Community

Cutchogue-New Suffolk

Happy Earth Day! Forty years after the first Earth Day celebration we are more environmentally aware — and living on the North Fork naturally gives one the motivation needed to take action to preserve what we have. Take a moment to think of ways to learn more about what you can do.

Great-great grandfather William Midgley spent Christmas in St. Augustine, Fla., to celebrate the birth of great-great-grandson Parker William. This was the first time five generations had celebrated together. Present were grandmother Sophie (Chute) Benonis, Parker Haley and great-grandmother Sandy Midgley, and Parker’s mother, Alicia Carmine. May G-d’s light shine on you all!

Pat Donovanwas thrilled when her daughter Jeanette’s mother-in-law arrived at King Kullen with Pat’s grandson, Robbie Brannigan. One could hear the oohs and aahs that accompanied Robbie’s appearance. Pat shared the good news that Jeanette and her friend Cassie were confirmed at the Easter Vigil so they could be godparents at each other’s child’s baptism. G-d bless!

Tickets for the annual flounder dinner at Cutchogue United Methodist Church on Saturday, April 24, are still available. You can reserve for 5, 6 or 7 p.m. or for takeout. Diners will be treated to live jazz and ragtime during the multi-course meal. Call 734-6033.

In honor of National Poetry Month, the North Fork Reform Synagogue and Congregation Tifereth Israel invite poets of all ages to participate in a Poetry Slam at 1 p.m. on Sunday, April 25, in the community room at the Greenport synagogue. Judges include Floyd Memorial assistant director Poppy Johnson, Suffolk County poet laureate Tammy Nuzzo-Morgan and Suffolk Times “By the Book” columnist Jerry Case. Contact Sylvia Pafenyk at [email protected] or 765-6182, or Paula Shengold at [email protected] or 477-6530.

Come in and see adorable kittens from the North Fork Animal Welfare League at Cutchogue-New Suffolk Library on Saturday, April 24, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. On Wednesday, April 28, from 6 to 7 p.m. come in and read to Noah the Therapy Dog. Register at 734-7360.

Taryn Boucher keeps her parents, Tom and Anne, on the go. The past two weekends took Tom on a jaunt to Pennsylvania and Anne on a trip to Maryland to watch Taryn play soccer. Athletic ability seems to run in the family. Anne was the captain of the swim team during her tenure at St. John’s. Caiti played tennis at Kenyon College, where Tom played baseball. Tom’s continued focus on baseball has paid off. He was hired as assistant junior varsity baseball coach at Mattituck High School. Congratulations and all the best!

Save our local economy three stores at a time. I became aware of the 3/50 Project while shopping at Southold Pharmacy. Think of three independently owned local businesses you’d miss if they weren’t there. Then spend $50 each month at those businesses to generate revenue to help them survive. According to 3/50 Project literature, $68 of every $100 spent in independently owned stores returns to the community through taxes, payroll and other expenditures. Compare that to a $43 return on purchases at national chains and a zero return on online purchases. It takes just one person to start a trend.

Have a good week!