Around Town: Sept. 3, 2023

The Riverhead High School Class of 1973 held their 50^th class reunion on Saturday, August 19 at the Flanders Men’s Club. The reunion class attended and 85 graduates and their guests making it a very nice affair and other alumni were privileged to attend if they wanted which was awesome. Thanks to Chrissy Mickaliger Lessard, Carol Sapienza Underwood, Michele DeNicolo and Sally Jayne Halliday for their hard work connecting with the class of ’73 with mailings of invitations, party favors, decorations, the remembrance board of past graduates who passed on and everything else they had to do to make the affair a huge success. The weather was perfect along with the music geared to the era of the 70’s and the fine food prepared by the club members. Little unknown fact that the class of ’73 elected to have their high school graduation assembly on the steps of Pulaski Street School. Since this class spent 3 of their 4 years of high school at Pulaski Street High School it was only fitting to have their graduation ceremony on the front steps. That was the year the new Riverhead High School opened. Word is they are already planning for the next gathering reunion of the class of 1973. Way to go!

Congratulations to Mark and Karen Heppner sharing the good news that their daughter-in-law Lindsey Heppner (wife of Matthew Heppner) has been selected to represent the U. S. Masters Transition Team and has named the outdoor Women’s Master Teams that will compete in the 2023 World Masters Hockey Pan American Continental Cup in Buenos Aires, Argentina in December and she will be there. Awesome news and good luck Lindsey! 

The Riverhead American Legion Post 273 will hold their 28^th annual “Pig Roast” on Saturday, September 9 from 3 pm to 7 pm at 89 Hubbard Avenue in Riverhead. Pig is roasted on premises, homemade sauce, baked beans, applesauce, corn on the cob, baked potato, Larry’s cucumber salad, roll, watermelon, water, soda and dessert. Tickets are $40.00 and tickets available at the Post, please call 631-727-4330 to get yours today. Enjoy live music and raffles for a fun filled afternoon. 

The Friends of the Riverhead Free Library will hold two courtyard concerts this month and on Saturday, September 9 from 5:30 pm to 7:00 pm “The Lighter Side” will play and on Friday, September 15 from 5:30 pm to 6:30 pm “East End Trio” will play songs from our American Heritage. 

The Family Community Life Center cordially invites the community to their annual 2023 Celebrating Families and Community Gala on Thursday, September 21 at 6 pm at The Vineyards, 978 Main Road in Riverhead. Honoring Sal F. Mangano, owner and proprietor of Tuthill-Mangano Funeral Homes, Inc. He is being honored for his outstanding community service and philanthropy.  The evening is filled with a cocktail reception, sit down dinner, live music, dancing, basket raffles and a 50/50 raffle. Tickets are $175.00 each and seating is limited. To reserve seating purchase e journal ads, donate or sponsor the event, please visit fclgala.org or call 631-727-1110. All donations support the Family Community Life Center’s mission to transform families and build community. 

The Town of Southampton is recruiting new members to join their Youth Advisory Committee for the 2023-2024 school year. If you are in grades 7 through 12 and interested in planning trips and events, participating in community service projects, and making friends from other schools, then please sign up for YAC. As a YAC member you can make a difference in your community. Community service projects may include leaf raking for senior citizens, hosting clothing or toy drives, meeting with elected officials for youth causes and so much more. Meetings are held every other Tuesday from 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm and the first official meeting begins on Tuesday, September 12 at the Hampton Bays Community Center, 25 Ponquogue Ave. Pre-registration is required. For more information to register or more information, please visit www.southamptontownny.gov/youthbureau or call 631- 702-2425. To learn more about all the programs and events, find the Southampton Youth Bureau on Facebook and follow the Instagram and Twitter @southamptonb. 

