Community

Mattituck News: Superintendent James McKenna’s retirement party

The Mattituck school board applauding Superintendent James McKenna moments after he announced his plans to retire.
The Mattituck school board applauding Superintendent James McKenna moments after he announced his plans to retire. (Credit: Jennifer Gustavson, file)

Finally the sun is shining as I pen this week’s column!

Congratulations to this month’s “Breakfast of Champions” honorees: Thomas Beebe, Paige Catalano, Christian Demchak, Marisa Sannino, Jennifer Avila Ramos, Hawkins Barratt Heitmann, Thomas Behr, Kayla Mokus, Felicity Turner, Doug Krudop, Jacqueline Galdamez and Rachel Winkler.

Birthday wishes for the next two weeks go out to Brianna Gatz, David Harbes, Jill Ball, Rose Green, Jessica Zaweski, Trisha Tarpey, Daniel Bruno, Darla Doorhy, Kelly Kraebel, Donna Hamilton, Nick Lentini, Olivia Finn, Larry Kaelin, Sara Norkelun, Lee Harned, Bernadette Mahoney, Bryan Tyler, Nancy Reeve and Joanne Davis Slotkin.

In addition, Hannah McCleery will be celebrating her 4th birthday on April 15. Happy day, Hannah!

The NJROTC Military Ball was held last week at Vineyard Caterers. Congratulations to Val Hommel, who won a four-year Marine Corps ROTC scholarship to the Citadel, and Mark McCaskie, who received a four-year Army ROTC scholarship to Hofstra! What an accomplishment for these cadets!

Taylor LaRosa is also among the many talented young people here on the North Fork. She was just accepted to Downstate Medical Center’s physician assistant program, which she will start this June.

Our alums also excel in athletics and Matt Brisotti exemplifies our best as he takes up a new position as head tennis coach at his alma mater, Drew University. Matt was team captain at Drew and MVP for 2011-12. He lives in Morristown, N.J., and teaches tennis privately in his free time.

Looking for some musical entertainment? Lauren Sisson and Maribeth Mundell, “The Sopranos,” will perform in concert Sunday, April 13, at 4 p.m. at the Jamesport Meeting House, accompanied by Lea Kendall. The program will include art songs, classical and folk songs including music by Mozart, Rorem, Copland, Moore, Barber and others.

Mattituck-Cutchogue Superintendent James McKenna is retiring this year. There will be a celebration in his honor Wednesday, June 25, from 6 to 9 p.m. at Giorgio’s in Baiting Hollow. The evening will include music, dancing, dining and cheers. Tickets are $55 per person. To reserve, contact Cathy Gilliard at 298-4242 by May 1.

A Tenebrae Service will take place at Our Lady of Good Counsel Church on Tuesday, April 15, at 7:30 p.m. All are invited to this Holy Week event. For more information, call Nancy Deegan at 298-8304.

CAST will sponsor a spring recess feeding program April 14-18 for Southold Town elementary school children who qualify for reduced or free lunch. Distribution will be Monday, April 14. For more information call 477-1717.

Mattituck-Laurel Library will host a book discussion at 4 p.m. on Thursday, April 24, on “One Shot” by Lee Child. Copies are now available for pickup.

May you and your family enjoy the celebrations of the season. Happy Passover and happy Easter!

Contact Mattituck-Laurel columnist Pat Arslanian at [email protected].