Lynbrook New Vision Party Holds Awards Dinner

The Lynbrook New Vision Party held its annual awards dinner last Friday at the Knights of Columbus, St. Mary's Council building on Hempstead Avenue in Lynbrook.

Sheila Dillon and Andrea Duncliffe were honored as Citizens of the Year, Kathy Johannsen as Businesswoman of the Year, and Denise Rogers was named Humanitarian of the Year.

The light-hearted dinner was led by Lynbrook Mayor Bill Hendrick and the rest of the village board, all members of the Lynbrook New Vision Party.

"We have four very strong women as our honorees," Hendrick said. "It chokes me up — and I want to thank them all from the bottom of my heart."

Citizens of the Year: Sheila Dillon and Andrea Duncliffe

Dillon and Duncliffe were were honored for their work with the village's Character Counts Committee, which helps promote Lynbrook's mission statement of exhibiting positive character and leadership qualities in the community; co-chairing the Lynbrook Winter Celebration for the past four years; and involvement in their local PTA groups.

Deputy Mayor Alan Beach said, "These are the kinds of people who come out and help is what makes Lynbrook what it is — a great place to live."

Duncliffe said she and Dillon have become like sisters in the years they've worked on different committees and events in Lynbrook. Neither really knew what they were getting themselves into when they started volunteering. Indeed, Dillon admitted just wanting to get out of her house on occasion.

"I would like to thank everyone for recognizing our work and allowing us to be part of this great community," Duncliffe said.

Humanitarian of the Year: Denise Rogers

Denise Rogers is known as many things in Lynbrook: a dedicated resident, a civic leader, and a respected member of the Chamber of Commerce and business community. As of last Friday, she's also Lynbrook's Humanitarian of the Year.

"Denise readily gives up her time and talent to help make Lynbrook a better place," said village Trustee Mike Hawxhurst.

Rogers, a branch manager at Astoria Federal Savings Bank in Lynbrook, also serves as executive vice president with the Lynbrook Chamber of Commerce. But it's not all business for the Lynbrook resident — she volunteers her time at local schools to teach children the importance of saving and managing money, helps fundraise for The Children's Brain Tumor Foundation, was co-chair of the Chamber's committee to host its first Art Auction, and has previously served as president of the Malverne Rotary Club.

Rogers also served on the committee to bring the Vietnam Moving Wall to Lynbrook, something she says was very important to her. "I felt a sense of honor and privilege that something was coming to Lynbrook that meant so much to me," she said.

Businessperson of the Year: Kathy Johannsen

"There is no one in this village that comes across smarter and with a sense of class …. is Kathy Johannsen," newly appointed village Trustee Thomas Atkinson said of the Lynbrook New Vision Party's pick for Businessperson of the Year. Atkinson is also the president of the Lynbrook New Vision Party.

Johannsen is the executive director of the Atria Tanglewood, an assisted-living community in Lynbrook. She received the Atria Q Award, the highest Atria-bestowed honor, two years in a row (2009, 2010). She also was named Businessperson of the Year by the Nassau Council of Chambers of Commerce in 2009. She currently serves as a mentor for the Executive Directors in Training Program for Atria.

Other community involvement includes serving on the Board of Directors with the Lynbrook Chamber of Commerce, and is also a member of the Senior Umbrella Network of Nassau, Gerontology Professionals of Long Island, and the Long Island Coalition for the Aging. She also mentors at several Long Island colleges.

Johannsen gave much credit to her staff at Atria Tanglewood. "My colleagues at Atria Tanglewood, we are truly a family," she said. "We love our residents as though they are part of our family — and they are. I'm grateful and honored for this award."

Photos by George McClosky