Community Columns

Aquebogue-Jamesport News: Celebrating our graduates

Old Steeple Community Church members honored Robby Jackson and Jesse “J.R.” Goodale, who graduated Saturday from Riverhead High School. Members also celebrated scholarship recipient Frank Yorrie, who graduated from BOCES. Congratulations to all the graduates!

Locals and tourists can’t forget Old Steeple Church’s annual chicken barbecue, to be held Saturday, July 9, from 5 to 7 p.m. Tickets are $16 before July 2 and $18 between July 3 and 9. For tickets, call Jean at 631-722-4171 or email [email protected]. The menu includes chicken, potato, corn on the cob, cole slaw, roll, and watermelon. Don’t miss this North Fork summer tradition!

Jamesport Fire Department’s 61st annual bazaar and fundraiser will be held Wednesday to Saturday, July 13-16. It will feature a parade on the 13th at 7 p.m. and fireworks on the 16th. You know summer is officially here when you can enjoy the local festivities with friends and neighbors.

Save the date! As many of you know, Canine Companions for Independence (cci.org) has quite a presence on the North Fork. This wonderful organization pairs highly trained assistance dogs with people with disabilities. CCI will be hosting its second annual “Wine and Noses” event at Castello di Borghese Vineyard Saturday, Aug. 6. Stay tuned for more details and ticket information. If you would like to donate a basket or help publicize the event, please email me.

I know summer has just begun and no one wants to think of it coming to an end. But when the end of summer is nearing and Jamesport Fire Department’s 18th annual Sound to Bay 10K/5K Run is upon us, you might wish you had used some of the summer training for this event, which will be in Jamesport on Sunday, Aug. 28. For more information or to sign up, visit their newly updated website: https://jfd10krun.com.

I hope you enjoy very safe and happy Fourth of July celebrations this weekend.

My daughter Johanna, her CCI service dog, Rae, and I are continuing our cross-country drive. You can follow us on Facebook at facebook.com/BreathingUnderwaterCaregiversJourneyofHope. As I write this, we are leaving Southern California and heading into the desert to visit the Chapel of the Holy Cross in Sedona, Ariz. From there, we will continue to New Mexico, Texas, Louisiana and then Florida to spend the July 4th weekend with family in Orlando. It will be a bittersweet time with family as we remember my sister, who died a year ago, and all those who lost their lives in the Orlando terror attack.

God bless America.

R031209_Benthal_R.jpgContact Aquebogue columnist Eileen Benthal at [email protected] or 631-833-1897.