Mattituck-Laurel: MHS Art Partners Club spread some holiday cheer

The Junior High Student Council will be looking out for our furry friends this season by collecting items — everything from pet food to blankets — for the North Fork Animal Shelter over the next week. All donations will be welcome.

Check out the gift of art provided by Mattituck High School students next time you’re at the Mattituck Shopping Plaza. Members of the MHS Art Partners Club spread some holiday cheer by painting the windows there. Thanks to Jens and Michelangelo’s for providing them with lunch.

The annual School Art Festival for students in pre-K through grade 8 from neighboring schools is part of the Parrish Art Museum’s exhibition “American Portraits: Treasures from the Parrish Art Museum.” The museum celebrated student artists last Saturday, Dec. 3, with festivities that included transformation face painting by Agostino Arts, juggler Lou Johnson, and refreshments.

Members of our community, at home and away, continue to join together to help others during this joyful season. Marist College students Marissa Russo and Michelle Waters recently joined in the school Student Government Association’s three-day “Up ‘til Dawn” fundraiser for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. Student participants stayed up all night to write letters to friends and family members asking for donations.

Drop by Mattituck-Laurel Library and pick up a good read in time for the Dec. 13 book discussion at 4 p.m. Bev Wowak has a variety of selections for everyone, from mysteries to holiday books for those who don’t want to read about murder and mayhem. If you’d like, bring a holiday dish to share with everyone. Any questions, contact Bev at 298-4134, ext. 6.

Celebrating birthdays this week are Matt Ianno and John Hamilton on Dec. 8; Rebecca Caracciola and Jack DiGregorio on the 9th; Karley Ward on the 10th; Samantha Kowalsick on the 11th; and Gabriella Finora on the 14th.

The MHS girls’ varsity basketball team hosted a basketball team from Denmark on Nov. 30. The visiting students paired up with individual Tuckers to attend some classes and, although Mattituck won the game, some lasting friendships were gained.