Times of Huntington-Northport

'Jazz Solo II,' 1988, oil on linen canvas by Richard Mayhew. Courtesy of the Petrucci Family Foundation Collection of African-American Art. (c) 2021 Richard Mayhew; Courtesy ACA Galleries, New York)
Nationally renowned, Long Island-born artist celebrated close to home

From Jan. 20 to April 24, the Heckscher Museum of Art in Huntington will feature the work of artist Richard Mayhew (b. 1924) in a solo exhibition, the first ever organized so close to Amityville, where the renowned artist grew up. 

Titled Richard Mayhew: Reinventing Landscape, the exhibit will highlight more than two dozen vibrant paintings and works on paper created by the artist over the past six decades and will explore how Mayhew reimagined nineteenth and twentieth-century American landscape painting through a uniquely personal style that expresses his perspectives about African American and Native American history and culture. 

‘Pescadero,’ 2014, oil on canvas by Richard Mayhew; (Courtesy ACA Galleries, New York)

The show is drawn from private collections and institutions such as Hudson River Museum, National Academy of Design, and the Petrucci Family Foundation Collection of African-American Art. 

Coinciding with the exhibition, The Heckscher Museum announces the acquisition of one of Mayhew’s vivid paintings, Pescadero, 2014. The Museum already holds a number of Mayhew’s lithographs. 

“The purchase of Richard Mayhew’s Pescadero is an important springboard into the Museum’s second century,” said curator Karli Wurzelbacher. “We are honored to have the opportunity to share the stunning and thoughtful work of this major artist with our audiences, both now and in the decades to come. Mayhew’s work will allow us to tell a more complete and compelling story about the histories of abstraction and landscape painting in America.”

Richard Mayhew’s paintings express his African American and Native American heritage. “It’s a dual commitment to nature. The land is very important to both cultures, in terms of stimulation and spiritual sensitivity, and it’s very important to me,” he said. The Heckscher Museum, located less than 15 miles from the artist’s birthplace, will introduce people from Long Island and the greater New York metropolitan region to Mayhew’s art within the context of Long Island’s diverse cultural history.

Wurzelbacher notes that the artist’s subjects may suggest the appearance of natural forms, but they are symbolic only of his emotional interpretation. He conceives his painting as “mindscapes.” Mayhew intuitively uses evocative color and diffused form to explore, in his words, “desire, ambition, love, hate, fear—that’s my painting.”

Although Mayhew has resided in other parts of the country (currently in Santa Cruz, CA), his place of birth remains at the center of his work. Here, his love of nature and artistic talents were first stimulated. He took from the Long Island landscape a life-long response to the spiritual essences of nature and delved into complex emotions that permeate his canvases. 

Richard Mayhew grew up in Amityville, on Long Island’s South Shore. It is among the oldest Black-Indigenous communities on Long Island.

During the 1930s and 40s, artists visited the area in the summertime to paint en plein air along the ocean coastline, and the young Mayhew would watch them: “I was fascinated by the artists dipping their brushes into the paint like a magic wand; the beautiful images that came out on the end of it were amazing.”

Following military service in the South Pacific, Mayhew spent time as an illustrator, ceramic painter, and a jazz singer. In 1951, he began courses at the Brooklyn Museum School of Art. A degree in art history from Columbia University added to his framework of artistic reference. Studies in Europe fostered deeper appreciation of the old masters and for the Impressionists’ mastery of light. 

Mayhew’s first solo exhibition was organized by the Brooklyn Museum. During the Civil Rights movement, he joined Spiral, formed in 1963 by a group of Black artists who met to discuss the relationships between Black identity, American culture, and politics. These debates solidified his commitment to working in an abstract style while also engaging with concepts of race and social justice.

Related program:

Panel on Environmental Justice on Long Island, April 5, at 5:30 p.m.

