Riverhead column: Garden club, Girl Scouts and RHS Variety show

The Riverhead Garden Club has continued its educational outreach with the Girl Scouts at Roanoke Avenue School. The program has been designed with activities that earn the students both pins and certificates of achievement as Junior Master Gardener (a 4-H Youth Program), as well as badges that meet scouting goals. During the fall cycle of meetings, which culminated on Jan. 18, the girls learned about the healthful effects of fruits, vegetables and nuts, not only for themselves but for animals in the environment. Their leadership/community service project included creating a basket of these items to donate to the needy. Between the garden club activities, a field trip to the grocery store, and several assignments supervised by the Girl Scout leaders, the Scouts have met the requirements of the dual program.

The Riverhead Central Faculty Association will present its first-ever Scholarship Variety Show fundraiser on Friday, Feb. 4, at 7 p.m. in the Riverhead High School auditorium. This year’s theme, “Hollywood on Harrison,” will feature the talents of faculty and student actors, singers, dancers, musicians and a few comedy performances. Scheduled acts include a blues band, a harpist, a tribute to Vinnie Nasta and “The Girl in 14G,” all emceed by Jimmy Richardson. Tickets are $10 for adults; $5 for ages 17 and under. The evening will include a 50/50 raffle. Ed Tholl and Chris Butterfield are co-chairs. For tickets, call 369-6757 or 727-2262, or purchase them at the door. If you cannot attend but would like to donate to the RCFA Scholarship Fund, mail your check made out to RCFA to 223 Roanoke Ave., Riverhead, NY 11901. This is a wonderful way to help raise funds while having fun at the same time.

Congratulations to 2010 Riverhead High School graduate Nicole Goodwin, who received her cosmetology license in December. A business management student at Suffolk Community College in Riverhead, she is employed by Robert James Salon in Riverhead. Her family and friends are very proud of her and wish her continued success.
John, Pat and Robert Kurpetski traveled to Florida for Christmas and New Year’s Eve. The highlight of their trip was spending time with their grandson, Logan John, who turned 7 on Jan. 16. The family had a great time watching Logan opening his Christmas gifts and playing miniature golf, where he got a hole-in-one and won two free games. They all visited Stetson College, where John Henry is working for Energy Savers International and are looking forward to their next trip to Florida. Logan can’t wait to see his babcia and dziadziu again.

Belated happy birthday to Adam Bugdin, who turned 15 on Jan. 19, with love from his babcia and dziadziu.

Happy birthday to Tim Griffing Jr., Helen Sadowski and George Atkinson on Jan. 20; Bryan Krajewski and Sean Rachubka, Jan. 21; Bill Hubbard, Pat Gadzinski and Sebastian Hulse (who turns 4), Jan. 22; Michael Young and Andrew Pekar, Jan. 23; Amy (Wooten) Guecha and Laurie Downs, Jan. 25; and Les Grefe and Justin Harris, Jan. 26. Hope your day is special.