Community

Mattituck-Laurel: Much to celebrate as summer begins

Fireworks, hot dogs, parades and the waving of the red, white and blue make this upcoming week one of my favorites. Enjoy the Fourth of July!

The school year culminated in commencement last weekend, and it was wonderful to see families and friends gather to celebrate that milestone in their children’s lives. Watching the alumni from 25 and 50 years ago stand to be recognized as well as seeing “our future” process into the gym to take their places helped remind us that time flies by quickly but our future is truly in good hands. Congratulations, Class of 2011.
By the way, did you happen to see the great T-shirts the seniors were wearing around town? Hats off to Brette Rosen for creating the awesome design!

The MHS Class of 1961 began its reunion weekend last Friday, when a group of class members attended a tour given by principal Shawn Petretti. They explored changes in the building and they shared memories of who taught where and what room was used for what 50 years ago. That evening they met for an informal gathering at Four Doors Down to renew their friendships. The next evening, after attending graduation, they met for a dinner at Meetinghouse Creek Inn, where they continued to reminisce and share photos of times gone by.

MHS junior Kelly Cassidy recently received a scholarship of excellence from the Ladies Auxiliary of American Legion Post No. 803 for “supporting her community in accordance with the values of nationalism and volunteerism upheld by the American Legion.” Congratulations!

A blessed welcome goes out to Raylan Michael DiSilvio, was born June 18 weighing 6 pounds, 3 ounces. Raylan’s proud parents, Michael and Kathleen (Stewart) DiSilvio, embraced their little boy with open arms, and his grandparents, Janet Stewart of Mattituck and Barb and Mike DiSilvio of Southold, are bursting with excitement. Congratulations!

Happy birthday wishes go out this week to Frank Raynor Jr. on June 30; Tim Smith on July 2; Edward Quintieir and Melissa Blados on the 3rd; Amy Wowak and Dot Bakowski on the 4th; Brian Bannon on the 5th; and Brette Rosen on the 6th.

The crowd called Edna Schaedel the “volunteer extraordinaire” as they gathered to sing “Happy Birthday.” Edna has been a Friend of Mattituck-Laurel Library for more years than we can count. At their annual potluck luncheon last week, the Friends surprised Edna with a 90th birthday celebration. Surrounded by friends, she was shocked at the outpouring of love and best wishes. The high point of the day was an unveiling of a portrait of Edna created by Joan Wrynne. Edna began celebrating earlier in the year when she treated 24 friends and family members to a performance of “The Lion King” and dinner on Broadway. Recently her family marked the occasion with a party in her honor at Cooperage Inn. She also had a small surprise at Starbucks. Edna called me to ask that I express her sincere love and appreciation to everyone who has made this milestone so extraordinary. Happy birthday, Edna!