A virtual panel discussion with Jeremy Dennis, a contemporary fine art photographer, tribal member of the Shinnecock Indian Nation, and founder of Ma’s House, and Dr. Mark Chambers, Professor of Africana Studies at Stony Brook University. The panel will discuss Mayhew’s work and the intersections of environmentalism and racial justice on Long Island. Organized by Justyce Bennett, M.A., Curatorial Assistant, The Heckscher Museum of Art.

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The Heckscher Museum of Art is located at 2 Prime Ave., Huntington. In addition to Richard Mayhew: Reinventing Landscape, the museum presents Moonstruck: Lunar Art from the Collection from Jan. 20 to Sept.  18. For more information, call 631-380-3230 or visit www.Heckscher.org.

 

The Argyle Theatre, 34 West Main St., Babylon kicks off the new year with the world premiere of PUNK ROCK GIRL! from Jan. 20 to Feb. 27. 

With book and arrangements by Tony-nominated Long Island composer Joe Iconis, arrangements and orchestrations by Rob Rokicki and directed and choreographed by Jennifer Werner, the new musical features a score of popular songs written and made famous by female artists and female-fronted bands including Blondie, Pat Benatar, Avril Lavigne, Joan Jett, P!nk, Gwen Stefani, and more.

16-year-old Angela Quivers is a perfectionist who never takes chances and feels like there’s no place where she belongs … until she meets Proxi, a teenager who pulls her into a world of grungy guitars, shocking secrets, and big, loud, messy emotions. A musical about a young person finding a community and creating her tribe, PUNK ROCK GIRL is a noisy celebration of all things raw and ragged; trashy and heartfelt; familiar and alien.

The cast includes Philippe Arroyo (Broadway: Aladdin), Kayla Catan, Seth Eliser, Jaylan Evans (Regional: The Scottsboro Boys), Kalonjee Gallimore, Ashley LaLonde (Lincoln Center’s The Black Clown), Lauren Marcus(Broadway: Be More Chill), Jackson Mattek, Jordan Leigh McCaskill, Kelly McIntyre (National Tour: A Night With Janis Joplin), Natalie Powers, Mikaela Rada, Brooke Shapiro (Regional: Hairspray), Brad Weatherford.

The creative team includes Music Supervision by Geoffrey Ko, Musical Direction by Jennifer Peacock, Associate Direction and Choreography by Leonard Sullivan, Set Design by Nate Bertone, Costume Design by Jen Caprio,Lighting Design by John Salutz, Sound Design by Carlos Dias Jr and Prop Design by Steven Velasquez, Associate Scenic Designer is Joshua Warner, Associate Costume Designer is Anna Blazer and Heather Neil and Prop Assistant is Courtney Alberto. The Production Stage Manager is Alison Savino, with 1st Assistant Stage Manager Leah V. Pye, and 2nd Assistant Stage Manager /CSM Shannon Stewart. The Casting Director is Michael Cassara, CSA.

“We are thrilled to welcome in the new year with the world premiere of PUNK ROCK GIRL!, an exciting new musical by Long Island native and Tony nominee Joe Iconis. Bringing this new musical to the stage of the Argyle is a real coup and I’m honored that we get to help bring this hilarious, off-beat, and empowering show to life,” said Argyle Theatre’s Artistic Director, Evan Pappas.

“We are honored to be producing this exciting World Premiere and partnering with Lively McCabe Entertainment and the incredible artists behind Punk Rock Girl! Come on down and be the first to see this new exciting musical!” added Argyle Theatre Owners, Mark & Dylan Perlman.

PUNK ROCK GIRL will play Thursday through Saturday evenings at 7:30 PM, Saturday afternoons at 2:30 PM, and Sunday afternoons at 2:00 PM (added performance on Wednesday, February 23 at 7:30 PM). Tickets range from $49 to $77 and may be purchased online at www.argyletheatre.com or by calling 631-230-3500.

