By Karen Barone and Cindy J. Roth
The streets of the three villages looked like ghost towns, with even old reliables like pizza shops, Chinese restaurants and Dairy Barns closed. The majority of stores that remained open were 24-hour establishments that simply never closed on Sunday evening.
High snowdrifts and powerful winds kept most villagers off the roads and even many children from playing in the snow. Remarkably, the hazardous conditions resulted in no major traffic accidents or injuries, according to local police departments. Power also remained intact in the villages, except for cable television service, which was in-and-out late Sunday night.
Snowplows were out in the three villages as early as Sunday night, and continued to clean the streets well into the day on Tuesday. Major roadways were mostly clear of snow by Tuesday morning. Village officials said residents' compliance in keeping parked cars off the streets helped snowplows gain easier access to the roads and sped up snow removal efforts.
While most people stayed indoors, a few fearless neighborhood storeowners braved the elements and the hazardous road conditions to conduct business. Italian restaurant Villa Maria, on Main Street in East Rockaway, opened its door on Monday, although owner Mauro Zaino, a native of Naples, Italy, and a Lynbrook resident, admitted that he thought about staying home. "It was tough getting here in the snow," he said. "I considered staying home, but this is my business and I thought I should be here."
As the blizzard continued outside, Zaino and his family served the few patrons who came in and vowed to be open again the next day, regardless of the weather.
At Stop and Shop on Main Street in East Rockaway, coldcuts were still being sliced behind the deli counter and cookies were being stocked, as a few customers braved the weather to stock up on food. "This store is open every day, regular store hours, even in a blizzard," said Alan Hidalgo, the acting store manager.
Dairy department worker Michael Stevenson said the store had no milk because there were no deliveries. He called the situation a disaster but said it was important for the store to open for people who needed supplies.
"Snow or no snow, I have to feed my family -- they've been out shoveling all day," said East Rockaway resident Denise Giunta. "But I'm sick of this snow. I've had enough."
The Blizzard of 2003 dumped more snow on the area than any storm in the past seven years, and with its help, this year's snow total is approaching a record. But East Rockaway resident Bill McIntosh remained in good spirits, even in blizzard conditions. "This is winter, and without snow it's just cold," he said.
