Gene Vandermosten, known around Island Park for his unwavering service to the community — including his longtime commitment to Boy Scouts and various fire departments in the area — died on April 3 at St. John’s Episcopal Hospital in Queens from a heart condition. He was 80. more

Roughly a dozen members of Boy Scout Troop 824 in Baldwin spent the better part of Saturday morning digging out a section of lawn at Baldwin Park to make way for the construction of new batting cages so Baldwin Sports Little League players can practice their swings. Thomas Hopkins, 15, of Baldwin, a candidate for Eagle Scout — scouting’s highest honor — organized the project for the park, which is owned by the Town of Hempstead. Hopkins, a sophomore at Kellenberg High School in Uniondale, said he proposed the project as a way to add value to the community. He personally raised $2,700 to support it by selling popcorn around Baldwin for more than two years -- at the Long Island Rail Road station, at school games and at various community events. Local sponsors — including Island Wide Pressure Washing, Chris’ Service Center, Baldwin Little League, Baldwin Babe Ruth and the Long Island Royals — also played major roles in the project, donating money or equipment, or volunteering. more

Those who have experienced New Orleans will especially enjoy Po Boys. It’s a small, kick-back type of eatery perked by bright colors, Louisiana memorabilia, and an upbeat feeling. more

Exhibits and more... Africa: Sub-Saharan DiversityDrawn exclusively from the Hofstra University Museum’s collections, this exhibition explores the rich diversity of 25 ethnic cultures across … more

Bid farewell to summer with a dynamic concert presented by the acclaimed choir ensemble. more

I’m seeing good news on all fronts this week, primarily because I choose to. This is a quest: I am seeking the comfort of upbeat stories. more

Danny Carroccio, a 22-year-old from Amityville, caught a pass underneath the basketball hoop in the St. Christopher School gymnasium last week as 12- and 13-year-olds from Baldwin’s Boy Scout Troop 824 stuck their arms up in defense. Carroccio avoided the pressure and sank the shot, much to the delight of his teammates and the crowd. more

Chaz Murray, 54, grew up in Merrick bounding through the woods near his home. He became a Boy Scout and went on to camp in the wild. He moved away when he turned 24 and returned seven years ago. On Sunday, he said he was horrified to see the derelict state into which Merrick’s forests off the Meadowbrook Parkway have fallen. Murray, a New York City paramedic, was one of 52 volunteers who came to the woods between Sunrise Highway and Meadowbrook Road in Merrick to clean up debris that had washed from farther north into the forest via the Meadow Brook or had been strewn there by vandals. He said he learned about the cleanup by reading the Merrick Herald Life. more

Exhibits and more... From Portraits to Tweets: Imagery, Technology and the U.S. Presidency An original exhibit that traces the public’s shifting perceptions of the American presidency … more

The small, red cabin, tucked neatly on a large plot of land on Grove Street in Baldwin, has been home to all things scouting for 77 years. Over that time, though, it hasn’t had many upgrades, including its vast backyard with towering trees spread throughout. more