Flanders News: Safety awareness event planned for Saturday

I hope everyone enjoyed their Mother’s Day. If you’re fortunate to still have your mom in your life make sure to appreciate her every day. I really miss my mom but take comfort in knowing she celebrated with her mother in Heaven. I spent the day with one of my “other” mothers, Marsha Mickoliger, and my BFF, Michele. I’ve known the Mickoligers since I was 4 and, although I don’t have a sister of my own, I have four great women in my life that I consider my sisters.

Peconic Pediatrics, the office where I work, will host a safety awareness event Saturday, May 16, from 10 a.m. to noon at their Riverhead office, 34 Commerce Drive. Riverhead Fire Department will have their smoke house on site, Riverhead Volunteer Ambulance will have an ambulance on site so kids can see what goes on inside and how to be safe, and Riverhead Police Department representatives will demonstrate the proper installation of car/booster seats. There will also be a chinese auction. Proceeds will be donated to the above departments to help fund other educational programs. The event is free, so stop by with the kids for a great morning.

The Friends of the Big Duck’s annual spring fair will take place Saturday, May 23, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Rain date: May 24. There will be something for everyone. Admission and parking is free. It’s sure to be a great day.

News from Flanders Senior Center: On Friday, May 15, the center will host a birthday party for all residents celebrating in May, featuring music by Tom Parris. A special celebration will be held for those seniors who are turning 90 and over. Their names are: Stanley Berman, Edanarlie Bright, Jack Colavito, Marie Kaiser, Evelyn McCarthy, Fred Motyka, Alma Nelson, Arnold Sims and Barbara Zybowski. The residents also celebrated the installation of their 2015-16 site council with a special ceremony on May 8. Site council members include Ralph Downs, Edanarlie Bright, Evelyn McCarthy, Jean Guydish, Arlene Baxter, Geraldine Tinsley, Elena Papratto, Richard Warner, Mercedes Lofaro and Barbara Whittle. Congratulations to all!

Band applications are now available for Southampton Youth Bureau’s 13th annual Battle of the Bands. Submission deadline is Friday, May 15. Applicants must be high school students residing in the Town of Southampton. Bands must consist of a minimum of three performing musicians. To download an application, visit southamptontownny.gov/youthbureau and click on SYB’s online calendar. For additional inquiries, call 702-2426.

Congratulations to one of my best friends’ daughter, Rebecca Gallo, who will marry her best friend and soulmate, Dale Hardman, Saturday, May 16. I can’t believe the little girl I first met when she was 2 is now getting married. I love you like you are my own and wish you and your husband nothing but the best. Laurie McKillop, you’ve raised a confident and smart young woman. Take a bow, you’ve done good.

The Riverhead Coalition for a Safe and Drug-Free Youth, in partnership with Riverhead Police Department, will sponsor a drive-through “unwanted/unused/expired” (non-liquid) medication dropoff event May 16 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at police headquarters on Howell Avenue. Spring clean your medicine cabinets while keeping our kids safe and our waterways clean.

Happy birthday to my niece Charlotte Zaleski on May 15 (Ta-Ta loves you); Blake Corwin, May 21, with much love sent from his wife, Jasmine, and his daughters, Lilah and Quinn; and Colleen Eastwood, May 24.

There will be an early deadline for the May 28 issue. If you have any news you’d like to share with the community, please contact me by the evening of May 21.

Thank you to those who emailed me this week. I truly appreciate it.

Contact Flanders columnist Tanya Doherty at 727-8687 or [email protected].