Mattituck-Laurel: High school students sponsor blood drive

With Election Day behind us, our lives take on a new focus: Thanksgiving. It seems unbelievable that Turkey Day is just 21 days away. In preparation, watch for details in this paper for this year’s Mattituck-Cutchogue Teachers’ Association Turkey Trot. This event has become a great way to start Thanksgiving with family and friends — all for a good cause.
Speaking of good causes, Mattituck High School has been focused on the theme “Mattituck Makes a Difference” for several years, and every week something happens at school to reinforce that slogan. This week, the students co-hosted a blood drive with Long Island Blood Services and collected a record-breaking 66 pints of blood, which is most useful at this time of year. Thanks to all who took time to come out and donate.
At the same time, the junior high Early Act Club sponsored a “Jeans Day” where teachers wore jeans if they donated $5 to Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Awareness. This fundraiser earned a total of $200.
God sent blessings to Don and Jessica Jones with the birth of their first child, Donald Carter Jones. Baby Donald was born at Winthrop Hospital Oct. 22, weighing 7 pounds, 5 ounces and measuring 20 inches. He was welcomed with open arms by grandparents Lee and Dick Harned, Joe and Sandy Pufahl and paternal grandmother Rita Jones. May God shine his light upon Donald today and always.
Others celebrating their birthdays this week are Alexandra Pape and Megan Ross (a freshman at SUNY/Geneseo) today, Nov. 4; Tara Gatz and Mary Lou Araneo on the 6th; and Jay Wesnofske on the 8th.
Toasting their anniversaries this week are Maureen and Nick Deegan on Nov. 6 and Jackie and Bill Wilsberg on the 7th.
25 years ago, on a beautiful Nov. 10, I exchanged wedding vows with my husband, Ken, at Our Lady of Good Counsel. The years have flown by and I am grateful for every one. Happy anniversary to my Mr. Wonderful!
This year’s junior high dance was a huge success, with over 100 students in attendance. The best costume award went to Shawn Baker and Wally Bunker. Winners of the best dance contest were Emma Leaden and David Folk. What a great way to start Halloween weekend.
Congratulations to Matt Litchhult, who was named League VII varsity boys soccer Coach of the Year, and Peter Hansen, who got the nod as League VII JV boys soccer Coach of the Year.
Mattituck Fire Department reminds everyone that when you turn the clocks back this weekend, you should also change the batteries in your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors. These are life-savers!
The next book discussion at Mattituck-Laurel Library is set for Tuesday, Nov. 30, at 7 p.m. The book is “The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks,” and copies are on order. Contact Bev Wowak to get yours.
Janet and Jim Maloney wish their daughter Jacqueline a happy 18th birthday tomorrow, Nov. 5. Jacqueline will celebrate at Cornell University, where her roomies at Dickson Hall (especially 3-6) and her fellow engineering students will honor her this weekend.
I’ve got an early deadline for next week’s column, thanks to the Veterans Day holiday. So contact me ASAP with any news for the next issue.