Community

Oysterponds news: A memorable hike

Orient kids Matt DeFina and Colin Baker, now Washington, D.C., adults, recently returned from an enviable two-week adventure hiking the 220-mile John Muir trail. The trip left them with memories of a lifetime and gratitude for modern luxuries — especially showers with hot running water. Their biggest challenge was dealing with the extreme elevation swings.

Another Oysterponds (East Marion) kid with exciting news is Alfred Dzenkowski. He and his wife, Melissa, welcomed their first child, son Camden Charles, July 28 in Gaithersburg, Md. The baby weighed six pounds, seven ounces and measured 20 inches. Proud grandparents are Betsy and Kim Dzenkowski of East Marion and Charles and Dorann Penney of Gaithersburg. Of course, we can’t forget great-grandparents Bill Wysocki of Orient and Alice Dzenkowski of East Marion. Lucky kid to have all these living grandparents. Congratulations — and we promise you’ll someday get a full night’s sleep again.

An important meeting of the East Marion Community Association will take place Saturday, Aug. 13. Members will be asked what they like most in their hamlet and what they want to preserve. The results will be presented to the town. Come to the firehouse at 9:30 a.m. for “goodies”; the meeting starts at 10 a.m.

A public meeting of the Orient/East Marion Park District is set for 6 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 9, at Oysterponds School. All are welcome.

OHS has a great summer program for kids underway. Special projects inspired by the “Curiosities” exhibit take place at Old Point Schoolhouse every Thursday, Saturday and Sunday from 2 to 5 p.m. Admission is free.

Also from OHS, another fun, educational and free kids’ program — “Whaling WOW,” with music, stories and whale creations — will take place Saturday, Aug. 13, from 10 a.m. to noon.

If you act quickly, you might still be able to snag a ticket for the OHS Summer Benefit in Poquatuck Park this Saturday, Aug. 6,  from 5 to 8 p.m. Go to oysterpondshistoricalsociety.org to purchase your ticket or call 631-323-2480 for details.

Mover and shaker Paula Thorp is spearheading San Simeon’s Mohegan Sun/Foxwoods fundraiser on Monday, Aug. 15. The $30 ticket includes the bonus package and round-trip transportation on the Sea Jet, leaving at 10:15 a.m. and returning at 7:15 p.m. Tickets are limited; call Paula at 631-477-2392.

Poquatuck Hall will be the venue Sunday, Aug. 21, at 5 p.m. for New York’s Festival of Song, presenting the “Killer B’s” with American music from Bernstein to the Beach Boys. The hopes, joys and struggles of 20th-century Americans will be told entirely through the work of composers whose last names start with B. Admission is $25 and a complimentary reception will follow. Everyone looks forward to a concert assembled by Steven Blier, so this will surely sell out. Call Priscilla Bull now at 631-323-2720 to make your reservation.

OHS is sponsoring “East End Light in Oil,” a plein air art workshop taught by Alan Bull, Saturday and Sunday, Aug. 13-14, from 4 to 7 p.m. Capture the qualities of our beautiful East End. Beginners are welcome. The class is limited to nine participants, ages 14 and up. The cost is $150; register at oytserpondshistoricalsociety.org.

You’ll need to move fast if you want to take the Floyd Memorial Library cruise to Bug Light this Saturday, Aug. 6, at 4 p.m. The cruise includes a museum tour and light refreshments. Tickets are $30 for adults, $20 for children. Call the library at 631-477-0660 to sign up. An amazing number of other good things are also happening at the library. Check them out at floydmemoriallibrary.org.

My next column is Aug. 18. Please get me your info by the morning of the 14th.

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