Community Columns

Shoreham-Wading River news: Children’s fund to sell crafts

Hope Children’s Fund, supported by former Shoreham-Wading River High School Global Awareness teacher and ongoing HCF advocate Kevin Mann, will have a booth at the Rocky Point Farmers Market Melon Festival. The event will be held Sunday, Aug. 21, from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Old Depot Park, on the corner of Broadway and Prince Road. Available for purchase will be Kenyan crafts (carvings, jewelry, metal work) from the Meru Women’s Cooperative and Johnstone Kirimi, along with a piece called “Noah’s Ark,” which Kevin says “is truly a work of art.” For more information, call 631-470-6351.

I recently spoke with Shoreham resident and North Country Road Warriors member Sheila Isaacs. She was standing outside of Bagels and Sassy Salads after a bicycle workout wearing her National Champion triathlon shirt. Sheila, 76, has competed in every state in the U.S. and is now looking forward to competing in all 10 provinces of Canada. She began training for triathlons when she turned 50 and is a true inspiration. Sheila has many first-place medals and has placed in her category consistently. Good luck to you, Sheila, and keep us posted on your upcoming endeavors. If you’re inspired by Sheila and want to drop her a line, email her at [email protected].

Belated happy birthday to the following: Peggy Giuffre and my uncle Elbert, who both celebrated Aug. 1; my First Student colleague, Ariana Prifte, Aug. 2; Michael Deyak, Aug. 3; Katherine Barreiro, Aug. 4. She celebrates with “pizza, lemonade and cake” all month long; and my Grandma Madeline, Aug. 9. And happy birthday to Jacob O’Daniels, who celebrates Aug. 11. I hope all of you had/has a great day!

How sad it was to hear that First Student bus driver and Wading River resident Mary Mason Hoerner passed away Aug. 5. Mary was an intelligent, sweet and humorous lady who was raising her two children alone since the passing of her husband two years ago. Our hearts go out to Nick, 18, and Beth, 16. We are sorry for your loss and know that it will be lonely without Mom. We wish God’s blessings upon your family and for those neighbors who will try to lend support and strength during this difficult time. For donations, visit gofundme.com and input Mary Mason Hoerner.

Summer work at First Student is ending, so I bid the 100-plus summer drivers and driving assistants adieu and ask that you enjoy the next three weeks off. Sleep in, stay up late, clean your closets, go on vacation. The 2016-17 school year will come faster than you know.

Have a wonderful two weeks. Enjoy the beach weather for which August is famous; summer’s last hurrah before Labor Day. Be well, be grateful and we’ll meet back here next time.

Liz Taggart_BwContact Elizabeth Taggart at [email protected] or 631-929-5933.