Editor's Note: Ted Urban posted this on the Hicksville High School page on Facebook and has granted us permission to repost it here.
The Hicksville High School graduating class is approaching 500 students. The PTA needs to pay for 100 apples, so every little bit helps! Please consider making a donation, and if your employer matches donations, be sure to leverage that as well. Go Comets.
by Karl Schweitzer, HHS Class of 1981
I attended a meeting of the Town of Oyster Bay Landmarks Commission at Town Hall on Wednesday, October 24, 2024. The meeting was to support Ms. Julie Ugarte, petitioner to save the original firehouse, once known as “Peppercorns”.
The commission reviews all applications for designation of Town landmarks. They are the final arbiters on granting protections for reasons of historical, architectural or antiquarian significance.
Click here to continue reading Hix News Update - Old Firehouse Landmark Commission Meeting
Hicksville, NY (November 4, 2024) - Hicksville Water District (HWD) Chairman Karl Schweitzer is seeking reelection this year to maintain a spot on the HWD Board of Commissioners, where he has served his community since first being elected in 2003. With nearly two decades of experience under his belt, Schweitzer brings a wealth of passion and knowledge of what it takes to provide residents with top quality water service.
Peppercorns of Hicksville Closing
Recently, HixNews Editors learned Peppercorns, the longtime restaurant and catering, located at 25 East Marie Street in Hicksville on the site of an old firehouse is closing as of August 1, 2024. There is now a petition to declare the site a historic landmark.
Here is the link to the petition: Change.Org Petition Link to click.
Another mainstay bar and pub was the old Hicksville Fire House. After it was moved across the street from its current location, it became Jean & Joe’s Firehouse Inn, then just the “Firehouse Inn,” before Tommy Colwell bought it and kept the name. It was the “Uncle Albert’s” before it became known as the “Wind Whistle,” and for thirty years, it has been known as “Peppercorns.”
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by, Arthur Mayer (husband of Gail Schwartzman Mayer, Class of 1973)
Long Island has had its share of winning teams: There was the ABA Nets of the mid-1970s and the Stanley Cup Islander teams winning 4 consecutive championships from 1980-1983, but a dynasty has been building right here in Hicksville! For the 9th consecutive year, our Hicksville Public Schools has been honored with a Best Communities for Music Education Award by the National Association of Music Merchants Foundation. This honor by NAMM, which has existed since 1901, recognizes the synergy created by the efforts of motivated, talented students from elementary through high school grades who have been inspired and nurtured by their dedicated teachers while receiving encouragement from family members. The result is a true “community” that supports the ongoing, innovative learning process that produces memorable vocal and instrumental music.
Click here to continue reading Hicksville Public Schools Receive NAMM Honors…Again!
by Ron Wencer,
HHS Class of 1964
I usually write about the village of Hicksville, but not this time around. This time, I’m writing on behalf of all of us – those who make Hixnews, and those who read it – to acknowledge the long and invaluable service of our former webmaster, Roger Whitaker. While I’m at it, I’ll also touch upon how connections among Hicksville families and friends led a man in Minnesota to play matchmaker for Illinois resident Roger (whom he’d never met in person) and a woman from Hicksville.
by Gail Schwartzman Mayer, HHS Class of 1973
The 36th Annual Scholars Dinner was held on April 11, 2024, at the Crest Hollow Country Club to honor 91 students from Hicksville High School’s Class of 2024. The graduating seniors distinguished themselves through their academic performance, ranking in the top 20% of their graduating class. Each student received an award, a cord to wear on their graduation gown, and a box containing a beautiful golden apple. In addition, the valedictorian and salutatorian received special awards. It was a beautiful evening, and the dinner was delicious!
Hicksville's Aquatic Center and Alumni Swim Meet
by, Wendy Elkis Girnis (HHS Class of 1977)
One of the first questions I remember being asked as a Hicksville High School 10th grader in 1974 was, “Have you seen the pool on the roof yet?” Most of us, who didn’t have older siblings, thought that was cool that the school had a pool, only to find out it was just a joke played on incoming students. There never was a pool on the roof. Today the question that is asked of incoming students is, “Have you been to the Aquatic Center yet?” The latter is located at the back of the school where the tennis and handball courts were. The Aquatic Center exists.
The editors learned about The James Thom Thing from a Facebook post with a link to their new Valentine's song, Our Time.
The James Thom Thing, formerly known as The Fanatics, include Singer/Songwriter James Thom Cafiero (Class of ’73) on vocals, guitar, and keyboards, Rob Plotsky (Class of 72) on guitar and vocals and Rich Hanson (Class of '73) on bass guitar and vocals. Their debut EP as The Fanatics featured the songs “Barbed Wire,” “Magazine Woman,” and “Dr. Nylon”. These songs appeared on many college and East Coast radio charts. The song “Barbed Wire” also appeared on the first WBAB Homegrown Lin addition to runner up Screamer of the Week on WLIR.
Click here to continue reading Hicksville's Own: The James Thom Thing