Huntington Local

News from the Huntington School District Web site

I’ve always believed in supporting the local merchants in Huntington. However, we have in Huntington “The Community Thrift Shop” which supports many of our local non-profit Agencies.

Now at its new location at 274 New York Avenue, Huntington, 1 ½ blocks north of Main Street, The Community Thrift Shop is operated by volunteers selling donated items to help our community. All donated items are tax deductible.

Initially established in 1964, the Thrift Shop has returned almost four million dollars to the community. In 2004 a Proclamation from the Town of Huntington was awarded for over forty years of excellence and service to the Huntington community.

Its participation within the community includes:

Providing emergency clothing and goods to the Veterans’ Hospital,
homeless shelters, Huntington Hospital and families in need.
Provides Family Service League nursery schools with toys, clothing and books.
Provides eyeglasses to Eyes for the Needy.
Participation in the Family Service League Voucher Program.
Participation in Community Service Program sponsored by American Red Cross.

Donations of collectibles, antiques, household items and clothing are accepted daily.
Store Hours: Monday – Saturday 10am – 4pm
Donations from 10am – 3pm

Contact: The Community Thrift Shop, 631-271-4883

Members of a Brooklyn firehouse are running a blood drive and bone marrow testing at the Greenlawn Volunteer Fire Department in two weeks for a colleague who was recently diagnosed with leukemia.

The FDNY firefighter is Kevin Lennon, who lives in Greenlawn.

In October, Lennon and other members of Brooklyn’s Ladder Company 175/Engine Company 332 responded to a serious car accident at the corner of Pennsylvania and Pitkin Avenues the East New York section of Brooklyn,. He and another New York City firefighter were exposed to the blood of one of the victims, and so had to be tested for possible blood-borne diseases. Lennon’s test showed he had leukemia.

To help create a support network for Lennon and his family, the firefighters decided to ask the community to give blood and register as bone marrow donors so others with this disease can be helped.

Working with the Long Island Blood Center, members of Lennon’s firehouse have scheduled the blood drive and bone marrow testing for April 12 at the Greenlawn Volunteer Fire Department at 23 Boulevard Avenue in Greenlawn from 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

In a statement issued by he firefighters’ union, delegate Dean Psathas said, “The members of our company decided that we must be there for Kevin as he battles this disease, but equally there are thousands of other leukemia sufferers who can benefit from greater awareness of just how simple it is to be a bone marrow registrant and to give.”

“While none of the blood raised from this drive will be for transfusions for Kevin, our true goal is to raise awareness for the disease and its cure, as well as registering more bone marrow donors.”

The Coast Guard Auxiliary Division 22 at Eatons Neck has received a boating safety grant from the BoatU.S. Foundation for Boating Safety & Clean Water.

The auxiliary division will use the funds to place “Wear It!” signs, ast left, at boat launch facilities along the North Shore from Oyster Bay to Mount Sinai to promote the wearing of life jackets.

This highly competitive annual grant program is designed to help nonprofit groups, associations, organizations, and other waterway users to spread the message about safe boating practices at the grass roots level. This year the safety grant program attracted 149 applications from around the country and the Coast Guard Auxiliary was one of only 23 to receive funding.

Since 1988, the foundation has awarded nearly $750,000 in boating safety grants to fund projects that promote responsible boating.

The Coast Guard Auxiliary is a volunteer organization promoting boating safety among the recreational boating public. Information about boating safety classes, free vessel safety checks and joining the Coast Guard Auxiliary can be found at their Web site at www.cgali.org.

By Michael R. Ebert
michael.ebert@newsday.com

Students at Chestnut Hill Elementary School in the Half Hollow Hills district went head-to-head with parents last month during a re-creation of the TV quiz show “Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader?” The event attracted 250 people and raised more than $1,500 for the school’s year-end activities.

“Right now, the show is so popular that we wanted to bring the fun to Chestnut,” assistant principal Deborah Forsyth said.

The competition featured 26 students — who made up the fifth-grade team and a panel of questioners — along with an opposing team of 10 parents.

