Community

Mattituck-Laurel: High school jazz band concert Jan. 30

With the holidays behind us and the new year ahead, it is a great time to stick to resolutions and begin filling up your calendar with upcoming events to pass away the winter days.

If you’ve never spent an evening listening to our high school jazz band, you have an opportunity to do so on Monday, Jan. 30, at 7 p.m. This concert will help offset the cost of the band’s trips to competitions this year. Band director Tim Caskin promises a great performance, so turn off the television and head on over to the high school as the air fills with music.

While you’re at the concert, take a look at the display posters from past high school plays. Thanks to a donation by BP Oil, Tom Brennan was able to have the posters framed and hung in the lobby of the auditorium. It’s a great way to celebrate past student performances and reminisce about some of the great shows our school has produced.

The high school is fortunate to have lined up a guest speaker you won’t want to miss. On Monday, Jan. 30, at 7 p.m., John Halligan will present “Ryan’s Story” — a story about his son, bullying, cyber-bullying and teen suicide prevention. Mr. Halligan has appeared on shows like “Oprah” and “Frontline” to inform others and help them avoid their own tragedies. The program is co-sponsored by Mattituck High School, the PTSA, Southold and Greenport high schools and the Town of Southold Youth Bureau, and is open to the community. High school students will also hear “Ryan’s Story” during the school day, Jan. 30 in Mattituck and Jan. 31 in Greenport and Southold.

Happy birthday this week to Alexandra Papadopoulos, who cuts her cake Jan. 12; Katie Ross and Gabriella Macari on the 14th; and Marissa Mendez and Emily McDonald on the 16th.

Congratulations to Mark Sisson, who organized the winning entry in East End Arts’ downtown Riverhead holiday window decorating contest. He and a team from the Long Island Horticultural Research and Extension Center in Riverhead created an “Occupy North Pole” scene sponsored by “People for the Ethical Treatment of Elves.” It included protesting elves clashing with policemen (one using pepper spray), miniature tents and disgruntled reindeer — all overseen by Santa rising out of a chimney, champagne glass in hand. That window, which won by popular vote, and 14 others were filled with festive scenes to celebrate the holiday season.

Congratulations to Jenna Williams on her graduation from Fashion Institute of Technology.