Community Columns

Southold News: Congratulations to our talented student musicians

Aidan Walker

It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas — and that’s thanks in part to the Southold Village Merchants Association.

Every year for many years, trees have appeared on the sidewalks of Southold. Businesses purchase the trees, which are decorated by Southold Elementary School students, Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts. It’s a beautiful holiday tradition. Thank you, merchants, teachers and troop leaders, as well as the children!

Birthdays are up! Happy birthday to Walter Berry and my sister, Daria Moffat, on Dec. 5; Lori Guyer, Dec. 7; Matt Reilly, Dec. 9; and Lynne Baldwin and Joanne Schelin, Dec. 14. Enjoy your day, everyone!

Congratulations to the talented Southold High School musicians who performed under the direction of guest conductors in the 2015 NYSCAME All-County Music Festival Nov. 20: Aidan Walker, orchestra; Nick Orientale, mixed chorus; and Meg Pickerell, women’s chorus. Bravo!

Congratulations also go to Southold High School senior Dominick Panetta, who was named to the 2015 all county football team. He was nominated for his skills as a receiver, though he also played tight end, safety and linebacker on the Greenport/Southold/Mattituck varsity football team. This is quite an honor for a remarkable young man. You made us all proud!

Not everyone is fortunate enough to be able to afford gifts for their children. Let’s remember those people this holiday by contributing to CAST’s annual toy drive, which runs through Dec. 21. Unwrapped toys can be dropped off in Southold at the library, Mullen Motors, Capital One Bank, Bridgehampton National Bank or Hudson City Savings Bank. Monetary or gift card donations should be taken directly to the CAST office in Greenport. Call 477-1717 with any questions.

Here’s a great plan for this Saturday, Dec. 5: Start off with a pancake breakfast, then head to the Holiday Fair at the town recreation center and after that drop by the animal shelter for an open house. Details for each event follow.

Southold High School’s juniors will host a pancake breakfast with Santa on Saturday from 8:30 to 10:30 a.m. in the elementary school cafeteria. Tickets are $7 per person or $25 for a family of four. Fare includes pancakes, bacon, sausage, hash browns and bagels.

The North Fork Animal Welfare League open house at the town shelter runs Saturday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Bring your pet for a free photo with Santa, enjoy refreshments and be sure to purchase the shelter’s 2016 calendar. (An especially adorable hamster represents December.) Please also consider bringing a donation of canned or dry dog or cat food. You can also take a tour of the shelter and learn how you can volunteer or help out there.

Across the street at the rec center, the Southold Historical Society will host a wonderful Holiday Fair Saturday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. (Leave the pets home for this one, though.) There will be photos with Santa, face painting and lots of vendors with wonderful gift options. For further details, call 765-5500.

The holiday season brings some deadline changes for this column. So here’s early notification: My next deadline is Sunday, Dec. 13, for the Dec. 17 issue. Then I’ll have an extra holiday column with a news deadline of Thursday, Dec. 17. Then we take a week off, so the Southold column won’t appear again until Jan. 14, , with a deadline of Sunday, Jan. 10.

For those who celebrate, as Hanukkah continues, marvel in the miracle of the season. For all others, remember that amid the hustle and bustle, manners do matter. Just saying. Cashiers and clerks are doing their jobs the best they can. Smile at people and wish them Happy Holidays or Merry Christmas. It will go a long way in making everyone’s day wonderful!

Top photo: Aidan Walker practicing at Southold High School in September. (Credit: Jen Nuzzo, file)

Contact Southold columnist Tina Koslosky at [email protected] or 631-765-2774.