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The other night my son who was upstairs texted my son who was downstairs to ask him to ask me to bring up some water when I came up. At a school concert last week, I overheard a high school girl say that she sends 250 text messages a day.

With fingers flying over tiny keys that I can barely see anymore, these kids communicate in a way that we never did. They are in constant contact with their friends, from the minute they wake up to the minute they go to sleep. Growing up, we did not answer the phone during dinner. They could call back. Now, if I hear the phone buzz in someone’s pocket during dinner, I give the same evil eye across the table that my mother gave me.

No texting during dinner! A new rule that I need to enforce now that spring is here is. No texting during badminton! Help!

Music Idol came to Eastport South Manor on Saturday night and junior and senior high school students had a chance to compete for the title of 2009 ESM Idol. At the end of the night there would be one junior high school student and one high school student chosen as the winner. The evening was sponsored by the ESM Music Booster Club as a fund-raiser for the organization.

It was a concert-like setting in the auditorium, with professional lighting and a sound system. Behind the singers were three giant screens showing the singer performing and music-related graphics. Cameras scanned the audience during the performances so fans could see themselves on the big screens. There were Long Island-related trivia questions asked for prizes and T-shirts were periodically thrown into the crowd. It was loud and it was bright and it was a lot of fun.

Congratulations to Katie Wood of Eastport who was the winner for the high school competition. Katie sang “Only Hope” to a mesmerized audience. Katie is a junior at ESM and the daughter of Gary and Lisa Wood.

The junior high winner was Amanda Mullin who sang a heart-felt “Jesus Take the Wheel.” Both winners will be heard on WBLI and will have a chance to record at a professional recording studio in Smithtown! Congratulations to Katie and Amanda!

Other students who entered the singing competition from the high school (everyone was a winner!) included: Andrew Kohn, Jessica D’Amico, Lisa Jannette, Heather Miura, Jennifer Sylvester, Amelia Navarrete, Nick Casaula, Laura Weinstein, George Welge, Jackie Moeller, Gerlie Loyola, Joe Sergio, Will Rivera, Valerie Pyser and Giuliana Reilly.

Junior high singers included: Nicole Cortes, Kristina Deevers, Jennifer Dardon, Tyrie Donaldson, Erin Feil, Caitlyn McCarthy, Meaghan Monaghan, Shelby Rosen, Ashley Davis, Lauren Newins, Corine Silver, Narrissa Hilbert, Darci Elis, Amanda Rinken, Danielle Russo and Chris Leech and Luisa Skarka.

(Please note that the above names were taken from the event program. I apologize if any were omitted!)

Congratulations to Samantha Stevens who won first place in the New York State BOCES Competition. Regional winners include: Ashley Cunha, Isabella Massa and Lauren Parr who won first place honors; Kaelin Shepley who took second place; and Krysta D’Ancona who finished in third place. All are ESM students.

Leslie Luxemburg of Eastport is now appearing in the North Fork Community Theatre’s production of “The Sound of Music.” Leslie plays Mother Abbess in the play. The musical is being performed at the North Fork Community Theatre, located at 12700 Old Sound Avenue in Mattituck, now through Sunday, May 31. Showtime is 8 p.m. Thursday through Saturday, and 2:30 p.m. on Sunday. Tickets are $20. Call 298-NFCT for more information.

If you noticed a lot of new daffodils at the Eastport Elementary School this spring, you can thank every child at the school who planted one bulb last fall. The kids planted the flowers to commemorate the 80th birthday of the school.

In honor of the big 80th, the kids and teachers are hosting a Curriculum Fair at the school on Tuesday, May 19, from 4 to 7 p.m. The fair will be held in the gym. Everyone is invited to attend and help celebrate this momentous occasion.

Save the date! An all-alumni Eastport High School 80th anniversary reunion is scheduled to take place at The Maples in Manorville on Saturday, July 11, from 1 to 7 p.m. Faculty members and former students are invited to the bash. Tickets are $50 per person. Call Debbie Frey at 325-0227 or Carol Pitney at 801-2582 for details! Reservations must be made by June 10!

The school budget vote is set for Tuesday, May 19, from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m., at the Eastport South Manor Junior-Senior High School. Please come out and show your support.