Oysterponds News: OHS Summer Benefit at Poquatuck Park

Congratulations to Jordan and Nicolle Bogden, both of whom were recently promoted to the rank of lieutenant in the U.S. Coast Guard. Orient is very proud of its home-grown kids on this career milestone.

Here’s another impressive milestone: OPU alumna Katharine Frost, a recent cum laude graduate of Bucknell and winner of the Oliphant Prize in biochemistry, will soon continue her studies as part of Stony Brook School of Medicine’s Class of 2020. Of course, her parents, Margaret Minichini and Tim Frost, are beyond proud. Congratulations to all.

George and Linda Hossenlopp’s children and grandchildren were in Orient last weekend and a family lobster bake was held Monday to celebrate the couple’s 50th wedding anniversary. Scott Hossenlopp (aka “Scooter”) and family traveled from Bradenton, Fla.; Leslie Webb and family came from Mt. Kisco, N.Y.; and Kristin Stemhagen and family arrived from Richmond, Va. The six grandkids organized a “Newlywed Game” with lots of questions for George and Linda. WTG, Hossenlopps, and wishes for many more loving years.

On the last night of a vacation in Barcelona, Susan Magrino, husband James Dunning and their family went for dinner at Los Pescadores restaurant, a last-minute pick. Just as they sat down, fellow Orienteer Louis Yoh approached with the greeting, “Hello, stranger.” He was on holiday there with his wife, Samantha Kirby, and their children. Susan and James very much appreciated the bottle of wine they sent over. The Dunnings are now happily tucked back home on the Sound. Aren’t small-world stories a blast?

Tickets are on sale for the OHS Summer Benefit on Saturday, Aug. 6, which is being billed as at the Summer Soiree. The event is set for Poquatuck Park, with music is by the Cornichons and the usual spectacular auction. Get your tickets at oysterpondshistoricalsociety.org.

OHS sends a special thank-you to Orient Country Store proprietor Miriam Foster, who baked and donated dozens of old-fashioned molasses and sugar cookies for its children’s program, which hosted students from the Oysterponds summer program. The topic was the Olympics and a great and yummy time was had by all.

Many summer elves will be at work at the Congregational church sorting through thousands of items donated for the church fair on Saturday, July 30, from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Others will be baking pies and tarts under the tutelage of Carol Tuthill, who has taken on this yeoman’s task for more than five years. As the community knows from experience, these once-a-year culinary creations are worth the trip. There will also be hot dogs and more for immediate consumption. Chairperson Joe Papa is still accepting donations and will be happy to pick them up if you call him at 631-323-2537.

This past Sunday, two new memorial stones were dedicated in the prayer garden at the Congregational church. One was for recently deceased Orienteer Susanne Bondarchuk and was made possible by the generosity of church member Ruth Foster. The other was for Les Hegeman, who donated his body to science and therefore was not interred. Now he can be remembered in these peaceful surroundings.

East Marion sends thoughts, prayers and a collective hug to Ginny Schoen and sons Travis and Brian on the passing of husband/father Luke. It has been a long journey and he is finally at rest. Godspeed, Luke; you have been an example for all. 

Due to a temporary stricter deadline it will be imperative that you get your news to me by Sunday night. Items for the next column, which appears Aug. 4, must reach me by July 31. Thanks in advance for your help.

How sad it is that we’re beginning to accept that the American flag may be permanently at half mast. What is happening to us? Please join me in praying for our country and our fellow man. Let’s all start the journey by loving our neighbor. See you in two weeks.

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