Tag: Flanders column

Howdy, y’all. How was your week? Mine was pretty good. The Super Bowl is over and NASCAR racing season starts soon. In my book that means spring is in the air! My friend and I were talking the other day about the really mild winter we’ve had so far. She’s thinking it’s going to be a really raw March. I’m going with a little bit of optimism and hoping Mother Nature will spare us this year. Let’s all cross our fingers.

Here’s some news from the Flanders, Riverside, Northampton Community Association. Their meeting on Monday, Feb. 13, will be held at the David Crohan Community Center at 7 p.m. Topics of discussion will include the revised plan for the River Catwalk Project and the latest info on the 72H Properties — affordable homes slated to be built in Flanders by the Southampton Town Housing Authority. FRNCA’s membership drive is also in full swing. Interested residents can log on to their website at southamptonwest.com or call Laura Smith at 631-766-8400 for an application.

Also being discussed is the $1,000 FRNCA Scholarship Award given to a graduating senior or college student who has distinguished themselves as a well-rounded individual and has received acceptance into an institution to continue their education. The scholarship application can be downloaded from FRNCA’s website or call Laura Smith at the number above. Applications, due by April 15, 2012, must be typed or written very clearly and mailed to FRNCA, P.O. Box 602, Flanders, NY 11901.

Belated happy birthday to my friend Tia Robinson, who celebrated Feb. 6, from your children, Krista and Christopher, and all your family and friends. I hope your day was extra special.

Happy birthday to former resident and good friend Krissy Foulkes, who will celebrate her 20th on Feb. 12. We hope you have a fantastic day. Happy 17th birthday to my son Michael, who celebrates Feb. 15, from me, Dad, Thomas and Kaitlyn. I hope you have a terrific day. Wow, 17 already! Where did the time go?

That’s all for this week, friends and neighbors. I’m a little slow with the news. Don’t forget to call or email me with any news you’d like to share with the community. That’s what this column is for.

Have a wonderful and hopefully warm weekend and please drive safely. Talking or texting while driving is dangerous to yourself and everyone else on the road. Be a courteous and responsible driver and put the phone away while you’re driving.

Thanks for reading and I hope to hear from you soon.

Hello, friends and neighbors. By now I’m sure most of you heard about that terrible accident on Route 24 and Longneck Boulevard last Friday night. I hope all involved weren’t hurt too badly. I can’t speak for everyone but I bet most of us have the same feelings about Flanders Road. It’s a nightmare! Maybe we should all write our congressman and demand that the state take some course of action before things get worse.

I’d like to take a moment to thank Flanders Fire Department and the Flanders-Northampton Volunteer Ambulance for their prompt response to the accident and all that they do. Not long after the volunteers were finished with that scene, the department was called out again, this time to stand by at Southampton Fire Department because Southampton was assisting Water Mill Fire Department in a major house fire. Again, thank you for all you do.

The next meeting of the Friends of the Big Duck will be held on Tuesday, Feb. 7, at 7 p.m. at the David W. Crohan Community Center. They are holding their elections at this time and all positions are open. Please make every effort to attend so that you may vote.

Flanders Little League will hold their next registration Wednesday, Feb. 8, at 7 p.m., at the David W. Crohan Community Center. Volunteers are needed to coach or just help out. Contact Wayne Ford at 745-9060 or email him at [email protected] for any questions you may have regarding sign-ups.

Registration is still open for the Town of Southampton Youth Bureau’s 10th annual Basketball Tournament on Friday, March 2. Games will start at 7:30 p.m. and conclude at 10:30 p.m. Registration starts at 6 p.m. and ends at 7 p.m. sharp. This event is open to girls and boys in grades 6-12. Preregistration by Friday, Feb. 24, is $15 per team, or $30 per team at the door. Proof of age — such as school ID, report card or class schedule — is required. Fee includes admission, prizes and refreshments. Transportation is available for $2 round trip. For more information regarding this and other upcoming events call the Youth Bureau at 702-2425 or visit southamptontownny.gov/youthbureau.

That’s all for this week. I hope everyone has a wonderful weekend. Take care, slow down and put those cellphones down. Call or email with any news you’d like to share.

Welcome to ‘real’ winter. How did you like the snow? I didn’t like it at all. I guess my only option is to move south, but I can’t because I like it here too much. I really do love Long Island. My family is here and I can’t leave them just because I get a little shivery in the winters, which seem to get longer every year. On the plus side, only 55 more days until spring. Whoo-hoo!

Don’t forget to sign up your little sluggers at the next Flanders Little League registration on Feb. 8 at 7 p.m. at the David Crohan Community Center. Volunteers are also needed to coach or just help out. Call Wayne Ford at 745-9060 or email him at [email protected] for more info.

Flanders Fire Department and the Flanders, Riverside and Northampton Community Association blood drive committee, along with Legislator Fred Thiele’s office, would like to acknowledge everyone involved in making their recent blood drive more successful than the last: Neil Young, who once again donated his voice and time for the public service announcement that aired on WLNG 92.1 FM; Meetinghouse Deli in Aquebogue for supplying the hero; and fire department members Joey C., JJ, Nicole, Dos and Scott, who donated their time. Thank you. But the biggest thank-you goes out to all the donors who gave both their time and blood to help save lives.

This next bit of info comes a bit early but your teenage children might want to start practicing. The Town of Southampton Youth Bureau is sponsoring its 10th annual basketball tournament Friday, March 2. Registration begins at 6 p.m. and ends 7 sharp. Games will run from 7:30 to 10:30 p.m. This event is open to girls and boys in grades 6-12. Preregistration is $15 per team by Friday, Feb. 24; $30 per team at the door. Proof of age (school ID, report card or class schedule) is required. Fee includes admission, prizes and refreshments. Transportation is available for $2 round trip. For more information call 702-2425 or visit southamptontownny.gov/youthbureau.

