Much has happened since our last newsletter went out. It is hard to know where to begin. What is most on my mind is the death of Hortense (Horty) Schmierer.
After our annual meeting where Horty had again been elected our Secretary/Treasurer, while going into her home, Horty fell and hit her head. Though initially fine, while at the hospital getting stitches, she slipped into a coma and died early Saturday morning June 15th. Horty was involved in many things and was so dedicated to League.
Flora Schwartz recollected when she commented to Horty, “You do so many things, and you do them all so graciously.” Horty replied, “That’s why I’m here.” As an expression of sympathy, memorial contributions may be made to your favorite charitable organization. For everyone, Horty’s death has been a shock and very, very difficult. But as Harris Dinkoff says, “We must go on.”
Horty Schmierer, Peter Rosenthal, Alisa Henderson, and Nancy Rosenthal attended the LWVNYS Convention in Albany the first weekend in June. Please find their article about their experience in this newsletter. We also had a planning session on June 3rd under the astute guidance of Joanne Antun; we clarified our League’s mission statement, determined our focus points for the coming year, and planned our meeting topics for the coming year.
Our annual meeting was a huge success thanks to the awesome planning and choice of McQuades Restaurant by our Alisa Henderson. Samantha Cohen (Sammi), our Student in Albany attended with her family, talking to us all about her experience in Albany as well as letting us know of her summer internship with our US Senator, Kirsten Gillibrand. John O’Connell, executive editor of the Long Island Herald gave an incredible speech which is also included in this newsletter.
At our first board meeting, I appointed our new Secretary, Harris Dinkoff, and our new Treasurer, Sallie Prisyon. I cannot thank each of them enough for stepping up to fill this void in our officers due to Horty’s untimely death. Harris had been elected at the annual meeting as my co-President; he resigned that position in order to take on the office of Secretary.
Without a doubt, I know Harris will not only be an excellent secretary, but he will continue to assist me and our League as he would had he continued as co-President. Sallie already does our member record keeping for LWVUS, and she sees taking on this office as making sense given all she does for membership records.
Our upcoming year looks promising. Look for more news of this in our next newsletter. Remember that the Primary will take place September 10th. Also, the candidate forum for County Executive is scheduled for Tuesday, October 15th at Hofstra University. Our candidate forums for Nassau County Legislature will be the week of October 21st.
July 13th will be our summer barbecue potluck at the Rosenthal’s. Enjoy your Fourth!
Nancy
