Greenport: ‘Uncork the Cure’ benefit set for Jan. 20

I’m not sure if there’s a Greenport somewhere near the Arctic Circle, but I think the weather gods have made a mistake. Factoring in the wind chill, it’s colder in Greenport than in Green Bay, Wis. (yes, I checked). Something’s most definitely wrong!

Congratulations to Bob White Sr., who was recently honored by the Greenport Fire Department for 65 years of service. A congratulatory get-together took place Sunday at the fire department celebrating this milestone. Thank you, Mr. White.

‘Uncork the Cure,’ a benefit for Southold Town’s Relay for Life, will be hosted by Bedell Cellars on Friday, Jan. 20, at 7 p.m. Tickets are $40 per person and include wine, light fare and music by Points East. Only 125 tickets will be available (21 and older only, please) so hurry on up to Suffolk County National Bank in Cutchogue to get yours. The snow date is Friday, Jan. 27.

When Tracy Taylor was a teacher at Greenport High School, she started the tradition of hosting a soul food luncheon each February. After she married and moved to Virginia, her mom, Barbara, took over the event. This year, Barbara has added something very special by inviting Lee Hayes, who was a bomber pilot with the Tuskegee Airmen during World War II, as the guest of honor on Thursday, Feb. 16. Mr. Hayes will be speak to Ron McEvoy’s senior social studies class before the luncheon. What a fantastic experience that will be!

Congratulations to the Porters varsity basketball team, who beat the previously undefeated Pierson Whalers last Friday night. A special shout-out to Sean Charters, who is No. 2 in all of Suffolk County in three-point shots! Keep up the good work, guys!

If you’re a parent of a junior high athlete who’s interested in boys’ wrestling or girls’ basketball, please remind your child to stop by the athletic office this week to pick up a sports contract. Junior high late winter sports begin Monday, Jan. 23, and all students must turn in a completed sports contract in order to participate.

The happiest of birthdays is wished this week to Elise Webb and Sean Ryan on Jan. 19; Kathy Petroski (waving hi to Kathy up there in Riverhead), my nephew Kris Navarro and former Greenporter Lois Mellas McClure on the 20th; my sweetheart of a cousin Callie Bubb, Jason Barkley, Danny Tuthill, Ashley Santacroce and Kara Manwaring on the 21st; Crystal Anderson, Courtney Edwards and Jennifer Grilli on the 22nd; Regina Cartselos, Philip Staples, Helen LaCorte and Brian McLaughlin on the 23rd; Jack Skrezec and Corissa Owens on the 24th; and my cousin Annemarie Chouinard, as well as brothers Oscar Aguilera and Joe Miranda, on the 25th.