Huntington Local

Just before they got their diplomas, graduates of the Huntington Freedom Center stood with Suffolk Legis. Lou D’Amaro (D-Huntington Station).

By Karen Klafter

With big pomp and circumstance for some very-excited small graduates, the Huntington Freedom Center Early Childhood Learning Program held its 31st Commencement Ceremonies on Friday, June 20, at Huntington Town Hall.

Dressed in red and blue caps and gowns, students graduating from Pre-Kindergarten, along with those “Stepping Up” to the program, received school supplies in matching red and blue mini totes from Suffolk Legis. Lou D’Amaro (D-Huntington Station) before an overflow crowd of parents, teachers, friends, their very proud Executive Director Brooke Bronson and Board President Robert Hawkins.

One of the Town’s oldest Child Care Facilities, the Huntington Freedom Center is a not-for-profit organization that has been providing support services and education for families of all socioeconomic levels since 1964.

“The success of the programs provided by the Huntington Freedom Center is evident from the smiles on the faces of the students who are enthusiastically moving on and up,” said Legislator D’Amaro. “I thank everyone at the center professionally and caringly for providing these vital services for our community’s residents, and I am proud to continue my support for the Freedom Center’s programs.”

Karen Klafter is an aide to D’Amaro.

By Dianne Matus

The Huntington Summer Arts Festival continues tonight in Heckscher Park with a performance of show tunes and light classical music by the Senior Pops Orchestra of Long Island.

The orchestra was established in 1979 as a vehicle for the self-expression and musical fulfillment of its members. It continues to fill this role while bringing enjoyment to a faithful and growing audience.

Since its inception, this 60-member ensemble has performed 10 to 12 free concerts annually and has distinguished itself as a serious contributor to Long Island's thriving cultural scene.

Among the orchestra's achievements are appearances at Tilles Center and the Staller Center, annual participation in Hofstra University's Dutch Festival and an intergenerational concert with the talented music students of Huntington High School. Joseph A. Manso, music educator, conductor and professional trombonist, was appointed Senior "Pops" conductor in 1999.

Dianne Matus handles press and public relations for the arts council.

The Birchwood Times staff, all members of Ms. Tamborino’s fouth-grade class pose with their Newsday Future Corp Certificates and Ms. Rose Marie Gaines from the Helping Hands Rescue Mission (second row left). Ms. Tamborino is in back row right (with Sunglasses) alongside Birchwood Principal Mr. Anthony Ciccarelli.

Ever wonder what the hands-down favorite is on Birchwood’s cafeteria menu? Or what advice girls would offer about a particular question that might be different from what boys might say? Or what's going on in the next classroom? Or even whether that new restaurant in town is any good? Well, the Birchwood Times has that information and much more. But the really big story in the first and very special issue isn't the articles that talk about the Student Council or the Peer Mediation program, and it’s not about the Reading Olympics, or Minithon predictions, or even the Jump Rope of Heart program. Instead, the really big story is about the fact that when students fork over 50 cents for this information-packed issue, the money is used to purchase backpacks, fill them with school supplies, and then donate them to the Helping Hand Rescue Mission (HHRM) in preparation for the upcoming school year.

According to Ms. Rose Marie Gaines, founder and executive director of HHRM, the Mission’s annual back-to-school program supplies a backpack for each child who is in need. Inside the backpacks are basic school supplies and personal items that are essential to helping children get a good start in school.

The Birchwood Times was conceived, written, and produced by Ms. Tamberino’s fourth-grade class with the intention that all proceeds would go to “Operation Backpack.” The entire class got into the act, working as news reporters, sports reporters, feature writers, graphic designers, advertising sales, pollsters, puzzle creators, food critics, and even advice columnists. Oh, and in case you were wondering, popcorn chicken is an almost two-to-one favorite over ham and cheese on a bagel. Get your copy of the Times and read all about it. You’ll learn a lot, and you’ll be helping the students in Ms. Tamborino’s fourth-grade class deliver some really great news to needy children in our community.

By Steve Parks
steve.parks@newsday.com

Dirty Boogaloo? Sounds like a Cajun cousin of jambalaya. But you won't find boogaloo in the kitchen. Tonight you can get a taste of this Brooklyn-based band outdoors on the Chapin Rainbow Stage at Huntington's free Summer Arts Festival, starting at 8:30.

While Dirty Boogaloo's music has been described as funk/blues, bandleader and Hammond organist Jarad Astin, 31, begs to differ. "We play boogaloo,” he says, referring to the hip grandfather of funk.

The soul-based, rock-infused funk sound was discovered by Huntington audiences in the '80s at Canterbury Ales, where a group that became known as Funk Filharmonik played Monday nights. The Filharmonik still plays Huntington, returning for its annual "Funksgiving” party at IMAC the night after Thanksgiving.

