Residents Forward

05/31/2026

✨ 5 Days to Go ✨

We’re just FIVE days away from Residents Forward’s Gala Fundraiser — and the excitement is building!

Tickets are selling fast, the forecast is looking absolutely perfect ☀️ (sunny and 80°!), and it’s shaping up to be an unforgettable evening.

This isn’t just a night out — it’s a celebration of everything we’ve accomplished together and a chance to power what comes next. From cleaner waterways to vibrant community programs, every ticket, every raffle, and every show of support fuels real impact right here in Port Washington.

Let’s come together to honor our incredible honorees, celebrate our shared mission, and invest in a greener, stronger future.

Don’t wait — secure your tickets, raffles, and journal ads today https://portw.auctionsnap.com/rfgala2026/event

If you can’t attend, you can still be part of the celebration by placing a digital journal ad and showing your support from afar.

Let’s make this a night to remember.

05/30/2026

Big Oyster Gardening News, Port Washington! 🦪

We’re excited to announce a new location for this year’s oyster garden program!

Instead of Town Dock, we’ll be hosting our community powered oyster gardens at:
Morgan’s Dock — in partnership with the Village of Manorhaven
Louie’s Dock — our new home base

We couldn’t be more thrilled about this next chapter and the opportunity to grow our impact in Manhasset Bay.

A huge thank you to the incredible team at Louie’s Prime Steak & Seafood, DockMaster John, and Mr. Gennaro Sbarro for partnering with us to care for and grow oysters that will be planted in the bay this fall. 🦪

We’re also deeply grateful to Councilwoman Mariann Dalimonte for her vision, commitment and continued support, and to our new aquaculture partner, Cornell Cooperative Extension of Suffolk, for helping us take this program to the next level.

This is what community collaboration looks like — and we’re just getting started.

More details and sign-ups coming soon… stay tuned!

05/28/2026

One week from today its Residents Gala and the tickets are going fast.

Join us Thursday June 4th for a beautiful celebration on Manhasset Bay!

Tickets, sponsorships, raffles and digital journal ads are available https://portw.auctionsnap.com/rfgala2026/event

05/26/2026

Can’t make it to the Residents Forward Gala this year?

You can still celebrate and recognize our incredible honorees — Damon & Rachelle Gersh, Dyan DuCharme, and Jamie Banks — by purchasing a Digital Journal Ad.

✨ For just $150, you can share a message of congratulations, support, or appreciation that will scroll all evening on multiple screens
✨ No design needed — we’ll create it for you just email your message to [email protected]
✨ A meaningful way to show up, even if you can’t attend

Let’s come together to honor those who give so much to our community.

👉 Purchase your digital journal ad today https://portw.auctionsnap.com/rfgala2026/event

05/21/2026

Two Weeks Until the Residents Forward Gala!

Join us for an unforgettable evening on Manhasset Bay as we celebrate the very best of Port Washington and honor the incredible individuals who help move our community forward.

🌿 Cocktail hour by the pool
🍽️ Delicious buffet dinner
🍸 Open bar
🎟️ Exciting raffles
🎶 Live music
💚 A night dedicated to community, connection, and impact

Come together with friends, neighbors, and supporters for a beautiful evening celebrating all that makes Port Washington so special.

We can’t wait to celebrate with you - tickets, sponsorships, raffles ad digital journal ads on sale https://portw.auctionsnap.com/rfgala2026/event

05/19/2026

Gala Honoree Spotlight: Jamie Banks

Residents Forward is proud to honor Jamie Banks, a Port Washington entrepreneur whose vision, creativity, and commitment to sustainability are making an impact both locally and beyond.

As the founder of Change of Scenery, a luxury swim and resortwear brand, Jamie has built a company rooted in timeless design, thoughtful fit, and environmentally responsible practices. After more than 20 years in the fashion industry — including over a decade leading ready-to-wear design at Kate Spade — she launched her brand in 2022 to create chic, supportive swimwear that helps women feel confident and comfortable wherever they go.

Today, Change of Scenery is sold nationwide through its website and leading retailers including Nordstrom, Saks Fifth Avenue, Bloomingdale’s, and specialty boutiques.

