Shoreham-Wading River: Wellness Fair; busy food pantries

Well, we can officially say that spring is here, but let’s hope we’ve seen the last of the hail … and the sleet … and the snow. If ever there was a winter that got its money’s worth out of us, it was this one. The daffodils and tulips don’t know what to do and even the animals have confused looks on their faces.

My apologies to Rocky Point Fire Department and the committee running the 9/11 Memorial brick drive. I included some incorrect information in a recent column. If you would like to make a contribution toward benches, trees or bricks, contact Chief Ken Staufer at 744-7155. Do this soon because they are doing the layout for the memorial now.

The Shoreham-Wading River school district hosted a Wellness Fair at the high school gymnasium yesterday (April 6). There was a long list of topics, including programs on audiology and hearing, cosmetic care, martial arts, and becoming tobacco-free, just to name a few. Presenters included Dr. Eric Scarborough, Staphanie Hagan, Long Island Dietetic Association, Janet Espinoza (Sanctuary Program), North Shore Youth Council, Eastern Suffolk BOCES, Prevention Resource Center of South Oaks, MS Wellness Projects, Donna Lovasco of Pampered Chef, Drs. Jarit and Queller (impact/concussion), Tara Constant (Race to Nowhere), Daytop Village’s Suffolk Outreach, United Martial Arts Center, Shoreham-Wading River social workers and the Spa and Studios at East Wind. If you are interested in presenting at next year’s Wellness Fair, contact Debbie Lutjen at [email protected].

I was delighted to hear from Bryce McKissick, a very inspiring young man from Riverhead Boy Scout Troop 242. With the permission of King Kullen in Wading River, Bryce coordinated a food drive on the evening of March 25. Bryce said the drive was “very successful” and he wishes to thank King Kullen for allowing his troop to collect more than 500 nonperishable items that night. The troop gathered the groceries and donated them to a local food pantry.

The food pantries this year have seen traffic like never before, with the poor economy, rise in unemployment and high cost of heating oil and gasoline. Everywhere you go, it just seems as though it’s tougher to get by. What a great idea you had, Bryce, and you did a fabulous job. The community salutes Bryce McKissick and the Riverhead Boy Scout Troop 242.

If you have news to share, please email me; keep in mind that my deadline for Thursday’s column is first thing Monday morning.

Be well and we’ll meet again here next week.