Community Columns

Oysterponds News: Please curb your dog on Village Lane

Congratulations to Monica Sledjeski and her groom, Gaetan Damberg-0tt, who were married Aug. 22 in the Dumbarton House in Washington, D.C., joined by many who brought much love from the North Fork.

Jim Latham stepped in for Monica’s parents, the late Henry and Christina, and gave her away. More North Fork representation came from bridesmaids Carolyn Reich, Kelly Comiskey and Amanda Jester Sanders. Emily Latham Whitecavage had hoped to also participate but she is close to an event of her own and we will announce the arrival of that little one very soon. Family members who made the trip were cousins Christine Franke and son Dan (who flew in from Florida) and Linda Goldsmith and daughter Cindy Agosta. Sarah Latham and her fiancé Kevin Anglum were also in attendance as was Mary Gaipa. Mary Latham was the photographer. Monica and Daetan flew to Iceland for the first three days of their honeymoon, and viewed a rare August appearance of the Northern Lights in Reykjavik. Then they were off to the south of France. The couple both work for the state department as Foreign Service officers and diplomats. We wish them all the happiness imaginable for their new life.

A big Oysterponds welcome to Chris and Andrea Malinowski and their children, Madeline, Elizabeth, Grace, Isaiah and Matthew, who have set up stakes in Orient with their parents, Madeline and Joe Papa. This special family has been living in Vrbas, Serbia, near the Romanian border, where they are Missionaries/educational consultants. They will be here for the school year due to a medical leave and the children will attend Oysterponds and Greenport High School.

The ‘special summer music’ at the Congregational church on Sunday was performed by Oysterponds 6th-grader Franklin Mastrangelo, who sang and accompanied himself on keyboard. It’s no wonder he was rated “outstanding” for voice and piano at NYSSMA last year. His parents, Holly and Phil, are understandably very proud of him, as they are of their other musically gifted boys. Maybe “America’s Got Talent” is in their future as the Mastrangelo family. WTG, Franklin.

It was fun to see the Rev. Louise Armstrong, former OCC pastor, at Sunday’s worship service, where she caught up with many old friends. Retirement must agree with her; she looks great.

OCC is looking for folks to deliver programs for their upcoming church suppers. If you have an interesting presentation “in you,” call the church at 323-2665.

The East Marion Community Association’s next program is “Preserving Plum Island for Future Generations,” to be held at the firehouse Saturday, Sept. 12, at 10 a.m. (9:30 for goodies). Chris Cryder, special projects coordinator for Save the Sound, will present a virtual tour of Plum Island. All are welcome.

Save the date for the Oysterponds Historical Society’s annual meeting Saturday, Sept. 19, at 9 a.m. I’ll remind you in the next column

Don and Mina Van Cleef had a very special house guest in tow this weekend. They first met Sam Kitara, who hails from Uganda, at their alma mater, the College of Wooster, and have mentored him since. Sam is now doing children’s cancer research at Harvard University, where he hopes to eventually study at the medical school. We wish Sam much luck and assure him there is no one better than the Van Cleefs to have in your corner.

Oysterponds extends sympathy to Dr. Stephanie Terry Alford and her mom, Diana, on the death of their dad/husband Aug. 12. May he rest in peace.

Oysterponds lost another part of its local heritage with the passing of Stewart Horton last Wednesday. “Stewie” was a legend and a village silhouette who lived here his whole life. He will be missed. We all extend our sympathy to his bride, Florence (Sos), and his children, Skylar, Suzanne and Sean.

A reminder on one of my frequent public service announcements. Not to seem gross, but dog poop has reached epidemic proportions on Village Lane in three forms: regular, bagged and now smeared. Please be respectful of your neighbors and pick up after your pooch — and when you do, please take it with you!

School starts Sept. 8. Please watch out for excited students.

Back here the 17th See you then.

Contact Oysterponds columnist Carol Gillooly at [email protected] or 323-3899.