Community

Riverhead: Florence Lojko turns 100, ‘Everyday Heroes’ student art exhibit Sept. 9

Riverhead Volunteer Firefighters Association is initiating its annual fund drive and is asking for donations — no matter the amount. The members spend countless hours training and honing their skills to be able to respond to any type of alarm. Donations go to fund the welfare fund and death benefits for members and their families and to support Red Cross blood drives, the Riverhead Little League, the NYS Firemen’s Home, the Stony Brook Burn Center and various other activities. For an organization that is ready to assist anyone at any time, your donation is a small way of saying thank-you to the membership. If you would like to join the association or for more information on becoming a firefighter, visit department headquarters at 540 Roanoke Avenue, visit riverheadfd.org or call 603-3671.

Florence Lojko will turn 100 years old on Sept. 9. Her family is very happy to help her celebrate this milestone with a Mass at St. Isidore R.C. Church. She was featured in two News-Review articles, one in 1988 titled “The Lojkos’ Golden Life Together” and the other in 1997, “How Does Her Garden Grow.” She is “babci” to eight grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. Florence worked until her early 90s on Densieski’s Farm in East Quogue for over 30 years and has been known as a wonderful cook, gardener and baker, and a great Polka dancer. Sto lat! Many happy returns of the day.

Patriot Day Remembrance is Sept. 11. This year marks the 10th anniversary of the 2001 terrorist attacks on the U.S. Many people that day performed heroic feats to save other people. In partnership with the Suffolk County Historical Society, the children’s department of Riverhead Free Library will be sponsoring an art show. All artwork representing the theme “Everyday Heroes” will be displayed by students in grades 3-6 at SCHS Friday, Sept. 9, at 5 p.m.

Planning a garden? Riverhead Free Library will host “A New Garden From the Ground Up” on Thursday, Sept. 15, from 7 to 8:30 p.m. This seminar is a great way to prepare for next season. You will see the best methods for beginning a new perennial garden/mixed border, from the ground up.

RHS’s Class of 1961 will hold its 50th reunion Saturday, Sept. 17, at Calverton Links. For more information, call Starr Ryder at 284-3650.

Belated happy birthday wishes to Jeffery Kujawski, who celebrated Sept. 6, from Dad, Joan, Melissa and Mike.

Happy birthday wishes to Annie Marie Harris and James Carey on Sept. 9; Rick Wilhelm, Sept. 10; Joe Zeltmann and Greg Meyer, Sept. 11; Steven Block and Ann Vonatski, Sept. 12; Brad Van Houten, Laura Van Houten and Cheryl Armstrong, Sept. 13; and Linda Berezny, Sept. 14. Hope your day is special.

Belated happy 50th wedding anniversary to Ginny and Ray Taylor on Sept. 3 from the whole gang. Sto lat!

Happy wedding anniversary to Douglas and Gail Koroleski (their 28th) on Sept. 10, and Joe and Dot Szot (their 51st) on Sept. 11. Be sure to celebrate.

Happy ‘transplant’ anniversary to Karen Paulick on Sept. 8. Hope your day is truly a great one.