COVID-19 POLICY, EFFECTIVE IMMEDIATELY: All patrons over 12 will be required to present proof of full vaccination (printed vaccination card or digital proof such as NYS Excelsior Pass), OR have received a negative COVID-19 test within 72 hours before entering the theater and present printed proof, along with a valid matching photo ID. All patrons must wear a mask when not actively eating or drinking, per current NYS mandate.

 

 

METRO photo

Each January, Americans honor the life and work of Martin Luther King, Jr. with a federal holiday celebrated on the third Monday in January each year. Born in Atlanta, Georgia, on January 15, 1929, King would grow up to become one of the most influential people of the 21st century.

King’s tireless activism during the Civil Rights Movement of the 1950s and 1960s improved the lives of millions of people, and his tragic assassination on April 4, 1968, marked one of the darkest days in American history. King’s oratory prowess is well-documented. Individuals across the globe are familiar with his “I Have a Dream” speech, which King delivered during the March on Washington less than a year before his death. Less familiar are some other notable facts about the life of Martin Luther King, Jr.

• If he were alive today, Martin Luther King, Jr. would still be years away from his 100th birthday. King was assassinated in 1968, when he was not yet 40 years old. Born in Atlanta in 1929, King could very much still be alive today and would have celebrated his 93rd birthday on January 15, 2022.

• King was an extraordinarily gifted student. At an age when many students were preparing to enter their sophomore or junior year of high school, King began his freshman year of college at Morehouse College. King enrolled at Morehouse when he was 15 after the school opened enrollment to junior high students in an effort to overcome a dip in enrollment related to World War II. King passed the entrance exam and enrolled in the fall of 1944.

• King was ordained as a minister prior to graduating from Morehouse. The Baptist ministry was something of a family business for the Kings, as Martin Luther King Jr.’s father, grandfather and great grandfather were all Baptist ministers. However, King did not initially intend to follow that path. He ultimately changed course and entered the ministry at age 18, graduating from Morehouse with a degree in sociology a year later.

• King survived a knife attack years before his assassination. King was stabbed in the chest with a letter opener during a book signing event in Harlem in 1958. His assailant, Izola Curry, was ultimately deemed mentally incompetent to stand trial. Though the attack did not kill him, King had to undergo intensive emergency surgery and was hospitalized for several weeks.

• Conspiracy theories surround King’s assassination. King’s assassin, James Earl Ray, was found guilty and sentenced to 99 years in prison. Authorities, including the United States Department of Justice, concluded Ray, a career criminal, acted alone. However, some, including surviving members of King’s family, believed his assassination was part of a conspiracy. Despite his tragic assassination in 1968, Martin Luther King, Jr. left his mark on the world. That legacy is even more remarkable when considering the unique twists and turns King’s life took prior to his death.

Martin Luther King, Jr., was a remarkable human being. Celebrations of his life can involve revisiting some of his more notable moments.

Photo from PSEG

PSEG Long Island said it is prepared for the potentially strong winds and heavy precipitation forecasted for the holiday weekend, Sunday, Jan. 16 into Monday, Jan. 17.

Snow changing to rain is expected to begin later today and continue through Monday afternoon. Strong winds with the possibility of peak gusts of up to 70 miles per hour are forecasted – conditions that could break tree limbs, pull down wires and cause outages.

“PSEG Long Island is ready for the impending bad weather, and we encourage our customers to prepare as well,” said Michael Sullivan, vice president of Transmission & Distribution at PSEG Long Island. “As we watch the forecast, we have performed system and logistic checks, and have additional personnel ready to jump into storm mode, regardless of the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday on Monday. In the event of any outages, our crews stand ready to safely restore service as quickly as conditions will allow.”

During this storm, PSEG Long Island may use an enhancement to its outage communications process to increase the accuracy of estimated times of restoration (ETRs). With this enhancement, customers contacting the Call Center early in the storm may receive an “Assessing Conditions” message rather than an ETR message. This will allow crews to assess storm impact first to provide more precise ETRs. For more information about this new process, visit https://www.psegliny.com/outages/estimatedrestorationtimes.

