East Williston's Centennial Story Comes to Life in Pride of Place

By Sital Patel

As East Williston celebrates its 100th anniversary, residents have a new opportunity to explore the village's rich history through Pride of Place: 100 Years of Incorporation in East Williston, New York.

More than a historical timeline, the book brings East Williston's story to life through photographs, maps, newspaper clippings, personal collections, and stories that capture the people, traditions, landmarks, and moments that have shaped the village over the past century.

The project was led by East Williston native and Village Co-Historian Elise Campagna Vaidya, who worked alongside a dedicated team that included former trustee James J. Daw, Jr.; Village Co-Historian and former trustee Christopher A. Siciliano; former Mayor Dolores Sedacca; current Mayor Bonnie L.S. Parente; former trustee and Centennial Committee leader Raffaela Dunne; Library Director Jamie Cutinella; longtime residents Charlotte Iannone, Kevin Parente, and Daniel Roper; Village Clerk Joanna E. Palumbo; and Recreation Coordinator Shari Raduazzo.

For Vaidya, the book is about more than preserving history. It is about helping residents understand their connection to the community and inspiring future generations to continue the traditions that make East Williston unique.

"I hope people gain some sort of connection to the past and feel inspired to continue the traditions that have made East Williston special for generations," she said.

That idea became the inspiration behind the book's title.

"I chose the name Pride of Place because I think that pride many residents feel is what pushes people to get involved, continue traditions, add new traditions, and improve the community for future generations," Vaidya explained. "I hope people have pride in this community that has changed and grown over the years, and that they inspire pride through their own contributions and participation."

What began as an effort to update East Williston History, written by former Village Historian Nicholas A. Meyer, quickly evolved into a broader exploration of the village's past and present. Along the way, Vaidya discovered countless stories and details she had never encountered before.

"I learned that there is an awful lot of history and information about this village that I didn't know," she said. "Every time I thought I found all there was to find, I would stumble upon other sources or information that would send me down a rabbit hole."

One of her favorite sections of the book is a collection of lesser-known facts and stories that did not fit neatly into the larger narrative but were too interesting to leave out.

"My favorite part of the book is the interesting facts section," she said. "It incorporates information I found during this process that didn't necessarily have a spot elsewhere, but I just wanted to share."

As a visual learner, Vaidya also enjoyed tracing the village's transformation through historic photographs and maps.

"Being able to visualize how the village changed and grew over time was really exciting for me," she said.

For longtime residents, Pride of Place offers a chance to revisit familiar places through a new lens and discover stories they may have never heard before. For newer residents, it provides an introduction to the people, events, and traditions that helped shape the community they now call home.

As East Williston marks 100 years since incorporation, Pride of Place serves as both a celebration of the village's past and a reminder that its story continues to be written by the people who call it home today.