Happy birthday to my brother Mike Zaleski, who celebrates Jan. 26, from all of us here, your wife, Kim, your son, Ryan, and all your family an friends. I hope you have a great day.

Well, that’s all for this week. I hope everyone enjoys their weekend and that there’ll be no more snow in the forecast, just sunny days and warm temperatures. That’s all I need. Wait, I also need to hear from those in our community who have any news they would like to share. So, if you’re celebrating a birthday, anniversary or just something good that happened in your life, give me a call or send me an email. I’d love to hear from you. Thanks everyone for reading.

Take care and please drive safe. Remember, no talking or texting while driving. Let’s go, Giants!

Welcome to halfway through January, friends and neighbors. I know I shouldn’t complain because it hasn’t been that cold but I’m tired of being as cold as I am. Here’s a warm thought to carry you through the rest of January and February: Only 64 more days until spring! I can’t wait for the warmer weather to arrive. I’ll be the first one out dancing in the streets when I wake up and hear that it’s going to be over 65 degrees.

Speaking of dancing, I guess I should start doing more of that in my living room or start walking since I already blew my first New Year’s “Rules to Live By.” Yes, I’ll admit it, I had chocolate for dinner last Saturday night and for breakfast Sunday morning. Rest assured, I do not let my kids eat like that. I cook very healthy dinners and always have fresh fruit, yogurts, whole grain breads, fresh eggs, etc., in the house but if I have some chocolate hidden I’m eating that. A local store had Cadbury bars on sale and I just couldn’t resist. I’m not giving up though. I’ll just finish this last one I’m having for breakfast (Monday) then I’m done. Keep your fingers crossed.

Congratulations to Sally Oliver and Darryl Atkinson, who were engaged on Christmas. Sally’s mom, Barbara Oliver, her Aunt Vicki and all the family are very happy and excited for them. Best wishes to you both.

Debbie and Jim Peterson are proud parents of their boys, and for good reason. Jason attained the rank of Eagle Scout in November. For his project he built six benches and placed them along a walking trail at the Brookhaven Firefighters Museum in Ridge. Justin earned the rank of Eagle Scout in January. For his project he beautified the maintenance entrance at Calverton National Cemetery by adding plantings and a fence. And James Peterson has been named to the dean’s list at Stony Brook University. Congratulations! Kudos to Mom and Dad for raising such wonderful young men.

Happy birthday to Fran Cobb on Jan. 23 from your family and all the crew — me, Laurie, Karen and Renee. We hope you have a great day and we hope you enjoy your birthday weekend. Get ready, girlfriend, we are going out!

Registration for Flanders Little League will be held Wednesday, Feb. 8, at 7 p.m. at the David Crohan Community Center. Volunteers are also needed to coach or just help out. Please call Wayne Ford at 745-9060 or email him at [email protected] for any questions you may have.

Thanks, everyone, for all the information this week. I look forward to hearing from more of you soon. Take care, drive safe and slow down! You’ll get to where you’re going … and in one piece. No talking or texting while driving either. Have a great weekend.

Happy Thursday, friends and neighbors. Welcome to 2012 and welcome back to the Flanders column. I had a nice little break but now it’s back to the reporting grind. I hope everyone enjoyed their holiday and any time off they may have had. If you went somewhere, I hope it was someplace warm and sunny. We’ve had some pretty nice days here lately. I can’t complain much about the weather, mainly because last Saturday was 60 degrees. It’s those 20-degree nights and 40-degree days that really get to me.

Congratulations to the following Flanders Northampton Volunteer Ambulance outgoing officers for their dedicated service to FNVA and the community: Bridget Hintze, president; Alfred Lopez. board member; and Andy Kraskewicz, chief.

Riverhead High School’s Art Club/Ceramics Class is trying to raise funds for a Raku Firing Workshop to be held in the spring. In the past few months they’ve had bulb sales and started a letter-writing campaign but are still quite a bit away from their goal. I know it’s tough this time of year, but if you can help in any way, the students would truly appreciate it. The workshop, which is very educational, is not covered in the school budget and is something the students who are studying ceramics should see firsthand. If you’d like to help, monetary donations in any amount can be sent to the RHS Art Club, 700 Harrison Ave., Riverhead, NY 11901. In the comments column please write “Raku Firing Workshop.” For more information about the Raku firing process, visit lynndeestudios.com/rakuart.htm. Check it out, it’s very interesting. I sometimes wish I was in school again so that I could participate in the classes and workshops that are now offered.

Happy 19th birthday to my firstborn, Thomas, who celebrates on Jan. 18, from me, Dad, Michael, Kaitlyn and all your family and friends. We love you and hope you have a great day. I can’t believe 19 years have passed since the moment I first laid eyes on you at 6:04 a.m. Monday, Jan. 18, 1993. You’re a great son and I’m very blessed to have you.

Well, that is all for this week. I know we are all still a bit shell-shocked from the holidays. With the small break in the column I’m guessing most of you forgot I’d be back this week. If you have any news you’d like to share, give me a shout or send me an email.

Please remember to drive safely and slowly. If you must pick up that cellphone call or text, please pull over first. Talking or texting on a cellphone while driving is a big no-no. You may think you can handle it but this kind of multitasking has disastrous results.

Oh, and don’t forget, only 70 more days until spring!