Southold News: Rotary clubs honor NJROTC

‘May already?’ I think I heard that a few dozen times last week at work. Time seems to be going quickly. Remember when we were kids and you felt like a week was too long and a month was forever?

A belated happy 85th birthday wish goes to Claire Borelli, who celebrated April 25, and to Jewell Gonzalez, formerly of Southold, and Josh Robinson, who celebrated May 2. Others celebrating are: Gina Anasagasti, who turns 18, May 5; Ed Baumann Jr., May 6; Emily Portillo, May 10; triplets Tristan, Kyle and Aaron Davis, May 11; Ed Baumann Sr., May 12; David Kloepfer, May 14; Bridget Rymer and my husband, Jim, who turns 50, May 15 (please feel free to rib him about it); Pete Kelly, May 16; and my son, Jack, who turns 16, May 17.

Those 26 excited Southold High School sophomores who left for Europe April 20 have arrived home after seeing many beautiful sites. The weather varied: one day 70 degrees, the next snow! Thanks go out to the chaperones: Mr. and Mrs. Baglivi, Mrs. Grathwohl, Ms. Derrigan, and of course, the teacher who has made it happen year after year, Mr. Santiago.

The SHS Robotics Team arrived home Sunday. It may not have turned out as the students and advisers all hoped, but they truly made a name for themselves at the world competition. While they were eliminated at the quarter finals, Southold Robotics Team R.I.C.E. finished the competition in the top 8 percent of the WORLD! Well done! Special thanks to Christine Schade, who managed to arrange travel for the team with only three weeks’ notice, her co-adviser, Bob Gammon, as well as the many adult volunteers.

Historical society news: Founder’s Day tea at the Anne Currie-Bell House will take place Sunday, May 15, from 3 to 4 p.m. Come hear director Karen Lund Rooney give a glimpse into the summer’s exhibition, Samplers. Speaking of the historical society, are you looking for a different shopping experience that helps fund it? Why not check out the Treasure Exchange, located at 54325 Main Road in Southold. Currently, they are open Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

North Fork Animal Welfare League will host a talent show Saturday, May 21, from 2 to 6 p.m. at The Crazy Fork restaurant in Mattituck. Students from the four local schools ages 10-14 are welcome to compete. Call 631-298-1100 to register. The top three competitors will win a prize. Advance tickets can be purchased at The Crazy Fork for $20 or at the door the day of the event for $25 for adults and $10 for children under 14. The price includes a dinner of barbecue chicken, hamburgers, pasta and assorted salads. This event helps fund the Southold and Riverhead animal shelters.

Want to help the animal shelter but can’t make it to their event? They’re looking for donations of peanut butter, high-efficiency laundry detergent, leashes, towels, blankets, Dawn liquid dish detergent, Windex, bleach, wet and dry food, copy paper and paper towels. Items can be dropped off at the shelter daily. Need a pickup? Call me at the number at the top of this column and I’ll come get it.

The Southold School Educational Foundation is having their first-ever cash raffle. Tickets are $50, with a $3,000 first prize and four $500 prizes. They can be purchased at Southold Pharmacy, Polywoda Beverage, Robert’s Jewelers, Mullen Motors, Sophie’s and Southold Fish Market. Only 200 tickets to be sold; an invitation to the opening of the “History of Us” display at Southold School is included. Funds will go directly to internal grants for teachers to use to enrich curriculum in Southold schools. The drawing takes place June 10.

The Rotary Clubs of Southold and Greenport recently honored the Southold-Mattituck-Greenport Navy Junior Reserves Officer Training Corps Unit and Major Bill Grigonis at a dinner meeting at Soundview Restaurant. The unit was awarded a Rotary Paul Harris Certificate of Appreciation for its “outstanding community service” and for its many top honors in various NJROTC competitions. Major Grigonis was named as a Paul Harris Fellow in recognition of his dedicated service to the unit and the community. Congratulations!

My next deadline is Sunday, May 15, by noon. Take time to take stock in the positives of your life — it will make the bumps easier to traverse.

Contact Southold columnist Tina Koslosky at [email protected] or 631-765-2774.