By ARIELLA MONTI
Center members and honored guests filled the garden on a beautiful day to pay tribute to those who made the project happen over the past two years.
The once-empty space along the rear and side yard of the center now features benches, a gazebo and a waterfall. Flowers, trees and other plants fill the space with color and a fresh aroma. Members have been using the garden as a place to hold meetings, play games and socialize.
"Members look for excuses to come out here," said Deputy Mayor and trustee liaison Chuck Joyce. "When you sit here, you don't even realize that there's parking right over there," he added, pointing to a fence covered by flowers and bushes.
"We're all very proud of it," said Herb Fox, president of the center. Members and guests admired the space and took in the serenity of the waterfall while munching on cheese, fruit and muffins and drinking mimosas at the ceremony.
"It adds beauty to this center," said Edith Wiesman of Lynbrook. "I'm so glad they did it." Wiesman has been coming to the center for five years, and considers it a second home. She teaches mah-jongg and enjoys discussing current events with her fellow members in the gazebo.
"This used to be a gas station," said Viola Chisholm, who grew up in Rockville Centre and just celebrated her 95th birthday. "I never thought it would be a senior center." Chisholm, a member of the center for 22 years, meets with friends and performs in shows there.
Center director Dr. Cyd Charrow opened the floor for speeches from Mayor Mary Bossart, Sen. Dean Skelos and Joyce. Each acknowledged the hard work and dedication of every person involved in the project·rom those who raised funds to those who provided the manual labor.
Charrow spoke of the waterfall, which was dedicated to the memory of Samantha Schwartz. Schwartz volunteered her time at the center, teaching jewelry making. "She adored the women," said her mother, Sheila, who attended the dedication. "They reminded her of her grandmothers." Schwartz died of myocarditis, a virus that attacks the heart, at
age 26.
Special mention was made of Bob Schenone, the designer and master landscaper for the project; Rich McDonough, who did the electrical work; Denise Bradley, who provided the architectural drawing; Marty Bevilacqua, who supplied the bricks and logo insert; and Chris O'Leary, the deputy director of the department of senior services.
"Thank you very much for the transformation and renewal of this corner of Rockville Centre," Bossart said to all those who saw the garden through from plans to reality.
"I believe one of the real gems in Rockville Centre is the Sandel Center," said Skelos, who spoke briefly at the ceremony. "The credit goes to the volunteers who put in their time."
Comments about this story ? AMonti@liherald.com or (516) 569-4000 ext. 282.
Photos by Ron Manfredi/Herald
