The Valley Stream board of trustees focused its Nov. 24 meeting at Village Hall on recognizing community members whose work, in the view of village officials, continues to strengthen the village’s fabric.
Before beginning regular business, Mayor Ed Fare and the trustees highlighted contributions from a local business owner and from organizations that played key roles throughout Valley Stream’s year-long centennial celebration.
The first recognition went to Darlene J. Edwards, founder of The Best Goodie Bag Inc., who was honored by the Valley Stream Chamber of Commerce at the 40th Annual Nassau Council of Chambers of Commerce Businessperson of the Year and Legislative Breakfast. The event, held on Oct. 31 at the Crest Hollow Country Club, celebrated 36 honorees from across Nassau County.
“I did not know or pay attention to people who were paying attention to us, because it’s something that we do from our heart,” Edwards said. “We’re not making a lot of money, but we have a passion, and I appreciate it so much because it makes me realize that people do see and understand, and it makes a difference, and it makes me feel like I want to keep going.”
At the meeting, the mayor invited Edwards to the podium and noted the bakery’s strong presence within the Valley Stream community. Village officials noted how familiar the business has become to residents and how frequently people in the village, including board members, visit the shop. Edwards attended the meeting with members of her family, who joined her as she received the village citation.
Edwards’ Valley Stream business is a family-run cakery known for custom cakes, banana pudding, cookies, cupcakes and other desserts. She discovered her interest in baking after preparing desserts for her mother’s 84th birthday celebration. Following more than twenty years of service with the New York Police Department — including nine years as a police sergeant — she shifted her focus to baking. On Oct. 31, 2018, she opened the storefront with her daughters and niece.
“If you haven’t been there, you’re missing out,” Fare said. “We’ve all been there one time or another. I’ve been in a few times. It’s fantastic.”
Since opening, her business has gained recognition locally and beyond. Edwards completed the Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses Program, was featured on a Netflix baking competition, and has completed catering assignments for large organizations, including Goldman Sachs and The Oprah Winfrey Network.
After honoring Edwards, the Board recognized the Valley Stream Chamber of Commerce for its extensive participation in the village’s centennial events. Chamber board members present at the meeting were invited to join the mayor at the front of the room.
“Everyone knows this was our 100-anniversary year, and we had events running the entire year,” Fare said. “And the chamber participated in almost all of those efforts.”
The chamber took part in vendor and food-truck markets, participated in the village’s centennial parade and contributed to the centennial block party held on the Village Green. The Board emphasized that the chamber’s engagement helped sustain momentum across the year-long celebration.
Members of the Centennial Committee were also invited forward and acknowledged. The committee assisted in planning and supporting the year’s events, and its members were involved in coordinating parade activities and the centennial programs as a whole.
By spotlighting a local entrepreneur whose business has become part of the village’s identity and organizations whose volunteerism and coordination shaped a milestone year, the meeting underscored the Board’s view that community contributions reinforce Valley Stream’s sense of cohesion.
The recognitions reflected the village’s effort to highlight the people and groups who play a role in strengthening community life as Valley Stream concludes its centennial year and looks ahead to its next chapter.
