Valley Stream Historical Society hosts annual ice cream and strawberry social

About 40 Valley Stream residents gathered at the village’s new courthouse on June 18 to eat strawberries and ice cream and learn about the building’s storied history as part of the Valley Stream Historical Society’s annual Strawberry and Ice Cream Social.

“I was very happy with how it turned out,” said Valerie Esposito, a Historical Society trustee.

The evening’s events began with Mayor Ed Fare presenting longtime Historical Society Treasurer Florence Gunther with a citation and Outgoing President Guy Ferrara with a plaque for their work. Ferrara then used the gavel that adorned the plaque to officially begin the society’s swearing-in ceremony, saying “Hear Ye, Hear Ye.”

Once Fare finished swearing in the 14 new officers, everyone took their seats to listen to Kate Sherwood, an architect from Gensler architecture firm, speak about the renovations the firm made to the building. Former Village Justice Robert Bogle and Judge Virginia Clavin-Higgins then added that the courthouse has been functioning well since it opened last year.

Sherwood then took residents around the building for a tour, and before they left, everyone enjoyed some ice cream from Walt Itgens Ice Cream Parlour, fresh strawberries and pound cake.