Funk fans will appreciate boogaloo. "They'll get down and boogie to it,” predicts Astin, interviewed by phone from Brooklyn's CueZone Records, where the Dirty Boogaloo's self-titled CD was recorded. (You can find it on reverbnation.com. By the way, Astin's stage name is Daddy Snuggs.)

OK, Daddy Snuggs, we bite. What is boogaloo?
Boogaloo started in Prohibition juke joints and speakeasies. It's dance-style music, almost seedy but with a layer of cellophane sitting right on top. Clean even if it sounds dirty.

So if you bring your kid to a Dirty Boogaloo concert, you won't have to hold your hands over his ears?
Right. This was 1935. The songs couldn't be more than suggestive or they'd be censored. The audience was high society looking for a good time. It's cheeky music. You didn't actually have to say it. You just let your imagination run. It's more fun that way.

But some of these songs you recorded were banned, right?
"Ana Had a Baby” was banned just because the girl in the song was single and had a baby.

Who wrote these songs?
The best: from Fats Waller and Cab Calloway in the '30s to Leiber and Stoller in the '50s and '60s. That's our heritage.

By Dianne Matus

Buddy Merriam and Back Roads, an acoustic bluegrass band formed out of love of traditional bluegrass music, takes the stage tonight as the Huntington Summer Arts Festival continues in Heckscher Park.

Join us for a performance of “folk music in overdrive,” complete with banjo, fiddle, mandolin and bass.

Roslyn native Terry Winchell, tonight’s opening act, not only writes, sings and produces songs; she also lends her talent to raise awareness about issues like health care and the environment. This talented vocalist has opened for popular acts such as Taj Mahal, John Hammond, Hot Tuna, Laura Nyro, Doc Watson, and Lenny Kravitz.

The Huntington Summer Arts Festival is presented by the Town of Huntington, produced by the Huntington Arts Council and sponsored in part by the New York State Council on the Arts and the Suffolk County Office of Cultural Affairs. Tonight's performance begins at 8:30 p.m.

Dianne Matus handles press and public relations for the arts council.

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

Two schools in the Northport-East Northport school district recently won prizes at Brookhaven National Laboratory’s “Maglev Contest.”

A team from Center Moriches Middle School took first-place honors — earning five out of a total of 21 prizes — at the annual competition in which students construct model vehicles in one of six categories: electrified track, wind power, gravity, self-propelled, futuristic and scale-model design.

In total, more than 200 students participated from 12 Long Island middle schools. Other Suffolk County winners were:
-- Northport-East Northport: East Northport Middle School, two prizes; Northport Middle School, one prize.
-- Longwood: Longwood Junior High School, one prize.
-- North Babylon: Robert Moses Middle School, four prizes.
-- Shoreham-Wading River: Albert G. Prodell Middle School, two prizes.

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

Three Suffolk County teachers — Anna E. Velez and Barbara Haik of Walt Whitman High School in South Huntington, and Alicia Puma of North Coleman Road Elementary School in Centereach — have been named “Educators of the Year” by Dowling College’s Center for Minority Teacher Development and Training.

The award honors educators who inspire students to pursue a career in education. Selections are based on essays by former students. Two Nassau County teachers were also selected.

Amelia Goodman and Kate Mallinson, seventh-graders from Stimson Middle School, took home New York State's top honors and placed 5th in the National History Day Competition.

Following months of intensive research, and after successful showings at district- and state-level competitions, Amelia Goodman and Kate Mallinson, seventh-grade students at Stimson Middle School in South Huntington, presented their video documentary project at the annual National History Day competition, held at the University of Maryland.

The students’ documentary related the moving story of the SS St. Louis. The St. Louis was a German oceanliner that left Germany in the spring of 1939 with almost 1000 Jewish refugees on board. When the ship arrived at its destination, the Cuban government revoked its permission to land. Persecuted at home and unwanted abroad, the refugees on board the St. Louis would have been forced to return to Europe and the certain death that awaited them in Germany. But after learning of the plight of the stranded refugees, Great Britain, France, Belgium, and the Netherlands agreed to accept them. Unfortunately, after German forces occupied Western Europe in 1940, many St. Louis passengers and other Jewish refugees who had entered those countries were caught by the Nazis.

Goodman and Mallinson’s documentary was named the Outstanding Junior Entry for New York State and earned them fifth place in the Junior Group Documentary Division out of approximately 100 entries from across the nation. The students placed highest out of any junior division entry from New York State and won the New York State Award.

