Southold-Peconic: Southold Fire Department celebrates 125 years of service

While many of you have been preparing for the holiday season for weeks, I’m sure there are others who are still scrambling for those last-minute gifts. Any one of our local merchants would be happy to help you “wrap up” your holiday shopping.
Shopping in our town is also pleasing to the eye and we have some of our young people to thank for that. The scouts from Troop 6 were responsible for creating and hanging the swags around the village.

Mr. Gilvarry’s fourth-grade students celebrated the season of giving in a very special way this year. They made cards for the young patients at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in Memphis, Tenn. By designing unique cards and writing their own good wishes, the fourth-graders were able to send some holiday cheer to those who need it most.

Southold Fire Department will mark its 125th year of service to the community in 2011. Come out and support their annual New Year’s Day breakfast at the main firehouse from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Tickets are $8 for adults and $4 for children 12 and under, and may be purchased at the door.

Former Southolder George McAdams, now a resident of San Simeon by the Sound in Greenport, had a childhood wish fulfilled last Saturday, courtesy of the Southold Fire Department. At age 104, he had never ridden on a fire truck. Hearing of his wish, SFD members Jim Boyle, Bill Byrnes, Kevin Erdman, Chief Su Harley (deputy director of the Suffolk County Fire Academy), Gary Haupt and Curt Meyhoefer arrived with the department’s 1945 Mack, to the delight of Mr. McAdams.

Belated happy birthday to Ryan Mazzei, who turned 18 on the 18th, and Dave Corazzini on the 21st. Vincent Mazzei has his special day today, the 23rd; Barbara Berry celebrates on Christmas Day; Billy Salmon on the 26th; Steve Harrison and Kristen Helinski, who turns 20, on the 27th; Chris Kilfoil on the 30th; and Julie Elak on the 31st.

Since my next column won’t be published until Jan. 13, here are some early 2011 birthdays: Nadine Bazata on the 1st, Cindy Bumble on the 2nd, Pam DeFriest and Jim Gilvarry on the 3rd, and Jack Sinning turns 24 on the 10th.

Play WINGO on Friday, Jan. 7, at 7 p.m. in the elementary cafeteria. All children must be accompanied by an adult.

Carolyn Higgins took home the McKinley Explorer train set and Jenna McFarland won the American Girl doll, Felicity, in the library’s holiday raffle. Look for more exciting raffle prizes in 2011, courtesy of the Friends.

I’d like to wish my readers a happy holiday season and all the best in 2011. I appreciate your contributions and compliments and I look forward to hearing from you in the coming year.