Community

Mattituck News: Class of 2014 graduation “after party” at ALure

JENNIFER GUSTAVSON PHOTO | Mattituck High School principal Shawn Petretti (left) and school board member Doug Cooper unveil the centennial class’s flag. The 2014 commencement will take place June 21.
Mattituck High School principal Shawn Petretti (left) and school board member Doug Cooper unveiled the centennial class’s flag at the start of the school year. (Credit: Jennifer Gustavson, file)

Having time off for Easter allowed me the luxury of dropping by the library to catch up with old friends. After spending some time chatting with Bev Wowak, who will be a grandmother for the first time next month, I talked with director Kay Zegel.

She filled me in on an exciting upcoming event — a Community Spelling Bee at Jamesport Meeting House on Friday, May 23, at 7:30 p.m. You collect sponsorships (minimum of $50 per speller) and you illustrate your talent for spelling, following the lead of moderator Jeff Greenberger, Ph.D. Rumor has it local celebrities including Dr. Chuck Timpone and Dr. Phil Centonze will be among the contestants. Sponsorship forms are available at the Mattituck-Laurel and Riverhead libraries. If you’re interested, you can call Kay Zegel at 298-4134, ext. 7. Everyone is welcome so leave your spell checkers at home and show everyone what a great talent you are!

After completing all the prerequisites at Elon and Farmingdale State University, MHS Class of 2012 graduate Erin Pozzolano has been accepted to Thomas Jefferson University School of Pharmacy in Philadelphia. She’ll start her studies in August, working toward a doctorate. Best of luck, Erin!

In this small community, many of us spend many hours with the families of our children’s friends. Whether it’s on the sports sidelines, at seasonal concerts or award ceremonies or just keeping connected with one another, our kids’ school years bring us all together. At graduation time seniors say goodbye to one another — and their families part ways as well. To celebrate one last time together, there will be a graduation “after party” luncheon buffet for the Class of 2014 and their families at ALure Restaurant on Graduation Day, June 21, from 1 to 4 p.m. The cost is $35 per person or $20 for children under 12. Advance reservations and payment must be made by May 1. Email [email protected] with any questions.

‘Happy Birthday’ will be sung for the following in the next two weeks: Kelly Tuthill, Kevin Pumillo, Dana Demchuk, Joann Simicich, Courtney Ficner, Byron Brinkman, John Cushman, Cindy Pumillo, Nicole Krupski, Abby Pacholk, Owen Finnegan, Dennis and Donald Deerkoski, James Burns, Sandy Gannon and Devyn Ulmet.

Happy anniversary wishes go out to Ed and Janet Danowski and Ray and Dot Nine.

As the parents of four grown children, Carolyn and Ed McDonald have much to be proud of. Their oldest, Emily (MHS Class of 2005), is a second-year medical student at SUNY/Downstate College of Medicine and volunteers for the Brooklyn Free Clinic. She’s also a fellow with “We Are All Brooklyn,” a program dedicated to advancing the next generation of Brooklyn’s diverse leaders. Emily attended Swarthmore College and now lives in Brooklyn with her husband, Kevin. Best of luck in all you do, Em!

Contact Mattituck-Laurel columnist Pat Arslanian at [email protected].