Each fall more than half a million students nationwide begin the yearlong National History Day program, competing in a series of history contests in their local districts and states. The top students in each category are selected for participation in the national contest. Participating students choose their own topics of study based on the theme “Conflict and Compromise in History.” To carry out their research, National History Day students review historic documents and artifacts, conduct oral histories, search the Internet for information, and travel to historic sites. They present their work using a variety of media, including museum-type exhibits, video documentaries, original performances, and traditional research papers.

More than 300 historians and other education professionals evaluate the students’ work at the national competition. This year, a total of $150,000 in scholarships were awarded at the national awards ceremony, and approximately 100 students took home cash prizes of between $250 and $5,000 for superior work in particular categories of judging.

The South Huntington School District extends its heartiest congratulations to Goodman and Mallinson for their diligent work in creating a fine piece of historical scholarship

By Dianne Matus

The Huntington Summer Arts Festival continues tonight Heckscher Park with a performance by the Huntington Men’s Chorus.

Now in its 59th year, the chorus originated with a group of Huntington men having considerable vocal talent and musical experience meeting with James C. Doty, a music teacher in the Huntington Public Schools, to form the vocal ensemble that has continuously entertained the people of Huntington these many years.

At the first rehearsal in September 1949, James Doty was appointed the chorus's musical director; the group adopted its name the "Huntington Men's Chorus"; and Frost Tinklepaugh was elected the chorus's first president. The Huntington Men’s Chorus organized itself along the lines of the acclaimed University Glee Club in New York City. The Chorus continues its tradition of performing in the Summer Arts Festival with popular and traditional all male vocal arrangements.

Dianne Matus handles press and public relations for the arts council.

Compiled by Lynn Petry
lynn.petry@newsday.com

The Huntington Town Zoning Board of Appeals meets today at 6 p.m. to consider the following applications:

Dix Hills: James Petrosino, Petrosino and Mannion AIA, seeks a lot width at setback to demolish existing house and build new single-family house on the north side of Vanderbilt Parkway west of Derri Court.

East Northport: Richard Matone, Matone Contracting Co., seeks long street side yard variance to build a one-story addition to the rear of the house and detached two-car garage on the southwest corner of Oakledge Drive and Fifth Avenue.

Greenlawn: Eugene Cook and Lisa McCormack request no more than one main building on a lot and accessory structure variance to legalize location and land use of cottage and tennis court with renovations and minor additions to the main house on the east side of Arbutus Road southeast of Grace Court.

Huntington: Samuel Ziegler seeks side yard and lot width variances to build a one-story addition for an attached two-car garage and a covered porch to house on the east side of Cherry lane north of Greenlawn Road.

Huntington Station: Jose and Delmy Reyes seek rear yard relief to legalize a 17-by-19.3-foot roof over existing patio leaving 8-foot rear yard setback and legalize shed under 100 square feet too close to property line.

Huntington Station: Howard Friedman, Paidge Group Llc, seeks parking relief and depth extension to establish office of plumbing contractor with retail sales and storage inside existing building on the southeast corner of West Jericho Turnpike and Cager Place.

Northport: Jennifer and Timothy Thieke seek side yard variance to build a second-story addition and legalize building plot 057551 and certificate of occupancy 064644 to build a one-story den built too close to side yard. Existing shed to be demolished on the north side of Coach Hill Lane east of Old Bridge Road.

South Huntington: James Petrosino, Petrosino and Mannlon AIA, seek lot width, front, side and accessory structure relief to build rear addition, convert garage to living space, build second-floor addition and roof over front porch and replace permit 030204 for in-ground pool with filter too close to property line on the north side of Pioneer Boulevard east of Melville Road.

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

Thirty-two teams from Long Island schools received honorable mentions in the Toshiba/National Science Teachers Association’s “ExploraVision Awards,” a K-12 program designed to encourage students to combine their imagination with their knowledge of science and technology.

In total, more than 14,000 students participated from across the United States and Canada.

Suffolk County’s winning schools were: Commack: Burr Intermediate School; Half Hollow Hills: Half Hollow Hills High School West; Three Village: Ward Melville High School and Robert Cushman Murphy Junior High School.

From left, Paul Infante, Commack's director of Fine and Applied Arts; Seugi Ak from the Amity School; Mary Gubitosi, vice principal of Long Island Amity School; Maya Strzelecki; her art teacher, Debra Becker; and Russell Stewart, Commack High School principal.

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

Maya Strzelecki, a junior at Commack High School, took first-place honors in the Long Island Amity School’s “World Peace Competition” for her pencil rendering of hands coming together in a sign of peace. For winning, she received $300 and a plaque.

“It makes us proud to know our community’s youth hold world peace in their hands,” said Mary Gubitosi, principal of the Amity School in Commack.

By Dianne Matus

The Huntington Summer Arts Festival continues tonight Heckscher Park with a performance Robbie K. & Friends.

