Community Columns

Riverhead News: Chicken barbecue scheduled for Aug. 9

Chicken will be grilled up Aug. 9 at (Credit: Katharine Schroeder, file)
Chicken will be grilled up Aug. 9 at Riverhead United Methodist Church. (Credit: Katharine Schroeder, file)

Riverhead resident Edward Raffel turned 70 years old July 4. A party was held in his honor in the North Fork Tasting Room at The Lobster Roll Northside. Fifty-nine family members and friends were in attendance. The party — organized by Ed’s lovely wife, Joanne, and his friend Dr. Richard Rubenstein — included a buffet prepared by owner Fred Terry, who graduated with Ed in 1962. All had a great time sharing the day with Ed and reminiscing. Hope your year is a great one!

My dear friends Steve Palmer and Grant Kingswell came for a one-week visit July 12 from Rehoboth Beach, Del. On Sunday we took a tour of Montauk Lighthouse and enjoyed lunch at Gosman’s Restaurant. On Monday we went to the Long Island Aquarium on Main Street in Riverhead, where we watched the sea lion show, visited the butterfly and bird exhibitions and took a tour boat ride down the Peconic River. I also took my friend Steve to meet Riverhead Library’s new director, Joy Rankin. Later that evening we enjoyed a barbecue at my home with friends Peggy and Paul Sparrow and my daughter Kim and her fiancé, Mike Hatziminadakis. On Tuesday we toured Sherwood House and Palmer vineyards and took a ride to Greenport. On Wednesday we went to New York City to see “Chicago” and on Thursday, we had breakfast at Lolly’s Hut before saying goodbye. It was an enjoyable time and we can’t wait to see them again next summer.

Happy birthday wishes to Jacob Lawrence, who turns 1 on July 31; Zach Daters on Aug. 1; Sue Arnau, Pat Contino and Nicole Mielnicki (who turns 21) on Aug. 2; Nicole and Kim Staib on Aug. 3; George Prete on Aug. 4; Gen Hettrick, Phil Wilkinson and Mary Frazier on Aug. 5; Cory Koch and Robert Kujawski on Aug. 6; Patricia Bilski, Krista Flammia (who turns 24) and Sandy Szczepanik on Aug. 7; Logann Carey, Wendy Ruskowski and Nina Campbell on Aug. 8; Ann Cotton-DeGrasse and Jeff Falisi on Aug. 9; Christopher Kenter (who turns 13) and Jason Hubbard (who turns 3) on Aug. 10; Donald Kulesa, Pat Kaelin, Karianne Chew, Lisa Dabrowski and Michael Hackal on Aug. 11; Pat Foley and Richie Wysocki on Aug. 12; and Kevin Zanieski, Jesse Goodale, Thomas Pipczynski III, Sarah Halpin and Laura O’Kula on Aug. 13.

Happy wedding anniversary to Paul and Vanessa LeCann, who celebrate four years on Aug. 7; Caroline and Anthony Bugdin on Aug. 9; and Regina and Phil Kenter on Aug. 10.

Riverhead United Methodist Church will host its annual chicken barbecue Saturday, Aug. 9, from 4 to 6 p.m. on Main Street. Takeout will be available. Tickets: $15, adults; $10, children under 10; or $45 for a family of four (two adults and two children under 10). The menu includes half a barbecued chicken, baked potato, coleslaw, corn on the cob, a roll, and dessert. To purchase tickets, call 727-2327.

The Riverhead Elks Lodge will host its annual lobster barbecue/fundraiser Sunday, Aug. 10, from 3 to 6 p.m. The menu also consists of chicken, shrimp, potato salad, corn, beans, cucumber salad, and beer and wine. There will also be a live band. Tickets are $40. Call 727-2027.

Consider donating to First Parish Church’s ongoing food drive in the Grange Hall building on Sundays between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. All donations are greatly appreciated and will help fill local pantries. For more information, contact Pastor Dianne Rodriquez at 516-673-1231 or [email protected].

Also at the Grange Hall building is a Society of St. Vincent de Paul clothing donation bin. If you’re cleaning out your closets in the months ahead and come across anything you’d like to donate, be sure to drop them off there.

Get well wishes to Anastasia Smith.

Berezny_RContact Riverhead columnist Kathy Berezny at 727-6148 at [email protected].