Riverhead: Local woman honored for immigration and labor reform

Michele Lynch was honored on Nov. 16 by the Central American Refugee Center for her hard work and exceptional leadership on organized labor and immigration reform on Long Island. Michele is the political director for the L.I. region of 1199 SEIU, the health care workers union. During the 1990s, while working at Central Suffolk Hospital, she started organizing workers into the union and soon became the union representative for several hospitals and nursing homes throughout L.I. Michele has emerged as a leader within the L.I. labor movement in support of immigration reform. Her leadership was ratified this year when she was elected chairwoman of the board of the L.I. Immigrant Alliance. Michele said, “The Alliance is a great venue to speak for immigrants because it is both very diverse and very united.” Congratulations. Michele lives with her husband, Tom, in Riverhead.

The Roanoke Avenue Elementary School PTO will be holding its “Winter Décor Extravaganza” on Saturday, Dec. 4 (rain date: Dec. 5), from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the school. Available for purchase will be holiday wreaths and poinsettias to support the PTO. Christmas is just around the corner. Do stop by and say hello to Kelly Brennan and the other PTO members.

Happy birthday wishes to Pat Kurpetski, Barbara Popescue, Skee Chew and Jessica Cybulski on Nov. 25; Jamie Lorenz, Bert Vogel (who turns 60), Carol Ashby (who turns 50) and Jean Gilmore, Nov. 27; Kelsey Saladino, who turns 4, Nov. 28; and Herb Dresher, who celebrates his 90th, Nov. 29, with lots of love from Laurie, Deborah, Glenn, Jennifer, Megan, Ben and Sarah. Be sure to celebrate.

Happy wedding anniversary wishes to Renee and Mark Linnen, who celebrate their 27th, and to Louise and Greg Meyer, who celebrate their 22nd, on Nov. 26. Hope your day is extra special.

Photographic works by Ann Brandeis will be on display at Riverhead Free Library’s Elizabeth Fox Overton Gallery during December. An artist’s reception will be held Friday, Dec. 3.

Gobble, gobble … Happy Thanksgiving to all!