Community

Oysterponds: Beach cleanup; savor North Fork Fresh

All hands on deck, or should I say the beach, this Saturday, June 18, at 10 a.m. for the Orient-East Marion Park District annual spring/summer beach cleanup. Please bring rakes, grabbers, etc. Gloves, trash bags, exercise and natural vitamin D from the sun will be provided. If it rains, the effort will be the next day — same time, same place.

Just in case you don’t pick up your newspaper in time, two very special events in the life of our Oysterponds elementary students will take place next Thursday, June 23: the kindergarten graduation will be at 10 a.m. and the 6th-grade commencement at 7 p.m. All are welcome. It’s another one of those great small town moments.
Sophie Staron, our own “Mayor of Village Lane,” is officially in her 90s as of June 17, when she blows out 91 candles on her cake. Find her and wish her well.

The longest day of the year, the first day of summer, is next Tuesday, June 21, when the sun will rise at 5:17 a.m. and set at 8:25 p.m., with 15.1 hours of daylight. Since it doesn’t vary a lot over the next few days, that will give you lots of time on the evening of the 25th to enjoy amazing foods at North Fork Fresh, the annual showcase for all the finest delicacies from our local eateries and wineries, all on the lawn of the historic Webb House in Poquatuck Park, with breathtaking views of the harbor. Make your reservation by calling the hosts, OHS, at 323-2480.

Speaking of good weather, lifetime “Orient kid” Ray Tabor and his bride, Kath Allen, were blessed with it when they wed June 4 at Our Lady Of Ostrabama, followed by a festive reception at Stonewalls at the Woods in Riverhead. Kathleen is the daughter of Ellen and Bill Allen of Mamaroneck and South Jamesport. The groom is the son of Navy Street’s Maureen and Gary. In for the soiree were Maureen’s sisters Joanne and Marylin, who traveled from Missouri, and the bride’s sister Nancy, who flew across the pond from London, where she lives, to serve as maid of honor. The best man was Orient summer kid Jonathan Reinecke. Also in attendance were Ray’s brother Bryant and grandfather Champ Thiel. Orienteer Chris Franke was the soloist and the “just married couple” traveled in style in a 1946 Rolls Royce. We wish them well as they settle into their married life in Danbury, Conn. Congratulations all around.

When I threw out that “send me info for an Oysterponds calendar” request last week, a few folks said there already is one. Help!! Where? Please get in touch and let me know. Thanks in advance.

Sunday is a special day, as we all know. Celebrate your father, your grandfather or your father role model. Enjoy!