REVELING IN REVOLUTION - INDEPENDENCE DAY IN SEA CLIFF 2016
PATRIOTIC PAGEANTRY INCLUDES A PLAYLET, A PUBLIC READING OF THE DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE AND A PARADE OF PEDALERS AND PEDESTRIANSJuly 5, 2016 -- As had been done at village greens, town squares and in public halls in July 1776, residents of Sea Cliff and surrounding communities reveled in revolution this past Monday morning gathering at the John Burns Village Green for a public reading of the Declaration of Independence.
Sponsored by the Sea Cliff Civic Association, and presided over by its President Ann DiPietro, the celebration of the nation's 240th birthday was truly a community affair with villagers of all ages, some in Revolutionary War era garb and almost all in red white or blue, getting into the act. Mayor Bruce Kennedy rang in Monday's proceedings with thirteen tolls of Sea Cliff's Liberty Bell harking back to Philadelphians being summoned by the ringing of their own bell of the same name to the first public reading of the Declaration of Independence. Then in a solemn procession led by 4th of July Committee member Carol Vogt and rising sixth graders fifer Ruby "Scout" Kessler and drummer Ruben Shonick, Sea Cliff Boy Scout Troop #43 presented the Colors, and the assemblage recited the pledge of allegiance before Lesley Pryde Haley's powerful and moving rendition of the Star Spangled Banner. With Dan DiPietro narrating, residents Adam Freidbeg, Anne Blanton Friedberg, Joseph Hughes, Seamus Hughes, Felicia Lebow, and Eli Lebow then performed the playlet "They Ventured Much," which told the stories of several of the courageous patriots who had risked life and treasure by having the courage to sign the Declaration of Independence. The celebration continued with a reading of Jefferson's immortal words pronouncing government's duty to protect the natural rights of its citizens and justifying the American exit from the British Union. John Canning delivered the preamble, while a cast of Sea Cliff villagers interspersed among the crowd, each with a healthy dose of indignation, recited assigned sections from the document's list of grievances, and the 425 patriots present (according to the official crowd counter) proclaimed collectively the concluding paragraph asserting American Independence. And as the throng huzzah'd and blew noise makers with flag-waving fervor, Ms. DiPietro and Mr. Canning descended the library steps dancing a jig of unrestrained independence and jubilation. Then, the participants, some as pedestrians and others as pedalers, with piper Paul Haining preceding, proceeded in a pageant of patriotism up Sea Cliff Avenue to the plaza dedicated to the President for whom the pronouncement of 12 score years ago provided the principles for preserving the Union and proclaiming emancipation. There, the paraders enjoyed muffins generously donated by Rob Mansfield of Grassroots in Glen Head and refreshments by the Civic Association. Sea Cliffians have been observing the Fourth of July with a public reading of the Declaration of Independence for two decades - with the first held at Geohegan Park in 1996. Since 2002, the Sea Cliff Civic Association has organized the event, hosting it at the Village Green. This year's Civic Association Fourth of July Committee was made up of Christine Abbenda, Charlene Anci, Diane Biolsi, Karen Kessler, Jen O'Hare, and Carol Vogt. Photos by Northwordnews BACK TO WEEKLY BACK TO HOME PAGE |
CHILDREN'S LIBRARY HOSTS HAPPY BIRTHDAY USA AND BIKE DECORATING PARTIESJuly 2, 2016 -- In celebration of the 240th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, the Sea Cliff Children's Library hosted a birthday bash for our nation this past Friday, July 1. The annual event, organized by Ann and Dan DiPietro, attracted about 75 children, their parents, and other residents, who, led by local musician Joe Hughes and his brother-in-law Joe Abbenda, sang and clapped to patriotic tunes and American standards such as You're a Grand Ol' Flag, Yankee Doodle, This Land is Your Land, This Land is My Land, and the Star Spangled Banner. The birthday party concluded in traditional American fashion with the presentation of candlelit cup cakes and an enthusiastic singing of "Happy Birthday."
.... And on July 2, well over 100 children and parents turned out at the Children's Library to decorate bikes, scooters, strollers, and even crutches, in preparation for the parade that took place two days later.
PATRIOTS READING DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCEJohn Canning
Sally Davies Chris Zublionis Kevin White Linda LaMarca Alan Klein Lesley Jacobs Jen Sebetic Roger Street Friedman Adam Friedberg Al Reres Marc Wenger Lori Klein Kristen Ellis-Henderson Dan DiPietro Melissa Atkinson Kathleen Reynolds Carol Pohrille Bob Vogt Jack Pierce Christine Varasano Joe Mazzeo Dan McDermott Allyson Weseley Liz Stroppel Paul Marchese Fred Stroppel Charlie Weinstein 425 Sea Cliff Villagers Collectively: "We, therefore, the Representatives of the united States of America, in General Congress, Assembled, appealing to the Supreme Judge of the world for the rectitude of our intentions, do, in the Name, and by Authority of the good People of these Colonies, solemnly publish and declare, That these united Colonies are, and of Right ought to be Free and Independent States, that they are Absolved from all Allegiance to the British Crown, and that all political connection between them and the State of Great Britain, is and ought to be totally dissolved; and that as Free and Independent States, they have full Power to levy War, conclude Peace, contract Alliances, establish Commerce, and to do all other Acts and Things which Independent States may of right do. — And for the support of this Declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of Divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes, and our sacred Honor." |
