Blazing Baldwin staying cool

Max and Gavin stayed cool in their "pond."

Chris Connolly

The Ayisi girls, Rose and Gloria, came to Baldwin from West Africa. They said the heat was "no problem."

Chris Connolly

Gracine Sermons, right, and Jeanell Pharr, both attending the Moving Up Ceremony at Shubert, said they were enjoying the heat.

Chris Connolly

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Despite scorching temperatures that are projected to continue for the next few days, most people in Baldwin appeared to be keeping their cool today. Of the approximately 60 parents and relatives who clustered in the air-conditioned alcove at Shubert Elementary for the school’s final Moving Up Ceremony, no one reported undue suffering from the heat.

“I love it,” said Gracine Sermons, clad in a light skirt and a sleeveless shirt and holding a bottle of water. “I’m a summer girl. I was born in July. I love the heat.”

Sharing a bench with Sermons was Jeanell Pharr, who said that although her birthday was in February, she was enjoying the warm weather as well. “The hotter the better,” she said. “This is for me.”

Although Baldwin was cheerful in beating the heat, the Town of Hempstead did take steps to ensure residents had plenty of options. Town Supervisor Kate Murray announced that 15 cooling centers were operating and that pool hours had been extended in six locations.

“The heat wave we are expecting on Wednesday and Thursday poses significant health risks for residents who do not have air conditioning or a cool place to stay,” Murray said in a statement. “By opening these 15 cooling centers and extending pool hours at 6 locations, we are providing our residents with great ways to beat the heat!” (See list below for locations and hours.)

Although happy to hear that options for beating the heat were available, two Baldwin residents who won’t be taking advantage of them were Rose and Gloria Ayisi. Walking up the grassy path to Shubert in colorful summer attire, the Ayisis said they were thriving under the brilliant sun. “We’re from Ghana, West Africa,” Rose explained. “No problem.”

Cooling centers are open to the public from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. (except where noted):
• Baldwin Senior Center, 1810 N. Grand Ave., Baldwin, (516) 546-7110
• Bellmore Senior Center, 2000 Bellmore Ave., Bellmore, (516) 221-9696
• Cedarhurst Senior Center, 200 Cedarhurst Avenue, Cedarhurst, (516) 295-1177 (open until 4:30 p.m.)
• East Meadow Senior Center, 1485 Front Street, East Meadow, (516) 794-2458 (open until 4:45 p.m.)
• Elmont Senior Center, 138 Elmont Rd., Elmont, (516) 354-4777
• Franklin Square Senior Center, 1182 Martha Pl. Franklin Square, (516) 328-3010