One highlight was when students acted out mock commercials during the show’s downtime, said Ida Schwarz, a PTA member and co-chairperson of the school’s fifth-grade committee.

“They advertised ‘smencils,’ which are smelly pencils,” Schwarz said.

Chestnut Hill’s parents answered the show’s title question with a “no” — the students won.

Incidentally, the TV show’s producer, Barry Poznick, is a Chestnut Hill alum.

March is National Nutrition Month, and the South Huntington Wellness Committee and the PTA Council Health and Welfare Committee have joined forces to present a comprehensive evening of the very latest on healthy eating. From snacks to main courses, there is something for everyone.

The event is set for 6:30 to 9 p.m. Wednesday in the south cafeteria at Walt Whitman High School.

Snack filled, reusable snack bags are free for the first 200 students in attendance.
On the agenda: speakers, healthy alternative-food booths and demonstrations, nutritional trivia games for kids with prizes, poster contest judging, and awards.

So, as the kids are on break, here are some things that happened before they left.

The not-for-profit SeniorNet organization will celebrate the grand re-opening of their Computer Lab on Friday, April 4 at the Don Weidman Computer Learning Center.

The mission of the organization, at the Family Services Center at 790 Park Avenue in Huntington. is to provide older adults with education for and access to computer technologies to enhance their lives and enable them to share their knowledge and wisdom.

With a $10,000 Grant from the Huntington Town Board, secured by Councilwoman Susan Berland, the lab equipment has been replaced with 13 new desktop computers running the Vista operating system with flat panel displays.

County Legis. Jon Cooper provided funding for a state of the art VGA projector and software licenses for the 13 desktops. A new laptop for use by instructors was obtained with the help of a grant from Assemb. Andrew P. Raia.

The celebration is scheduled for 9:30 a.m. to 11:45 a.m. Light refreshments will be served.
For further details call the SeniorNet office at (631) 427-3700 Ext. 268/235.

In 2007 the Don Weidman Center was recognized by SeniorNet Headquarters as the No. 1 Learning Center in the world and was the recipient of its inaugural Chairman’s Award for Excellence.

Third-graders from South Huntington’s Maplewood Intermediate school proudly hold up a check to be sent to St. Jude’s Children's Hospital. Teacher Diane Cristine, left, Principal Vito D’Elia and teacher Christopher Cardella, on right, with their students.

Diane Cristine's third-grade class at Maplewood Intermediate school in South Huntington recently worked for more than a month on a project called a "Math-a-Thon."

The goal of the project was to raise funds for St. Jude Children's Research Hospital in Memphis, Tennessee, a specialty hospital for children who are fighting childhood cancers and other life-threatening diseases.

To begin the project, the students viewed a video in which some children at St. Jude’s talked about their experiences and about how the hospital was helping them to get better. After the video presentation, the students talked about what it must be like to be a patient at St. Jude’s, and they all pledged to help the children by participating in the “Math-a-Thon” program. They agreed to complete over 30 pages of extra math problems on their own time and raise money by getting their parents, relatives, and other people to sponsor them.

Along with Miss Cristine, another Maplewood teacher, Christopher Cardella, got three of his students involved, and they participated along with Miss Cristine's class. In total, the children raised $3,050 for the children at St. Jude.

At the end of the program, the students wrote letters of encouragement to the children at the hospital. Miss Cristine also created a big pretend "check," which the children held up in a photo that will be sent to St. Jude along with the children's letters and donations.

“The most amazing part of this program was watching my students get so involved in making a difference in these children's lives,” said Miss Cristine. “One of my students, Grace, actually donated her own $40--all the money she had in her piggy bank--along with the rest of the donations that she raised. It was very touching when her mother proudly told me that it was all the money that Grace had in the world and she insisted on giving it all to St. Jude. Grace said she felt that is was very important for her to be sure that she helped the kids at St. Jude to get better.”

Sophomores Kirsten Freiman, Rebecca Silverman, teacher Camille Tedeschi, Caitlin Etri, and Colleen Teubner with their medals from the LI regional history finals at Hofstra.

