By Juan Soto
They were not expecting it, but longtime Bayside residents Aline and Henry Euler were honored by their neighbors last week during A Day at the Races at Belmont Racetrack.
The Bayside Business Association, Bayside Historical Society and Bayside Kiwanis recognized the involvement of the brother and sister duo in the community thorough out their entire lives.
“This means everything to me,” said Aline Euler during the lunch reception at the racetrack.
“It’s wonderful to be recognized for your contributions to your community,” she added.
The event was held at the fourth-floor Turf and Field Club located inside the racetrack complex, and it included the lunch with a panoramic view of the racetrack and a total of nine competitive races.
About 70 Bayside residents joined the Eulers at Belmont.
“I’ve never expected it,” Aline Euler said.
This year’s honorees followed former Republican state Sen. Frank Padavan, who represented northeast Queens and received the award last year.
This was the second year the special event was organized by the Bayside Business Association, Bayside Historical Society and Bayside Kiwanis. Some of the attendees are members of one or more of these local organizations.
“The idea of organizing these awards occurred to me while I was attending an event at the Chamber of Commerce,” said Judith Limpert, president of the Bayside Business Association and member of the Bayside Kiwanis.
A Day at the Races at Belmont Racetrack “worked very nice. The food was amazing, we had our own betting window, the space was beautiful,” said Limpert.
“I always want what is best for the community,” said Henry Euler. “This is really an honor because I am involved in the community a lot.”
Henry Euler, a member of Community Board 11, is the recording secretary of the Bayside Historial Society and on the board of the Olde Towne of Flushing Burial Ground Conservancy.
Aline Euler can now add another mark of recognition to her name. In 2012, she was honored by the United Nations Association’s Queens Chapter for her decades-long teaching career at the Alley Pond Environmental Center. Euler developed programs to teach all levels at the environmental site, including courses to train staff members.
She also taught first graders at West Islip, L.I. public schools for 18 years.
“We need to protect our environment,” she said, minutes before receiving the distinction at the Belmont Racetrack.
Reach reporter Juan Soto by e-mail at jsoto@cnglocal.com or by phone at 718-260-4564.
