Community Columns

Riverhead News: Sign up for Winter Reading Club

Happy New Year! Hope this year is a great one for all of us.

Karen Glover, Gwen Mack, Harriet McDonald and Ann Cummings of New Vision Pioneers, Aquebogue Life Member Club delivered nonperishable food along with supermarket gift cards to St. Isidore’s food pantry in Riverhead. Ditty bags were also distributed to the clients at Peconic Retreat in Cutchogue. ALMC members dedicate themselves to several projects that benefit our community. 

John Henry Kurpetski and his son, Logan, visited from Florida a few days after Christmas to celebrate the holiday with family and to see Logan’s great-grandma Bertha Kulesa. John and Logan spent many days with her, Uncle Robert and his friend Jen, and her children. They also enjoyed slot cars, dining out and sleepovers. New Year’s Day was spent with Donald, Thomas and Bertha Kulesa, Robert, Jen and her children at the home of Grandma Pat and Grandpa John Kurpetski. All had a delightful time reminiscing. Pat and John can’t wait to see them again.

Looking to beat the wintertime blues? Sign up for Riverhead Free Library’s Winter Reading Club, “Once Upon a Time … The End.” Read some short stories and get a chance to win a gift certificate to a local establishment. All you need to do is fill out a slip with the name of the author and the title of the short story and bring it into the library by 6 p.m. on Tuesdays. Visit the reference desk to sign up for the free packet. For more information, call 727-3228. Just a note: The former Adult Reference Department is now referred to as the Reference and Adult Services Department.

Works by sculptor and illustrator Peter Levine are currently on display at the library through January. Check it out.

Dare to Dream will be performed by actor/writer David Mills Sunday, Feb. 1, at 2 p.m. at the library. This one-person show on the works of Dr. Martin Luther King will be performed from memory. Experience the dynamism of Dr. King, from the private man to the public figure through his iconic speeches. This presentation is a must-see. To register, call 727-3228; mention program RVA100.

Ever Ready Engine Company 3 held its annual installation dinner Jan. 10 at The Birchwood of Polish Town. Those installed were: Captain Ken Nabrezny, 1st Lt. Joe Hartmann, 2nd Lt. Greg Szlejter, secretary Joe Bernat and treasurer (ex-captain) Frank Totten. All were given the oath of office by Chief Joe Raynor. Ex-captain Ed Hodun received a plaque recognizing his 20 years of service to the company. Georgette Case presented the annual A. Lloyd Case award (given in memory of her father) to firefighter Frank Greenwood for his diligent work with the company. Tom Pipczynski Jr. was presented with a plaque as the newest ex-captain of Ever Ready Engine Co. 3. His father, Tom Pipczynski Sr., who was also an ex-captain of the company and an ex-member, looked proudly toward his son as he received his plaque.

The Long Island Sound Chorus, a chapter of Sweet Adelines International, is offering a winter scholarship (free start-up) to anyone who joins the chorus during January, February, or March. Visit their rehearsals, become a member and you’ll be on your way to a joyful life experience without the expense of the initial costs for joining. The group meets on Wednesdays from 7 to 10 p.m. at Bishop-McGann Mercy High School, on Ostrander Avenue in Riverhead. This offer will end March 31. For further information, visit longislandsoundchorus.org or email Jackie at [email protected]. What a great way to meet new friends.

Belated happy birthday to Ed Benko on Dec. 31 from your nephew Charles Bugdin, and to Barry Palmer, who turned 63 on Jan. 19.

Happy birthday to Bill Hubbard, Pat Gadzinski and Sebastian Hulse (who turns 8) on Jan. 22; Michael Young and Andrew Pekar, Jan. 23; Zachary Sawler (2), Jan. 24; Amy Wooten Guecha (30), Adelaide Skop (1) and Laurie Downs, Jan. 25; Les Grefe, Jan. 26; Chrissie Reichel, Tim Lessard and Pam Carey (with love from Jim, Josh and Jeremy), Jan. 27; Marvin Warner, Jan. 28; Jette Grefe and Seth Bishop, Jan. 29; Ariel Reichel and Ashley Hulse, Jan. 31; Forest Vail, Seth Fruedenberg and Joe Czulada, Feb. 1; Milli Smith, Feb. 2; and Billy Hartmann, Feb. 3.

Happy 62nd wedding anniversary to Robert and Dolly Hartmann. Sto lat!

Be sure to check out the 2015 winter brochure from the Riverhead Recreation Department. There is something for everyone to do this season — bus trips, dance classes, basketball, arts and crafts and so much more. For more information, call 727-5744.

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