Riverhead Column: Fly your flag for Veterans Day

A surprise 60th birthday party for Karen (White) Fleischman was held Oct. 29 at the Polish Town Civic Association. Given by her sister, Pam, and brother-in-law, Bob Zaweski, Danny and Cindy White, Tony White Sr., Tony White Jr. and his wife, Rebecca, and Karen’s good friend Kay Davis, the theme was New York Yankees, with cotton candy, Cracker Jacks, bag-it-yourself candy and “Blue Yankeetinis.” Everyone also enjoyed a catered buffet and friends and family brought all the appetizers and desserts. 131 family and friends from the Polish Town Civic Association, National Grid (where Karen worked) and from as far away as Virginia attended to wish her the very best. Karen said this was the best party ever!

Congratulations to Peconic Bay Medical Center on its recently being awarded The Joint Commission’s Gold Seal of Approval for Total Joint Replacement for Hip and Knee by demonstrating compliance with the commission’s national standards for health care quality and safety in disease-specific care. Also, the certification award recognizes PBMC’s dedication to continuous compliance with the Commission’s state-of-the-art standards. My husband, Joe, had a full knee replacement there on Oct. 25. This award certainly speaks for the expertise and dedication of the professionals taking care of the patients who use the hospital’s state-of-the-art facilities.

A free workshop series sponsored by Riverhead’s Community Awareness Program will be offered for parents of students in the Riverhead Central School District. Called “Guiding Good Choices,” the five-week program will be held on Mondays, beginning Nov. 14, from 1 to 2:30 p.m., at the CAP office, 542 East Main St. Space is limited; preregistration required. For more information, call CAP at 727-3722 or [email protected]. Learn to strengthen family bonds and reduce children’s risk of abusing alcohol and other drugs. Felicia Scocozza, director of CAP, is certainly knowledgeable and parents will be well informed.

A book-signing and presentation of town historian Georgette Case’s new book, “We Will Not Forget: Riverhead’s Civil War Soldiers and Sailors,” will be held at the American Legion Post on Hubbard Avenue in Riverhead on Saturday, Nov. 12, from 1:30 to 3 p.m. to celebrate the Civil War’s sesquicentennial. Guests will include the 88th Regiment New York State Volunteers; Civil War re-enactors, who will describe camp life; and descendants of Riverhead soldiers. Come and join the festivities. Books will sell for $20.

Happy birthday to Frederica Miles and Kate Luce on Nov. 10; Andy Reichel and Corky Young, Nov. 11; Billee Friszolowski (who turns 90 years young), Gregory Meyer and Bertha Kulesa, Nov. 12; Bill Fleming, Kathryn Schneck, Sophie Aschenbach and Donna Pelis, Nov. 13; Melanie Downs, Nov. 14; Eileen Randolph and Paige Rosko, Nov. 15; and Keri Stromski, Georgianna Danowski, Latoya Nash and Kristin Goetz, Nov. 16. Hope your day is extra special.

Happy wedding anniversary to Karen and John Frosina, who will celebrate their 33rd on Nov. 13. Be sure to celebrate.

Get well wishes to Jim Lee, Shirley Coverdale and Virginia Bilski.

Remember to hang your flag Nov. 11 in honor of Veterans Day, a day to honor all military veterans and remember the sacrifices they made for our country’s freedom. God bless.