The group celebrates our cultural differences as well as the things that unite us. Robbi K & Friends chant with you in Yoruba, hum Zulu folk songs like Mbube, dance to the Latin clavé rhythm, and sing in reggae style celebrating l’chaim.

They also celebrate things we have in common with each other. Robbi shares stories about her travels as a musician.

Through call and response, you'll find yourself singing in six different languages.

Robbie K.’s album Keep The Beat, an African folk tale about ancient drums and clever animals, was the winner of the 2003 Parents’ Choice Award for storytelling.

Dianne Matus handles press and public relations for the arts council.

By Pam Cordes

Habitat for Humanity of Suffolk received a $6,000 check recently from Linda Ray, the producer of Huntington Cabaret.

On Friday, May 9, Ray donated an encore performance of "Welcome To The 60s" as a fundraiser for Habitat for Humanity. The show, an original cabaret show directed by award-winning New York City director Lennie Watts and noted musical director Jeff Cubeta, was originally performed to sold out audiences at New York City's Metropolitan Room in December and featured teen singers from throughout Long Island.

The benefit, which included an auction with donations from merchants from Huntington and the surrounding areas, raised $6,000 making a total of $15,000 Huntington Cabaret has donated to Habitat in the last two years.

In the photo above, Ethel Abbott, left, of Habitat for Humanity of Suffolk, receives the check from Ray. Behind them are the Long Island teens who participated in the cabaret’s benefit performance. From left, Jonah Kramer, Huntington High School; Kenna Koenigsberger, Candlewood Middle School, Dix Hills; Leilani D'Onofrio, Robert Finley Middle School Glen Cove; Ian Silverman, Grand Avenue Middle School, Bellmore; Lenny Sadowsky, Massapequa High School; Caitlin Nofi, Cold Spring Harbor High School; Amanda Hassler, West Islip High School, Kristen Maldonado, Massapequa High School; Alanna Shalinski, Walt Whitman High School, South Huntington.

For information on upcoming fundraisers and performances please email Linda Ray at cabaretsingers@aol.com

Pam Cordes handles publicity for Huntington Cabaret and for Habitat for Humanity of Suffolk. The photo was taken by Bill Liebman

Babylon Councilwoman Jacqueline Gordon, Legis. Steve Stern, children and family members of the “Fighting 69th,” NY Party Zone owner Joe Ciminna and Fred Cambria, Building Homes for Heroes.

By Nancy P. Jacobsen

Suffolk County Legis. Steve Stern (D-Huntington) 16th LD, chairman of the Veterans and Seniors Committee, hosted an Armed Forces Day party last month for the children of servicemen and women of the “Fighting 69th” serving in Afghanistan.

The legendary “Fighting 69th” Army National Guard Unit was deployed in January.

The party, held at the NY Party Zone in Farmingdale on May 18, was attended by more than 25 children and their families and featured inflatable rides, a live DJ, dancing, food and fun for everyone. Babylon Family Readiness Group (FRG) President Beth Delli-Pizzi also attended the party, as did Babylon Councilwoman Jacqueline Gordon, who is also a lieutenant colonel in the Army Reserves.

“As Chairman of the Veterans & Seniors Committee, I am in close contact with the FRG and am acutely aware of the immense sacrifices made by the families of our brave men and women protecting our freedom overseas,” Stern said. “It is vitally important to support these families not only with words but with action. I am pleased to host this party for the children and their families as a way to give back and let them know we are here for them.”

“This event was wonderful for the children, they were able to play, run, laugh and bounce, and were then treated with every child's dream - pizza, cupcakes, popcorn, cotton candy and goodie bags,” Delli-Pizzi said. "This event was unbelievable, the kids were in heaven, and the wives of deployed soldiers were able to take their minds off the deployment for a short period of time, and to see their children smile. Steve Stern and his staff should be awarded a gold medal for hosting such an event, and allowing these kids - to simply, be kids."

The owner of the NY Party Zone, Joe Ciminna, donated the services of his staff, cotton candy, popcorn, goodie bags and a special slide show of photographs for the party. “This is such a wonderful opportunity to give back to the families and to let the troops who are fighting for us know that there are people who love and care for their families while they are away,” Cimmina aid. “It was a pleasure to be part of this event.”

Gordon added “Remembering and acknowledging the sacrifice of military families is one of the most important gestures anyone can make. Legislator Steve Stern, Along with Beth Delli-Pizzi from the Fighting 69th FRG did an excellent job. I believe the families, especially the children of the Fighting 69th had a day to remember at the NY Party Zone.”

Nancy P. Jacobsen is an aide to Stern.

Residents of the Northport-East Northport school district will have a chance to vote for an $8.975-million bond proposition Tuesday.

