A scary fact popped into my mind this morning – my husband and I have lived for more than a half century! One thing is for certain in life: you must accept the unexpected and move on. Some of the readers know that our family completely lost our home to a fire on August 7. Life goes on. Anyone that passed our house this week would think we had monster moles for a scary movie digging in our front yard as Gary dug numerous 8- to 9-foot-deep holes in hopes of finding our water line.
While we are living on premise with a mobile home, we didn’t realize that our water line would need to be moved prior to demolition – a little disadvantage to living on the property. I am most lucky to have a perseverant husband whom doesn’t give up easily and was able to save us thousands of dollars with his digging! Thank you, Riverhead Water District for coming to his rescue and determining the approximate location of the water.
During our lifetime it is sad to see SOME of the public perception of police officers change from the role model and hero whom puts their lives on the line every day to protect and serve the public to SOME people spitting out words of contempt and seeking to harm them. Our human race is not perfect and shame has been brought publically to many public professions in my lifetime by that “one person”. My family is filled with gratitude to our local Riverhead Police force for assisting us in our hours of need. Many of them not only kiss their families good-bye for work but also selflessly volunteer for our local fire departments.
It is time for me to acknowledge one of Riverhead’s finest – John Morris.
This young officer was dining in the PeraBell restaurant after an evening meeting with his boss. John told him that the force needed to hold a fundraiser for our family and the Runnalls’ family (another local family victim to a similar home fire on August 27th). One of the owners of PeraBell suggested it be held there.
On Oct. 7, a lot of fun was had with a band, delicious and plentiful appetizers, and a Chinese Auction. At the end of the evening, John announced that PeraBell had decided to donate the food to further assist the families. PeraBell offers a variety of flavor (Southwestern, Asian Fusion and Italian) to their food with just enough spice to be quite a unique new restaurant. Warning….if you make the mistake of ordering their decadent hamburger because you want just something light; be prepared to take half home. Thank you to PeraBell’s John Peragine, Dave and Lora for providing us with your culinary delights …wishing you a long life as a new business on Main Street.
John Morris and the PBA had an abundance of chinese auction items donated by many of the area merchants. Our ever faithful community merchants from the Modern Snack Bar, the Aquebogue Light House Deli, Diggers, Birchwood, Georgios, Lolly’s Hut, Crossfit, Spa Bellezza, Dynamic Radiator, Atalantis Aquarium, Tanger, Splish Splash and the Hyatt Hotel, all of which generously donated. Golf packages were donated by Rock Hill, Great Rock, Vineyards Golf and Baiting Hollow. Baskets of spirits were donated by the following vineyards: Jason’s, Martha Clara, Baiting Hollow, Duck Walk, Pindar and Long Island Vodka; as well as baskets from the following liquor Stores – Michael’s, Roanoke and DMV Liquors.
I would like to point out a special thank you to one of the big box store chains, Best Buy, that donated a Garmin Viofit Smartwatch. I have been on both sides of fundraisers (soliciting donations and attending benefits) and Best Buy seems to get hit hard for donations. While there are Long Island family-owned chains, this big box store is consistently ever-so-generous to the local communities. During our hour of need, without hesitation, the store manager offered me a generous discount on replacement necessary tech items and showed genuine concern for our family.
We would also like to thank the many police associations that donated to this event beyond the Riverhead PBA, including the Police Association of Suffolk County, Suffolk County Police Conference, Southampton PBA and Southold PBA.
One last note, there was a Riverhead Officer named Anthony whom won the 50/50 raffle and was “peer pressured” to donate back which he did with a big smile. Thank you Anthony!
Wishing all the readers an enchanting Halloween and the warmest gratitude to the continued outpouring of community support.
Gina Ristau and the Ristau family
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