COVID-19-related storm processes remain in place to ensure the health and safety of employees and the public. To that end, we ask that customers remain in their homes when crews are working nearby. If customers must speak with our crews, we ask them to practice responsible “physical distancing” and remain at least 6 feet away. For more information about how PSEG Long Island continues to live up to its commitment to safety during the pandemic, please visit www.psegliny.com/covid19.

Customers are asked to note the important storm safety tips below and to visit https://www.psegliny.com/safetyandreliability/stormsafety for additional storm preparation information.

Customer Safety:

  • Downed wires should always be considered “live.” Please stay away from them, and do not drive over or stand near them. It is best to maintain a distance of at least 30 feet from a downed power line. To report a downed wire, call 911.
  • Electric current passes easily through water. If you encounter a pool of slush or standing water, stop, back up and choose another path. And remember, downed lines are not easy to see in snow.
  • Never use a generator, pressure washer, or any gasoline-powered engine inside your home, basement, or garage or less than 20 feet from any window, door, or vent. Use an extension cord that is more than 20 feet long to keep the generator at a safe distance.

Stay connected:

  • Report an outage and receive status updates by texting OUT to PSEGLI (773454). You can also report your outage through our app, our website at www.psegliny.com/outages or with your voice using the Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant app on your smartphone.
  • To report an outage or downed wire, call PSEG Long Island’s 24-hour Electric Service number at 800-490-0075, or use our web chat feature at www.psegliny.com.
  • Follow PSEG Long Island on Facebook and Twitter to report an outage and for updates before, during and after the storm.
  • Visit PSEG Long Island’s MyPower map for the latest in outage info, restoration times and crew locations across Long Island and the Rockaways at https://mypowermap. psegliny.com/

For more information, visit www.psegliny.com.

 

 

Trailing by three at the halftime break, Newfield had a productive third quarter to retake the lead over Commack in a League II matchup at home. The Wolverines kept the Cougars at bay in the final eight minutes to secure a 57-50 victory Jan 13.  

Senior Hamza Yousef led the way for Newfield hitting two triples, five field goals and two from the free throw line for 18 points. Isaiah Brown followed with four from the floor, three at the line for 11 points along with 16 rebounds, and Josh Jacobs the senior along with junior Kyle Milano netted 10 points apiece. Michael Agostino added eight.

The win lifts the Wolverines to 5-2 in league, 7-5 overall, to move third place behind Northport and Ward Melville. The Wolverines retake the court Jan 15 in a non-league matchup at home against Walt Whitman. Game time is at noon.

Photo from America's VetDogs

The Guide Dog Foundation and America’s VetDogs,  two Smithtown-based nonprofits that provide guide and service dogs to individuals with disabilities, is in urgent need for volunteer temp (temporary) homes across Long Island and the New York Tri-state area, to open their hearts and homes during the Omicron surge to host a puppy or trained dog, from anywhere between 1 to 3 weeks and continue to support their training during the duration of the stay.

Temp homes provide a puppy/mature dog a safe and friendly home with a loving environment where a puppy will learn, or an adult dog will maintain, housebreaking, obedience, excellent house manners, and socialization.

Requirements include a fenced in yard or access to daily and frequent walks, attend an online orientation class, access to a smart phone for virtual home check and is comfortable with emailing, texting and attending virtual classes. Veterinary care, dog food and supplies are provided by the Foundation and VetDogs.

Anyone interested in becoming a Temp Home volunteer, can apply directly online at: guidedog.org.

B-roll of Foundation puppies and dogs in training can be found here.

The following incidents have been reported by the Suffolk County Police:

Commack

■ Suffolk County Police Major Case Unit detectives are investigating a robbery that occurred at a Commack bank on Dec. 29. A man entered Capital One, located at 2050 Jericho Turnpike, at approximately 11:50 a.m. and allegedly handed a teller a note threatening violence and demanding money. The teller gave the man cash from the drawer and the man fled on foot. The man was wearing a mask, a hooded sweatshirt with the hood up, a ski cap and gloves. Update: Suspect is in custody.

