Mattituck-Laurel: SCNB and Maureen’s Haven host blanket drive

With one week left before Turkey Day, excitement is building in anticipation of gathering with family and friends. It’s a great time to see local college students return home with stories and appetites for a home-cooked meal at the same time catching up on what is happening in other’s lives.
It is also a time when we help others less fortunate than ourselves. The Mattituck and Cutchogue branches of Suffolk County National Bank and Maureen’s Haven are having a blanket drive to benefit the homeless. New or gently used blankets will be collected until Dec. 1 at the Mattituck office of SCNB. Toiletry items will also be greatly appreciated. For additional information, contact Janet or Christy at 298-9400.
Our NJROTC cadets were extremely busy recognizing and honoring our veterans last week. They’ve also been busy with a multitude of other events. Cadets Sarah Perkins, Caitlyn Penny, Richie Smith and Matt Ireland presented the colors at a New York Knicks game at Madison Square Garden earlier this month. The MSG staff was extremely impressed at how our cadets handled themselves. Senior Chief Turner and 48 cadets supported the Custer Institute and Mr. Bellavia by painting and cleaning. Mr. Bellavia will provide his expertise by conducting an astronomy class for the cadets early in December. This is part of their curriculum so they will learn while exploring the stars.
If you know Debbie and Rick Horton, you know they’re all about family so it’s no surprise they are thrilled with the newest addition to their ever-growing clan. Their grandson Jameson Nicholas Horton was welcomed into the world by his parents, Nicky Horton and Ashley Johnson, on Oct. 19. Congratulations and may God bless Jameson!
Dashiell Hammett’s ‘The Thin Man’ will be the subject of Mattituck-Laurel Library’s Dec. 15 book discussion at 4 p.m. You can pick up a copy from Bev Wowak.
Birthday wishes go out this week to Toni Martinez, who celebrates today, Nov. 18; Dimitri Papadopoulos on the 19th; Jaclyn Boeckman, Chloe Hansen, Cindy Sabat, Rachel Dickerson, Nicole DiVello and Susan Stepnoski on the 21st; and Nicole Guja on the 23rd.
It’s difficult to lose a soccer game in penalty kicks, but our Mattituck Boys team fought hard until the very end. Congratulations to all the boys, who fought their hardest this season, and to coach Matt Litchhult for leading them. Special thinks to the families and friends who always are there, win or lose, to cheer our team on.
The junior high students take the stage tonight in this year’s production of “Aesop’s Foibles.” This lighthearted comedic look at how Aesop created his fables is the result of weeks of hard work and practice. Tickets can be purchased at the door and a discount will be offered if you bring along a nonperishable food item for the CAST food drive. Curtain time is 7 p.m.
I have another early deadline for the newspaper’s Thanksgiving issue. If you have news for next week’s column, please get it to me by this evening (Thursday).