50.0°,
Mostly Cloudy Keeping cool in Valley Stream
Residents head to village pool, town cooling center
Valley Stream residents of all ages tried to beat the heat on Wednesday any way possible. Hundreds of people took to the Valley Stream pool to cool off while about two dozen senior citizens kept cool in the Green Acres Senior Center.
On Tuesday, Town of Hempstead Supervisor Kate Murray announced plans to extend the hours of operation at 15 senior centers for Wednesday and Thursday as temperatures were expected to surpass 90 degrees.
Murray, who enters her ninth summer as supervisor, said establishing “cooling centers” around the Town of Hempstead is something she has done since she took office. The Green Acres Senior Center is open until 8 p.m. on Wednesday and Thursday, instead of closing at its usual 5 p.m. Murray checked in with the seniors at Green Acres on Wednesday afternoon to make sure they were keeping cool.
“They’re being safe, being healthy and being comfortable,” Murray said of the seniors at Green Acres. “I think that goes a long way in helping the most vulnerable parts of our population.”
Mickie Pirretti, a Valley Stream resident since 1953, said she normally goes to Valley Stream pool when it’s hot out, but decided to go to Green Acres on Wednesday as an alternative way to stay cool. The seniors socialized, knitted and played games while in the air conditioning at Green Acres.
Rachel Saltzman said she enjoys playing games with friends at Green Acres and plans to stay inside on the hotter days of summer. Saltzman has been a Valley Stream resident for 41 years and comes to Green Acres about four times a week.
Some fellow seniors decided to keep cool in the Valley Stream pool Wednesday afternoon. Rosemarie Sala and Connie Gardner said they are in the pool almost every day. “The lifeguards are fantastic, they’re the best in Nassau County, and the staff here is great,” Gardner said. Both women said they anticipate a larger crowd at the pool once school lets out.
Rita Eisen said the reasons she comes to the pool so often are because of the staff and the companionship. Eisen added that she used to bring her children and grandchildren to the pool while they were growing up and has many fond memories because of it.
