Community

Riverhead: Last weekend before school!

Charles Bloss has enjoyed a very fulfilling lifetime with his wife, Pat, children and grandchildren, and most recently celebrated 50 years of service in Washington Engine Co. No. 2 of the Riverhead Fire Department. He attained the rank of captain, was a commissioner of Riverhead Fire District, and was longtime Riverhead Town Superintendent of Highways. If that isn’t a busy life, I don’t know what is. To help celebrate this milestone the Riverhead Firefighters Association and Washington Engine Co. No. 2 held a dinner — with family and friends present — at fire department headquarters. Charles received numerous plaques and proclamations from County Legislator Ed Romaine, the Riverhead Town Board, the Association of Fire Districts of the State of New York, the chief’s office of the RFD, the Riverhead Firefighters Association, the Board of Riverhead Fire Commissioners, and a host of others. He joined an elite group of men in the RFD who have attained the 50-year status.

Riverhead Free Library’s adult summer reading club “Riverhead Reads: Adventures Abroad” recently ended with library patron Linda Esposito winning a gift certificate from grand prize donor North Fork Trolley Co. Other businesses that generously contributed prizes included: Long Island Aquarium and Exhibition Center, Dark Horse Restaurant, Off Main Market and Kitchen, Riverhead Flower Shop, Starbucks Coffee Company and World Village Fair Trade Market.

Happy birthday wishes to Robin Hulse and Andre Aleksandrowicz on Sept. 1; Sharon Sparrow, Sept. 2; Janet Luce and Fran Dresher, Sept. 4; Kathy Paulos, Gilles Bouchard and Freddy Miles Jr., Sept. 5; Janet Walsh, Cheryl Luparella, Brendon Madonia (who turns 17) and Meredith Bouchard, Sept. 6; and Delaney Hughes, Sept. 7. Be sure to celebrate.

Happy 39th wedding anniversary wishes to Peggy and Paul Sparrow on Sept. 1; Michele and Tom Lynch (who celebrate their 29th), Sept. 4; and Mary and Phil Kenter, who celebrate 54 glorious years together, Sept. 7. Hope your day is extra special.

A reminder to my readers that there is an early deadline for the Sept. 8 issue as the office will be closed on Labor Day, Monday, Sept. 5. Any news you would like to share with the community for the Sept. 8 issue needs to get to me by 7 o’clock tonight, Sept. 1.

Enjoy your Labor Day weekend, the last weekend before school begins. Enjoy shopping for school clothes, last-minute barbecues or just plain relaxing at the beach or pool. Whatever you do, take a moment to enjoy yourself and family.

Be sure to watch out for the yellow school buses on the first day of school Tuesday, Sept. 6.

I hope everyone fared well during Tropical Storm Irene. Thanks to all the volunteer services for all their help in maintaining calmness, our school community for the use of the high school, and police and town workers, who also did a great job. Thanks also to the residents who heeded the warnings and made provisions early on to keep safe.