The proposition, which the school board authorized May 5, seeks permission to borrow funds to renovate athletic facilities, including upgrading fields, running tracks and tennis courts. The bond duration would be from 2011 to 2019. "We are trying to enhance the playing fields and tracks as well the recreational facilities," said superintendent Marylou McDermott. "It's in the best interest of our students, sports teams and also for community members."

The proposed bond would replace the current Capital Improvement Bond that will be satisfied in 2010, so there is no projected net increase in cost to the taxpayer, district officials said.

Voting will be from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. at Fifth Avenue Elementary, Dickinson Avenue Elementary, and the William J. Brosnan School at Laurel Avenue. Here is a story from last week on the Northport-East Northport bond issue in more detail.

At last month’s meeting of the Suffolk County Legislature, Legis. Jon Cooper (D-Lloyd Harbor) presented a proclamation to William Rusinski, a bayman who helped rescue more than a dozen students on the St. Anthony's crew team when their boat capsized in the choppy waters of Lloyd Harbor on Friday, May 2. Rusinski pulled the students and their coach aboard his 20-foot motorboat and brought them safely ashore to nearby Coindre Hall. All of the students were subsequently taken to Huntington Hospital, where they were treated and released. Pictured above in this photo from Cooper's office are Gregg Messina, Jon Cooper, Kimberly Rusinski, William Rusinski, Summer Rusinski and Kevin Messina.

One Saturday morning, Robert Pepi’s dad decided that he needed to brush up on his golf swing before an upcoming outing. So he asked his son, then in eighth grade, if he wanted to come along to the driving range to hit a few. It was a turning point in young Rob’s life. The golf bug bit him hard. From that day on, he practiced nearly every day, putting on the carpet in his bedroom, going to the driving range, always working on advancing his game.

Rob found that he loved playing golf, but it was far more than just a game for him. From the outset, Rob set goals. “I always keep short- and long-term goals,” said Rob. “That has helped build my confidence along the way, and my game has steadily improved as a result.”

Rob excelled at this year’s Suffolk County and State High School golf championships, and several short-range goals are now behind him. Although playing in 45-mile-an-hour wind and cold, damp weather at the Suffolk County matches was less than ideal, Rob managed to play well, securing a position on the All-County team to represent Section XI in the New York State Championships at Cornell University. “Rob played very well against some very tough competition,” said Whitman’s first-year golf coach Allan Deitz. “On his second upstate day he shot a 74/75 and ended up tied for sixth out of 99 competitors in the state."

“Like the other kids on the Whitman team, Rob’s a great kid to coach,” continued Deitz. “He’s very much at home on the golf course. He’ll tee it up at any time in any conditions. He just loves to be out there, and it shows in his game.”

Whitman’s team finished second overall in league play, and Coach Deitz wants to keep the momentum going. He plans to begin early this fall by visiting Stimson Middle School and holding informal sessions to spark an interest and to gauge just who he has in the pipeline. Sessions will also be held for Whitman students interested in coming out for the team. “Coaching the team this year, my first, has been a lot of fun, and we’re happy to end the season with an 11-3 league record,” said Coach Deitz. “We’ll miss the seniors who are graduating this year, including Ryan Mahlstadt, Mike Tufo, Ryan Sommers, Paul Sicard, and, of course, Rob Pepi. I owe a big thank-you to their previous coach, Rob Callahan, who did such an outstanding job with these boys. We look forward to building and improving our standing in competitive play next year.” South Huntington students interested in golf, may contact Coach Deitz at: ADeitz@shufsd.org.

Senior standout Rob Pepi hopes to be able to continue to watch the team as he pursues his goal of playing competitive golf in the years to come. “College coaches are calling to express interest, but I'll stay local this first year,” said Pepi. “This summer my goal is to go into each of the ten tournaments I’ve entered and play to win. I’ll take it tournament by tournament, goal by goal. And I’ll get there.”

Photo by Christine Wiggins@WeShootSports.com

Pictured with Legislator Lou D’Amaro, center, are Walt Whitman senior Kate Simone, left, and junior Caitlin Meuser, both of Huntington Station.

By Karen Klafter

Suffolk Legis. Lou D’Amaro (D-Huntington Station) recently awarded proclamations to Walt Whitman High School Distributive Education Clubs of America (DECA) students Kate Simone and Caitlin Meuser before the entire Suffolk County Legislature honoring their third place finish at the 62nd Annual International DECA Career Conference.

DECA is an international student organization whose program of leadership and personal development is designed specifically for students interested in marketing, management and entrepreneurships.

The report and presentation by senior Kate Simone and junior Caitlin Meuser, “From Dreams to Reality,” was named a Trophy winner in DECA’s Entrepreneurship Promotion Project category.