The Town of Southampton Youth Bureau will be offering several programs and activities beginning Monday, September 11 at the Flanders Youth Center, 655 Flanders Road. Space is limited and pre-registration is required. On Mondays is Fun Activities and Snacks (F.A.S.T.) for young children grades K to 4^th grade to do homework while having opportunity to meet new friends, learn social skills and participate in social-emotional growth activities. Students in grades 3^rd and 4^th will learn creative writing and participate in building confidence activities through East End Art’s 2rs4fun program. F.A.S.T. and it is free and meets every Monday beginning September 11 from 4 pm to 6 pm. Tuesday is Chess Club where students are taught to challenge themselves, build self-confidence, meet new friends, and learn strategy and discipline through the game of chess. This program is free and open to grades K to 8^th grades.  Wednesday is Discovery Club: Space Exploration where students explore the planets in our solar system through games, activities, experiments, and projects.  Program is free and open to grades K-4. (No class on November 22). Thursdays is Kids Cooking Club for students in grades 4^th through 8^th learning the basics of culinary and kitchen safety skills with Chef Keith. Program cost is $100.00 for a seven-week session and scholarships are available. And finally, Friday: TFIF Its FriYay! Join for games, activities, sports, indoor and outdoor movie nights, video tournaments and so much more. Program is free and open to grades K-4 from 4 pm to 6 pm. For more information or to register, please call 631-702-2425 or visit www.southamptontownny.gov/YBactivities.

It has been officially announced. Flanders Fire Department celebrates their 75^th anniversary on Saturday, September 30 at 3 pm. Flanders Road will be closed for an hour or so during the parade and the celebration party continues at the Flanders Men’s Club. Be sure to mark your calendar for this fun filled day. Who does not love a parade? Come out and support the volunteers who protect the community 24/7 and 365 days a year and enjoy the celebration.

Save the date for the Butterfly Effect Project’s 3^rd Annual Harvest Festival on Saturday, October 7 from 12 pm to 3 pm and register as a vendor as well. This year it will be a little different than years past. They will celebrate the BEP intergenerational Garden Club and their conclusion of their fruitful growing season; the festival will showcase the BEP’s numerous programs and activities and invite young people to enroll. The Butterflies and Dragonflies (all part of the Y.E.S. meaning Young Entrepreneurs Success) will be tabling and selling their wares. Vendors are welcome to sign up to sell their products and they are only allowing one vendor per type of product so do not delay. Your spot for $50.00 is secured as soon as the payment is received. Call the office for more information at 631- 591-0759. The festival will conclude with the BEP dance squad performances. Hope to see you there at the First Baptist Church, 1018 Northville Turnpike, Riverhead. 

Happy birthday wishes to Kathy Paulos and Gilles Bouchard on September 5; Cheryl Luparella, Brendon Madonia and Meredith Bouchard on September 6; Easton Heppner turns 5 years old on September 7; Annie Marie Harris and James Carey on September 9; Rick Wilhelm on September 10; Greg Meyer on September 11; Steven Block and Ann Lennon on September 12; Brad and Laura Van Houten and Cher Armstrong on September 13; Linda Berezny, Dean Terchunian and Vanie Tuthill on September 14; Shannon Zeltmann on September 15; Karen Ball , Sean Rayburn, Mike Pankowski and Sharon Murphy on September 16. Be sure to celebrate!

Happy 28^th wedding anniversary wishes to Jerry and Kristin Halpin on September 3; happy 41^stwedding anniversary to Michele and Tom Lynch on September 4; happy 66^th wedding anniversary wishes to Philip and Mary Kenter on September 7 and a happy Thomas and Carrie Ann Gallo on September 15. Have a wonderful day!

Enjoy your Labor Day on Monday, September 4 with family, friends, and a barbecue to gently remind you that summer is coming to an end and fall will be upon us shortly.

Be sure to watch out for the yellow school buses on Wednesday, September 6 when school opens. Please drive carefully and remember do not pass a school bus with their lights flashing and the stop sign displayed. 

Make sure you display your flag  on September 11 marking the 22^nd anniversary of 9/11. Take a moment to reflect those who lost their lives, as well as, many who did their best helping those who survived those terrible attacks on our nation. Let us never forget!

Got news to share? Send it to Kathy by email to jberezny@optonline.net, write to her at 124 Kings Drive, Riverhead NY 11901 or call her at 631-727-6148. “Around Town” is published by RiverheadLOCAL on the first and third Sunday of the month.