FIFTH ANNUAL PRAIRIE BENEFIT ON APRIL 30, 2010

Friends of Hempstead Plains at Nassau Community College was proud to honor 3 special people at its fifth annual Prairie Benefit fund raiser on April 30, 2010 at the Hofstra University Club.

Honoree Dr. Paul VanWie, President of Franklin Square Historical Society, Professor at Hostra University and Director of Social Studies Programs for East Williston School District, has been a friend for years, helping to provide local history about the Hempstead Plains. The Honorable Ed Mangano, Nassau County Executive, was our Honored Special Guest, and Dr. Sean Fanelli, President Emeritus of Nassau Community College, received the Visionary Award for his foresight and support for the preservation of the historic Hempstead Plains on the College campus.

The Honorees each received a beautiful color painting of the historic Birdfoot Violet (Nassau County official flower), by botanical artist and Friends of Hempstead Plains Board of Directors’ member, Harriet Carotenuto.

A generous crowd of 80 people attended the event, enjoyed a light supper, plenty of great raffles and heard about plans for the new Hempstead Plains Education Center. Also it was announced that the new Education Center has been accepted into the Sustainable Sites Initiative (SITES) pilot program, the nation’s first rating system for sustainable landscapes. SITES is comparable to the LEEDS certification program for sustainable buildings, and is dedicated to how land is developed and managed at every level.

The friends would like to thank all those who helped make the Fifth Annual Prairie Benefit a success, including the Prairie Benefit Committee, honorees, Hofstra University Club, supporters, attendees and their guests.

L to R: Hon. Dave McDonough, Dr. Sean Fanelli, Dr. Catherine Kelly, Tom and Betsy Gulotta, Hon. Ed Mangano, Dr. Paul VanWie, Hon. Norma Gonsalves, and Hon. Charles Fuschillo, Jr.

L to R: Ron Gurrieri, Dr. Sean Fanelli, Dr. Paul VanWie, Hon. Dave Denenberg,
Betsy Gulotta, Hon. Norma Gonsalves, and Jerry Laricchiuta.