Community Columns

Flanders News: Fun and games at Community Center

The David Crohan Community Center. (Credit: Carrie Miller, file)
The David Crohan Community Center. (Credit: Carrie Miller, file)

Summer is just around the corner, friends and neighbors. School is over and graduations are being planned. My baby girl, Kaitlyn, will be one of many graduating June 28. As I look back at photos of her starting kindergarten I can’t help but get teary. It’s not only a milestone for her, but for me as well. In August she will head to SUNY/Oneonta. I’m so happy for her and wish her and her classmates much success in their future. 

The David W. Crohan Community Center offers local senior citizens a place to go during the day for companionship, fun and games. Lunch is served daily. Once a month, the center hosts a birthday party for all members. In May, it celebrated those who are 90-plus years old. Happy birthday to Fred Motyka, Alma Nelson, Edna Bright, Evelyn McCarthy, Arnold Sims, Michael Manetta, Jack Colavito, Regina Dox, Angela Lombardo and Barbara Zybowski. June’s birthday celebration will be held Friday, the 20th, at 10 a.m., with entertainment by Tom Parris. The center also offers the following activities: line dancing series begins Monday, June 23, at 1 p.m.; drawing classes begin Tuesday, June 24, at 10 a.m.; shell painting, Thursday, June 26, at 10 a.m.; and “Beginning Country Line Dancing” (open to all), Friday, June 27, at 10:30 a.m. Call 702-2375 for more information or visit southamptontownny.gov/150/Senior-Services.

Flanders Farm Fresh Food Market will be open Saturdays, June 21 to Oct. 18, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the David W. Crohan Community Center, 655 Flanders Road. The youth-staffed market has operated every summer since 2011. It provides Flanders residents with local, seasonal produce, as well as jobs for six local youths. A few new goodies this year includes coffee from Thunder Island Coffee Roasters, Divine Brine pickles and chutneys, pastries from Krieg’s Bakery in Hampton Bays, bread from Blue Duck Bakery, and honey from East End Apiaries. This year’s produce will come from Sagaponack Potato Company and Pike Farms in Sagaponack, The Milk Pail in Water Mill, Anderson Farms in Riverhead and Wesnofske Farm in Peconic. The market is accepting outside vendor applications. If interested, call market manager Beth Young at 516-983-2939 or email [email protected]. Vendor fees: $25 per month; $75 for the season. Vendors need to bring their own tent and equipment. Opening-day festivities on June 21 will include free coffee and recipes, and seedling projects for kids.

Silly me, in my prior column I forgot to wish a Happy Father’s Day to all the dads out there, especially my dad, Jim Zaleski, who is the best dad ever! When we were growing up he did it all and for that we thank you! We all love you.

Happy birthday to Joe Kaelin on June 19, from your wife, Tricia, and your children, Lily and Kyle. Paulette Sikora and Devon Brewer celebrate on the 24th; Stephanie Shea on the 25th; Pete Scolaro on the 27th; Connie Lague on the 29th; Evelyn Conklin, Brian Wilkinsen and Virginia Troyan on the 30th; and my cousin Rob Tribuzio on July 1.

Nancy Reyer, Michael Hubbard’s mom, and a bunch of her friends will jump out of a plane for Michael’s birthday in August. A fundraiser, the event will take place Aug. 16 at 8 a.m. and will benefit Brendan House in Riverhead. For more information, or to sign up, sponsor someone or make a donation, call 603-8939.

That’s all for this week. The deadline for my July 3 column is June 30. If you have a special message or shout-out to share please get it to me ASAP. If you call my house, please leave a message. Have a great week!

Doherty_col_head_BWContact Flanders columnist Tanya Doherty at 727-8687 or [email protected].