■ Suffolk County Police Major Case Unit detectives are also investigating a robbery that occurred at a HSBC bank in Commack on Dec. 29. A man entered the bank, located at 5880 Jericho Turnpike, at approximately 4:35 p.m. and allegedly handed an employee a note threatening violence and demanding money. The teller complied and the man fled on foot. The man was wearing a grey hooded sweatshirt under a dark colored jacket. His hood was up and he was also wearing a blue baseball cap, a blue face mask, and gloves. Update: Suspect is in custody.

■ A person allegedly stole a 2021 black Mazda 3 that was parked in the driveway of Balsam Lane in Commack on Jan. 4 at 12:30 a.m.

■ Two men walked into Walmart on Crooked Hill Road in Commack on Jan. 3 at 1:40 p.m. and allegedly stole two coffee machines and two Kitchen-Aid machines.

■ An unidentified person in a car allegedly took two outgoing payment checks from a mailbox on Holly Drive in Commack on Jan. 3. The incident was caught on a neighbor’s Ring security camera.

East Northport

■ Suffolk County Police Major Case Unit detectives are investigating a robbery that occurred at an East Northport bank in the afternoon of Jan. 3. A man entered Citibank, located on Larkfield Road, and allegedly handed an employee a note threatening violence and demanding money at approximately 3:45 p.m. The teller complied and the man fled on foot. The man is white and was wearing a dark hooded sweatshirt under a dark colored jacket. He was also wearing a COVID facemask. Update: Suspect is in custody.

■ A person allegedly removed a catalytic converter from a 2003 Ford F250 parked on the street in front of a residence on Grant Street in East Northport on Jan. 3.

■ A catalytic converter was removed from a 1999 Honda Accord parked on 4th Street on the corner of 5th Avenue in East Northport on Jan. 3.

■ The theft of a catalytic converter from a 2009 Toyota Prius parked on Harding Street in East Northport was reported on Jan. 3.

■ A catalytic converter was removed from a 2005 Honda Accord parked in front of a residence on Heath Lane in East Northport on Jan. 5.

East Setauket

■ BJ’s Wholesale Club on Nesconset Highway in East Setauket reported that 12 cases of beer were stolen on Jan 5 at 12:50 p.m. The items were allegedly placed in a shopping cart by an adult male who then exited the store without paying for them. The items are valued at approximately $365.

■ The police were summoned to Walmart on Nesconset Highway in East Setauket to investigate a petit larceny on Jan. 5 at 3 p.m. An unidentified female allegedly took miscellaneous household items valued at $25 and walked out of the store without paying.

Hauppauge

■ Lynbrook Glass on Motor Parkway in Hauppauge reported that several catalytic converters were stolen from vehicles on their property on Jan 1 at 2 a.m.

Huntington

■ A wallet containing credit cards and cash was stolen from an unlocked vehicle parked in the driveway of a residence on La Rue Drive in Huntington on Jan. 3 at 9 p.m. 

■ A 1999 Chrysler Town and Country was stolen from a residence on Meadowlawn Street in Huntington on Jan. 5. The owner reported that the keys had been left in the vehicle.

Huntington Station

■ Rite Aid on West Jericho Turnpike in Huntington Station reported the alleged theft of 10 cases of beer by an unidentified man on Jan. 2 at 5:40 p.m. 

Kings Park

■ A Razor E200 electric scooter was stolen from outside T.J. Maxx on Indian Head Road in Kings Park on Jan. 5 at 4:30 p.m. 

Lake Grove

■ Mayra’s Bakery on Hawkins Ave., Lake Grove was the victim of a scam on Dec. 28, 2021. A caller allegedly claiming to be a PSEG employee told the owner they would shut the power off to the bakery if they didn’t send a payment. A payment was made over the phone using a bank card.

