Cutchogue-New Suffolk: music performance at Creation Station, NFRS Shabbat service, and a book talk

As March comes to an end, schools across the country finish a monthlong focus on music education. I was privileged to attend one of the 11 concerts performed during the SCMEA All-County Festival. Seventh- and eighth-grade Festival Band members from Mattituck High School included Madison Kent and Leah Santacroce. Festival Chorus members included Brianne Briggmann, Rebecca Piraino, Alyssa Scartozzi, Miranda Cahill, Amanda Hodun, Greg Sheryll and violin accompanist Lisa Beebe. Congratulations to all of our district’s SCMEA festival participants on a job well done!

Andrea Parks’ adventures in far-flung destinations, and her creative heart, fueled the riveting descriptions that tell the story in her debut novel “Muslim Cleavage,” written under the pen name Andi Levin with Omar Anzur. The fervor of World Cup cricket reaches fever pitch in many nations around the world, and “Muslim Cleavage” deftly captures this spirit in modern-day Pakistan. Just released on Amazon.com and fueling interest on the TV interview circuit, most recently Hamptons TV, it explores the unfortunate political, economic, religious, social and class divisions in relationships in Pakistani society. According to Amazon.com, it’s “an inspiring tale about hope” that unveils through a shared zeal for cricket “the potential for convergence and unity.” Andrea is marketing director for the North Fork Promotion Council and a volunteer firefighter and EMT with Cutchogue Fire Department. Congratulations and all the best!

Cutchogue East fifth- and sixth-graders will perform Disney’s “Mulan Jr.” on Friday, April 1, at 7 p.m. and Saturday, April 2, at 2 p.m. Tickets are $3.

Take a trip down memory lane as Susan and David Dingle perform music by Cole Porter, George Gershwin and other favorites Sunday, April 3, at 2:30 p.m. at Creation Station, behind Cutchogue United Methodist Church. Admission is free; donations are appreciated.

It was a full house for the Stypes recently. Jenni was home for spring break and Annie was visiting, along with her soon-to-be in-laws Maureen and Joe Baker. The only one missing was groom-to-be Wes, who unfortunately was unable to get leave. It was a beautiful weekend to tour the North Fork and solidify wedding plans.

A multi-generational family service will be held Saturday, April 2, at 10 a.m. at North Fork Reform Synagogue’s home in Cutchogue Presbyterian Church. Children, parents, grandparents, aunts and uncles are all invited to join in this special Shabbat service, led by Rabbi Ilene Haigh. Kiddush (refreshment time) and craft will follow in the downstairs community room. Call 722-5712.

Join Mary Agria at Cutchogue-New Suffolk Free Library, Friday, April 8, at 6:30 p.m. as she reads from her new novel, “Garden of Eve,” which has been praised as “a tender, intelligent, heartbreaking and joyous celebration of the circle of life and the seasons.” Mary turned to fiction writing after a successful career as a rural community development researcher. Other programs at the library this week include knitting for youths, story times, yoga and affordable housing. Please stop by the library to learn more.

Have a good week!