Thursday, October 1, 2026
United Church organist honored
Concert pianist Lin Hong, a graduate of the Julliard School and Minister of Music at United Church of Rockville Centre, recently returned from a West Coast concert tour. While in Walnut, Calif. he received a Certificate of Congressional Recognition from Judy Chu, Ph.D, the former mayor of Walnut who is now a member of Congress from the 32nd District. Chu congratulated Hong on behalf of her district and city for his outstanding and brilliant musical career.
Well known throughout Europe and especially in China, where thousands attend his performances, Hong is currently preparing for Christmas performances at the United Church. The Christmas Eve service is always a highlight of the year with traditional Christmas hymns and performances from outstanding Julliard students.
New to the Lions Club
Rockville Centre Lions Club President Ed Asip inducted four new members at its most recent meeting on Nov. 17.
The local chapter of the Lions, known for sponsoring the annual Duck Race and Fall Festival in Centennial Park at Mill River, is part of the world’s largest service club organization, with 45,000 chapters worldwide and 1.3 million members.
As “The Knights of the Blind,” the club supports sight programs and services including: vision screenings, eye banks and eyeglass recycling; eye care services to those at risk of losing their sight; diabetes education, treatment, research and early detection.
In the photo above, Ed Asip, second from left, swears in new members Jeff Greenfield, Michael Johnson Jr., Kristin Tkach and Nathan Allen as former Mayor Gene Murray, far left, looks on.
The local chapter always welcomes new members. Anyone interested can contact Asip at easip48@gmail.com.
CALENDAR
On the board
Board of Trustees Briefing
Jan. 6, 7 p.m., Village Hall
Board of Trustees Meeting
Jan. 10, 8:15 p.m., Village Hall
Community Events
Rockville Centre Historical Society
The Museum of the Village of Rockville Centre invites residents to visit and enjoy the historic Phillips House restoration, resplendently decorated for the season in a Victorian motif, at 28 Hempstead Ave. Hours are Saturday and Sunday 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. and also by appointment for groups. Also on exhibit through Jan. 16 are more than 30 Christopher Radko Glass Christmas tree ornaments. On permanent display are kitchen tools, carpentry tools, period furniture, pharmaceutical collectibles and much more. There is no fee. For more information, call (516) 764-7459.
Coat Drive
Coats and outerwear can be dropped either at the Recreation Center lobby or in the lobby of the Covert Elementary School. The drive will be run through Dec. 20. South Side High School students Lily Schoen and Lizzy Handsman will donate the coats to the Rockville Centre/Lakeview Economic Opportunity Council, the Hempstead EOC as well as the Interfaith Nutrition Network in Hempstead.
SEPTA Family Bowling Night
Join fellow members of RVC SEPTA at SEPTA Family Bowling on Dec. 18, from 10:30 a.m. to noon at RVC Lanes. Bowling is $5 per person, including bowling shoe rental, for the first 30 SEPTA members and their guests.
Midnight bowling
The Rockville Centre Youth Council will again sponsor a late-night bowling event at RVC Lanes on Maple Avenue on Dec. 29 at 9:30 p.m. for teens in grades 9-12 and college freshman. For more information, contact info@rvcyouthcouncil.org or check out the RVC Youth Council on Facebook.
Little League registration
The RVC Little League will hold registration on the following dates: Jan. 5 from 6:30 to 9 p.m., Jan. 8 from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m., and Jan. 12 from 6:30 to 9 p.m. There will be a late registration date set for Jan. 15 from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. A $25 late fee will be assessed on the late registration date. All registration will be held at the Rec Center, 111 N. Oceanside Road. For all returning players, there will be registration material mailed to your residence sometime at the end of December. For all 7- and 8-year-old players, forms will be given out to all first and second grade classes in the public elementary schools as well as St. Agnes. Those forms will be distributed on Jan. 3, when classes resume after the Winter Recess.
