Community Columns

Riverhead news: What’s new at the library

Welcome to the first major snowstorm of the year! I hope your snowblowers and shovels worked to perfection while digging out the driveways, walkways and steps. What a beautiful winter wonderland it was.

Happy New Year! I’m hoping it will be a good year for all. We must take time to do the things we want to do, enjoy friendships and, of course, smell the roses.

Check out the chalk drawing at Riverhead Free Library. The artwork “May the Force Be With You” was done by Ariane DePhillips and Annie Kromhout to commemorate the memory of Carrie Fisher — Princess Leia. The “Rogue” and “Star Wars” artwork was also created by these two artists, who work at the library. They have such talent and it shines through. It’s definitely worth a trip to the library!

The library will host “Meet the Breeds” twice in January, on the 13th and the 27th, so be sure to mark your calendars. Tweens can still register for “The Battle Express,” which started Jan. 9. Also, “Medieval Puzzles and Enigmas,” a jousting game for the brain for grades 5-8, is being offered Friday, Jan. 13, from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. Check out the many programs for all ages. Call 631-727-3228 for more information.

The adult and information services department at RFL has launched its annual Adult Winter Reading Club. This year’s theme is “Riverhead Reads: Food for Thought.” This self-guided program gives patrons a chance to win prizes for reading or listening to any book. Riverhead cardholders who wish to participate will receive a reading kit when they sign up. Prizes have been donated by Friends of the Riverhead Free Library.

Local author Bill Batcher will discuss his book “The Storytellers” Saturday, Jan. 14, from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the library. Mr. Batcher will share his unique family history including stories about his privateer ancestor who served as a powder monkey in the War of 1812 and the two sons pitted against each other in the Civil War. For more information, call the library at 631-727-3228.

Happy wedding anniversary to Fran Friszolowski and Vincent Gianni on Jan. 15.

Happy birthday to Karen Heppner on Jan. 12; Dale Messina, Tony Naugles and Adam Wlinski (who turns 4), Jan. 13; Mary Ann Trojanowski and Ty Paddleford, Jan. 14; Corale Bloss, Karen Paulick, Mark Gajowski and Frank Stepnoski, Jan. 15; Logan Kurpetski (who turns 13) and Ariana Mielnicki, Jan. 16; Tristan Krajewski and Jason Cobb, Jan. 17; Scott Kubacki and Kaden Linnen (who turns 5), Jan. 18; Fran Friszolowski, Becky Hubbard, Adam Bugdin, Marissa Kess, Sarah Paulos and Barry Palmer, Jan. 19; Tim Griffing Jr., Jan. 20; Bryan Krajewski, Sean Rachubka and Louise Meyer, Jan. 21; Bill Hubbard, Sebastian Hulse and Patricia Gadzinski, Jan. 22; Michael Young and Andrew Pekar, Jan. 23; Zachary Sawler, who turns 4, Jan. 24; Amy (Wooten) Guecha, Adelaide Skop (who turns 3) and Laurie Downs, Jan. 25.

Monday, Jan. 16, is Martin Luther King Jr. Day. Take some time to observe his life and achievements.

Berezny_RContact Riverhead columnist Kathy Berezny at 631-727-6148 at [email protected].