By Alexander Dworkowitz
More than 100 members of the College Point community honored the area’s leaders at a fund-raising banquet at the Poppenhusen Institute Oct. 20.
Susan Brustman, executive director of the Poppenhusen Institute, presented James J. Healy, Fred Mazzarello, Betty Pegen and James Trent with plaques and gifts, including books on local history and French wine.
Each one of the honorees has worked to help preserve historic buildings and areas in College Point.
Healy moved to College Point in 1956. He worked to help protect the Poppenhusen Institute from demolition in 1980. Healy became president of the institute, and he has also been actively involved in the Knights of Columbus.
Mazzarello came to College Point at the age of only two months, and he has lived there since. He formed the L & M Cold Beer Distributors and the College Point Lanes bowling center in the 1950s. In 1969, he founded the College Point Board of Trade, for which he has served as president for almost 30 years.
Born in Germany, Pegen came to College Point in 1930. Since then, she has worked to cultivate various historical properties in the College Point area, including the Poppenhusen Monument property, the Poppenhusen Library and the First Reformed Church.
Trent, a resident of Bellerose, has served in many Queens civic organizations. Trent worked to restore the Queens County Farm Museum and fought for the preservation of the Poppenhusen Institute.
Attendees were treated to music from the piano and the harp. At the end of the evening, the Cameron Scottish Dancers and Music Ensemble inspired the audience to dance.
Reach Reporter Alexander Dworkowitz by e-mail at Timesledger@aol.com or call 229-0300 Ext. 141.
