Greenport: Homecomings, birthdays and congratulations

I think Mother Nature has issues. Yesterday I was basking in the sunshine at the Porters football game. Today it’s a balmy 63 degrees at my house. So, yes, I’m counting down the days until the return of summer. I’ve only got 287 days left to wait!
John Helinski celebrated his 90th birthday in Greenport with a party on Oct. 2. Friends and family flew in to celebrate from as far away as Alaska, California, Maine, Virginia and Washington, D.C.
This is Homecoming week at GHS, but there will be no pep rally/bonfire this year. They’re trying something new that the kids have wanted for a long time: an in-school spirit day with competitions between the classes.
The annual senior class spaghetti dinner will be tonight, Thursday, Oct. 7, from 5 to 7 p.m. in the cafeteria. Tickets are $10 for adults and $8 for senior citizens and children. Afterward, the Student Council will host the Homecoming dance, where the Queen, King and their courts will be selected.
Congratulations and a lifetime of happiness to my nephew Marcus Tooker and his fiancée, Jaclyn Salottolo. Marcus popped the question Labor Day weekend and Jaclyn said, “Yes”! (Actually, she said, “Shut up!” in response to his proposal, but the end result was a resounding “yes.”) They will become Mr. and Mrs. Tooker in Wilmington, N.C., on April 30, 2011. Congratulations, Jaclyn and Marcus, and welcome to the family, Jaclyn!
Steve Burt’s book “FreeK Camp” has been named a finalist for the Moonbeam Children’s Book Award for Best Young Adult Horror/Mystery Book of 2010. The winners will be announced Oct. 15.
There will be a concert at GHS featuring five or six teen bands on Oct. 12 from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. and everyone is welcome to attend. Proceeds will go toward the purchase of new sound equipment for the school.
The St. Peter’s Lutheran Church Harvest Festival is this Saturday, Oct. 9, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Rain date is Monday, Oct. 11.
Also on Oct. 9, the Friends of Floyd Memorial Library will hold a chinese auction, book sale and bake sale at the library from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
The Greenport Fire Department Rescue Squad’s annual chicken dinner fundraiser is Wednesday, Oct. 13, at the Soundview from noon to 8 p.m. Donations are $18 per person and takeout will be available. Get tickets from any squad member or at the door.
The East End branch of the ELIH Auxiliary will host its Fall Fingertip Luncheon at noon on Thursday, Oct. 14, at Front Street Station. Tickets are $15 per person and can be purchased at ELIH’s Corner Gift Shop or by calling 477-3670.
Happy birthday this week to Mary Thornhill and Meghan Caffery today, Oct. 7; Ashley Andrews, Samantha Riemer, Michael Daly, Shawn Volinski and Anthony Nichols on the 8th; Colin Ratsey and Arnold Golz on the 9th; Leah Walker, Brian Dinizio, John Schott, Paul Dinizio and my cousin Don Bondarchuk on the 10th; and Diana Moore, Monica Merritt, Sarah McNamara and Kelly Welch on the 11th.
Celebrating anniversaries this week are Kathy and George Hubbard, married 17 years on Oct. 9, and Jim’s aunt and uncle, Mary Jane and Tony Dinizio, who will raise a toast on the 10th along with Della and Kenny Watson, who mark 42 years together the same day. Oct. 11 was a big day for weddings, it seems, as four couples have anniversaries that day: Jeanette and Anton Volinski will celebrate 52 years of married life; and Sue and Scott Klipp mark 24 years together; Kelly and Cliff Harris toast two years of wedded bliss; and Laura and Ed Wright celebrate 18 years of marriage.