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Well, I can no longer hold things off. The time has come. The holidays are here and I cannot make them slow down.

It seems that the “most wonderful time of the year” is in some sort of big rush this time around. I mean, it feels like it was just the first day of school! I don’t like how quickly things are going, even though I am really enjoying my 3-year-old daughter this holiday season.

This is the year when it all comes together. Santa is no longer scary—well, from a distance, anyway—and waking up Christmas morning and seeing a tree adorned with presents and stockings full of goodies has been a point of discussion every day. Every morning when she wakes up she asks, “Is it still Christmas?” I guess she is afraid that she will miss it!

I am sure that all of the children in Flanders are dreaming of Xbox 360s, iPods and skateboards, and I hope that everyone gets exactly what they are dreaming of this year.

One thing I always wondered about was the lack of appreciation shown to our community volunteers, whether they are involved in parent associations, little leagues, civic groups or one of the local rescue departments. Why is it that people seem to think that it only takes one or two people to run an entire organization? We are all adults and should know just from planning our own events and activities that there is a lot involved in planning day-to-day events, and to assume that more help is not necessary because someone else is already doing it is just silly.

Volunteers are doing just that. They are donating their time to plan and coordinate on your behalf and I can guarantee you that a phone call asking if any more help is needed would be welcomed and appreciated. We are all busy these days with work and family, but so are the volunteers who are giving up their free time to work for you, so why not step up to the plate and give a hand so that everyone can enjoy some free time.

Speaking of volunteers, our fire department and ambulance company are volunteer organizations and these individuals are doing a lot more than planning your next school dance or baseball fund-raiser. They are risking their lives every day to keep us all safe and we thank every one of them for that.

Congratulations are in order for members of the Flanders Fire Department who just held their annual elections. Scott Lambeck was elected chief with Todd Ryan elected as 1st assistant chief and Joseph Pettit elected as 2nd assistant chief. Judging by those results it looks like it is going to be a great year for our fire department.

Congratulations also go out Mike Spano who won his race for fire commissioner. Great job, guys, and thank you for all that you do for the greater Flanders community.

On Tuesday, December 8, the fourth-graders at Phillips Avenue Elementary School held their annual winter concert and it was a great evening for all involved. The students sang a variety of winter songs and each song was introduced by an essay written and read by one of the students. The talented writers were: Darius Johnson, Mikhala Frieri-O’Niel, Christopher D’Amour, Hanna Baldwin, Aniyah Pita and Ocean Van Der Loos, the latter of whom created original Christmas riddles for the audience to answer.

There was also a dancing portion of the show entitled “Blitzen’s Boogie” and Nia Johnson, Rudy Polanco, Scott Baker, Grace Tocci, Carla Crump, Alex Estrada Cortez and Maria Castillo with Tut Ankh Amen Exum as Blitzen entertained with their wonderful dancing.

Many thanks to Roy Buccola who has led these kids to many successful concerts for many years. I remember my daughter Brittany having so much fun with him 10 years ago when she started at Phillips Avenue and to this day he still remembers her every time she visits the building. He is a great guy who is running a great program.

Mr. Buccola would like to thank Sean O’Hara, the director of music and fine arts for the Riverhead School District, for getting the new spotlights, and Charlie Zukowski for putting them together without a manual. He would also like to thank the entire custodial staff at Phillips Avenue for setting up and breaking down the equipment and chairs. Thanks also go out to Mrs. Cantalupo, former student Zachary Beers, Mrs. Finnegan for donating the Christmas tree, and fourth grade teachers Mrs. Kobus, Mr. Payton and Mrs. Nugent for all of their support. Special thanks to Mr. Deschamps for attending every concert in the last 10-plus years and supporting the kids of Phillips Avenue. Great job, everyone.

Well, that is it for now. Next week’s edition will feature my last column of the year, so please make sure you get your information to me by Saturday night so I can share it with the community. Have a great week.