Seven steps to employment
success – a free seminar
Need help finding a job? On Jan. 11 at 6:30 p.m., Molloy College will offering a free seminar, "Seven Steps to Employment Success." Career coach/motivational speaker Michael Coritsidis will present a common sense approach to the job search. His program can help job seekers achieve their goals through effective resume writing, professional interview techniques, a follow-up system and more. Register at least one week in advance to assure a seat. Call (516) 678.5000 ext. 6206 or visit www.molloy.edu/ce/career. The seminar is free and open to the public.
At the Library
221 N. Village Ave.
(516) 766-6257
Need homework help? Homework Helpers, a partnership program between the Sandel Senior Center Service Corps and the Rockville Centre Public Library offers help with homework to students in grades 1-6 every Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday between the hours of 3:30 and 5:30 p.m. in the. Children’s Room of the Library. For further details, contact librarians in the Children’s Room at (516) 766-6257.
The Library’s Career Center is open Saturdays. Five computers available for job search needs. All computers are equipped with Win-Way Resume Preparation software, MS Word and Office programs. Inter-net access and bookmarked job search websites. Printing available for resumes and cover letters. Hours of operation: Mondays 9 a.m.-noon, Tuesdays 1-5 p.m., Saturdays 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
Also available, one-to-one career counseling Wednesdays from 6-9 p.m. by appointment. Contact the Adult
Reference Desk for details.
This week at the library:
DECEMBER 16
Build a Cupcake
4-5 p.m. Children in grades three- through-five are invited to decorate a seasonal cupcake. Register in the Children’s Room.
Play Hooray
7 p.m. Children ages 18-months-to- three years are invited to join in song and developmental play activities with Molly Mouse. Register in the Children’s Room.
DECEMBER 18
Defensive Driving with Empire Safety Council
9:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. Register by telephone or in person at the Adult reference Desk for this point-reducing and cost saving class. Drivers over 55 years of age, $25; all others, $40. Fee payable day of instruction to Empire Safety Council.
DECEMBER 19
SUNDAY AFTERNOON CONCERT SERIES - LINDA EPANEMA SINGS SONGS FOR THE HOLIDAYS
2 p.m. Join this talented songstress for an afternoon of holiday favorites sure to inspire an appreciation of the season.
DECEMBER 20
Simply Stronger with Marilyn Bunger
11:30 a.m. Register at the Adult Reference Desk for this popular exercise class designed to enhance strength and flexibility. There is a $10 non-refundable fee per six-week session payable upon registration.
DECEMBER 21
Yoga with Joe
1 p.m. Join this popular class led by Lyengar yoga instructor Joe Cilmi. Register at the Adult Reference desk. There is a $10 non-refundable fee per six-week session payable upon registration.
DECEMBER 22
Chi Gong
10 a.m. Join instructor Marianna Farina for this meditative exercise. Register at the Adult Reference Desk. There is a $10 non-refundable fee per-six week session.
Knit 1, Purl 2
1 p.m Join the circle of knitters and receive advice on how to proceed with projects in progress or learn how to knit if you don’t already know! Beginners should bring a chunky wool and #9 needles.
Anime Club
7 p.m. All things anime for cardholders in grades 7-12.
The following art will be featured at the Library in the month of December:
Upper Concourse Gallery
Archival Photographs “Meet the Staff…of Yesteryear. ” The latest installment from Rockville Centre Public Library Archives features photographs of staff members from yesteryears. How many staffers do you recognize?
Lower Concourse Gallery
Architectural Photography by Ellen Fisch
Employing light and shadow, form and space, Fisch is dedicated to photographing the details of architecture that grace buildings in cities throughout the U. S. and Europe. Fisch said, “All of my life I have been passionate about the magnificent stone, metal, and wood ornamentation on building facades which represent the immense time and care that was taken when an artisan was crafting a work.” With the same time and care, she creates impressionistic realism in her photographs that reflect elegance and fluidity, strength and subtlety that characterize architecture.
Fisch began her career as an artist at the age of 16. She has exhibited her art throughout the world, and works by her may be found in numerous private and corporate collections including the Vatican, Queen Elizabeth, the Museum of Financial History, Saco Museum, Delta Airlines, Tishman Speyer, Morgan Stanley, the City University of New York and others.