News from the Huntington school district:

A $69.9-million budget has been proposed in the Harborfields school district. It raises spending 6.97 percent and taxes by 4.97 percent. For more information, click here to see the story by Arlene Gross in the Times of Huntington.

The fourth annual Rockfest is scheduled for Saturday at 7 p.m. at the South Huntington Public Library.

Teen musicians from the area will perform at the festival, which is sponsored by the library's teen advisory board. Tickets are available to South Huntington Public Library cardholders; others will be admitted as space permits.

By Michael R. Ebert
michael.ebert@newsday.com

A total of 115 students – including 90 from Northport High School and 25 from Central Islip participated in mock trials earlier this month at the Alfonse M. D’Amato U.S. Courthouse in Central Islip. As part of the project, the juniors and seniors debated First Amendment issues in front of two federal judges.

“Meaningful civic education is dependent upon the ability of schools to connect with the community,” said David Scott, project PATCH coordinator for Northport High School, which is part of the First Amendment Schools Network. “Suddenly, the federal courthouse doesn’t seem like a place that’s unattainable to these kids.”

During the simulation, students divided into lawyers and jurors for four cases including Hazelwood School District v. Kuhlmeier, a 1988 free-speech case in which school officials attempted to impose limits on what appeared in a student newspaper.

In addition, students were videotaped by the Annenberg Institute for Civic Education in Pennsylvania, which plans to use the footage to promote legal-education programs.

By Michael R. Ebert
michael.ebert@newsday.com

Meredith Burcyk, a senior at Northport High School, recently received the first Youth in Philanthropy Award from Huntington's Junior Welfare League.

In addition, she was named one of eight New York State distinguished finalists for the 2008 Prudential Spirit of Community Award from Prudential Financial for helping to raise more than $100,000 for disadvantaged people in Nicaragua.

"I used to be really into sports, but now it's community service,” said Burcyk, 17. "I think my first visit to Nicaragua really changed me.”

Since 2006, Burcyk has made three trips to Nicaragua with Students for 60,000, a high school club that provides aid to the needy. Last month, she and 47 other Northport students spent nine days building two houses in the town of Chacraseca and dug trenches for a pipeline in Nuevo Amanecer, a community of 350 inhabitants.

Locally, Burcyk teaches English to Spanish-speaking immigrants at La Casa Communal community center in Farmingdale and does recreational activities with the homeless through the Huntington Interfaith Homeless Initiative. "We play cards and keep them entertained,” she said.

Burcyk is president of her school's Future Educators Association, vice president of the Technology Honor Society, and a member of the National and Foreign Language honor societies.

Walt Whitman High School maintained its reputation as a high-ranking schoolat the 48th annual New York DECA State Career Conference in Rochester last week, leading Suffolk County with 15 students advancing to the International level of competition.

These students will represent South Huntington and Suffolk County at the DECA International Career Conference to be held in Atlanta, Ga., from April 25 – April 30.

Students advancing to the International level:
Jenn LaCara and Sam De Witt – Entrepreneurship Written (1st Place)
Caitlin Meuser and Kate Simone – Entrepreneurship Promotion Project (1st Place)
Kevin Klima – Automotive Services (2nd Place)
Carly Bencivenga and Linsey Mc Donald – Internet Marketing Management (3rd Place)
Courtney Bryggman – Fashion Merchandising Promotion Plan (3rd Place)
Michael Giambrone and Corey Wasserman – Hospitality Services (3rd Place)
Edmund Gezelter – Marketing Management (3rd Place)
Jordan Stone – Entrepreneurship Participating (3rd Place)
Jonathan Balsano – Accounting Applications (4th Place)
Matt Garton – Business Services Marketing (4th Place)
Amanda Horn – Quick Serve Restaurant Management (4th Place)

New York State Top-Ten Finalists:
Evan Brieff – Broadcast Advertising
Matt Carter – Hotel & Lodging
Nikki Fabrizio – Food Marketing
Katherine Jaquith – Career Prospectus
Marlena Luhr – Fashion Merchandising Promotion Plan
John Probert – Quick Serve Restaurant Management
Emily Brenseke and Christi Meuser – Advertising Campaign Event
Matt Collins and Sabino Curcio – Creative Marketing Project
Zach Rotter and Corey Bloom – Hospitality Services
Emily Schmitz and Katie Kliphuis – Buying and Merchandising Management

The South Huntington Public Library has scheduled the following events for Saturday:

Little Fingers Sign Language, for children 9 to 18 months old. Teresa Nolan will teach beginning sign language to foster early communication between parents and babies. The program is scheduled to run from 11:15 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. Saturday.

