Community Columns

Mattituck News: Best wishes to the Class of 2015

The best part of Graduation Day is reconnecting with families and alums who come to celebrate the year’s graduates. Mattituck High School’s 101st commencement was a moment in time for many to enjoy. From Abby Terry’s humorous remarks about the “little East End high school that could,” to 1990 graduate Tom Libretto’s inspirational story, to Dan Parks’ call for us to remember how fortunate we are, to Courtney Murphy’s words of positivity and, finally, to the re-re-release of the school song, it was a ceremony filled with good wishes, traditions and advice. Special thanks go to local businesses, organizations and community members for so generously contributing $107,000 in scholarships to give our graduates a head start as they begin their next chapter. Best wishes to the Class of 2015! 

After graduation many locals headed over to join in the crowning of this year’s Strawberry Queen, Caroline Keil. She stared her day distributing commencement programs at the high school and ended it dressed in white with a crown and strawberry scepter. Congratulations, Caroline!

Birthday wishes go out this week to former North Fork resident Blaise Bennardo. I had the pleasure of catching up with Lois Bennardo when she came to MHS to award a scholarship honoring her late husband, Dr. Anthony Bennardo. She is very proud of her three sons. Blaise, the oldest, has been teaching English at community colleges and was recently named a Fulbright Scholar. He is headed to Malaysia to teach there. Aidan is in his first year of medical school and Christian recently graduated from Villanova and will attend Fordham Law School in the fall. Congratulations to all the Bennardo boys.

Also celebrating birthdays very soon are John Motto, Stephanie Sweeney (soon to be Mrs. Bill Zuhoski), Tim Smith, Edward Quintieri, Andrew Ennis, Brain Bannon, Dot Bakowski and Brette Rosen.

Best wishes to Ian Zuhoski and Grace Chilton, who became husband and wife last week. They had a picture-perfect day in the most beautiful rural setting on the North Fork. Their wedding was filmed by Andrew LePre, who used a drone to capture the day in a way that mirrored a fairy tale. May the days ahead be filled with dreams come true!

I told you a few weeks ago that former MHS Jazz Band director Dave Smith has put together the East End Jazz Quartet. Kick off summer this Friday, June 26, from 5 to 7 p.m. with some wine and jazz at Macari Vineyards. Gabriella Macari, whose family owns the vineyard, is a former student of Dave’s.

The ‘Little Church with a Big Heart,’ Church of the Redeemer Episcopal at the corner of Westphalia and Old Sound avenues, recently added a weekly service at 5 p.m. Saturday to its schedule. It will also on host a White Elephant sale with games Saturday, July 11, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. to coincide with the Love Lane Street Fair. If you’d like to sell your “treasures” email [email protected] to reserve a table for $50; you keep all your proceeds. The church will run table games and raffles, so stop by, have some fun and look for new “treasures” to buy.

A special milestone birthday wish goes out to Al Righi,  who celebrates a big one on June 27. Happy birthday!

Congratulations to Andreana Mineo, the only person in Suffolk County to be accepted into this summer’s Marine Corps Junior Leadership Academy at Quantico, Va. Have a great experience!

Happy summer and 4th of July! This is a great time to send news about guests and activities that make us count our blessings that we live on the North Fork.

R031209_Arslanian_RContact Mattituck columnist Pat Arslanian at [email protected] or 298-8489.