Valley Stream Historical Society

SOUTH HIGH MUGS

The long-awaited South High mugs have arrived!

The historical society is thrilled to present this new piece of art, meticulously drawn by artist James Napoleon (South High Class of 1973). Napoleon, known for juxtaposing man-made objects or structures in otherwise natural settings, implements a story-telling approach inspired by illustrators such as Edward Hopper, Robert Weaver, and Rockwell Kent.

James' rendition of South High is filled with miniature treasures: the TWA Boeing 707 ascending from nearby Idlewild Airport; the creek traversing the landscape behind the school; light peaking out of the once open courtyard (enclosed in 1963); and students mingling on the veranda off the lobby. So much to cherish in this carefully crafted image of our mid-century gem.

Please consider purchasing a mug and supporting the historical society. The mug can be purchased two ways:

• at the Pagan-Fletcher Restoration, home of the Valley Stream Historical Society, on Sundays from 1pm-4pm, at 143 Hendrickson Avenue, Valley Stream

• from the Valley Stream Historical Society's on-line Country Store: https://valleystreamny.gov/index.asp?SEC=17E2184D-D1F2-402C-8953-35B0520559EA&DE=DCDC0DBD-28BF-4923-832D-100C7EFCAF79

Our Mission Statement: To bring together people who are interested in the history of Valley Stream and to collect & preserve historical records for the purpose of educating & fostering interest in our community.

About James Napoleon: https://valleystreamny.gov/index.asp?SEC=65DD1B78-3AB4-4708-AA56-8F26CB8EE332&DE=7A4B1CFF-15CE-480A-838F-A432DD8FFF2B

POETRY @ the PAGAN & Open Mic

Pagan-Fletcher Restoration
143 Hendrickson Avenue
Valley Stream, NY 11580

Sunday, June 28, 2026 5pm - 7pm

Marsha M. Nelson is an award-winning poet, playwright, and screenwriter. She is the author of two poetry books, “Night Visions” and “Al Rise-Stand Up Holy Gates.” Her poem, “I Thought It Was Love” won the Nassau County Poet Laureate Society 2016 contest. Her poetry has appeared in numerous literary magazines and anthologies. Marsha was nominated in 2018 for the Blue Light Press Pushcart Prize for her poem, “Hairpins and a Box of Chocolates,” and was the third prize recipient in the Super Poem Contest at Walt Whitman Birthplace 2018.

Stephanie Laterza is the author of the poetry collections Verás (Broadstone Books, 2023) and The Psyche Trials (Finishing Line Press, 2019). Her novels, The Lunasole Class (Alien Buddha Press, 2024) and The Boulevard Trial, were honored as Finalists of the 2025 American Legacy Book Awards in the categories of LGBTQ+ Fiction and Thriller: Legal, respectively. Stephanie’s most recent poetry has appeared in Flapper Press and is forthcoming in an anthology by Flowersong Press. Follow Stephanie on Instagram .

newsfeed: https://valleystreamny.gov/index.asp?SEC=17E2184D-D1F2-402C-8953-35B0520559EA&DE=33CB115F-D26E-400C-8832-91BD5478C8FE

poster by Jaclyn Kunz

POETRY at the PAGAN and OPEN MIC

Sunday, June 14, 2026
5pm - 7pm

newsfeed: https://valleystreamny.gov/index.asp?SEC=17E2184D-D1F2-402C-8953-35B0520559EA&DE=33CB115F-D26E-400C-8832-91BD5478C8FE

poster by Jaclyn Kunz

Flag Raising

Pagan-Fletcher Restoration
143 Hendrickson Avenue
Valley Stream, NY 11580

Sunday, June 14, 2026
2:00 pm

News & Events: https://valleystreamny.gov/index.asp?SEC=17E2184D-D1F2-402C-8953-35B0520559EA&DE=33CB115F-D26E-400C-8832-91BD5478C8FE

poster by Jaclyn Kunz

Poetry at the Pagan & Open Mic

Pagan-Fletcher Restoration
143 Hendrickson Avenue
Valley Stream, NY 11580

Sunday, June 14, 2026
5pm - 7pm

News & Events: https://valleystreamny.gov/index.asp?SEC=17E2184D-D1F2-402C-8953-35B0520559EA&DE=33CB115F-D26E-400C-8832-91BD5478C8FE

poster by Jaclyn Kunz

PANORAMA - June 2026

June 2026 issue:https://valleystream.govoffice.com/vertical/Sites/%7BBC0696FB-5DB8-4F85-B451-5A8D9DC581E3%7D/uploads/2026-06_(Panorama).pdf

Newspaper Articles, Journals, Publications:
https://valleystreamny.gov/index.asp?SEC=17E2184D-D1F2-402C-8953-35B0520559EA&DE=BA1068F9-8283-4A23-8485-37D7137FDFB7

Editor: Carol McKenna - Village Historian, Honorary Trustee
Graphic Designer - Stephanie Darcy

JIM ZABATTA Art Show

Opening Night - Friday, June 5

In order to plan accordingly for Opening Night Festivities, please RSVP. You have the option to pre-pay or pay-at-the-door: https://valleystreamny.gov/index.asp?SEC=C410BDAF-56AB-4925-AD52-AC282EA4B3DA

newsfeed: https://valleystreamny.gov/index.asp?SEC=17E2184D-D1F2-402C-8953-35B0520559EA&DE=33CB115F-D26E-400C-8832-91BD5478C8FE

Join us to Celebrate Queen Charlotte's Birthday Party

Sunday, May 17, 2026
1pm - 4pm
143 Hendrickson Avenue
Valley Stream, NY 11580

As America celebrates the 250th anniversary of its Declaration of Independence, we look back to a very different time in our local history. The Town of Hempstead—then including what is now Valley Stream—was largely loyal to King George III and his wife, Queen Charlotte. In 1776, eager to show their devotion to the Crown, we can imagine how local residents might have celebrated the Queen’s 35th birthday on May 19 of that year.

