Flanders News: It’s graduation time again

The 2013-14 school year is quickly coming to an end.My last child will soon be among those graduating from Riverhead High School. I’m not sure how I feel about this. Part of me is crazy excited and happy for her and part of me is sick to my stomach. This is my baby girl.

Well, time marches on whether I want it to or not. I should just accept it and be happy. I still have her here until August and plan to spend as much time with her as possible because I’m going to miss her so much. I’m tearing up writing this!

Don’t forget the Southampton Youth Bureau Battle of the Bands event Friday, June 13, (rain date: June 20) at 8 p.m. Gates open at 7 p.m. Local teens from all over Southampton Township will rock the house at Ponquogue Beach in Hampton Bays. Throughout the night, audience members will have a chance to win prizes by answering music trivia questions. An awards ceremony for bands that place fi rst, second or third will follow. Admission is $5 per person. For more information, call SYB at 631-702-2432. I heard last year’s event was awesome and that the kids really rocked the house. I’m excited to attend this year and hope you will too.

I have some news from a former Flanders resident. Congratulations to Jasmine Tall, granddaughter of Shirley Mayo, who received a scholarship to study religion in Florence, Italy, for the summer. Upon her return, Jasmine will intern with The Livingston Group, a top lobbying fi rm in Washington, D.C., for a semester with a concentration in government health care laws and policies. Jasmine, who will be entering her sophomore year at Pepperdine University, is the daughter of former Riverhead resident Karen (née Mayo) and Victor Tall. Congratulations, Jasmine, and best wishes for a wonderful future.

Happy birthday today, June 5, to Kathleen Shea; Tina Nappi Smith on the 6th; Darlene Brewer on the 7th; Margaret Santoro on the 9th; Chrissy Santiago on the 10th; Kelly Tocci on the 11th; Kenny Heagey on the 13th; Kim Nelson on the 14th; my girl Pat Nash on the 16th; and my cousin Jill O’Kula and Steph Cawley on the 18th. I hope everyone has a great day doing whatever it is that makes you happy!

Thank you all for reading this. Please call or email me any greetings, well wishes, news or announcements you’d like to share. Thanks to those who sent me information this week. Have a great couple of weeks and I’ll see you around the neighborhood.

And remember, please don’t text while driving!