More than 14,000 high school DECA members from every US State, Canada, Mexico and Germany participated in the competition leading up to the April conference, held in Atlanta, Ga. “These students are now internationally recognized for their entrepreneurial spirit, ideas and ability,” D’Amaro said. “The future of American business is in good hands.”

Karen Klafter is and aide to D’Amaro

Compiled by Lynn Petry
lynn.petry@newsday.com

Huntington Town’s Zoning Board of Appeals meets Thursday evening at 6 to consider these applications:

East Northport: NY SMSA Limited Partnership, doing business as Verizon Wireless, seeks a special-use permit to install a 25-foot by 50-foot fenced equipment compound 90 foot above ground-level four-carrier unipole with three-panel antennas with top height of 98 feet above ground level in equipment compound, 12 by 300 foot equipment shelter, two GPS units and a 12-foot drive, west side of Elwood Road, through to Stony Hollow Road.

Huntington: Burger King Corp. seeks a special-use permit and parking variance to demolish existing restaurant and build a new 2,854-square-foot restaurant with a drive-through, west side of New York Avenue, north of Union Place.

East Northport: Andreas and Panayiota Papachristou seek a side-yard variance to build a second garage attached to existing one-car garage and legalize a 12.1-foot by 6.2-foot attached deck to rear of house and demolish 13.2-foot by 9.8-foot metal shed, north side of Graystone Drive, south of Clay Pitts Road.

Huntington: Jimmie Nell Green seeks a side-yard variance to legalize a second-story deck with platform and stairs attached to east side of house leaving side yard of three feet, south side of Leigh Street, east of Brooklyn Avenue.

Huntington Station: Beam Unlimited seeks a conditional use to legalize the use of two nonconforming letter-in-lieu structures as a two-family house for the main structure and for residence above detached garage, northeast corner of May Street and Hendrickson Avenue.

Melville: Thomas Milana seeks long-street, side-yard variance to legalize a second-floor addition and to legalize finished basement, northeast corner of Arlington Street and Bainbridge Avenue.

Dr. Marie Eikenaar-Klang, back row left, with many of her French students who excelled at the recent National French Contest. Whitman Principal James Polansky, on far right, joins the celebratory moment.

At this year's Le Grand Concours, an annual competition sponsored by the American Association of Teachers of French, 15 Walt Whitman students made the top ten in Suffolk County with three who placed on the national level, reports Whitman French teacher Dr. Marie Eikenaar-Klang.

Competing at level 2A against 285 Suffolk County students Michael Booher placed 2nd, William Brady place 3rd, Lily Michelson place 6th, Jarret Bodo placed 8th, Marissa Grahm placed 8th, Soraya Karkai placed 8th and Avais Saleemi also placed 8th.

In the level 3A category, competing against 233 Suffolk County students, Jonathan Balsono placed 3rd, Romina Gonzales placed 9th, Tahmina Igamberdive placed 9th, and Justin Park place 9th as well.

In the level 4A category, competing against 184 Suffolk County students, Victoria Pilger placed 2nd, Ludnie Faustin placed 10th, Rolandecia Richard also placed 10th.

In the level 5 category, Chelsea Farco placed 5th competing against 114 local students and received the Medaille d’or (Gold Medal) for having placed among the top ten for 4 consecutive years.

Making it to the national level of competition at level 2A, Michael Booher place 7th and William Brady placed 8th out of over 20,000 competitors. In the level 4A National competition Victoria Pilger placed 10th out of over 11,000 competitors. Congratulations to all of these outstanding students for the wonderful job representing Walt Whitman High School at this years National French Contest.

The Groove Collective kicks things off on Friday night at Heckscher Park

By Dianne Matus

There’s no better way to kick off the summer than with a trip to the local park for a FREE outdoor concert. On Friday, the 43rd Annual Huntington Summer Arts Festival will take the stage. With open-air concerts six nights a week, the festival offers something for every member of the family from world music to Broadway Theater to Flamenco. The opening weekend alone features a wide range of genres from funk to folk. Grab a blanket or a beach chair and head on down to Heckscher Park for a night of outdoor entertainment at its finest.

Friday, June 20, Groove Collective, Jazz/Funk
New York City's Groove Collective transcends musical categories with one goal in mind: to move listeners' minds and feet. For more than a decade, this legendary group of musicians has improvised and refined the stylistic cross-pollination of funk, jazz, house, Latin, hip hop, rock and every party-inducing sound in between. The pioneering members of Groove Collective are fluent in the international language of "groove." In-the-pocket drum and bass, colorful and vibrant horns, flavors of world percussion and intricate harmony all fuse together seamlessly under their watch. Groove Collective's innovative and refined sound is unparalleled. They are the masters of multi-hued funk. Billboard Magazine says that they "erase musical borders" and are "jazz/funk fusion at its most sublime."

