Community Columns

Riverhead News: Wilkinson honored with Community Service Award

The view of the Riverhead Country Fair two weeks ago. (Credit: Katharine Schroeder)
The view of the Riverhead Country Fair two weeks ago. (Credit: Katharine Schroeder)

The Suffolk Chapter of the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution continually searches for candidates — local Riverhead Town citizens who volunteer their time. At the Riverhead Country Fair Oct. 12, Caroline Stepnoski proudly presented its Community Service Award to Louise Wilkinson for her many contributions to the community. Louise has committed herself to the betterment of Riverhead and its youth.

She has been involved with the Riverhead High School Key Club and Riverhead Community Coalition for Safe and Drug-Free Youth and was chairwoman of Riverhead’s Anti-Bias Task Force. Louise has been tireless in her campaign to achieve equality in education funding and has made many trips to Albany to lobby on behalf of the school district. She received SCOPE’s “Rising Above the Rest” Community Service Award in 2011 and was also recognized by the Kiwanis Club for her work with students in the Riverhead School District.

Louise currently helps the homeless by trying to find affordable housing and is a coordinator for Maureen’s Haven. For the past 25 years, she’s volunteered with the Riverhead Community Awareness Program. Louise has made a huge impact on the lives of so many and is so deserving of this award. Congratulations!

Riverhead Free Library encourages students in grades five through eight to write about, draw or take a photograph of a special animal they know, and asks: “Why does your pet make you feel good?” and “Why is spending time with your pet important to you?” All submitted entries will be displayed at the library. Entrants must sign their work and include first name, grade, school and the name of the pet.

Janna Sparrow turned 2 on Oct. 5. She celebrated her special day at the home of her grandparents Paul and Peggy Sparrow Oct. 11. The guests included Janna’s mom and dad, David and Leah Sparrow, and her big brother, James, Mary Jane Ambrose, Terry and Harry Carver, Harriet McDonald, Megan Nikolis, Joe and Kathy Berezny, and Janna’s aunt Sharon Sparrow, who traveled from Texas. Everyone had a great time.

Barbara Wooten won 10 ribbons at the Riverhead Country Fair Oct. 12 for a contest she entered titled “All Fired Up on Main,” sponsored by Riverhead Town and East End Arts. She now has 200 ribbons since the fair’s inception. Wow! Be sure to check out the red, white and blue fire hydrant she designed and painted in front of Capital One Bank on Main Street. It’s awesome. Congratulations.

The Polish Town Civic Association will host a chinese auction Saturday, Oct. 25. Doors open at noon for viewing; the auction will begin between 1:30 and 2 p.m. Admission is $6, which includes 25 tickets. There will be over 150 gifts and the door prize is a Thanksgiving dinner. Food and drink will be available.

Happy birthday to Mark Bauman, Rebecca Gallo and Linda Lorenz on Oct. 23; Phil Kenter and Thomas Pipczynski, Oct. 24; Tom Gallo Sr. and Christine Floege, Oct. 25; Madison Stromski and Bruce Edwards, Oct. 26; Peter Cybulski, Oct. 27; Margie Sears, Oct. 28; Austen Galea and Damon LeCann, Oct. 29; Timothy Hynds and Macey Reichel, Oct. 30; Frank Klodoski, Joey Reichel, Diane Reeve, Tonya Trent and Nadia Chiaramonte, Nov. 2; Kyle White, Sarah Halpin, Christine Block and Johnathan Muller, Nov. 3; and Art Thompson, Marge Lawrence, Barbara Vail and Laurie Koplinka, Nov. 5.

Happy 43rd wedding anniversary to Ginger and Jerry Duvall and Arlene and Brad Tuthill, also their 43rd, on Oct. 23; Lucy and Jim Creighton, Oct. 28; Anthony and Nadia Chiaramonte, Nov. 1; and Madeleine and Leonard Van Vile, their 29th, Nov. 3.

Susan wishes Christopher a speedy recovery. She hopes you regain strength from your recent surgery and sends you lots of love.

Get well wishes go to Nes Kramer, Barbara Wooten, Cindy Hynds, Louise Leja, Mary Dabrowski, Joe Gadzinski and Carol Carey.

Happy Halloween! Be on the lookout for the many ghosts and goblins who will be trick-or-treating Friday, Oct. 31.

Berezny_RContact Riverhead columnist Kathy Berezny at 727-6148 at [email protected].