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Flanders: Big Duck hosts car show; help clean out the Blue Bar

Happy Thursday, friends and neighbors. I can’t believe it’s still so humid. I’m getting tired of it. I like it 80 degrees — but a dry 80 degrees. I hope this weather pattern turns around soon for everyone’s sake.

The Friends of the Big Duck will be hosting an Autumn Antique Car Show at the Big Duck Ranch Sunday, Oct. 9 (rain date: Oct. 16). Stop by between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. to check out some really neat classic cars. This show is for cars and trucks 25 years and older. If you’d like to show your ride, call Neil at 284-3737. Registration fee is $15 before the day of the show, $20 on it. There will be oldies music by Vinnie V, trophies and raffles. The entrance fee for spectators is $5; children are free if accompanied by an adult. All proceeds go to the beautification of the Big Duck Ranch.

I’ve been asked to share the following message from Flanders Historical Society: “Although a tireless few of us were able to make an obvious dent in the task of cleaning up the Blue Bar, we have yet to tackle the loft. Everything up there must be brought downstairs and organized prior to having the entire contents inventoried and appraised/sold. We will attempt to complete this task on Saturday, Oct. 1. Please come down and lend a hand. The stairwell is steep and narrow, making the task somewhat daunting without enough help. We will start at 9 a.m. and, with your support, should be done in a few hours. All you need are a few minutes and a pair of gloves, so please come out and lend a hand.”
Did you know that as of Sept. 19 Flanders-Northampton Volunteer Ambulance had responded to 648 calls, 52 of which were motor vehicle accidents? Thank you to our volunteers for being “there with care.” I’d like to remind everyone else to slow down on our area roadways.

On Sunday, my friend Laurie and I took her aunt Trudy McKillop out for brunch. When I was in high school I worked summers at the County Center at the Tax Receiver’s Office and Trudy was my supervisor. It was so nice to sit with her and actually have a conversation without a shopping cart between us. I had a great time and can’t wait to do it again. Thanks, ladies, for good food, good conversation and a lot of laughs.

Congrats to the Blue Waves varsity football team on their nail-biting but outstanding win against the Colts on Saturday. What a game! Keep up the great work!

Belated happy seventh anniversary to my brother Michael Zaleski and his wife (my friend Kim), who celebrated Sept. 18. My apologies to you both. I had this saved in an email but I forgot to add it to last week’s column. I hope you both had a wonderful day!

As always, I’m ending my column with the plea to drive safely and to put your cell phones down. Last week I had to go to our corporate office in Melville. On the way home around 4 p.m. I was passed by no fewer than 30 people who were texting while driving about 70mph on the LIE. Please do not talk, text, read, shave, dress — don’t do anything but drive while driving. It’s for your own safety and everyone else’s.

Have a wonderful weekend. Call or email me with any news you’d like to share.