Riverhead

The officers of the Riverhead Elks Lodge, assisted by the Combined Veterans of the Town of Riverhead, held their annual flag day ceremony on June 6. Students from the Riverhead School District read their award-winning essays and were awarded monetary prizes. The guest speaker was Sgt. 1st Class Tim Wiwczar from the New York Army National Guard. First-, second- and third-grade winners are: first place, Maddie Payne, Riley Avenue Elementary (Ms. Messina’s class); second-place, Edwin Torres, Riley (Ms. Menis’ class); third place, Naejon Ward, Phillips Avenue (Mr. Deschamps’ class); fourth place, Bryan Arriaga, Phillips (Mr. Deschamp’s class); and fourth place, Corey Allen, Riley (Ms. Messina’s class). Fourth- and fifth-grade winners: first place, Mark Matyka, Riley (Ms. Vengilio’s class), second place, Matthew Cavaliere, Pulaski Street (Ms. Hubbard’s class); third place, Jessica Troxell, Aquebogue Elementary (Ms. McKinney’s class); fourth place, Juliette Lehman, Riley (Ms. Vengilio’s class); and fourth place, Hollique Johnson, Roanoke Avenue (Ms. Adla’s class). Lunch was served following the ceremony.

The Riverhead Garden Club, in conjunction with Cornell Cooperative Extension of Suffolk County, presented recognition awards June 11 at the Roanoke Avenue Firehouse headquarters to Girl Scout Troops 2309 and 1689 leaders Jeanine Zeltmann and Shannon Kutner, respectively. The girls completed studies in plant development and landscape horticulture, including leadership and community service projects. The troops contributed 336 hours of community service to Riverhead Town. The Junior Master Gardening program is designed to promote gardening, environmental appreciation, leadership, citizenship, and community service to children nationwide. This program was taught by master gardeners and experienced gardeners who are members of the Junior Education Committee of the RGC. Thanks go to Helen Zurawinsky, Kathleen Taylor, Patricia Carey, Doramay Pearce, Grace DeFriest, Christine Schmitt, Kathy Banschback, Marge Lawrence, Rose McKellop, Maureen Sanok and Joanne Stravinsky.

The 233rd birthday of the flag of the United States of America was celebrated by Suffolk Chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution on Flag Day, June 14. The event was chaired by Ann Otten Regent. The chapter was joined for their 14th annual celebration by the Van Rensselaer Skidmore Post No. 2476 Veterans of Foreign Wars and the NJROTC Unit No. 96871. The NJROTC color guard presented the colors and two cadets demonstrated how to fold the flag correctly during the flag-folding ceremony. Torn and tattered flags were collected and given to VFW Commander Eugene McSherry, who spoke about the proper disposition of flags. The fifth-grade classes at Pulaski Street School were the guests and each student was given an American flag pin. The program ended with the raising of the flag and singing happy birthday to Old Glory.

Happy wedding anniversary wishes to Pat and Charlie Bloss on June 27; Joe and Doreen Wilk (their 30th), June 28; Steve and Terry Kulhan (their 25th) and Maureen and Bill Sanok, June 29; and Joanne and Mark Anasky (their 20th), June 30.

Happy birthday to Donald Oliver IV (who turns 10) on June 24; Lenny VanVliet (who turns 14) and Richard Cahill (who turns 76), June 25; Bob Inzalaco, Jan Niewadomski, Skip Zagorski and Chris Fischer, June 27; Joanne Krajewski, Franny Davis and Kathleen Densieski, June 28; Kevin Kulhan and Missy Edwards, June 29; and Tom Galka and Nacara Turpin, June 30. Hope your day is extra special.

Get-well wishes to Nina Campbell and Gene Downs. And to Richard Cahill, who is currently residing in Westhampton Care Center, get-well wishes to you from all your family and friends.

Congratulations to the 2010 high school graduates. Be sure to follow your dream.