Bethpage-Tribune_2008-11-28

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Volume45 Number 47 329Broa<iw»y.,Beihpagi'KV:.ii?i4'Nov. 28k0ec. 5,2007 'v (518)681-0440ext. 2j :1AX(516)«8I-M54; Em.ibNw2u@aoi.com 50 Cents
GRAND OPENING of TOB Ice Skating
Center in Bethpage on December 13 Sweet 16 is Golden!
Bethpage Eagles 'Edge' Cross-town Rivals in
Thriller to Capture 16th County Title
The victorious Bethpage Golden Eagles Varsity Football Team surround Coach Howie
Vogts and raise tier helmets to salute him and celebrate their victory over Plainedge.
The Bethpage High School Varsity Golden Eagles Football team captured their 16
County title, defeating the Plainedge High School Red Devils in the final minutes of
the 2008 Nassau Conference III final by a score of 22-20. It will be an 'All-Golden'
Long Island Championship game when the 10-1 Golden Eagles face the Suffolk
County Division III champs, the 10-1 Sayville High School Golden Flashes. The
teams will square off this Friday, November 28 at Hofstra University's Shuart
Stadium. Kickoff is at 4:30 p.m.
Two weeks earlier, Bethpage endured torrential rains and a muddy home field to
defeat Lynbrook. Last Friday, they withstood frigid temperatures and a furious fourth
quarter comeback by Plainedge to advance to the LI Championship. The Golden
Eagles entered the final quarter with a 14-0 lead on the strength of running touch­downs
by quarterback Ed Conway and running back Kevin Glueckert, who had 225
yards rushing in the game. The Red Devils never quit, answering with two straight
touchdowns on a run by Nick Camera and a pass from quarterback Mike Rossi to Rob
Bellairs to tie the game at 14.
However, with just over a minute to play, Ed Conway capped off the winning drive
with a naked bootleg, faking to Kevin Glueckert and running the ball into the end zone
himself tor a 25-yard touchdown score. The quarterback followed with another run for
a two-point conversion to put the Eagles up 22-14.
Still, it wasn't over. Plainedge came down the field quickly and desperately. On
just two pass plays - the latter of which had Rob Bellairs faking a hook-n-ladder pitch
before scampering into the end zone for a 50-yard touchdown score - Plainedge put
themselves in a position to tie the game. When it counted most, the Golden Eagle
defense came up big, as Bethpage's Rob Cafiero swatted away what would've been
the game-tying two-point conversion pass, sealing the victory and yet another trip to
the LI Championship.
The grand opening of the brand new, state-of-the-art, indoor Town of
Oyster Bay Ice Skating Center, located in Bethpage Community Park, Stewart
and Cherry Avenues, has been scheduled for Saturday, December 13, it was
announced by Town Supervisor John Venditto, who invited residents to join in
the day's festivities. Doors will open at 10:00 A.M. At 11:00 a.m., an on-ice
ceremony will be held followed by free public ice skating sessions until 8:00
p.m. Other highlights of the day will be the NY Islanders I.C.E. Tour, which is
an interactive NHL theme park geared toward the younger fan, give-aways,
entertainment and free refreshments.
"As the first Town-operated indoor ice rink, the Town of Oyster Bay Ice
Skating Center will be a destination for-figure skaters, hockey players and
recreational skaters through the Town," Supervisor Venditto said. "The facility,
which is handicapped accessible, combines modern user amenities with an
environmentally sensitive and energy-efficient design."
The Supervisor went on to say that the exterior of the building is designed
to reflect the park setting and blend in with the surrounding neighborhood. A
patio area connects the ice skating facility with the pool complex. Inside, the
85' x 200' NHL-size rink features an energy-efficient ice refrigeration system
designed to produce a first-rate ice surface year round. Fluorescent ice lighting
has multiple dimming levels and provides professional level illumination with
less energy than that used in standard high intensity luminaires. A high-effi­ciency
heating and ventilation system will ensure indoor air quality while
reducing energy consumption. Rounding out the rink's amenities are profes­sional
grade dasher boards, separate male and female locker rooms with show­ers,
a four-paneled electronic scoreboard, elevated bleacher seating that pro­vides
excellent viewing sight lines, a modern food concession with both
indoor and outdoor eating areas that will serve rink and pool users, a brick
fireplace and seating area reminiscent of the former ice rink, and fully stocked
pro and skate shops. The facility also offers two dedicated community rooms
that can set up as one large room, complete with a drop-down projector and
screen, for use by local organizations.
"The skating rink, facility and community rooms will all be operated by
the Town's Parks Department," Supervisor Venditto said. "Skating sessions
will be structured very much like they have been in the past, with open skate
hours for the public and hours set aside for league play. The fact that the rink
will be operational 12 months a year, including evenings, will give people
more time to enjoy the facility."
For information on hours and rates, visit the Town's Web site, www.oys-terbaytown.
com or call 433-7465.
"While the Town of Oyster Bay Ice Skating Center will be a focal point
for ice skaters and hockey players throughout the Town, as well as the
Bethpage community, the atmosphere says this is also a place-4o.come and
relax, enjoy a cup of hot chocolate and watch the skaters, " Supervisor
Venditto stated. "I cordially invite all residents to join us for the grand opening
and see this very special addition to the Town's already outstanding recreation­al
venues."