Community

Shoreham-Wading River: St. John the Baptist’s LIFT Committee to hold one-day retreat

We’ve all been taught the saying “March comes in like a lion, but goes out like a lamb.” But that was from a time when irregularities weren’t regular, when the weather was as predictable as, well, the weather. Who knows what normal is anymore? So even though temperatures remain brisk and winter-like, we can enjoy the bright rays of the sun.

Thanks to organizers Celia Werner and Caitlyn Maio, Shoreham-Wading River High School students, a special basketball competition was held on March 23 at the Albert G. Prodell Middle School in Shoreham. The middle school teachers, along with Vice Principal Vann, played the Amp 1 team, a group of talented basketball players who play with at least one prosthetic device for an amputated leg. The game raised funds for another amputee who cannot afford the prosthetic device he needs.

The gymnasium that night was filled to capacity with students and parents out to watch their teachers put it all on the line. Amp 1, a team that plays with an unusual degree of skill, won. “It was really good and very exciting,” said SWR High School students Emma Stoll and Annemarie Taggart. The event was a resounding success. Celia Werner and Caitlyn Maio are Girl Scouts, working on the Gold Award, the highest award in scouting. Celia and Caitlyn want to share Amp 1’s philosophy: No matter what the odds are in life, NEVER give up.

Members of the LIFT (Love Inspired Feminine Talks) Committee at St. John the Baptist Church in Wading River want you to give yourself a lift. They are holding “Training the Shepherd,” a one-day retreat, on April 9 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., with featured guest Annette Eckart from Bridge for Peace. The day includes lunch by parish master chef Michael D’Onofrio of Michael Anthony’s Catering, fellowship with other women, laughter, raffles and much more. A registration form with $30 payment must be completed by April 5, the date of the next LIFT gathering. For information and forms, email LIFT at [email protected].

Happy birthday to Ryan Flaherty and Christine Plevyak, both born on the special day of April 1. Everyone born on this date must have experienced a lifetime of bad jokes played on them, when all they wanted to hear was “Happy birthday.” So, we really wish them an especially good day (no kidding).