Cutchogue-New Suffolk: Operation Gratitude sends care packages to soldiers

Veterans Day is here and Thanksgiving is just around the corner! To date, Operation Gratitude (opgratitude.com) has sent 570,634 care packages to individual soldiers, sailors, airmen and Marines. By sending care packages, Operation Gratitude seeks to lift morale and put smiles on faces of those serving in our military. One master sergeant described their impact this way: “I am one of those single soldiers with no parents back home. I hear from a friend or two every other month, but that’s about it. I do get bills, as I have them sent here in Afghanistan since I have no one back home and when I get notified of mail it is usually a bill or advertisement. It is very uplifting to get a package with so much to share with others and ranging from munchies, toiletries, stationary, reading materials and ‘wow,’ an Eric Clapton T-shirt.  We sat around sharing the goodies and talking about the day’s experiences.  What you do is more appreciated than I can say.”
The North Fork Promotion Council invites you to celebrate its 25th anniversary. The Harvest Gala will honor Dr. Herodotus Damianos and county Legislator Ed Romaine on Thursday, Nov. 18, 7–11 p.m. at Jason’s Vineyard. Enjoy local food, wine and music by the Trevor Davison Orchestra plus an art auction and raffle. Doug Geed will emcee. For tickets and sponsorship opportunities call 655-7328 or e-mail [email protected]
The third annual Thanks-Giving Organ Concert is scheduled for Sunday, Nov. 21 at 3 p.m. at Cutchogue United Methodist Church. Area church organists and musicians will combine their talents, showcasing the church’s historic Estey pipe organ, a unique North Fork treasure.  An offering will be collected for ongoing restoration of the organ.  Admission is free. For more information, contact church music director, Mary Agria at 765-5667 or [email protected].
Learn about acting, singing, stagecraft and costuming as you prepare to perform a medieval nativity play. Local author Mary Agria will conduct a play adaptation and fall youth drama workshop for folks of all ages! Workshop sessions on Wednesday, Dec. 1, 6-7:30 p.m. and Saturday, Dec. 4, 9-10:30 a.m., will culminate in a public performance on Sunday, Dec. 5 at 3 p.m.. In addition to the traditional nativity roles, there will be an opportunity to portray carpenters, bakers and other medieval tradespersons. For information or enrollment, contact Mary Agria at 765-5667 or [email protected].
Eagle Scout candidate Matthew Ireland spent around 200 hours planning and executing his Eagle Scout project. With the help of family, friends, fellow Scouts, NJROTC cadets and paint donated by Orlowski’s Hardware, Matthew restored, eleven 151-year-old, 12-foot-tall shutters by replacing broken slats, stripping, caulking and repainting them. Congratulations on job well done!  
Have a good week!