Community Corner
Simmons Is Schmidt's First Local Hero
Southampton market honors outstanding community members in new monthly project — and names sandwiches after them.
The smiling face of Southampton Village resident Brenda Simmons looks down from the outside wall of Schmidt's Market, as the grocer honors her as the first in its new "Local Heroes" series.
The photographic portrait of Simmons is by Jennifer Meihofer of Spirit Catcher Studio, who is the wife of Schmidt's Market owner Dennis Schmidt. Inside the market, a hand-out explains that a different hero will be picked each month, and in addition to a photograph being put on display, a hero sandwich will be named after the honoree. The hand-out also includes a biography of Simmons.
Not only is Simmons a co-founder of the African American Museum of the East End in Southampton Village, she is the assistant to village Mayor Mark Epley, has her own show on LTV called "Voices of Wisdom," is a life coach for young women in need, and is a mentor for inmates at the Suffolk County Correctional Facility in Riverside.
For her full biography, customers may ask for the Local Heroes hand-out by the cash registers. Schmidt's is also accepting nominations for future honorees.