■ Police were summoned to Dick’s Sporting Goods at the Smith Haven Mall in Lake Grove on Jan. 6 at 4 p.m. after two women allegedly placed assorted clothing in bags and left the store without paying for it.

Mount Sinai

■ A resident on Mount Sinai Coram Road in Mount Sinai called the police on Jan. 2 at 1 a.m. to report license plates were stolen off a vehicle parked in front of his home.

Port Jefferson

■ Miscellaneous groceries were reported stolen from Cafe Latino on Main Street in Port Jefferson on Jan. 3 at 3 p.m. The value was estimated at $15.

Port Jefferson Station

■ On Jan. 2 at 6 p.m. a resident on Rush Street in Port Jefferson Station reported that approximately $500 in gift cards and cash had been stolen from a wallet inside the home.

Rocky Point

■ While loading groceries into trunk at Stop & Shop on Route 25A in Rocky Point on Jan. 3 around 6:30 p.m., a woman left her pocketbook in the shopping cart and drove away. When she returned to retrieve it the pocketbook containing her wallet and cellphone were gone. No one turned the purse in

Selden

■ Employees at Home Depot on Middle Country Road in Selden called police on Jan. 4 to report merchandise including copper wire had been allegedly stolen by two males. The items were placed on a utility cart and the two suspects walked out of the store without paying. Estimated value of the items is $6800.

■ A woman called the police on Jan. 4 at 4:45 p.m. to report that her wallet had been stolen while she was shopping at ShopRite on Middle Country Road in Selden.

■ Police were summoned to Home Depot on Middle Country Road in Selden on Jan. 4 at 3:30 p.m. after two adult males allegedly walked out without paying for two cordless nail guns valued at a total of $360. 

■ Home Depot on Middle Country Road in Selden called police on Jan. 5 at 12:40 p.m. to report that a spool of copper wire valued at approximately $430 had been allegedly stolen by an adult male.

■ On Jan 6 at 1:15 a.m. a resident on Hawkins Road in Selden reported that a laptop and some personal items were allegedly stolen from a car parked in the street in front of the resident’s home. 

■ A manager at Walgreens on Middle Country Road in Selden called the police on Jan. 6 at 9:40 p.m. to report that two cases of Heineken beer were stolen from the store.

South Setauket

■ Target on Pond Path in South Setauket reported on Jan. 2 at 3:15 p.m. that an unidentified woman allegedly switched price stickers on four LEGO sets before purchasing them. The original price was listed at $570.

Stony Brook

■ Lowes on Nesconset Highway in Stony Brook called the police on Jan. 2 at 1:45 p.m. to report an adult male allegedly stole two garage door openers valued at approximately $450 in total.

Suffolk County Crime Stoppers offers a cash reward for information that leads to an arrest. Anyone with information about these incidents can contact Suffolk County Crime Stoppers to submit an anonymous tip by calling 1-800-220-TIPS.

— COMPILED BY HEIDI SUTTON

The exterior of BJ's Wholesale Club in Commack

BJ’s Wholesale Club opened its latest wholesale club in Commack on Jan. 7. The new store brings the retailer’s total number of U.S. locations to 224, with 12 of those being on Long Island.

“We’re excited to expand our footprint in Long Island, with the opening our new club in Commack,” said Dan Smith, Manager of BJ’s Wholesale Club in Commack. “We’re looking forward to bringing BJ’s outstanding offerings to Commack and the surrounding community.”

Located at 2 Veterans Memorial Highway in Commack in the former Macy’s location, the new store will feature a vast selection of fresh foods and produce, a full-service deli, household essentials, pet supplies, seasonal items, home décor, fashion for the family, toys, hot tech, and a selection of local products. For more information, call  631-850-8260.

