Aquebogue-Jamesport

Please bear with me as I include some quick reminders of events that are happening this week!

A Taizà service is offeredthe last Thursday of every month at 7 p.m. at First Parish Church, so the next one is today, Thursday, July 29. There is no fee for this experience and all are welcome. Call 608-3827 or visit Spirit-Renewal.com for more information.

The next Youth Bureau Friendly Friday Trip for grades 9-12 and including families and community members will be on Friday, July 30, to Great Adventure. Children under 11 must be with an adult. Cost: $95, includes transportation on the Hampton Jitney. The bus leaves Stotzky Park 8:30 a.m. To register, call 727-5744 or e-mail lyczkowski@ riverheadli.com.

Hallockville Museum Farm will hold its annual barn dance this Saturday, July 31, at 6:30 p.m.¬ Chart Guthrie will be calling the dance, with music provided by the Dance All Night band.¬ Participants are encouraged to bring a picnic dinner. Soda, wine, and beer will be available for purchase. Tickets are available at the door or by calling Hallockville, 631-298-5292. Cost: $20 for the general public; $15 for Hallockville members; and $5 for children under 12.

Belated wishes for a very happy birthday to Colton Stress of Jamesport. Colton turned 14 on July 13. It seems like yesterday that he was a 4-year-old running around in the mud in my backyard in his red wading boots! Hope your day was fun, Colton.

Allison Murphy celebrated her 3rd birthday on July 27 surrounded by family and friends at her home in Jamesport. I had the pleasure of a guided tour, by the birthday girl herself, of the birthday celebrations, which included the wading pool, the trampoline and lots of games and balloons! The two of us marveled at the beautiful flowering tree that bloomed just in time for Ally’s special day! Happy birthday, Ally! You are adorable!

I also want to wish my best friend, Cindy Arnold, a very happy birthday! Cindy and I have been friends since we were 3 years old. We grew up in Connecticut and have been there for each other through good times and bad, including marriage, the birth of children and the death of parents. It is amazing to have you as a friend, Cindy. Happy birthday!

Former Jamesport resident Lord William Joseph Evans III called me to honor his friend Lee Boudreau on the memorial occasion of Lee’s birthday on July 29. Lee died 14 years ago but his memory lives on in his family and friends.

I hope you are all enjoying this beautiful summer! We are planning for a visit from Grandma in two weeks and an early celebration of Johanna’s birthday this Friday evening! I would like to say we will sleep out under the stars, but somehow my ideas give way to humidity and bugs and we end up back in the house! It’s celebrating with friends that count! Have a beautiful week!