RSS 2.0 FeedSeptember 15, 2011, Weekly editorial
Life is short
One message we heard over and over from survivors of the 9/11 attack on the World Trade Center was “Life is short.” Ten years ago many of them made major changes in their lives, hoping to live life more fully and do more to make life better for others.
That is what the staff at your community newspaper and website tries to do each week, helping make the community a community. And things really rev up each fall as school, sports and other activities resume after the summer.
We plan to be at the Bellmore Family Street Festival this weekend, near the train station, inviting people who don’t already know us to subscribe. We look forward to hearing from our subscribers too, about how we can serve you better.
If you haven’t ever visited this huge event, we suggest next weekend would be a great start. Chances are you will run into neighbors and friends as you stroll up Bedford Avenue or wait for the kids by the rides. People from our community are just as excited about the Bellmore fair as the members of the Chamber of Commerce of the Bellmores, who have hosted it every year for 25 years now.
Lifelong friendships have sprung up among the business people and residents who work hard at the fair. Accountant, firefighter, computer guru, candy store keeper, restauranteur, dog groomer, lawyer, karate teacher and dancer all sport those classic “fair official” shirts and all are honorary Mayor for the Day in town. The streets belong to them – and a good cause.
Monies raised help support the business community which in turn helps support the tax base. And a thriving, attractive business community helps increase property values for homeowners in the area. The chamber also gives scholarships to local students, and its merchant members donate to many local causes.
You will probably discover stores and eateries you would like to come back and visit again.
So, see you at the fair!
Historical footnote: It was the late Trudi Cowan, former editor of Bellmore Life and founder of the Historical Society of the Bellmores, who first proposed a Western Days summer street festival and precursor to the famous Bellmore fair. On a trip out west with her husband and kids, she felt that hometown spirit at Western country fairs and knew we have the same spirit here on Long Island, just sans the cowboy boots. By the way, one of her favorite movies was “It’s a Wonderful Life!”
