Community

Aquebogue-Jamesport

Happy September to all! I hope you are enjoying your final week of summer! Next week is back-to-school time for many of us!

But first I want to extend a very happy birthday to Jimmy Maggio! Jimmy turned “sweet” 16 on Sept. 1. Jimmy is one of those great kids in our neighborhood who is always willing to help, unless of course it’s his little sister asking for the help! All kidding aside, we wish you a very happy birthday, Jim, and we pray that this year will be a great year for you!

After a summer full of educational and fun community events, Hallockville Museum Farm is getting ready to jump into the Fall Festival a little earlier this year! The Fall Festival, a 30-year North Fork Tradition filled with animals, music, demonstrations by artisan vendors, food and games, is happening on Sept. 18 and 19, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. We are hoping that traffic will be a little lighter on the roads and the weather will be a spectacular September weekend! Applications for artisan vendors can be downloaded from their website, hallockville.com, or by calling 298-5292. The weekend just before the Fall Festival, Sept. 11, from 9 a.m. to noon, you can head up to Hallockville for the late-summer bird walk with Jodi Levin. Call Hallockville for reservations and information.

Save the date! Sept. 25 marks the second annual Jamesport Historic House Tour from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. In addition, there will be a pre-tour cocktail party and gathering at the Jamesport Meeting House on Sept. 24 from 5 to 7 p.m. Stay tuned for further details, call 722-5170 or e-mail [email protected].

The beginning of the changing seasons also brings some apprehension to those who may face economic difficulties or even homelessness during the upcoming winter. Maureen’s Haven, an amazing local outreach to homeless and struggling individuals and families, plans many fundraising events throughout the year to support their ministry and the shelters it operates in churches in and around the North Fork. Visit their website, maureenshaven.org, or call 727-6831 for more information.

During the fall our schools, churches and centers run many wonderful events as outreach and support to our local community. If you are able to support these local gems with your time, talent and treasures, or if you are interested in the events and services they provide, please contact them: Aquebogue Elementary School: riverhead.net, 369-6780; First Parish Church: Spirit-Renewal.com, 608-3827; Living Water Full Gospel Church: lwfgc.org, 722-4969; Old Steeple Community Church: oldsteeplechurch.com, 722-3070; Our Redeemer Lutheran Church and School: ourredeemerlutheranli.com, 722-4000; Riverhead Senior Center: riverheadli.com/senior-programs, 727-4444, ext. 290

This is the first time in almost 20 years that I will not be home schooling! My three oldest are all off to college. MaryAngela had her first day of school at the age of 16! She started at Suffolk Community College today and will pursue an associate degree there before transferring to a four-year program. Congratulations, MaryAngela!

Please send me your news by tonight, Thursday, Sept. 2, for publication next week. The Times/Review office will be closed Monday, Sept. 6. Have a happy Labor Day!