Community Columns

Riverhead News: Winners announced during Flag Day ceremony

Riverhead Fire Department’s Ladies Auxiliary held its June meeting on the 10th at Meeting House Creek Inn, with president Connie Kenter presiding. At the meeting, three women were honored for their membership/service: Billee Friszolowski, 68-year member, serving since 1990 as Sgt. at Arms; Louise Leja, 60-year member; and Patricia Gadzinski, 26-year member. Each was given a beautiful hanging flower basket and presented with a proclamation from Town Supervisor Sean Walter, Sen. Ken LaValle, County Legislator Al Krupski and Assemblyman Anthony Palumbo. Billee also received a certificate recognizing her 25 years serving as Sgt. at Arms. A single red rose was also given to the ladies as a memento. Everyone enjoyed the evening. 

The Riverhead Elks Lodge held its annual Flag Day ceremony and Essay Contest June 13. The history of the seven flags of the United States of America was given by Grand Exalted Ruler Theresa Hubbard and the flags were displayed by the American Legion. Students in grades 1 through 5 had written essays on “What the American Flag Means to Me.” The winners in grades 1-3 are: first place, Noah Rios, third grade, Riley Avenue Elementary; second place, Brian Biedrzyski, second grade, Roanoke Avenue Elementary; third place, Mikayla Nirrengarten, third grade, Riley; fourth place, Amiyah Currey, first grade, Aquebogue Elementary. The winners in grades 4 and 5 are: first place, Logan Swenk, fifth grade, Pulaski Street Elementary; second place, Christopher Betanzo, fourth grade, Riley; third place, Raul Roman, fourth grade, Aquebogue; and fourth place, Brian Wilson, fourth grade, Riley. The guest speaker was retired Staff Sgt. Sam Cila, who served in Iraq and lost his left hand due to injuries from a roadside bomb. Mr. Cila said he was impressed by the essays and was proud of the students and their parents for teaching them the value of the American flag. All the students received a prize, a flag and a certificate from the office of Supervisor Sean Walter. Congratulations to all the essay winners and thanks to the Riverhead Elks Lodge for sponsoring the contest.

The Friends of Riverhead Free Library held a special event June 13 at which world-renowned author Nelson DeMille shared his passion for books and spoke of his newest book, “Radiant Angel,” which is on The New York Times Best Sellers list. He also spoke of his love of libraries. All proceeds from sales of his book that night went to RFL.

The Knights of Columbus will host a food drive Saturday, June 27, at Waldbaum’s from 8 a.m. to noon to help stock the food pantries in Riverhead. Be sure to stop by with some canned goods and say hello. Neighbors helping neighbors is what Riverhead is all about.

Frank and Caroline Stepnoski celebrated their 45th wedding anniversary with a Mass at St. Isidore R.C. Church and a blessing from Pastor Father Robert Kuzink prior to traveling to Austin, Texas, to attend their granddaughter Amelia’s high school graduation. Amelia graduated in the top 10 percent (out of 432 students) and received many awards. She will be attending the University of Texas at Austin in the fall and will study civil engineering. Her dad, Robert Stepnoski, is a senior administrator in the architectural department at the university. Caroline and Frank enjoyed their trip!

Happy birthday to Lenny VanVliet on June 25; Bob Inzalaco, Jan Niewadomski, Skip Zagorski and Chris Fischer, June 27; Frank Darrow, Joanne Krajewski, Franny Davis and Karlene Densieski, June 28; Kevin Kulhan and Connie LaGue, June 29; Tom Galka, Nacara Turpin and Vinnie Golembeski, June 30; Thomas Doremus, July 1; Robert Bugdin Jr., July 2; Peter Krajewski and David Sparrow, July 3; Ron Rowe, Matthew “Firecracker” Naugles, Alex Raynor and Eddie Raffel, July 4; Robert Bugdin Sr., July 5; Bob Taylor and Sandra Hynds, July 6; and Nancy Gassert, Sue Cheshire and Bunny Swiatocha, July 8.

Happy 5th wedding anniversary to Mary and Andy Mitchell on July 4; and Gen and Bernie Hettrick and John and June Behr on July 7.

Congratulations to the Class of 2015! May all your dreams come true.

Happy Fourth of July, everyone! Remember to fly your flag and celebrate our great nation.

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