Supervisor Edmund J. Smyth and his Louisiana rescue dog, Louie

Huntington Supervisor Edmund J. Smyth invites residents to participate in the Betty White Challenge sweeping the nation.

“In honor of what would have been the legendary Betty White’s 100th birthday on January 17, I’m asking her fans — and all dog lovers who can afford to do so – to donate $5 in her name to our Give a Dog a Dream charity, which funds medically necessary surgeries for shelter dogs in need, or donate a wish list item to our shelter,” said Supervisor Ed Smyth.

While the Huntington Animal Shelter takes donations of all types of items (blankets, detergent, food, etc.), the items the shelter needs most are flat collars (sizes M, L, XL), flat leashes, treats, and indestructible toys.

Give a Dog a Dream Inc. is a charitable 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that specializes in veterinary care and advanced dog behavior modification training. Proceeds fund medically necessary surgeries and behavior modification training for Town of Huntington Animal Shelter dogs.

Huntington Animal Shelter success stories funded by Give a Dog a Dream can be found online: https://www.giveadogadream.org/success_stories

Wish List items needed at the Huntington Animal Shelter: https://huntingtonny.gov/shelter-wish-list

Donate online to Give a Dog a Dream Inc.: https://www.giveadogadream.org/donate

Due to COVID-19-related staffing shortages, the Huntington Animal Shelter is open by appointment only at this time; please call ahead to drop off items or schedule a visit with our dogs at (631) 754-8722. The Huntington Animal Shelter is located at 106 Deposit Road, East Northport, NY 11731 Monday-Friday (8am – 6pm), Weekends (9am – 4pm). After-Hours Emergency Calls Only (631) 351-3234.

The Town of Huntington Cat Shelter, located next door to the dog shelter (at 104 Deposit Road), is managed by Little Shelter Animal Rescue and Adoption Center. For details on donating to the cat shelter, please call (631) 651-9788.

The #BettyWhite Challenge encourages fans of the late actress, who was an animal advocate and passed away on December 31, 2021 at the age of 99, to donate $5 to animal rescues and shelters in her name. January 17, 2022 would have been White’s 100th birthday.

President Barack Obama talks with Betty White in the Oval Office, June 11, 2012. (Official White House Photo by Pete Souza)

By Barbara Anne Kirshner

We thought Betty White would live forever. Long after the other Golden Girls left planet Earth, White, with that mischievous glint in her eyes accompanied by clever quips, was ever present and breaking new ground.

Betty White was a staunch advocate for animals.  Photo courtesy of Fathom Events

Like the Energizer Bunny, Betty White kept going and we expected her to always be there. White passed away in her sleep on Dec. 31. She was 99. 

This month People Magazine had planned a celebration of White’s 100th birthday which was to happen on January 17. We were certain she would make it to centenarian status, but White probably felt it was time to join her husband, Allen Ludden, and all of her animals who had passed before her. She had even said in an interview that when she arrives in Heaven, Ludden would have to stand in line while she reunited with her much loved pets.

Born on January 17, 1922, in Oak Park, Illinois, Betty Marion White was the only child of Horace Logan White and Christine Tess. The family moved to Alhambra, California in 1923 and later to Los Angeles during the Great Depression. White graduated from Beverly Hill High School in 1939. As a child, she wanted to be an opera singer and took voice lessons. After graduating from high school, due to her love of animals, she aspired to be a forest ranger, but that path was not open to women in the early 1940s. Instead, she discovered acting and the rest is history.

In the 1940s, she went on to land roles in the first two plays she auditioned for, Spring Dance and Dear Ruth, before performing on radio in The Great Gildersleeve, Blondie, This Is Your FBI and became the sidekick to popular local DJ, Al Jarvis, on his daily radio show Make Believe Ballroom. White’s television career took off when that radio show moved to television under the title Hollywood on Television. Next came Life with Elizabeth for two seasons from 1953 to 1955 followed by The Betty White Show on NBC in 1954.

