Community

Mattituck-Laurel: Class of 2017 goes to Quinipet; student art goes to Buffalo

The Class of 2017 had a wonderful opportunity to work and play together last week on a trip to Camp Quinipet on Shelter Island. Over 130 students and their chaperones enjoyed team-building activities ranging from low rope courses to balancing at the pretend “Whale Watch.” The weather held out, which made this beautiful day on the water’s edge one they will take with them as they venture into high school and beyond. One counselor, Josh, said he returns every year to work with Mattituck students because they are such an incredible group of kids!

Being part of a class can create memories to last a lifetime. Bill Taylor can attest to this as he just attended the 60th reunion of his Class of 1951 from Stafford High School in Connecticut. As class president, Bill was asked to welcome the alums at a reunion luncheon.

I wished Taylor LaRosa a happy birthday last week, assuming she was at Connecticut College, where she is a junior. I’ve since discovered that she spent her 20th birthday in Granada, Spain, where she is studying this semester. Hope it was memorable!

Lenny Llewellyn always keeps us up to date on the activities of the Mattituck Fire Department. Between January and August 2011, our volunteers answered a total of 446 alarms. During August there were 47 rescues, seven false alarms, three motor vehicle accidents, a boat fire, a structural fire, a brush fire, four carbon monoxide alarms, two standbys and seven other alarms. Thanks to the men and women who volunteer their time to keep us safe.

Speaking of Lenny Llewellyn, he is featured in an article in the September/October issue of Boating News Long Island magazine. Check it out!

Dr. Xavier Amador, mental health expert and author, will speak to parents about adolescent mental health issues Thursday, Oct. 6, at 7 p.m. in the Mattituck High School library. The community is welcome. This is a followup to Dr. Amador’s discussion with students in grades 9-12 on Oct. 5.

Happy birthday to the following October babies this week: Jacob Antignano and Ben Brannon on the 6th; Luke Bugdin on the 7th; Lois Bennardo and Jessica DeMato on the 8th; Jessica Fliss and Cassie Straub on the 9th; Bea Casaula, David Rao, my mom Catherine Heintz and Andrew Young on the 10th; and Dana Rosen, Ron Smith, Debbie Rao and Maggie Goggins on the 11th.

‘The Anniversary Waltz’ will play for Tom and Cathie Dickerson on Oct. 9.

A reminder: To purchase a brick for the Mattituck Athletic Booster Club’s brick garden fundraiser, call Joe Doorhy at 445-5526.

Congratulations to the students whose artwork was chosen to be displayed Oct. 29 during the New York State School Board Association Convention in Buffalo. The student exhibit, sponsored by the New York State Art Teachers Association, will include artwork by David Folk, grade 8; Justin McKinney, grade 6; Megan Pawlik, grade 8; Kaitlin Beebe, grade 11; Morgan Gildersleeve, grade 12; and Kira Buckel, grade 12.

Another reminder: School is closed Monday, Oct. 10, for Columbus Day.