Community Columns

Flanders news: Friends of the Big Duck elections

I hope everyone had a wonderful, safe holiday season. Old Man Winter has found us and brought a lot of white stuff. Stay safe out there.

We have a lot of birthdays this month. Happy 1st birthday to Adalynn Gray Bishop on Jan. 12 from Mommy, Daddy, Móraí, Grandpa and the rest of her family and friends. I can’t believe she is already 1. Feels like just yesterday her grandmother was posting pictures of her newborn granddaughter. There will be a huge celebration with family and friends at the Birchwood on Jan. 14.

Happy birthday to Thomas Doherty, who will turn 24 on Jan. 18, from his mom and all his family and friends. Happy birthday to Maryanne Rausch on Jan. 18, Doris Schneider on Jan. 22, and Fran Cobb and Kenny Rausch, both on Jan. 23.

There is a man from our area who needs some help. Matt is now 31 and suffers from neurofibromatosis. His aunt Vicki Jenkins-Cooper has started a gofundme account at gofundme.com/matts-many-needs. Matt’s mother’s home in Flanders needs some modifications in order for him to come home from the hospital, starting with a ramp. You can read his story on his gofundme page. Help with building or painting would also be welcome. Sending prayers out to Matt and his family.

Riverside Rediscovered will host the Children’s Museum of the East End for another children’s art session Tuesday, Jan. 24. The class, for children ages 2-5, is free, but you need to call Siris or Angela at 631-591-3926 to sign up. My grandson went to the last class and loved it. Please spread the word! It is a great way to get to know our neighbors and for our children to make new friends.

Friends of the Big Duck held elections on Jan. 3. The officers are Fran Cobb, president; Neil Young, vice president; Laurie McKillop, treasurer; Doris Schneider, secretary; and Lisa Dabrowski, sergeant at arms. Congratulations, everyone! I can’t wait to see what you have planned for 2017.

The Flanders, Riverside and Northampton Community Association is urging residents to join the group, attend meetings, get involved and have a say in what goes on in our community. The membership fee is $20 for an individual or $30 for a family. Businesses can join for $75 and will be recognized at the bottom of all the FRNCA emails. FRNCA pays for the landscaping, irrigation and lighting at the intersection of Flanders Road and Route 105. I love seeing our beautiful signs, plants and holiday lights. If you enjoy them, too, join FRNCA so you can help keep our intersection looking beautiful. Information about the February meeting will be in my next column.

The FRNCA scholarship committee would like to thank everyone who participated in the third annual FRNCA 5K, which raised over $4,500. The committee awards scholarships to college-bound students from Flanders, Riverside and Northampton. I would like to say thank you to all of the people that worked so hard to put the event together. Great job, everyone!

Thank you to all who emailed me with information and events. Please keep it coming!

Stay safe and warm out there and please take a few minutes to check on your elderly or sick neighbors.

Kathy KruelContact Flanders, Riverside and Northampton columnist Kathy Kruel at 631-727-5530 or [email protected].