Also Saturday, at 7 p.m., Vocalist Lisa Berman is celebrating Ethel Merman with stories and music. The program also features narrator Ruthe McKeown and pianist Stephen Goldstein.

Members of the library's teen advisory board will pick a winning recipe for cookies made by kids in a cookie bakeoff and swap, from 2:30 to 3:15 p.m. Saturday. Kids age 3 to 6 are invited to bring a batch of homemade cookies and stay to hear stories, make a craft and swap cookies. Participants should bring at least two dozen homemade cookies.

Twenty-six students from Northport High School who became active in fighting Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) received proclamations from Legis. Jon Cooper (D-Huntington) on Tuesday, March 4, at a ceremony held at the County Legislature.

They were all members of the National Honor Society who got involved after two teachers in their school district, David Deutsch and Christopher Pendergast, were diagnosed with the fatal neurological disease.

The students were part of the team that organized the 2008 “A Midwinter Night's Dream” gala, which raised more than $250,000 to support ALS education and research.

In the past four years, Northport High School students helped raise $722,000 to benefit this cause. Pictured above with Cooper (in the suit) are several of the students who were honored, along with their teacher, Don Strasser, who serves as their National Honor Society advisor.

The Long Island Chapter of The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society Team In Training will be launching their first annual fundraising event at Finley’s of Green Street restaurant, Huntington Village, on March 13th.

The event will begin at 8pm through 11pm. Finley’s and Sam Adams are donating all the dollars from every Sam Adams beer purchased, with 75% of the funds remaining in Long Island.

This event is being hosted by Team Members Janette Newell, Katie Herman and
Melissa D’Angelo. Their goal is to raise $15,000!

All the funds raised support the Society’s programs of blood research, patient aid, community service and education. Leukemia is the #1 disease killer of children and the leading fatal malignant disease of men and women under the age of 35.

Bring your friends and family to support the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society…a
50/50 Cash Raffle will be held.

Unable to attend, but wish to make a contribution, contact:
The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, Long Island Chapter,
555 Broad Hollow Road, Suite 403, Melville, New York 11747
Telephone: 631-752-8500
www.teamintraining.org/li

100% of your donation is tax deductible.

By Michael R. Ebert
michael.ebert@newsday.com

Eight teachers from Commack High School put on their dancing shoes last month during a “Dancing With the Teachers” fundraiser that attracted more than 600 people. The event raised approximately $6,000 for “Dollars For Scholars,” a national scholarship program coordinated by Scholarship America that benfefits hometown students.

“We didn’t have winners; it was more of an exhibition,” said foreign language teacher Tracey DeMartis, the event’s coordinator. “It’s all constructive criticism, nothing negative, because everyone is totally out of their element.”

To prepare, the teachers practiced up to three times a week over a three-month span with instructors from Arthur Murray Dance Studios in Commack and Merrick. Dance styles included the rumba, foxtrot and swing, among others.

“Students see teachers as role models, so for us to let loose is an exciting thing,” said DeMartis. “Everyone was talking about it for days.”

Participants included physical education teacher Melissa Read, special education teacher Maureen Murphy, music teacher Karen Dow, physical education department head Mark Dantuono, science teacher Ryan McGrath and English teachers Dave Moran, Christina Semtle and William Patterson.

Construction site across from the Big H on New York Avenue

American runs on Dunkin? Not in Huntington! It’s been almost a year since the initial Dunkin’Donuts sign appeared across from the Big H Shopping Centre on New York Avenue.

Is the Town of Huntington doing all possible to facilitate new businesses? This particular area between Broadway and Semon Street, on New York Avenue, seems to have been put on the back burner by local officials.