Saturday, June 21, Tom Paxton, Folk
A Grammy nominee, Tom Paxton has been an integral part of the songwriting and folk music community since the early 1960's and continues to be a primary influence. Enjoy the beautiful and influential music of this internationally recognized and loved cultural figure. Tom Paxton's place in folk music is secured not just by hit records and awards, but by the admiration of three generations of fellow musicians.
Opening Act: Bob Westcott
Guitarist Bob Westcott, a resident of eastern Long Island, has been perfecting his elegant finger-style guitar work for well over 30 years. His astonishing guitar playing and universally resonant songwriting have made him a perennial favorite. His performances are peppered with stories about his personal experiences, his travels and travails.

Sunday, June 22, Marie Knight, Blues/Gospel
In the 1960s, Marie cultivated a rhythm-and-blues career, touring with the likes of Brooke Benton, the Drifters, and Clyde McPhatter. After a hiatus, she re-emerged in the mid-1970s to record gospel music; today, Marie Knight is a minister at Gates of Prayer Church in New York, founded by the late Dolly Lewis. In 2007, Knight released her first full-length recording in over 20 years, featuring collaborations with world-renowned performer Larry Campbell. Marie’s continuing vitality as a singer and performer—led to the collaboration with producer Mark Carpentieri. For the album Marie recorded the Gospel songs of Rev. Gary Davis.

Tuesday, June 24, Robbie K. & Friends
Robbi K & Friends is a group that celebrates our cultural differences as well as the things that unite us. Robbi K & Friends chant with you in Yoruba, hum Zulu folk songs like Mbube, dance to the Latin clavé rhythm, and sing in reggae style celebrating l’chaim. They also celebrate things we have in common with each other. Robbi shares stories about her travels as a musician. Through call and response, you'll find yourself singing in six different languages. Robbie K.’s album Keep The Beat, an African folk tale about ancient drums and clever animals, was the winner of the 2003 Parents’ Choice Award for storytelling.

Wednesday, June 25, Dance Theater Co. & the Red Hot Mamas
The Dance Theatre Company’s performance of high-energy dancing features Broadway showstoppers, tap, jazz and modern and is sure to entertain all audiences. Special guest Christina Lynch-Markham.
The “Red Hot Mamas” are a group of tap dancers, ranging in age from 50-83, are all residents of Long Island and are based at the North Shore Studio of Dance, in Huntington Station, New York. “The Red Hot Mamas” are co-directed by Toni Wortman and Louise Rastu. Their extensive and varied repertoire includes selections from Broadway shows, old time favorites and modern popular music. Their performances are sophisticated, professional and energetic, and their costumes are spectacular.

Thursday, June 26, Huntington Men’s Chorus
Now in its 59th year, the Huntington Men's Chorus originated with a group of Huntington men having considerable vocal talent and musical experience meeting with James C. Doty, a music teacher in the Huntington Public Schools, to form the vocal ensemble that has continuously entertained the people of Huntington these many years. At the first rehearsal in September 1949, James Doty was appointed the Chorus's Musical Director; the group adopted its name the "Huntington Men's Chorus"; and Frost Tinklepaugh was elected the Chorus's first president. The Huntington Men’s Chorus organized itself along the lines of the acclaimed University Glee Club in New York City. The Chorus continues its tradition of performing in the Summer Arts Festival with popular and traditional all male vocal arrangements.

Friday, June 27, Buddy Merriam & Back Roads with Opening Act Terry Winchell
Buddy Merriam and Back Roads is an acoustic bluegrass band formed out of love of traditional bluegrass music. Join us for a performance of “folk music in overdrive,” complete with banjo, fiddle, mandolin and bass.
Roslyn native Terry Winchell not only writes, sings and produces songs; she also lends her talent to raise awareness about issues like health care and the environment. This talented vocalist has opened for popular acts such as Taj Mahal, John Hammond, Hot Tuna, Laura Nyro, Doc Watson, and Lenny Kravitz.

Saturday, June 28, Dirty Boogaloo, Blues/Funk
Dirty Boogaloo plays an infectious blend of soul, jazz, blues, Latin, and Afro-beat--with even a little Chinese influence thrown into the mix. Their funky American fusion has one purpose: “get ‘em all together, party and mix the music up so everybody can get their groove on!”
Opening Act: Barking Men, Blues/Rock
Barking Men, the phenomenal North Shore Long Island rock/blues band, gets the audience moving and shaking. A mixture of original tunes woven with Allman Brothers Band-style sound rocks the space with an infectious beat and soaring guitar riffs.

