Big turnout for Valley Stream history book release

Residents flocked to Sip This on Feb. 10 for the release party for the Valley Stream edition of the “Images of America” series.

“The line was nonstop out the door for at least two hours,” said author Bill Florio, who signed copies throughout the three-hour event. He said almost 200 books were purchased that night.

The crowd, which started to form 30 minutes before the event started, included a who’s who of local officials as well as residents of other communities who said they had family members in Valley Stream. Florio said a number of people bought multiple copies. Some said they would save their purchase as a gift for a loved one who remembered bygone eras in the village.

“I’m very, very happy that there’s enthusiasm in Valley Stream for this book and that there’s enthusiasm about history in Valley Stream,” he said.