Hampton Bays Community Notes, February 10

“A different sort is an Eagle Scout, he’s as good on the inside as the out.

“True to his God and his nation’s flag, a boy whose loyalties never sag. An upright boy with a heart of gold, he can take the heat and he can stand the cold.

“An adventurous sort of rough, tough lad, he’d share with anyone, all that he had. He’s cheerful and good, and he’s filled with fun, he always helps till the work is done …”

Congratulations to Anthony Romagnoli for achieving the rank of Eagle Scout, which is the Boy Scouts of America’s highest honor. Anthony’s Eagle Scout project was to plan and oversee the construction of a Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus Mask Confidence Course for the Hampton Bays Fire Department. Anthony’s course consists of a staircase, a second story, rafters, entanglement hazards, a low-profile obstacle, a ramp, a tube, a Z-maze and a large search room. The firemen’s face masks are blackened out to simulate real-life situations.

The course will help develop and advance firefighters’ confidence and skills, resulting in increased safety for the residents of Hampton Bays and its surrounding communities. The project cost approximately $2,600, required 731 hours of work, and took 19 months to complete.

Anthony’s Eagle Scout Court of Honor ceremony was held on Saturday, February 5, at Hampton Bays Fire Department Station 1 on Ponquogue Avenue. We all know that his parents, Michael and Lina, are very proud! Thank you, Anthony, for including me in your special day.

Another Local Honor: Congratulations are also in order for Brandon White, a sophomore who represented Hampton Bays High School in the Long Island String Festival Senior High School Orchestra of Suffolk County last weekend at Ward Melville High School. Brandon played in the first violin section. His very proud parents are John and Anne White.

Happy (belated) birthday to Beth Gunther, whose cake-and-candle day was yesterday, February 9. Happy 50th birthday to Michael Klein! Michael’s red-letter day is tomorrow, February 11. Cheryl Curtis will also celebrate her happy day on Friday, February 11. My husband, Ron Holthaus, will be blowing out the candles on Saturday, February 12. And Denise Rosko’s day to shine is Sunday, February 13.

Looking For Matches: Matt Curran and Tom Corrigan need your help. For those of you who don’t know them, Matt and his wife, Jean, have two children and they live in Hampton Bays. He is employed at Boening Brothers Beer and Ale, is a member of the Eastern Long Island Police Pipes & Drums, and a local bartender. Tom and his wife, Colleen, have four children and they reside in East Quogue. He is a retired New York Police Department detective and the proud owner of Tom McBrien’s Pub.

Please join the community on Saturday, February 12, from 11 a.m. until 4 p.m., at the East Quogue Firehouse on Montauk Highway to see if you are a bone marrow match for our friends. To participate, all you have to do is fill out a registration form and give a quick swab of your inner cheek. To learn more, visit gotmarrowny.org or bethematch.org. For additional information, call Terry Beglane at 807-6825.

Boy Scout Troop 483 is having a Valentine’s Day Rose and Pizza fundraiser this weekend. Roses may be purchased from Saturday, February 12, through Monday, February 14, from 9 a.m. until 6 p.m. each day, under the tent across the street from the Hampton Bays Fire Department. And you can buy a delicious cheese pizza for $10 all day on Monday, February 14, from Francesca’s Restaurant on Ponquogue Avenue. To place your order, call 728-8979. All proceeds help the boys with programs and equipment.

Hampton Bays Fire Explorer Post 7-5-0 is hosting a Pancake and Waffle Breakfast on Sunday, February 13, from 8 a.m. until noon, at Hampton Bays Fire Department Station 1 on Ponquogue Avenue. The donation is $8 for adults and senior citizens; children age 12 and under pay just $5. Kids under 5 eat for free. Wow, you can’t beat that! Come on out and show your support of our local youth who are learning and training to be tomorrow’s firefighters.

And Don’t Forget: Hampton Bays kindergarten registration for the 2011-12 school year will begin next week on Monday, February 14. Children must be 5 years of age on or before December 1, 2011, to register. Call Maria Schmidt at 723-2100, ext. 5107, for more information about that.