Calverton Column: Halloween, Unity Day and more

Happy Halloween! I wish you all a candy-filled, spooky day. I love this amazing day! You can be whatever and whoever you want and no one blinks an eye. 

The elementary schools in the Riverhead district held a “unity” day last week, when everyone wore orange in support of those who have been bullied. Riley Avenue Elementary School student Braylen Blom not only wore orange, he even colored his hair orange. Awesome! As a reminder of the students’ commitment to each other, Riley’s art teacher, Melissa Haupt, had her students sign slips of orange paper that were then linked into a giant chain that will hang in the cafeteria.

Family and pet photos with Santa will be offered Sunday, Dec. 7, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Martha Clara Vineyards. The cost is $10 per photo. All proceeds benefit homeless pets. There will also be handmade gifts for sale. Please remember, donations of pet food, toys and clean bedding are so needed and much welcomed!

Bach-Grazina Orthodontics will be holding a winter coat drive beginning Nov. 1. Donations of gently used coats, along with mittens, gloves, hats, scarves and warm socks, can be dropped off at the office at 235 Osborn Ave. (near Riverhead Free Library). For more information, call Betty at 727-2655.

Happy 30th anniversary to Jim Hartmann from his wife, Karen. Their anniversary was Oct. 27. We all wish you much love and happiness for many years to come. Congratulations!

There’s a new beautiful baby in Calverton. Lucy Marie Sendlewski was born Oct. 23. She weighed 7 pounds, 10 ounces and measured 19 inches. Her mom and dad are Garrett and Becky Sendlewski and her grandparents are Ann and Lee Sendlewski of Calverton and Kim and Art Eyre of Naugatuck, Conn. We are very happy for all of you and wish you the very best. I’m sure Uncle Gene adores her! Congratulations!

For many years in this column I’ve written about fun stuff and sad stuff but this probably makes the top five. Last Sunday, after many years in operation, I closed Cheryl’s Farm Stand for the last time. Those of you who know me know my story. And those of you who don’t? Well, let’s say my heart is completely broken. As I sit here writing this I would like to thank everyone who has touched my life by coming to visit me at my little piece of heaven. I am thankful that my children loved their childhood there and that my grandchildren also spent a very precious few years there. Goodbye, my friends … I shall miss you dearly.

Take care, be safe, and I shall talk to you next time. Bye.