Sunday, June 29, Senior Pops Orchestra, Show tunes/light classical
The Senior Pops Orchestra of Long Island was established in 1979 as a vehicle for the self-expression and musical fulfillment of its members. It continues to fill this role while bringing enjoyment to a faithful and growing audience. Since its inception, this 60-member ensemble has performed 10 to 12 free concerts annually and has distinguished itself as a serious contributor to Long Island's thriving cultural scene. Among the orchestra's achievements are appearances at Tilles Center and the Staller Center, annual participation in Hofstra University's Dutch Festival and an intergenerational concert with the talented music students of Huntington High School. Joseph A. Manso, music educator, conductor and professional trombonist, was appointed Senior "Pops" conductor in 1999.

The Huntington Summer Arts Festival is presented by the Town of Huntington, produced by the Huntington Arts Council and sponsored in part by the New York State Council on the Arts and the Suffolk County Office of Cultural Affairs. The festival runs June 20 through August 17. Performances are FREE and open to the public at the Chapin Rainbow Stage in Huntington’s Heckscher Park. All performances begin at 8:30PM, except the Tuesday Night Arrow Electronics “It’s Showtime” Family Series performances which start at 7:30PM. For directions or more information, call the Festival Hotline at 631-271-8423 ext. 5, visit www.huntingtonarts.org, or stop by the Huntington Arts Council, located at 213 Main Street in Huntington Village, for a free copy of the Summer 2008 Arts Cultural News. No rain dates except Tuesday Family nights; call Severe Weather Extension 631-271-8423 ext. 4 if in doubt about Tuesday performances only.

Dianne Matus handles press and public relations for the arts council.

Madeleine Jensen, left, and Laura Dabrowski, right, received the National History Day Excellence in Research Awards from teacher Camille Tedeschi.

News from the Huntington school district

-- Medals and thousands in scholarships for class of 2008.
-- Plus more scholarships, and then more still.
--Yes they have no tomatoes at school cafeterias.
-- Intermediate school concert leaves ’em whistling.
--Leftover prom money buys the school a new sign.
-- Washington first-graders learn about absorbing shock.

The Mill Dam Causeway, closed since last year for major repairs, is supposed to open by the end of the month. The roadway, which crosses Centerport Harbor, was to have re-opened last month. Arlene Gross explains it all in story in The Times of Northport .

In a recent ceremony, Wilson Tech inducted the following 13 students from Walt Whitman High School in South Huntington, into the National Vocational Technical Honor Society.

Each of these students has achieved a 90 grade point average, maintained a 95% attendance record and demonstrated leadership skills, citizenship, honesty, professionalism, and dedication to their course of study at Wilson Tech.

The students and their programs of study are:

Judith Sass Advertising Art
Katherine Loor Culinary Arts
Melissa Gaspard Medical Assist
Marvin Garcia Floriculture
Brittany Schiavone Office Skills
Brett Yedvarb Life Skills
Jelani Nurse Auto Technician
Brian Wilson Auto Technician
Richard Allen III Health Aide
Jake Lederman Equine Studies
William DeBois Auto Technician
Michaelle Jean-Baptis Nurse Assist
Nicholas Leogrande Certified Personal Trainer

Fourth and fifth graders from the Town of Huntington received awards Wednesday for winning entries in a Fair Housing poster contest sponsored by the town's Community Development Agency. Friends and family, above left, take a group shot Wednesday night as students hold their awards in front of the Huntington Town Board. Below are two of the winning posters from St. Patrick's school.

The Harborfields varsity baseball team came out on top of the New York State Scholar Athlete rankings this year. The 16-member Tornadoes had a combined average of 96.667, the highest in the state in the seventeen year history of the Scholar Athlete Program for baseball. Members of the team (front row, above) received a proclamation last week from Huntington Councilman Mark Cuthbertson and fellow town board members (back row). The team’s grades beat those of another 123 teams.

Photo courtesy of Northport11768.com

By Deborah S. Morris
deborah.morris@newsday.com

A sure sign of summer is the opening of the Northport Farmers’ Market.

The fresh-food extravaganza opens for the 2008 season on Saturday, June 14, from 9 a.m. until 12 noon.

Located in the village’s harbor-side parking lot at the foot of Main Street and Woodbine Avenue, the market offers fresh produce from Long Island farms, baked goods, flowers and plants from local merchants and seafood, such as lobsters and clams from area baymen.

Local and East End growers offering home-grown Long Island favorites will be represented.

The market will run every Saturday morning, ending on the Saturday before Thanksgiving.
For further information, contact Maryanne Ferguson at 631-754-3905.

Wine tasting, pasta dishes and poetry read by a Walt Whitman impersonator are on the bill for Friday night's event from 6 to 9 at the Walt Whitman Birthplace State Historic Site, 246 Old Walt Whitman Rd. in Huntington Station. Benefits Last Hope Animal Rescue. Tickets are $35. For more information call 631-385-4945 or visit lasthopeanimalrescue.org