The A.T. Stewart Exchange Consignment and Gift Shop

by hand—and filled with slip. Once the slip dries into clay it is removed from the mold and trimmed and perfected. After it is completely dried, it undergoes “biscuit firing,” a slang term referring to fired clay pieces. After biscuit firing, all pieces undergo inspection.

All pieces that pass inspection are dipped in a white glaze, that slight pearlescent sheen, then fired again. Assuming they pass muster, they are stamped with the company’s trademark stamp. Any pieces that require decoration, including those with written designs or those that have a delicate, raised shamrock design, are painted by hand. The third and final firing fixes the painted designs to the glazed surface, and all remaining items receive one final inspection. No wonder it is so special!

At the Shop, we have an excellent assortment of reasonably priced Belleek items that have been carefully selected and inspected by us to ensure they are perfect. Items range from the traditional vases to delicate mugs, and even an adorable pig.

(costume and fine), lamps, mirrors, and crystal (Waterford, Baccarat, Tiffany)

• We take/accept silver, pocketbooks, china, furniture, artwork, and collectibles. All items are in new or nearly new condition.

• Sorry — no clothing, except for furs during the cold months, or shoes. And no appliances.

• Consignments are done Wednesday through Friday, 11:00, a.m. – 2:00 p.m., by appointment ONLY. Appointments keep down the numbers of people in the Shop and reduce wait-times to consign.

• Please call (516)746-8900 to set up an appointment.

• Unsure if your items are appropriate to consign? Email photos to store@atstewartexchange.org and be sure to include sizing info. You will generally receive a response the same day.

BY MELISSA JAEGER

“Belleek,” defined as, “a thin fragile porcelain with a lustrous glaze,” was first created in the late 1850s by John Bloomfield. He had inherited his father’s estate in the town of Belleek, Ireland, and with the famine nearly over, he was looking to help his new tenants with a livelihood, he came up with the idea to create pottery. The area had all the necessary minerals—kaolin, feldspar, flint, clay, and shale—for making clay. With two partners, he constructed a train line to Belleek and the business quickly flourished.

The basketweave and shamrock design that is synonymous with Belleek has been a mainstay of Belleek's porcelain since the 1880s.

In 1952 modern electric kilns were installed which made it easier to keep up with demand and production. Since then, the company has thrived. Every piece of Belleek goes through a rigorous process, referred to as “16 Hands”—16 different artisans are responsible for every piece sold to the public. Design, molding, firing (each piece fired 3 times!), undergo intense scrutiny. There are four different inspections in this process and if any piece is deemed flawed, it is tossed out. Now that’s what I call quality control!

During the design phase Belleek’s team collaborates on new items or concepts. Once the designs are modeled in plaster or clay, a mold is built—except with the case of Belleek’s famous baskets and flowers, which are all made

Speaking of Irish traditions reminds me that Continuing the tradition of we and the Garden City Historical Society are again reviving our most popular program—“Songs for a Sunday Afternoon.” On Sunday, March 12, at 3:00 p.m., Mary O’Dowd, renowned Irish cabaret singer, accompanied by Bob Mastro and Ron D’Addario will perform at the Historical Society Museum. Be sure to get your tickets (only $40 per person) soon, as it is our most popular show and sells out quickly. We have tickets available in the Shop.

About Us

• The Exchange Consignment Shop is housed in The Garden City Historical Society (TGCHS) Museum on 109 Eleventh Street (in the basement of the building).

• All the proceeds from the Shop sales directly benefit TGCHS.

• Shop 24/7 online at atstewartexchange.org and pick up your purchases at the Exchange.

• Follow and Like Us on the AT Stewart Exchange Facebook and on the AT Stewart Exchange Instagram pages. We sure do get around!

Consigning

• Our best sellers — jewelry

Can I donate? YES! We love donations! PLEASE don’t leave donated items outside the shop when we are closed. We want your items, but we don’t want them to get ruined, especially during inclement weather. Email me at store@atstewartexchange.org and I will work with you to arrange a drop-off time. I check the email every day, even when we’re closed.

Remember: Shop 24/7 online at www.atstewartexchange.org and pick up your purchases at the Exchange. Follow and Like Us on the AT Stewart Exchange Facebook and on the AT Stewart Exchange Instagram pages. We sure do get around!

Check out our new paint job! Thanks to your generous support, Old World Quality is working to repair and re-paint the back of the Museum and will soon start working on the last side of the house! We remain open throughout this process and precautions are taken to protect customers entering the Shop.

