Community News, October 24

Tuckahoe School seventh graders recently took a four-day trip to the Pocono Environmental Education Center in Dingmans Ferry, Pennsylvania. Students participated in a wide range of hands-on science activities; traveled off-site to explore waterfalls, bike local trails, and raft down the Delaware River. The trip was offered to students as part of Tuckahoe School’s Outdoor Education Program.

Peconic Bay Medical Center has added four new members to its women’s health team--an ob/gyn, two midwives and a women’s health nurse practitioner-- incudling, from left, Julia Chachere, NP; Vandy Ferrer, CNM; and Elizabeth Morrison, CM.

The Hampton Bays High School cheerleaders helped the Baymen to homecoming win against the Wyandanch Warriors on October 11.

Kindergartner Porter Faulk takes a moment to visit the fire station during Raynor Country Day School's annual Tykes on Bikes Safety Town Event. The event uses a fleet of tricycles and a series of challenging obstacles to promote student safety and community knowledge. Children experience a railroad crossing, a toll booth, a crosswalk, and interact with many community helpers such as firefighters, police officers, bankers, bakers, veterinarians, teachers, crossing guards, train conductors, utility workers and more.

Prekindergartner Tony Bruno pedals past a police vehicle at Raynor Country Day School's annual Tykes on Bikes Safety Town Event. The event uses a fleet of tricycles and a series of challenging obstacles to promote student safety and community knowledge. Children experience a railroad crossing, a toll booth, a crosswalk, and interact with many community helpers such as firefighters, police officers, bankers, bakers, veterinarians, teachers, crossing guards, train conductors, utility workers and more.

Fifth-graders Brett Geller and Chloe Gappelberg get into character as community helpers for Raynor Country Day School's annual Tykes on Bikes Safety Town Event. The event uses a fleet of tricycles and a series of challenging obstacles to promote student safety and community knowledge. Children experience a railroad crossing, a toll booth, a crosswalk, and interact with many community helpers such as firefighters, police officers, bankers, bakers, veterinarians, teachers, crossing guards, train conductors, utility workers and more.

Artist Michael Paraskevas gave Southampton High School students to a tour of an exhibit of his work at the Southampton Arts Center on October 11. During the tour, the students learned more about his work as a children’s author and illustrator. He also gave each student with a hand-painted and autographed baseball cap.

Our Lady of the Hamptons fourth-grader Jeremy Trellis gets suited up at the school's annual fire prevention day presented by Southampton Fire Department volunteers.

Five members of the Westhampton Beach Fire Department participated in Saturday’s Tri-state Tough Mudder event in New Jersey. Promoted as an "8- to 10-mile loop of mud-soaked mayhem," the event is a test of strength, endurance, and teamwork. This year’s event included 25 obstacles with many involving a water soaking or a mud bath for any participant unable to overcome the challenge. Firefighter James Czachur was able to get over the wall known as Everest 2.0 with some help from his teammates, from left, Lieutenant Robert Eckles, Jr., Captain Jeff Wachenfeld, and probationary firefighter Chris Winters. Courtesy Westhampton Beach Fire Department

Students in environmental and marine science classes at Westhampton Beach High School participated in a “Day in the Life of a River” project on October 18 at Squire Pond in Hampton Bays. While on the field trip, the students collected data on biodiversity and water quality as part of a multiyear study by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation and the nonprofit Peconic Baykeeper. They gained hands-on field techniques as they collected samples of water and invertebrates and examined the physical and chemical aspects of the river.

The kindergartners in June Eaton’s class at Hampton Bays Elementary School have been exploring the life cycle of pumpkins. Along with watching videos, reading books and creating posters on the topic, they created 3D pumpkin models using paper bags, orange paint and pipe cleaners. Their lesson culminated with a trip to Hank’s Pumpkintown on October 18.