For several years there have been numerous accounts of pending improvements, however, little if anything has happened. Travelers entering The Village of Huntington, heading north on New York Avenue, should be greeted by a Gateway Corridor that is attractive and welcoming. Assistance in the progress of this area’s development is crucial in order to return Huntington to its former glory. Sidewalks and street lights look nice….but what’s needed are merchants.

Let’s see how much longer it will take before Dunkin will be up and “Running”!

Facts about teen drinking, home parties and parental liability will be discussed at workshop Tuesday night at Walt Whitman High School.
Leading the discussion will be legislator Steve Stern, talking about Suffolk County's social host law, and Christopher A. Williams, Daytop Village.
The workshop is scheduled for 7 p.m. in Whitman's south cafeteria.
There will be a free raffle ticket for each parent/guardian in attendance. Parent/guardian must be present with ID to win.
The workshop was set up with the help of the South Huntington Schools PTA Council,
Walt Whitman High School Students Against Destructive Decisions, Stimson Middle School S.A.D.D., Walt Whitman High School Natural Helpers and Stimson Middle School Project Excel.

Jodi Picoult, right, visited Huntington Friday night to sign copies of her latest novel. Photo by Robert Mecea

By Carolyn Fante

On Friday March 7th, despite the pouring rain, well over 200 people crowded into Huntington’s Book Revue to see best-selling author Jodi Picoult read from and sign her newest book, “Change of Heart.”

Even half an hour before the start of the reading, crowds packed in so tightly that it was nearly impossible to find a spot to see standing, and all the seats were long gone. Picoult began by reading a section very early on in the book, told by a prisoner named Lucius. The section introduced the character at the center of the story, Shay Bourne, and began to describe Shay and the mysterious things that begin to happen in the jail, successfully leaving all the people in attendance curious about what was going on.

After she finished the reading, Picoult took questions. She explained that her inspiration for the novel came from her views on religion, and how she believed that something that was supposed to unite people has ended up dividing them. Picoult also said that it is no mistake that “Change of Heart” is coming out in an election year. And she shared that she had based the four narrators (Michael, Maggie, Lucius, and June) who are telling the story of a man who begins performing miracles, on Mathew, Mark. Luke, and John.

One of Picoult’s most touching answers was when she described the research she did for “Change of Heart.” Picoult visited Arizona’s working death row. She read the rules they have for every part of the execution, and learned how the three executioners never know which of them ended the prisoner’s life. She said the Supreme Court is now considering whether the lethal injection used to execute is humane. Then she concluded by saying of all the people she met working on that death row, not one of them still believes in the death penalty.

Picoult also addressed Westhampton school district removing her book “The Tenth Circle” from an optional reading list. She said she felt that her books were good for parents and kids to read together in order to discuss the issues brought up in them. She said that unfortunately this was not the first time something like this had happened, but in every other school district the ban has been removed, and she hoped that eventually “The Tenth Circle” would return to the school’s list.

Finally, Picoult ended the discussion with the announcement that the studio making her best-selling book, “My Sister’s Keeper,” into a movie, has changed the ending. They believe readers won’t care. She held up a sign with e-mail addresses of the producerand the head of the studio (mark@granviaprad.com and toby.emmerich@newline.com) and asked all the fans of “My Sister’s Keeper” to write and explain why no other ending could be used for the movie, why it would change the whole story, and why if they made the change it would not be okay with the readers. Then, to end the evening, Jodi Picoult signed all the books, something that some people waited in line two hours for.

Maplewood Intermediate School in South Huntington will host a knit-in on Saturday, March 15 from 10 a.m. until 1:30 p.m., to raise money for children with leukemia at Schneider's Children's Hospital.

All are invited to join in at Maplewood Intermediate School, 19 School Lane, Huntington Station for this and help support students in their efforts to help other children.

Suffolk County police issued this statement Friday afternoon:

The annual Huntington St. Patrick’s Day Parade will be held Sunday, March 9 and officers from the Suffolk County Police Department’s Second Precinct will be assigned to ensure participants and parade-goers have an enjoyable day free of disturbances.