A longtime Port Washington resident and mother of three, Jamie is deeply committed to building a business that reflects her values. Her brand uses recycled materials and supports environmental causes through its membership in 1% for the Planet — proudly giving back to organizations like Residents Forward.

We are honored to celebrate Jamie’s leadership, innovation, and dedication to protecting the natural beauty of our community.

Join us at the Gala to celebrate this inspiring honoree. Tickets, sponsorships, raffles and digital journal ads on sale now https://portw.auctionsnap.com/rfgala2026/event

05/15/2026

Gala Honoree Spotlight: Dyan DuCharme

Residents Forward is proud to honor Dyan DuCharme, an accomplished attorney whose professional excellence is matched by her deep commitment to supporting nonprofit organizations, furthering their mission, and strengthening our community.

As Co-Chair of Pryor Cashman’s Intellectual Property Group, Dyan provides strategic, hands-on counsel to clients ranging from emerging AI startups to Fortune 100 companies. She litigates trademark, copyright, and false advertising matters at the highest level and helps brands secure and protect their identities around the world. Her work spans industries including technology, luxury goods, consumer products, financial services, and e-commerce.

Dyan’s impact in the legal field has earned her widespread recognition, including honors from Chambers, Managing IP (“Trademark Prosecutor of the Year”), Forbes Top 200 Lawyers, World Trademark Review, and Crain’s “Notable Women in the Law.”

Beyond her impressive career, Dyan is deeply committed to giving back — generously providing pro bono legal services and advancing the missions of local nonprofits (including the PRC and Residents Forward) across Port Washington and beyond.

We are honored to celebrate Dyan’s leadership, generosity, and lasting impact.

Join us at the Gala to recognize this exceptional honoree and celebrate our community https://portw.auctionsnap.com/rfgala2026/event

05/11/2026

Gala Honoree Spotlight: Rachelle & Damon Gersh

We’re proud to honor two incredible leaders shaping Port Washington’s cultural and environmental landscape.

Rachelle is a visual artist and environmental advocate whose work reflects a deep connection to the natural beauty of our region. From founding the first Open Studio event to curating PortFest’s art exhibit while supporting and volunteering with local nonprofits including Residents Forward. Her impact blends creativity with conservation. Rachelle also served for a decade on the Port Washington Public Library’s Art Advisory Council.

Damon is an entrepreneur, musician, and arts champion. As co-founder of HEARTS PW, he helped launch PortFest, bringing our community together through music and art. As frontman of Rock Steady and a supporter of public art and Landmark on Main Street, Damon’s energy is felt across Port.

Join us at the Gala to celebrate these amazing Residents!

Tickets, sponsorships, raffles and journal ads are on sale now https://portw.auctionsnap.com/rfgala2026/event

05/10/2026

05/07/2026

BIG NEWS: Our Peninsula Is Becoming More Sustainable

Thank you Newsday for this article. And Thank you to the NY Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) for major grant funding.

We’re thrilled to share that the Village of Port Washington North in partnership with Residents Forward will launch a drop-off food scraps recycling program later this year. This important initiative will be the first of its kind in Nassau County!

We need to re-think our Garbage. About 20% of our trash is food! Today, we toss our scraps in plastic trash bags. This trash travels onwards in gas-guzzling trucks to the incinerator and landfill, polluting with methane and other toxic gases. But food scraps are not waste.

Combined with wood chips and leaves they become compost, a nutrient-rich material to restore soil health, improve water quality, and return valuable resources back to the Earth.

Now that's a Climate Change Soil-ution!

This new program will make participation easy, clean, and local. Residents will be able to separate food scraps at home, place them in compostable bags, and drop them into designated collection bins.

It's a small change in household behavior that makes a big environmental impact.

This project would not be possible without expert guidance from RF board member, Claire Brezel, who put food scrap recycling on the radar in Port Washington, and has been a leading advocate for composting and food waste reduction across the region.

Residents Forward is proud to partner in this effort, and we’re currently working on program details. Stay tuned—more updates to come!