Community Columns

Wading River News: Strong parents make for strong children

Times Review Media Group, publishers of the Riverhead News-Review, came out on top in the New York Press Association’s 2014 Better Newspaper Contest. Winning 22 awards, the News-Review’s editor, Grant Parpan, is happy to see the hard work of his staff recognized. I’d like to say as one of the contributing writers that it is a pleasure working with such great people in such a fine newspaper and I am happy to be part of the effort. 

Shoreham Fire Company No. 3 reminds us that “Smoke Detectors Save Lives.” You don’t think of fire this time of year, but making sure that your smoke detector is in working condition is a year-round responsibility. You never know when disaster might strike, so check your detector, make sure that it sounds and be sure your batteries have power.

May I send out a belated Happy Easter blessing to all of Shoreham-Wading River? As a member of a church music ministry, I am well aware of the time, energy and dedication that goes into the Easter season music and liturgy. The church looks beautiful, everyone is working feverishly with all the volunteers to make sure they know their parts, the musicians practice their instruments and the singers are making sure that their voices are healthy and they know their music. Thanks to all who put their heart and soul into making Holy Week beautiful for the congregations of St. Anselm’s and St. Mark’s, both in Shoreham; St. John the Baptist and North Shore United Methodist, both in Wading River; Wading River Congregational Church; and Wading River Baptist Church. I’d like to make a personal shout-out to my friends and relatives who are music directors: Cari Logan at St. Mark’s and Elizabeth McNeill at St. John the Baptist. Good job, ladies!

In our memory will be the Winter of 2015, which never seemed to give up — snow seemed to be in the forecast all the way through March. On March 21, at St. John the Baptist Church for the LIFT committee’s retreat with Cathy Sclafani, committee member Lin Tuitte said that “the retreat was a fabulous success despite the way the weather started. Even the weather turned around and became beautiful as the day went on. God is so good!” We wish to congratulate the LIFT ladies for their wonderful effort that made their retreat day a huge success.

Congratulations to John and James Syzmanski in Shoreham for the training, effort and skill that went into placing in the National High School Coaches Association competition. John has been working with James for many years, and James’s skill paid off when he finished in fifth place in his weight class, which featured thousands of wrestlers. May I also give a shout-out to James’s mom, Kendall? Strong moms and dads make for strong children. Congratulations to the Syzmankski family.

Liz Taggart_BwContact Wading River columnist Elizabeth Taggart at [email protected] or 929-5933.