Allen Ludden and Betty White. Photo from Wikipedia

White went on to become the first lady of game shows in the 60s, appearing on Password, What’s My Line?, Match Game and Pyramid. She met her third husband, Allen Ludden, on Password and has been quoted as saying he was “the love of my life.” They were married from 1963 until 1981 when  Ludden died following a battle with stomach cancer. It is poignant to note White’s assistant told longtime friend and fellow colleague, Vicki Lawrence, that the last word White uttered was “Allen.”

She was a staple of late night talk shows with decades long appearances on The Tonight Show.

In 1973, White appeared as the “man-hungry” Sue Ann Nivens on The Mary Tyler Moore Show and the role became a favorite winning White the Emmy for Outstanding Continuing Performance by a Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series in 1975 and again in 1976. 

The Golden Girls launched in 1985 through 1992 and White won the Emmy in 1986 for her role as the ditzy but good-hearted Rose Nylund. It is interesting to note that White was first offered the role of Blanche but director Jay Sandrich felt that character was too close to the role of Nivens, so he decided that White should play Rose instead.

White was celebrated with more awards in 1995 when she was inducted into the Television Hall of Fame and in 1996 she won an Emmy Award for Outstanding Guest Actress in a Comedy Series for The John Larroquette Show.

2010 was big for Betty White. It started on Jan. 23 with the Screen Actors Guild Life Achievement Award. On Super Bowl Sunday, Feb. 7, White appeared in a Snickers commercial that skyrocketed in popularity. After a successful fan campaign on Facebook, White hosted Saturday Night Live‘s Mother’s Day episode at 88 ½ years of age, becoming the oldest person to host SNL. 

At the start of her monologue White marveled, “I can’t believe I’m hosting Saturday Night Live! I’m 88 ½ years old, so it’s great to be here for a number of reasons.” She went on to thank Facebook for the campaign that brought her to the show then wisecracked, “I didn’t know what Facebook was and now that I know, it sounds like a huge waste of time.” 

Musical guest Jay-Z dedicated his performance of “Forever Young” to “the most incredible Betty White.” After her death, Seth Myers tweeted “The only SNL host I ever saw get a standing ovation at the after party. A party at which she ordered a vodka and a hotdog and stayed ’til the bitter end.” That hosting gig was awarded on August 21, 2010, with a Creative Arts Emmy Award for Outstanding Guest Actress in a Comedy Series for her guest host spot. 

Betty White at the 1988 Emmy Awards. Photo from Wikipedia

On January 1, 2022, as a special tribute, SNL re-aired her hosting episode. White went on to the role of Elka Ostrovsky in Hot in Cleveland (2010-2015). She was in her 90s by the time that series ended.

In 2012, White won a Grammy for Best Spoken Word Album for If You Ask Me (And Of Course You Won’t). She was recognized by the Guinness World Records for longest TV career for a female entertainer. (74 years)

In 2015 White won the Lifetime Achievement Award at the 42nd Annual Daytime Emmy Awards and in 2018 she was honored at the 70th Primetime Emmy Awards for her more than 80 years in show business.

White enjoyed a highly accomplished and celebrated career, but her passion was animals. She has said that they have made a huge difference in her life. She was devoted to animal welfare and supported numerous animal-related nonprofits throughout her career, from donations and volunteering to fundraising and recording public service announcements.

A documentary paying tribute to Betty White’s life and career will be screened at select theaters nationwide on Jan. 17 which would have marked her centennial birthday. 

Titled Betty White: A Celebration, the film will feature White’s final interview and a behind-the-scenes look at some of her most iconic sitcom roles. It also includes interviews with dozens of celebrity friends.

Rest In Peace dear Betty White. Thank you for all the laughs and for being there for us. You are a national treasure. This crazy world shone brighter with you in it and you are truly missed.

Miller Place resident Barbara Anne Kirshner is a freelance journalist, playwright and author of “Madison Weatherbee —The Different Dachshund.”