Being a newspaper publisher means I have a front-row seat for all the news that breaks in the communities we cover. As we near the end of 2019, and the decade, there is plenty to look back on.
Going into 2020, we’ll be witnessing our local officials continue to grapple with the ongoing opioid epidemic (which our Anton titles have been covering extensively). Other ongoing quality-of-life issues include finding ways to stem Long Island’s brain drain of young people moving to other parts of the country and the continued development of our downtowns.
Our team of editors continued to outdo themselves this past year in sharing with our readers exclusive interviews with celebrities, musicians, actors and Broadway stars in the pages of Long Island Weekly. We have also highlighted some of the best eateries on Long Island, shining a light into the little-known spaces and places that make Long Island a true melting pot. And we look back on the top sports stories of the year.
One of my passions is the charitable work that so many organizations do in helping the less fortunate. Among the notable efforts of 2019 was the record $87,000 raised to support the North Shore Child and Family Guidance Center’s mission to restore and strengthen the emotional well-being of children and their families. I’ve always been a longtime supporter of the Belmont Child Care Association (BCCA), given the selfless work they do providing a quality education and child care for the children of the working families that keep the NYRA’s thoroughbred racetracks running on a year-round basis. So I was surprised and humbled to be honored alongside the National Charity League’s Garden City chapter by this most-worthy organization during its annual Spring Fling Hat Luncheon and Fashion Show held at the Garden City Hotel. In keeping with a theme that has guests wearing outrageous hats, I was proud to sport a spectacular custom-made headpiece made up of Anton newspapers (of course) created by our talented art director and assistant art director, Alex Nuñez and Cathy Bongiorno.
As president of the Nassau County Museum of Art, there was plenty going on. Our annual museum ball had an ‘80s theme and honored Joseph Graziose, EVP of residential development and construction for RXR Realty, (who was also the event’s sponsor). With attendees digging deep in their closets for accessories reflecting that decade’s fashions, the evening turned out to be quite the gnarly event as proceeds from this black-tie event went to support the museum’s art exhibitions, public and private programs, art classes, community outreach, family activities and programs for those with special needs including autism and memory loss. I took particular pride in attending several exhibitions this year including “Energy: The Power of Art,” a groundbreaking interactive exhibit with a science theme to it that ties in well with the programs the museum’s education department continues to expand on for the people of Long Island.
As we look ahead to 2020, I wish you and your families a wonderful holiday season and the happiest and healthiest new year.
Angela Susan Anton
Publisher
