Lawrence schools celebrates 125 years with music

For the second time in four months, an anniversary celebration for Lawrence schools had to be scraped due to bad weather as the Jan. 7 dinner to commemorate the district’s 125 years was postponed because of that Saturday’s snowstorm.

The philharmonic-like concert did take place on Jan. 8 and was fill of singing and musical performances. It also included an appearance by Lawrence grad and famous shoe entrepreneur Steve Madden and alumni Joe Olasky, class of 1934, who celebrated his 99th birthday on Jan. 7.

District officials were presented with proclamation, citations and certificates from State Sen. Todd Kaminsky (D-Long Beach),  Assemblywoman Missy Miller (R-Atlantic Beach), Ann DeMichael representing County Executive Ed Mangano, County Legislators Howard Kopel (R-Lawrence) and Denise Ford (R-Long Beach) and Town of Hempstead Councilmen Bruce Blakeman and Anthony D’Esposito.

Lawrence schools, founded on Jan. 24, 1891, is paying homage to its past with an exhibit of memorabilia that includes photographs, the clock from the Number One School, a vintage classroom desk replica and a 45-minute video documenting the district’s history with remembrances from graduates, including Millie Magnuson, 93, one of Lawrence High School’s oldest living alumni.

The dinner has been rescheduled for Saturday, Jan. 28 at 6 p.m. in the high school. The documentary film will be shown at 7:30 p.m.