One of Great Neck’s oldest gardeners recently celebrated her 100th birthday, and the Great Neck Park District’s commissioners took note.
Great Neck Garden Club member Elsie Handelman, who has helped take care of the district’s historic rose garden, was recognized by the board at Thursday’s board meeting.
“She had her 100th birthday and we gave her a certificate acknowledging it,” said Great Neck Park District Commissioner Robert Lincoln.
Handelman responded with a letter thanking the board, which was read aloud at the meeting.
“It is a great pleasure to receive your recognition of my 100th birthday,” she wrote. “I hope to share more time with you.”
Handelman is still an independent woman at age 100, according to Commissioner Ruth Tamarin.
Tamarin said Handelman, after losing power during Hurricane Sandy, stood outside her residence and hailed a passing repair truck, saying she was nearly a century old and needed light.
The repairmen put their assignment on hold and helped out, Tamarin said.
The board also bid farewell to long-time parks supervisor Gene Bradley, who is retiring.,
“Gene Bradley has been a faithful employee of this park district for 40 years,” said Lincoln.
Bradley began his career as a park attendant, working at every park in the district before becoming supervisor and heading all district maintenance. District Deputy Superintendent Peter Renick added that Bradley was the father of the Great Neck hockey program and served as its director for many years.
“It’s quite a job. If something goes wrong, call Gene,” Lincoln said.
The board will hold a retirement breakfast for Bradley on Thursday, Dec. 20.
The board also announced that it will ask the Long Island Power Authority if the park district can receive financial credit for the weeks it went without power after Sandy.
“Our staff continues to clean up all the parks in the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy,” said Lincoln.
Tamarin praised a clean-up effort this weekend that saw 200 midshipmen from the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy volunteer to help clear debris from Kings Point Park.
“It was like the whole community coming together,” she said.
