By Nick Buglione
Braving the cold on Dec. 6, scores turned out to watch the Christmas tree and Hanukkah menorah adjacent to the Carman Avenue Pool illuminate under the early evening sky. They also came, however, to remember longtime civic leader Beverlee Szimanski, who died almost a year ago.
"This was a very special day for her," said Helen Meittinis, current president of the Community Association of Stewart Avenue, the civic group that's organized these holiday lightings for about the past 16 years. "She was just so happy to bring the community together."
Just after last year's holiday lighting, Szimanski was suddenly diagnosed with advanced cancer. News of her illness shocked friends and neighbors. Szimanski died on Jan. 26, 2002 in her home and was later cremated. She was 69.
"This was the light of the year for her," said Nassau County Legis. Norma Gonsalves (R-East Meadow), a close friend of Szimanski's. "All the frustration and all the disappointment during the year meant nothing. I'm very happy this is continuing because Beverlee [would have wanted it to]."
Before the lighting, Meittinis and local elected officials unveiled a plaque set on a rock just under the tree where every year during the holidays Szimanski would rally the community.
It read: "A living reminder of a community leader who worked tirelessly for the benefit of the people of Salisbury."
"She left a mark on this community that will never be forgotten," said Councilman Gary Hudes (R-Levittown). "Her work in this community and her giving will always live on."
The temporary plate will be replaced with a permanently engraved bronze one in about two months, Meittinis said.
John Szimanski, Beverlee's husband, was touched by the plaque's kind words. "I think it's the most wonderful thing in the world they could do for her," he said. "This was her baby. Ever since they put this tree in it's been her baby."
As night fell, the tree and menorah were lit and the mood became more festive. Santa Claus stopped by, chauffeured in by the East Meadow Fire Department. Children playing in the recently fallen snow stopped once Kriss Kringle was in sight.
The W.T. Clarke High School Chorus was also on hand, belting out holiday tunes with the help of the crowd.