Westhampton Beach Fire Department probationary firefighter Chris Winters, left, and Captain Dave Slover slide their way through the Mud Mile. Courtesy Westhampton Beach Fire Department

Scout Troop 58, based in Southampton, held a successful breakfast fundraiser on Sunday at 230 Elm. SOUTHAMPTON TROOP 58 PANCAKE BREAKFAST GREAT SUCCESS THANKS TO OUR SOUTHAMPTON COMMUNITY Southampton Boy Scouts Troop 58 is so appreciative of all the community support they received for their Pancake Breakfast Fundraiser held Sunday, October 20th at 230 Elm in Southampton. The scouts and parents worked hard to provide a breakfast that received rave reviews all around. It was wonderful to see the boys in uniform working together as a team. The proceeds from this fundraiser go to support Troop 58 in their scouting endeavors throughout the year. Courtesy Troop 58

Hampton Bays Middle School students honored U.S. Navy veteran Timothy Fennelly during a flag ceremony on October 18.

North Sea Community families gathered for its fourth annual pumpkin-carving party.

North Sea Community families gathered for its fourth annual pumpkin-carving party. Three from among the many terrific entries were chosen as prize-winners. From left, Francesca Dunkirk, Maggie Glanz and Olivia Milani each earned a $25 gift card donated by Southampton Town Kiwanis.

Robert I. Ross of Hampton Bays was recently recognized by the Rotary Club of Hampton Bays as their Outstanding Person of the Year at a cocktail reception at Oakland’s Restaurant. Mr. Ross was presented with proclamations from Senator Ken LaValle, Assemblyman Fred Thiele, Legislator Bridget Fleming and the Southampton Town Board, all of whom attended the event. He also received a Certificate of Special Congressional Recognition from Congressman Lee Zeldin. At the reception, the Rotary Club named Mr. Ross a Paul Harris Fellow. Mr. Ross, a former Southampton Town Deputy Supervisor, currently serves as Vice President of Community and Government Relations at Stony Brook Southampton Hospital and is a member of numerous Southampton Town committees. In addition, he is active with several local community organizations.

Westhampton Beach Elementary School students Elizabeth Sultan and Amanda Michne sit on the new Kait's Angels buddy bench, donated by the benevolent associations of Westhampton Beach Village Police ande Southampton Town Police. The weather moved the presentation inside and the bench will be installed near the school's playground. The bench is the most recent donation made possible through the efforts of Kait's Angels, a group of friends of Kait Doorhy, a graduate of Mattituck High School, who was killed in 2014 after being hit by a car during her sophomore year of college. Kait's Angels aim to have a Buddy Bench at every elementary school on the North and South forks; so far every school on the North Fork has one and several schools on the South Fork.

Rebecca and Will Chambers dig for candy at the Westhampton Free Library's Trunk or Treat at the Westhampton Beach Elementary School on Saturday. SONDRA ROSANTE

Ciara and Samantha McKee at the Westhampton Free Library's Trunk or Treat at the Westhampton Beach Elementary School on Saturday. SONDRA ROSANTE

Paul Hewit at the Westhampton Free Library's Trunk or Treat at the Westhampton Beach Elementary School on Saturday. SONDRA ROSANTE

Bridgehampton Fire Department Assistant Chief Mark Balserus addresses the crowd as the Bridgehampton Fire Department hosted a Wetdown Ceremony for three new pieces of apparatus - a new Chief's pickup truck, a small, light-duty utility vehicle and a new brush truck - at their headquarters on School Street on Saturday. MICHAEL HELLER

The new Bridgehampton Fire Department chief's truck passes under water deluges from the Southampton and Bridgehampton hook & ladder trucks as the Bridgehampton Fire Department hosted a Wetdown Ceremony for three new pieces of apparatus - a new Chief's pickup truck, a small, light-duty utility vehicle and a new brush truck - at their headquarters on School Street on Saturday. MICHAEL HELLER

Linda Reichling at the Westhampton Free Library's Trunk or Treat at the Westhampton Beach Elementary School on Saturday. SONDRA ROSANTE

Juliet Levens at the Westhampton Free Library's Trunk or Treat at the Westhampton Beach Elementary School on Saturday. SONDRA ROSANTE

Fred Wilford christens the new brush truck 7-2-7 with a bottle of champagne as the Bridgehampton Fire Department hosted a Wetdown Ceremony for three new pieces of apparatus - a new Chief's pickup truck, a small, light-duty utility vehicle and a new brush truck - at their headquarters on School Street on Saturday. MICHAEL HELLER