Community

Mattituck-Laurel: Blessing of the Animals to take place Oct. 2

The roar of the crowd, the cheering from the sidelines and the referee’s whistle blowing are signs that homecoming has arrived. Tomorrow, Sept. 23, at 4 p.m., Mattituck High School will kick off homecoming activities after a pep rally with students in grades 7 through 12. Why not gather your family and head on over to the festivities? The Booster Club Snack Shack will be open for business with hot dogs and other goodies available for purchase.

I’ve often written in this column that when someone needs help in our community, the outpouring of love and support is incredible. Last Friday night was a true testament to who we are. In support of baby Olivia Menard, friends, colleagues, and families gathered at Founders Landing to raise funds to help offset the cost of ever-mounting medical bills for Olivia’s care. It was nice catching up with old friends like Carolyn and Rich Menard, who are loving retirement; Karenann Volinski, who is completing her postgraduate work in school administration; Peggy Dickerson, Robyn and Walter Krupski and Nora and Tom Libretto; Debbie and Rick Horton, who spend as much time as they can with their grandchildren; and Patty and Dave Schultz, Jeff and Mary Baldwin, Nan Reeve, Nan Endemann, Ronnie Fletcher, Jane Robinson, Dot Bakowski — all of whom worked side by side with Carolyn Menard when she taught at Cutchogue East — and too many more to list. What a wonderful evening!

At the same time as the party for Olivia, an audience at Mattituck-Laurel Library was riveted by Lauren Sisson’s beautiful, haunting voice as she performed a concert called “A Fine Romance.” Lauren was accompanied by Pat Feiler on the new Steinway piano that recently found its home in the library thanks to help from the Friends of the Library.

Belated happy birthday to Dot Brannon, who celebrated Sept. 18, and Alicia Rivera, who cut her cake on Sept. 20.

Happy birthday wishes go out this week to Angela Sidlauskas and Marissa Russo (celebrating at Marist College), Glen Hamilton, Kathy Best, Justin Wesnofske and Sharon Brooks on the 24th; Peggy Litchhult on the 25th; Jerry Diffley, Katie Young, Cassie Nine, Cathy Russo and Danielle Pfaff on the 26th; Bernadette Deerkoski on the 27th; and Dan Sidlauskas on the 28th.

A Blessing of the Animals. will take place Sunday, Oct. 2, at 1:30 p.m. on the front lawn at Our Lady of Good Counsel Church in Mattituck. Contact Nancy Deegan at 298-8304 or [email protected] so they’ll know who is coming.

Happy silver anniversary to Cindy and Frank Benedetto, who toasted 25 years together on Sept. 20. Happy anniversary to Dot and Steve Brannon on the 23rd. They visited daughter and son-in-law Carolyn and David Kramkowski in St. Louis and attended a three-game series between the Cardinals and the Mets.

Ali Kowalsick experienced a special moment that will stay with her forever when she sang on 9/11 with a Sacred Heart University choir called SHU L.O.V.E (Ladies Only Vocal Ensemble) at the Voices of 9/11 luncheon in lower Manhattan, attended by Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.

The Peconic Panthers will hold cheerleader registration Saturday, Sept. 24, at 10 a.m. for 4- to 11-year-olds at the baseball field across from the Jean Cochran field in Peconic. The fee is $85 per child. Practices are Tuesdays and Thursdays, 5:30-7 p.m. Call Mark Mellas at 631-902-5030 with questions.