RSS 2.0 FeedThursday, December 22, 2011, Merrick Life
Meet the new man and woman of the year
Merrick Life and the Chamber of Commerce will honor MeMe Wanderman and Al Lage this year.
Merrick Life and the Merrick Chamber of Commerce announce this year’s recipients of the Man and Woman of the Year awards – Miriam “MeMe” Wanderman and Al Lage.
Al Lage
Mr. Lage, nominated by letter writer Susan Helsinger, was lauded for all the support and volunteer hours he puts in at the Chamber of Commerce festivals. He spends countless hours running the ride ticket booth at the fairs, counting the money and using his business skills to make sure everything runs smoothly.
The monies raised at the chamber festivals support both the holiday lights program and the largest scholarship funded by a single chamber group in New York State. The fundraising efforts are well guarded with Mr. Lage at the helm.
During the selection committee meeting, Doug Mills noted that he is also great supporter of all the organizations that make up the Merricks. He and his wife, Carmela, are known to purchase tickets, raffles, donate time and money to most every organization in town.
Most notably, the Lages have given tremendous support and have raised hundreds of thousands of dollars through their efforts for the United Cerebral Palsy of Nassau County.
Al and Carmela (Merrick’s Woman of the Year 1995) have been married for almost 55 years, are the parents of Michele and John, and grandparents of twins Jacqueline and Christina, John Jr. and Jordan.
“I enjoy what I’m doing,” said Mr. Lage referencing to his volunteer work. He was also the former owner of a laundromat that was near what is now Five Guys Burgers and Fries.
MeMe Wanderman
In what was at first (at least in recent memory) Miriam Wanderman received the most letters written in for a nomination: six. It’s not the number of those noting Mrs. Wanderman’s efforts, but the substance behind each of them that swayed the vote in her favor.
Steven Kussin wrote about her continued involvement in the schools (through the PTA) long after her three sons had graduated. “She viewed all the local children as her children! In that context, she fought for them all.”
Eileen Connolly, assistant principal at Kennedy High School, has known MeMe for over 16 years. “Parents would go to her for advice and counsel, and administrators would seek her opinion,” she said.
Lois Stein, who has known her for over 25 years, described Mrs. Wanderman as the epitome of the “truly selfless volunteer who sees work to be done and does it.”
This sentiment was echoed by Mildred Wurman, who was concerned her words would not adequately convey MeMe’s hard work in giving back to the community. she “doesn’t just participate; she gives each project her whole effort…”
Ellen Firer, Merrick Library director, knows MeMe as a longtime trustee of the Merrick Library board. Among the many points she highlighted in her nomination was her note of MeMe’s endless support for the “underdog.” “As a library, having to address the entire needs of the community, you cannot ignore any segment,” Mrs. Firer continued, describing how MeMe responds to situations.
The final nomination is from a sister board member of Mrs. Wanderman, a former Merrick Woman of the Year, Sue Dillon. In naming MeMe’s previous awards from various groups, she writes, “It takes a great deal of time, energy and commitment to be an effective leader. Her (MeMe’s) continuing concerns for our children are remarkable.”
“She has devoted her life to helping enrich our community, making it a better place to live in,” continued Mrs. Dillon.
MeMe is married nearly 40 years to Jay and they are the parents of Adam, Joshua and Daniel, mother-in-law to Adina and grandmother of Ryan.
On Thursday, January 26, the Merrick Chamber of Commerce Installation Dinner will also be the spot to honor both Al Lage and Miriam Wanderman. To get your tickets to the dinner call 771-1171. Table reservations are also available.
The community is invited to attend this event and kick off the new year with a great party, honoring these two who have given so much to our community, as well as the small business people that make Merrick a great place to live, work and shop.