The parade will begin at 2 p.m. at the intersection of New York Avenue (Route 110) and Railroad Avenue. The parade will continue north to Main Street (Route 25A) and will then turn west to Woodbury Road. Many roads in the immediate vicinity will be closed to traffic between approximately 1 p.m. and 4 p.m. Motorists are advised to find alternate routes and should make every effort to avoid this area.

Both uniformed and plainclothes officers will be monitoring for violations of law, including Huntington Town ordinances which prohibit possession of open containers of alcohol and peddling or soliciting along the parade route. Additionally, officers will be checking licensed premises to ensure that there are no violations of the New York State Alcoholic Beverage Control Law, particularly those sections regulating the sale of alcohol to minors and consumption of alcohol off-premises.

Considered one of the pre-eminent music programs in the state, South Huntington’s Walt Whitman High School’s music department upped the ante this year, with 17 students recognized for their accomplishments in the following performances at the New York State School Music Association’s Winter Conference:

Front row left to right: Courtney Bryggman, viola, All-State Symphony Orchestra; Jennifer LaCara, violin, All-State String Orchestra; Samantha Williams, soprano, all-state mixed chorus; Melissa Nyman, soprano, all-state women’s chorus; Eric Miller, jazz trombone, all-state instrumental jazz ensemble. Middle row left to right: Legislator Lou D’Amaro; Kayla Cook, alto, all-state mixed chorus; Alanna Shalinski, soprano, alternate in the all-state mixed chorus; Gillian Sobocinski, flute, alternate in the all-state symphony orchestra; Alex Roff, tuba, alternate in the all-state symphony orchestra. Back row left to right: Danielle Burby, alto, all-state mixed chorus; Scott Bromschwig, bass, all-state mixed chorus; Emily Krainer, flute, all-state wind ensemble; Steven Burr,trombone, alternate in the all-state symphony orchestra; and Daniel A. Gross, oboe, all-state symphony orchestra.

Not pictured: Cheynnyne DeLorenzo, double bass, All-State Symphony Orchestra; Justin Schuman, bass, All-state mixed chorus; and Kerriann Latten, viola, alternate in the all-state symphony orchestra.

By Carolyn Fante

Jodi Picoult is the bestselling author of fourteen novels. Most of them deal with controversial subjects that touch the hearts of many people who read them. On March 4, 2008, a million copies of her fifteenth book, “Change of Heart,” were released. On Friday March 7 at 8 p.m, Jodi Picoult will come to Huntington’s Book Revue to read from and sign her new novel. Picoult also appeared at Book Revue last spring to read from her previous book, “Nineteen Minutes.”

“Change of Heart” is about a New Hampshire prisoner sentenced to the death penalty. However, as a dispute arises over his request to be an organ donor, the convict begins performing miracles in the jail. The story examines religion and separation of church and state. Like Picoult’s books before it, “Change of Heart” promises to be extremely thought-provoking and controversial. Picoult’s other books have brought up issues such as organ donation, rape and school shootings.

In fact, one of Picoult’s books caused a stir on Long Island just this year. Her book “The Tenth Circle” was removed from a suggested reading list in the Westhampton Beach school district (though copies were not taken out of the school itself), as a way to appease parents angry about the book’s content (the book centered around a girl accusing her ex-boyfriend of rape). Both the book and the book’s removal from the Smithtown list caused controversy on Long Island just a few months ago.

The same book that was removed from the school reading list will also air as a movie on Lifetime in June. In addition, one of Jodi Picoult’s most famous books, “My Sister’s Keeper,” was just recast for the movie version (Dakota and Elle Fanning were replaced by Abigail Breslin and Sofia Vassilieva). The movie will begin production this month. There are many things going on with Jodi Picoult’s books, both new and old, and this Friday at Book Revue, she will be there to share it all in person and especially to read and sign “Change of Heart.” It promises to be an interesting event.

Information on Change of Heart and Jodi Picoult’s tour can be found at www.jodipicoult.com.

