December 2024: Volume 25 - Issue 3

Newsletter for the Alumni and Friends of Hicksville High School - Hicksville, New York

Dear Readers,
We hope you enjoy our latest HixNews issue. We have an interesting article from Ron Wencer about nurses who served in the military. Article contributions, suggestions, and news are always welcome. Don't hesitate to get in touch with us at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Next month we hope to include an article about Allied Shopping Center so email us your memories and any pictures you may have.
- Your HixNews Team

 By Wendy Elkis Girnis, Class of '77

Welcome to December.  When we think of this month, we think of snow, celebrations, Santa, lit menorahs, and kinaras. There are many celebrations taking place during this month.  There are also many festivities taking place in and around Hicksville.  By the time this issue has gone to press, a few have passed, but you will know to look for them in the local papers and online next year.

• Sunday, December 8: Bodhi Day (Buddhism) - Also called Buddha’s Enlightenment Day, it commemorates when Siddhartha Gautama attained awakening — or enlightenment — some 2,600 years ago, becoming the Buddha. It is a day of prayer, meditation, chanting, and reading the scriptures (Sutras).

• Thursday, December 12: Our Lady of Guadalupe Day (Christianity) - A Catholic holiday celebrated on December 12th to commemorate the Virgin Mary's appearance to Juan Diego in 1531.
  • Our Lady of Guadalupe Celebration was held at St. Bridgid Catholic Church in Westbury on December 9, 10, and 11.  Celebrations were held in English and in Spanish. 85 Post Ave, Westbury, NY 11590 | 516-334-0021

• Monday, December 16 – Tuesday, December 24: Las Posadas (Mexican/Southwestern US Christianity) - A Mexican Christmas tradition that commemorates Mary and Joseph's journey to Bethlehem and is celebrated with processions, singing, and piñatas.
  • The nearest Las Posadas celebration is taking place at the Riverhead Free Library on Monday, December 21, 4 – 4:45 pm. Join them for making crafts and listening to stories. No registration is needed. For more information, call 631.727.3228, ext. 120https://patch.com/new-york/riverhead/las-posadas-celebration-0

• Thursday, December 21 – Monday, January 1: Yule (Pagan)- Celebrates the winter solstice, the shortest day of the year, and the rebirth of the sun.
  • Celebrate Yule, with a Solstice Hike on Saturday, December 21, 2024 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM at Hempstead Lake State Park. It will be a 3-mile hike.  Registration is required.  To join us for this event: Register Online  https://parks.ny.gov/events/event.aspx?e=31-41254.0

• Wednesday, December 25: Christmas Day (Christianity)- Celebrates the birth of Jesus Christ, who Christians believe is the Son of God.
  
  • Santa will be at the Broadway Commons until December 24th- https://atbroadwaycommons.com/events/photos-with-santa/
  • Christmas House Long Island is open at the Broadway Commons- Christmas House Long Island is an indoor, one-of-a-kind, fully immersive Christmas experience!  https://christmashouselongisland.com/
  • See The Nutcracker- a one-hour children’s version at Holy Trinity High School on Sat. Dec. 21, 2024, from 02:00 pm to 03:00 pm. Enjoy a holiday tradition performed by the dancers of The Dance Place. This perfect one-hour narrated version is especially great for kids and families.

• Wednesday, December 25 – Thursday, January 2: Chanukah (Judaism) - Celebrates the rededication of the Second Temple in Jerusalem after a Jewish victory against the Greek-Syrian Empire in the 2nd century BC.
  • Join the Great Neck Chabad for a variety of Hanukkah festivities like ice skating, menorah lighting, latkes, and even a carnival. Check here for details- https://www.chabadgn.com/templates/section_cdo/aid/4554955/jewish/Chanukah.htm 
  • Come to the Hanukkah parade and experience in Merrick on December 25th at 5 pm. Celebrate Hanukkah with the Chabad Center for Jewish Life. Meet at the Merrick LIRR station for the lighting of the 12-foot menorah and other holiday festivities. https://www.chabadjewishlife.org/templates/articlecco_cdo/aid/4541791/jewish/Grand-Menorah-Lighting.htm 
  • The Long Island Children’s Museum in Garden City has its Hanukkah program on December 29th from 1-3 pm.  Learn all about the dreidel. Discover the game’s history and rules, and decorate your own dreidel to take home. https://mommypoppins.com/long-island-kids/event/events/happy-hanukkah-at-licm 

• Thursday, December 26: St. Stephen’s Day (Boxing Day) (Christianity) - Commemorates the life of St Stephen, a Christian deacon in Jerusalem who was known for his service to the poor and his status as the first Christian martyr. This holiday is celebrated by giving to charity, church services, and feasting.

• Thursday, December 26 – Wednesday, January 1: Kwanzaa (Pan-African) - Kwanzaa is a week-long holiday that celebrates African American culture and heritage. 
  • A Kwanzaa celebration was marked with engaging activities, discussion, and lively performance in Westbury on Sunday, Dec. 15, from 1 to 4 p.m. at 255 Schenck Avenue. The event was presented in partnership with Westbury Arts. https://www.longislandpress.com/2024/12/06/westbury-celebrates-kwanzaa/ 
  • Celebrate Kwanzaa at the Long Island Children’s Museum on December 27th from 1-3 pm.  Join the Zeta Phi Beta Sorority to learn about the rich traditions and meaning behind Kwanzaa while you create festive symbols of this holiday. https://www.licm.org/calendar/event/celebrate-kwanzaa-2024/ 

Etcetera for December 2024

*HixNews has always included a section for the Hall of Fame Inductees. In fact, we still have that section on our website. Hicksville Public Schools has a complete list, dating back to 1946, on their website. The link can also be found on our Hall of Fame page.

* Congratulations to the Hicksville Water District! Elected officials, civic organization representatives, and neighbors joined them in cutting the ribbon for their Plant 8 treatment facility! This project represents one of their most advanced efforts to treat emerging contaminants, furthering their mission to provide their residents with top-quality drinking water service. Read more here.

In Memoriam 

*Mr. Gregory Pisani, Teacher at Fork Lane School, passed on November 23, 2022

 *Richard Stahley, Class of '74, passed away on Sunday morning. He has lived in Florida for the last 25+ years, enjoying many beaches.

*Tragically, on Saturday, 11/16/2024,  John McMahon Jr., Hicksville Class of 1973, died. John was living down in Florida for the past forty years and was a retired deputy fire chief with the South Trails Fire District in Fort Myers.   Submitted by,  Gene Pietzak - Class of 1973

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.

This is a "Save the Date" for the Class of 1975's 50th Reunion next year.  We have an active, private Facebook group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/67266179651 (Hicksville High School Alumni Class of 1975) that will have the most current information. The group needs approval to join and is currently at nearly 500 members.