Flanders

JOHN NEELY PHOTO
A historic ride
Carlos Pinto of Southampton (foreground) leads a group of riders across Route 105 on Northville Turnpike Sunday during the third annual ‘Let’s Make History’ bicycle ride presented by Suffolk County Historical Society. The fundraiser offered two round-trip routes of either 50 miles (a half century) or 25 miles through North Fork farms, vineyards and villages.

It’s with a heavy heart that I write this week’s column. Josephine “Babci” Bogdan, my cousin’s grandmother and someone whom I thought of as my “Babci” too, passed away Friday morning, Sept. 17. As cousin John said in the eulogy, “Babci wasn’t just a Babci, she was a super Babci!” She will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved her. She loved her family and treated everyone like her extended family. I’m sure she’s in Heaven baking and sewing and with all those she loved who have moved on before her. Rest in peace, Babci.

Flanders Fire Department is hosting an open house Sunday, Sept. 26, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at its department on 19 Firehouse Lane. Everyone is invited! Equipment will be displayed and demonstrations will be held throughout the day. There will also be a fire prevention safety trailer. Light refreshments will be served. Hope to see you there.

Mark your calendar for Sunday, Oct. 17, at 1 p.m., when the fire department will have a wet-down at the firehouse. Come watch them christen their new pumper and rescue truck.

Belated happy birthday to Tracy Wanat on Sept. 22, from your husband, John, son, Chase, and all your family and friends.

Happy birthday to my sister-in-law Denise Zaleski on Sept. 27 from your husband, Jim, your children, James and Charlotte, and all your family and friends, and to my friend Peggy Hubbard on Sept. 29 from your husband, Ray, and your children, Jaxson and Brady.

What a slow news week for the community. I wonder if it’s the shock of school and schedules that has us all messed up. I know it’s been that way for me. I feel like I’ve been sucker-punched. The other night I actually fell asleep at 7:30. I guess waking up and getting three kids out the door isn’t as easy as I thought it was going to be, even though they are all in high school and pretty much do things for themselves now. I hope to hear from you for next week’s column. Call or e-mail me with any news you’d like to share. Please drive safely and please put your cell phones down.