It is good to have a home

The standing room only meeting room of the new Five Towns Senior Center in what is called "the historic carriage house" was ready to burst as the organization celebrated the official opening of its new home on Sept. 1.

Though meeting room capacity is estimated at approximately 100 people, nearly one and half times that many crammed their way into chairs and the room's aisles.

"If we knew the turnout was going to be so large we would have gotten a bigger place," said Shea Z. Lerner, executive director of the Woodmere-based Five Towns Community Chest, a group that lent financial support to the renovation of the building that has been in use since Aug. 1. Georgiana Wolfson, executive director of the senior center, noted that the center was in Trinity Church in Hewlett, 124 Franklin Place in Woodmere and Construction Beth Emeth in Hewlett inside the past two years.

"After twenty-one months and three moves, we are finally home," said Wolfson, who echoed her sentiments after the ribbon cutting, noting that it means "stability, there is nothing like having a home."

For the 61-year old group it means that its wide array of programs and classes will not be without a place and the many seniors who take part in those activities can stop asking directions to the multiple sites the center used most recently. The low, thatch-roofed gray building dates back to pre-World War I days.

In addition to the meeting room that boasts a piano, there is a reading room, a couple of offices on the west side of the building and on the east side there are three restrooms, men, women and one for handicapped access, a classroom with several bridges tables and a kitchen with a refrigerator, sink, cabinets, a microwave and tables.

Looking out the side windows and doors the Hewlett softball field can be seen and should someone have a good pair of binoculars, football and lacrosse games, and track meets can be viewed.

"I think it's wonderful, we have been several places thanks to Georgiana's expertise, we never closed and kept going without a stop," said Marilyn Sherman of Lynbrook.

Richard Braverman, senior center president for the past five years, noted the work of the volunteers, along with what he called Wolfson's "can do spirit."

Though moving into the carriage house that fronts Hewlett High School at 37 East Rockaway Road was not without controversy — a group of residents who live and own property in the vicinity have railed against the project and the Hewlett-Woodmereschool School District the past few months due to the clearing of trees by the Hewlett House for a parking lot — there was nothing but good feelings about the center as Wolfson noted the district's unwavering support for the center.

The Stardust Singers, a group of performers from the center directed by Ruth Shuster, who perform annually at Lido Beach, sang seven songs, including "A Wonderful Day Like Today," "Some Enchanted Evening," "That's Amore," and "You'll Never Walk Alone."

"It is wonderful to have this," said County Legislator Howard Kopel (7th District). "It is a place to make life more interesting."