Greenport: Wrestling, Scrabble and a call for community spirit

February is here. I’m happy it’s the shortest month of the year and I pray that it goes by just as quickly as January did. Bring on spring!

OK folks — one of our own could really use a major dose of Greenport community spirit. Al McMoore is on the waiting list for a liver transplant.  If you’ve had dealings with the Greenport Fire Department Rescue Squad, chances are Al McMoore was one of the first responders to your crisis. Now the department is asking you to help Al with his by donating to help offset the costs of his medical expenses.

Al’s contributions to our community are many: He’s a former captain of GFD’s Phenix Hook & Ladder Company, ex-captain of the Rescue Squad, 2001 EMS of the Year, and Vietnam veteran, and I know that he also coached Greenport Little League for a few years, because my son was fortunate enough to have him for a coach. He’s given so much to our community; now it’s time to give back to him. Please send your donations to the Greenport Fire Department, P.O. Box 58, Greenport, NY  11944. If you have questions, you can contact fundraiser chairperson Bernie Purcell at 477-1852.

The Mattituck-Greenport wrestling program would like to thank all the donors who helped make last month’s annual North Fork Invitational Wrestling Tournament fund raiser a success. A multitude of local restaurants, delis and other businesses made donations and all the money collected at the door will go toward the fight against Parkinson’s disease. Additional money raised will help support the wrestling program.

The Family Scrabble Festival at Congregation Tifereth Israel attracted a record 70 competitors. Barbara Solonger of Peconic Landing won in the four-player category and took the prize for the highest single-turn score. Sandy Krac of Southold came in second. Vivian Lindemann of Shelter Island was a close second-place winner in the three-player group. The two-player category was won by Barbara Cousins of Aquebogue. A highlight was when John Williams of Greenport, director of the National Scrabble Association, took on six other players at once.

Birthday wishes go out this week to Anita Czartosieski today, Feb. 3; Ricky Saetta on the 4th; Erika Cabral and Elizabeth Thornhill on the 6th; Savannah Dimon, Jordan Bogden, Jackie Sarkis, Samantha Reed, Doug Peterson, Barbara Taylor, John Montgomery, Vin Brandi and Jason Van Brunt on the 7th; Amanda Jester and Mike O’Brien Jr. on the 8th; and Jim Sage, Cindy Sepenoski, Bruce Blasko and Eileen Kapell on the 9th.

The happiest of anniversaries to Stacey and Chris Butterfield, celebrating their 18th on Feb. 6, and Eileen and Joe Verity, whose special day is the 9th.

Jim and I made a whirlwind trip to Virginia last weekend to help our daughter, Jenn Decker, ring in another decade on Jan. 29. (I’m a good mom, love her very much and fear retribution, so I’m not specifying!) Happy birthday, Jenn! I’m glad we could celebrate with you.