The shop is located at 109 Eleventh Street.

Shop Hours: Mon – Fri: 10–4 p.m., (Wednesdays until 6 p.m.) Sat: Noon–4 p.m.

For more information please call (516) 746-8900.

From page 2 of the Village, no matter the section. She is committed to the Environmental Advisory Board, Traffic Commission and all the other issues that come before her. Mary Carter Flanagan is an experienced and devoted trustee who will be a great Mayor for the Village of Garden City. I hope you will join me in supporting her on Tuesday, March 21st.

Larry Marciano

Elections have consequences

To the Editor:

I heartily endorse Gordon Keit’s request to candidates for elected office (GC News letters to the Editor February 10, 2023) to “let us know their position(s) as it concerns St. Paul’s”. I’m also “for Demolition” and will not vote for anyone who wants to spend a fortune making St. Paul’s into something we don’t need.

I also don’t think we need to wait for the estimator’s cost guesses in order to appreciate that any development of the site will be extremely expensive and costly to taxpayer residents.

As a public service to the community, the GC News should provide space for all candidates to make their views on the matter public. If any candidates fail to provide a response, the GC News should show this non response as well.

George Kane

Supports Williams

To the Editor:

My experience with Richards Williams is defined by working side by side with hm on the Mayor’s Business Development Committee (“BDC”). Our charge has been to explore various considerations that may adversely impact Village economics in the future. I have found Richard to be a thoughtful and competent participant, taking the lead where necessary to assure maintaining forward momentum. Richard has always presented himself and his work in the most professional manner, often bringing clarity and focus to topics, and I have come to regard him as an extremely valuable resource whose sole outlook is to act in the best long-term interests of the Village. I will be casting my vote for Richard at the upcoming BOT election March 21 and I unhesitatingly encourage my fellow residents to support Richard as well.

Jack Hartog

Candidates must be candid

To the Editor:

In one month, the Village will be holding elections for Mayor and BOTs. It is my hope that the GC News will canvas (and print) responses from all Candidates running for Office and to state their positions UNEQUIVOCALLY.... concerning what I believe are the major issues confronting the Village: (1) prioritizing the three St. Paul’s proposals; (2)

Letters To The Editor

Email: Editor@GCNews.com their position for a Casino at the Hub; (3) Gov. Hochul’s proposal to usurp local control over zoning; and (4) Widening of Stewart Avenue. Only then will voters have a clear understanding for whom they are voting for.

Gordon Keit

Sinking ship

To the Editor:

It appears that Cosmo Veneziale may be seeking to run for Trustee on the CAP ballot line. As an individual member of the WPOA , I do not think he should be entitled to support by any group.

Two years ago as former member of both the WPOA Committee on St Paul’s and a member of the WPOA Committee on the Station 2 Firehouse I was impressed with the work of co-member Cosmo Veneziale with his expertise in architecture. On that basis I voted him for mayor but significantly the WPOA did not - instead it endorsed Bob Bolebruch. At the last election the WPOA actually supported FAB candidate Mary Carter Flanagan for Trustee whom I also supported and voted for, and now support for mayor, my reasons set forth in my page 48 letter in the Feb. 3 edition of the GCN. (Note; I have never been a card carrying member of FABGC. On Dec. 12, 2022, I withdrew myself from FDEM).

So why has the WPOA not again endorsed the candidacy of Trustee Carter Flanagan? It should again support her. I hope that WPOA takes no actions which in any way somehow enhance the Veneziale candidacy. At previous meetings of the WPOA in November and January there were pleas for anyone to run, there was a promise of a primary for POA candidates which never occurred. Now at this late juncture it is possible the POAs may select Mr. Veneziale as a CAP candidate for Trustee. This, shortly after he was just disgraced at the last Board meeting during which he was told he should resign by several trustees on the Board and notably, Coleen Foley, speaking for herself and John Delany, (both former Trustees who were elected as POAs’ candidates) who joined in the refrain.

When the WPOA Committee for St Paul’s existed it was clear to me that Mr. Veneziale favored preservation of St Paul’s, perhaps a natural inclination for an architect with expertise with historic structures. I voted for him to become mayor thinking his better angels would direct him to do the right thing, whatever it was, for the betterment of the Village.