Equally adept at painting in watercolors, oils, and pastels, Fisch uses them to express the landscapes of her world — scenic or satiric. She is represented by Jadite Galleries in New York City.
Display Cases
Crafts by the Rockville Centre Homemakers
Craft items created by members of the Rockville Centre chapter of the Homemakers Council of Nassau County will be featured in the display cases of the Rockville Centre Public Library throughout the month of December.
Homemakers is a non profit community service organization. Members learn and teach crafts, sewing, knitting, crocheting, cooking and nutrition. Meetings are held at the Rockville Centre Recreation Centre, 111 Oceanside Road, Rockville Centre on Tuesdays from 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. For more information, contact co-presidents Mary Ann Grandazza (516) 766-1620 or Lauren Scaleron (516) 705-6091.
The Helen Kraus Community Room Gallery and Small Community Room Gallery
West Side Arts Coalition
A display of photography by members of the Westside Arts Coalition entitled "Seasonings" will be featured in the Helen Kraus Community Room Gallery and in the Small Community Room Gallery throughout the month of December. The exhibit focuses on the Four Seasons: Winter, Spring Summer and Fall; and the events and weather associated with each.
The West Side Arts Coalition (WSAC) was founded in 1979 by a group of visual and performing artists on the Upper West Side of Manhattan to bring together artists of all disciplines with the greater community through exhibitions, performances, workshops, and social gatherings.
The West Side Arts Coalition is located at the Broadway Mall Community Center, a renovated Beaux-Arts building, at Broadway and 96th St. Visual Arts group exhibits in photography, fine arts and craft arts are held every three weeks from September through June. Other exhibitions and performances sponsored by WSAC are held at outside venues.
At the
Rec Center
50 South Park Ave.
111 N. Oceanside Road
(516) 678-9338 or 9339
Food donations needed
The Rec Center is accepting donations of canned and dry goods as well as frozen turkeys for distribution to the needy in our community. Bring your donations Monday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. by Dec. 16.
Annual mitten and hat tree
The Rockville Centre Parks and Recreation Department is again requesting residents to share their warm holiday feelings with those less fortunate by donating new hats and mittens of all sizes and colors. The donations will be hung on the Mitten and Hat Tree in the Rec Center lounge.
Operation Christmas Child
The Recreation Department is collecting school supplies and toiletries for needy children. Donations, which must be in their original packaging, may be made Monday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Recreation Center.
Winter Programs
The winter program season begins the week of Jan. 3.
At the
Sandel Center
50 South Park Ave.
(516) 678-9350
Any RVC senior 60 years or older is encouraged to find out about the programs and services offered. A staff member will discuss membership with you. The Senior Center has joined Facebook. By becoming a friend of “Rockville Sandel” you can access the latest center information and see photos.
SPECIAL EVENTS
Centre Stage Luncheon and Performance
Dec. 17 at noon. Members of the Sandel Center Stage Choral Group bring another wonderful holiday concert. A holiday meal tops off the afternoon. $5 per person.
South Side Middle School Performance
Dec. 20 at 11 a.m.
Intergenerational Holiday Party
Dec. 22 at noon. The multi-talented and ever-energetic teens of SSMS bring music and fun.
NEW PROGRAM
Mah Jongg lessons
Wednesdays at 2 p.m. beginning on Jan. 5. This eight-session class is designed for those who are new to the game and those who need a refresher course. Members only.
ONGOING
Sandel Senior Men’s Club
The club meets the first and third Tuesday of every month at 10 a.m. for breakfast and business. At 11 a.m., when available, guest speakers discuss topics of interest to men. A variety of trips and programs are scheduled. Check with the center for a schedule.
Social Work Services
Social Work Supervisor, Wendy Weinstock, MSW, is available for private consultation on a range of Social Work services such as housing and transportation, as well as individual and group counseling. Call Wendy at (516) (516) 537-1162 for an appointment.