From left, Statton, Demarest, Tilden and Rombough

Text and Photo by Steve Silverman

The Greenlawn Fire Department recently presented Firefighter Al Statton with the "Firefighter of the Year Award" in recognition of his dedicated service to the department and contribution to the community.

After retiring from a 20-year career in the United States Army ten years ago, Statton returned to reserve duty and was recently promoted to Sergeant Major. Together with his wife Connie, they organized Operation Home Comfort, collecting and shipping more than 6,000 pounds of donated supplies for the 3,500 soldiers in their son Aaron's battalion.

Aaron Rombough is a staff sergeant in the U.S. Army 215th Field Artillery Unit, 10th Mountain Brigade. Aaron, 27, has served three tours of duty in Iraq and has been awarded the Purple Heart three times for wounds received in the line of duty. Aaron has also been awarded 12 other ribbons for his military service.

Al and Aaron received standing ovations at the department's 106th annual installation of officers, and presented the department with a commendation for their support on behalf of Aaron's battalion.

Accepting the military honors are Greenlawn Fire Chief Scott Demarest, left center, and Department President Lee Tilden, right center.

By Michael Ebert
michael.ebert@newsday.com

More than 100 orchestra students from St. Anthony’s High School in South Huntington traveled to Europe last month as part of a tour that saw them perform at four locations in Italy and Greece.

“The students practiced their craft in front of an international audience, which is a big deal for them,” said Christina Buehler, the school’s public information director. “It’s not something they get to do every day.”

One of the highlights, according to Buehler, was when the students visited the Vatican and held an impromptu one-minute performance for Pope Benedict XVI and a crowd of thousands at the Papal Audience Hall at St. Peter’s Square.

“They called out our name, and the students stood up from their seats and played,” said Buehler. “It was a once-in-a-lifetime moment.”

Students also visited the Acropolis in Athens and Basilica di San Francesco in Assisi.

Among those making last-minute calls for candidates on Monday night to Texas, Ohio and Rhode Island was a team of Long Islanders working on behalf of Barak Obama. They were using the private Westbury offices of Spectronics, the firm of Suffolk Legis. Jon Cooper (D-Huntington). Another group in Nassau was calling for Hillary Clinton. To read more on our Spin Cycle blog, click here.

By Mike Earley

Early this year KeySpan Foundation’s Executive Director, Robert Keller and Jean Tesoriero, KeySpan Foundation project director hosted a luncheon at the National Grid Facility in Melville to celebrate the completion of a very successful year.

Thanks to the joint effort of the KeySpan Donation Project / SeniorNet computer refurbishing project, a large number of computers have been recycled and donated to many not-for-profit organizations. Since the computer refurbishing project began in 2001, more than 4,500 computers have been revitalized by the “elves” and donated to the community by the KeySpan Foundation.

The direct beneficiaries of this program include not-for-profit entities, schools, churches and more. Additionally, the community benefits because this equipment might otherwise add to the solid waste stream and contribute to toxic pollution.

This work was successfully completed at the National Grid Facility in Melville, better known as Santa’s workshop. In appreciation for the KeySpan support, SeniorNet volunteers from the Don Weidman Computer Learning Center presented a unique graphic collage to Bob Keller and Jean Tesoriero of the KeySpan Foundation. The collage featured photos of the “elves” at work in the National Grid facility in Melville, as well as some commemorative drawings by SeniorNet’s resident artist, Russ Day.

Pictured above and starting with the back row from the left are SeniorNet volunteers Ed Kristol, Marty Kushnick, Nick DeFlorio and Judy Krupka. Holding the commemorative collage is Bob Keller, KeySpan Foundation executive director and to his left are John Rozzo, Doug Focchi and Don Mackenzie, all from the National Grid Facility. In the middle row are SeniorNet volunteers Ken Taylor, Eric Vero, Slava Vero and Joe Fiore. Kneeling are Richie Chang-National Grid IT, Peter Cann-SeniorNet, Fran DiLeonardo-National Grid IT, Joe Lamagna-SeniorNet, Mike Latva-National Grid IT, Roe Oetiker, Don Stone-SeniorNet and Jean Tesoriero-KeySpan Foundation Project Director.