Unfortunately, it is disappointing that his better angels appear have long since departed. On August 25, 2022, during the Board meeting chaired by Mayor Veneziale a member of his own Mayor’s Committee on St. Paul’s was permitted by this mayor to disparage Trustee Carter Flanagan’s character to a point of possible defamation with vague and baseless claims unworthy of belief. Thereafter, on Nov. 17, 2022 at a Board meeting Trustee Carter Flanagan disclosed the existence of the comprehensive 60 page Erwin -Bielinski report to the Board and the Mayor’s own Committee who apparently either were unaware of same or had chosen not to bring it to light. This report provided evaluation of demolition, facadism (with examples) and renovation.

Then at the recent Board meeting on Jan. 20 with Westerman Construction, the cost estimator, Mr. Veneziale made a comment to to the effect that based upon the Village RFP the Erwin report “need not be given analysis” (hear and view at Westerman meeting, minute 28 of the meeting). It is quite important to note that the RFP was drawn up BEFORE Trustee Flanagan uncovered the Erwin report. Why did Mr. Veneziale appear to short shrift the Erwin report, and why did he recently seek to harm Trustee Carter Flanagan’s chances to become the next mayor by making unproven statements disparaging Trustee Carter Flanagan’s integrity? Could the aforesaid Erwin report’s (see p. 6-9) significant criticisms of the Committee to Save St Paul’s report* espousing renovation have something to do with it? Note: the Mayor was a consulting architect for that proposal and the current head of the Mayor’s Use Committee was an active participant as well.* (see pgs 8 and 30 respectively of that report, the link to report is www.slideshare.net/ jamescohen/save-st-pauls-presentation ).

The Mayor’s letter using an invalid and misleading Village letterhead stationary improperly sought to induce Trustee Flanagan’s employer to somehow find her unsuitable for sitting as a Trustee and for candidacy for mayor coupled with the fact the Mayor had never ever before over two years sitting next to each other at meetings, questioned Carter Flanagan’s conduct until election time says it all. This inappropriate effort failed.

Now all the Village voters inclusive of WPOA and other POA members must decide whether the Village will go down with the unfortunate mayor’s sinking ship.

Steve Gorray

POAs host Blakeman

To the Editor:

The EPOA would like to thank Nassau County Executive Blakeman, Nassau County Police Commissioner Patrick Ryder, Mayor Veneziale and the Village Trustees as well as all of the residents who attended last night’s joint Garden City POA meeting. It is important for residents to hear directly from our elected officials and for resi- dents to have the opportunity to share their opinions directly with the County Executive. We hope this dialogue with residents will continue as the Village works with the County and surrounding communities to navigate many potential challenges including the porposed development of the Nassau Hub.

Highlights of the POA meeting were covered on News 12: https://longisland. news12.com/residents-cite-traffic-safety-among-their-concerns-for-proposedcasino-at-nassau-hub

At the meeting, we also distributed the contact information for our local County, Town of Hempstead and State officials. We have added this information below so that everyone has them. Residents are encouraged to reach out to them directly via email, letters or phone calls to express their opinions.

Government Officials Contact Information to Communicate Concerns and to Request Additional Information

Governor Kathy Hochel - https:// www.governor.ny.gov/content/governor-contact-form

County Executive Bruce Blakeman - https://forms.nassaucountyny.gov/ contact/agencies/ce/contact.php

NYS Senator Kevin Thomas (Uniondale and Garden City) –thomas@ nysenate.gov

NYS Assembly Taylor Darling (Uniondale) - darlingt@nyassembly.gov

NYS Assembly Edward Ra (Garden City) - rae@nyassembly.gov

Town of Hempstead Supervisor Donald Clavin - donclavin@hempsteadny.gov

June Michalak EPOA

Wings anniversary

To the Editor:

Congratulations to Peter Gall and the GC Wings on 50 years. Any account of Wings history is incomplete without mentioning Mike Pitcher (head coach ‘94–‘96), and Byron Peeples (head coach ‘97–‘03). Coach Peeples and Assistant Jim O’Gara lead the Wings to a Nassau County Championship win in 2001, the only championship victory in team history. These volunteer coaches taught the players sportsmanship, humility, and an appreciation of the open-ice hip check that will not soon be forgotten. Thank you to all Wings coaches past, present, and future.

Tim Peeples GC Wings Alumnus ‘96–00 Balloon buffoons

To the Editor:

Following the Afghanistan fiasco and the delayed, dragged-out decision-making process to help Ukraine, the U.S. has another foreign-policy mess!

On the past Sunday Morning Futures show, host Maria Bartiromo questioned why the Chinese spy balloon was not shot down before it entered our air-