We invite the children of Valley Stream to join in the fun at the Pagan-Fletcher Restoration! Come dressed as princes and princesses to honor the Queen’s birthday. The celebration will include a parade of costumed youngsters, games, arts & crafts, and plenty of festive activities.

But beware—those “treacherous rebels” may be lurking about, ready to stir up a bit of revolutionary mischief!

poster by Jaclyn Kunz

newsfeed: https://valleystreamny.gov/index.asp?SEC=17E2184D-D1F2-402C-8953-35B0520559EA&DE=33CB115F-D26E-400C-8832-91BD5478C8FE

PANORAMA Newsletter - May 2026
Hot off the presses...

May 2026 issue:https://valleystream.govoffice.com/vertical/Sites/%7BBC0696FB-5DB8-4F85-B451-5A8D9DC581E3%7D/uploads/2026-05_(Panorama).pdf
Newspaper articles, journals, publications:
https://valleystreamny.gov/index.asp?SEC=17E2184D-D1F2-402C-8953-35B0520559EA&DE=BA1068F9-8283-4A23-8485-37D7137FDFB7
Editor: Carol McKenna (Honorary Trustee, Village Historian)n
Graphic Designer: Stephanie Darcy

The Valley Stream Historical Society mourns the loss of their esteemed long-time trustee and treasurer—Florence Gunther

In the early hours of Thursday, April 16, Florence Gunther passed away after a short time in hospice. Florence was an early member of the historical society, contributing greatly to the success of the organization as a repository for local history.

On December 2, 1925, Florence Marion Wuerfel was born on Valley Stream Blvd.—the very year the Village of Valley Stream was incorporated. After graduating Central High School in 1944 she found employment at Columbia Aircraft, the manufacturer of the military’s “Duck,” an all-purpose, amphibian bi-plane. Columbia was located on land once occupied by Curtiss Airfield, now occupied by the Green Acres Mall. Her next job was in New York City—she worked in J.C. Penney’s advertising department.

In 1949, Flo married Joseph C. Gunther (1923-2015), another long-standing Streamer; also a graduate of Central High, class of 1942. The couple shared many commonalities: both were members of Central’s band—later, the VS Community Band—Flo on flute, Joe on trombone. In 1995, Joe recorded his excellent oral history recording for the historical society. Scroll down and have a listen.

Florence was a member of the Catholic Youth Organization. An avid bowler, she helped found a CYO bowling league in 1961. The Gunthers were parishioners at Holy Name of Mary (where they married) and later, Blessed Sacrament, where Flo was past president of the Rosary Society. Volunteering at Mercy Hospital where she delivered newspapers to patients.

Joe, an Air Force veteran during WWII, was a carpenter by trade—he built the couple’s home at 145 Benedict Avenue in 1954. In the early 1990s, he volunteered his woodworking skills and helped renovate the Pagan-Fletcher Restoration on Hendrickson Avenue—home of the Valley Stream Historical Society.

Florence’s roots at the historical society ran deep. She joined nine years after its founding in 1973, rising through the ranks of the organization’s hierarchy: a member by 1982, a trustee in 1996, and a 19-year stint as treasurer, which ended in 2021. In September 2025 she was bestowed the honorary title of trustee emerita. That being said, whatever her title, Florence was always on hand to bake a cake and serve refreshments at historical society meetings and events.

In December 2025, Florence celebrated her 100th birthday at the Orzac Center for Rehabilitation at Long Island Jewish Valley Stream, surrounded by her loved ones.

Florence leaves her daughters Diane (Phil Wood) Gunther and Linda (Gary) Forthofer, as well as five grandchildren: Casey, Shawn, Michael, Carrie, and Rebecca; and 12 great-grandchildren. On behalf of the Valley Stream Historical Society, we offer our deepest sympathy to the family and our profound respect. The flag that graces the Pagan-Fletcher Restoration has been lowered to half-mast.

If you’d like to honor Florence and pay your respects: https://www.tributearchive.com/obituaries/48149957/florence-m.-gunther

Sunday, April 19
Lieber Funeral Home—visitation
3pm-6:30pm

Monday, April 20
Blessed Sacrament—funeral mass
10am

Monday April 20
St. Boniface Cemetery, Elmont—interment

Florence Gunther's Streamer link:
https://valleystreamny.gov/index.asp?SEC=65DD1B78-3AB4-4708-AA56-8F26CB8EE332&DE=C86170E1-E7D2-4A3B-A5B4-BD3E9EF8A158

Florence Gunther's Historical Society obituary:https://valleystream.govoffice.com/vertical/Sites/%7BBC0696FB-5DB8-4F85-B451-5A8D9DC581E3%7D/uploads/The_Valley_Stream_Historical_Society_mourns_the_loss_of_long.pdf

Joe Gunther's oral history recording: https://valleystreamny.gov/index.asp?SEC=65DD1B78-3AB4-4708-AA56-8F26CB8EE332&DE=20CEF9ED-563F-4816-8AED-23DE9B6862D5&fbclid=IwY2xjawRQczNleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETFxOGs1Z2NzNzNBR0syWUZuc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHoJn40JdC_090C6QsdREt4jm7UwUnupY-fJDGAWSUY4UAvRdVrmhp2WDVd_6_aem_oni9bXPAEtilbuPX0JPdzw