the countless heroes who ran toward danger that day and the days that followed to do everything we can to keep their memory alive. By establishing this annual day of remembrance and a brief moment of silence in public schools, we will help ensure we never forget — not just the pain of that moment but of the courage, sacrifice and outpouring of love that defined our response.” 

The 9/11 terrorist attacks in nearby NYC leveled the Twin Towers of the World Trade Center, killing over 3,000 people, including first responders who later died due to breathing toxic air at the sites.

Park Avenue School’s students live in North Bellmore and North Merrick, and residents from both towns were among the victims of the attacks. 

North Merrick, New York, U.S. September 11, 2019. At Park Avenue School, a teacher hugs NICHOLAS CARRANO, 15, of Merrick, a member of Boy Scout Troop 123 , as her students walk around the 9/11 Memorial Garden on their way back into school after 9/11 ceremony, on 18th Anniversary of terrorist attacks Sept. 11, 2001. (© 2019 Ann Parry/Ann-Parry.com)

N. Merrick, New York, U.S. September 11, 2019. At Park Avenue School, a teacher hugs NICHOLAS CARRANO, 15, of Merrick, a member of Boy Scout Troop 123, as her students walk around the 9/11 Memorial Garden on their way back into school after 9/11 ceremony, on 18th Anniversary of terrorist attacks Sept. 11, 2001. (© 2019 Ann Parry/Ann-Parry.com)

9/11 Memorial Garden

During the ceremony, NICHOLAS CARRANO, 15, a member of Merrick Boy Scout Troop 123 and a student at Mepham High School, stood next to the school’s 9/11 Memorial Garden, which has a sturdy two-foot tall circular stone wall around a shade tree and flowering plants, a Peace Pole with “Peace” written in 12 languages, two American Flags, and a plaque atop a small stone monument.

Carrano, a graduate of Park Avenue School, was there because this summer he built the current 9/11 Memorial Garden for his Eagle Scout project. The former garden only had that plaque on its wood rectangular border. As Principal Speidel explained, people didn’t even realize it was a 9/11 Memorial Garden because the plaque blended in with the wood.

As students made their way back to the school building, they slowly looped around, and often paused at, the 9/11 Memorial Garden.

Some of the young girls and boys walked up to Carrano to shake his hand, and some teachers who came up to him gave him a hug, as the students looked on.

Back…

I was a member of Park Avenue School’s first 1st grade class, and my strongest memory of that year was facing the front of the building as I stood by it with a group of people, and then writing my name on a piece of paper passed around.

Decades later, when I mentioned that odd memory to my mom, she smiled and explained I was the 1st grade representative at Park Avenue School’s cornerstone ceremony.

North Merrick, New York, U.S. September 11, 2019. At Park Avenue School students and staff listen to a patriotic song, and then each class with its teacher paused in front of the 9/11 Memorial Garden garden in front of the entrance, on their way back into the school. Earlier in ceremony, Principal E. Speidel of the K-6 elementary school talked about the significance of 911 and the 9/11 Memorial Garden, on the 18th Anniversary of the terrorist attacks Sept. 11, 2001. (Ann Parry/Ann Parry, ann-parry.com)

North Merrick, New York, U.S. September 11, 2019. At Park Avenue School students and staff listen to a patriotic song. Earlier in ceremony, Principal E. Speidel of the K-6 elementary school talked about the significance of 911 and the 9/11 Memorial Garden, on the 18th Anniversary of the terrorist attacks Sept. 11, 2001. (© 2019 Ann Parry/Ann-Parry.com)

…and Forth

I wouldn’t be surprised if the 9/11 Remembrance ceremony is one of the memories Park Avenue School students keep long after they graduate.

And if they have some form of this outdoor lesson each 9/11 at Park Ave, they likely won’t need to ask anyone what it was all about.

PAZ  •  和平  •  PEACE  •   رحمها الله  •  MÍR 
POKÓJ  •  Waffenstillstand  •  ειρήνη 
Barış  •  мир  •  PAIX  •  שלום  •  PACE 

Click each photo above to see larger size.

9/11 2019 Park Ave. School:  PHOTO GALLERY

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