Mastic Beach Christmas Tree & Menorah Lighting

The Mastic Beach Christmas tree and menorah lighting was rained out yesterday and rescheduled to Sunday, December 6, at 6:30 PM.  See you there!

Mastic Beach Tree Lighting 2009

Thanks to the Mastic Beach Property Owners Association, the community will enjoy a Christmas tree and menorah lighting on December 5, 2009 at the gazebo on Neighborhood Road.  It's right across from the John's Pizza (the pink pizza place). 

Santa will be there so bring the children for a great family time!  We had fun last year and look forward to attending this year.  Isn't the snowman from last year's ceremony adorable?  There will be decorations and memories to be made right in Mastic Beach. 

Keith Romaine, Brookhaven Councilman, Dies At Only 36

Everyone was extremely saddened to hear Keith Romaine, our Brookhaven councilman, died at the young age of 36.  His hard work and dedication will be greatly missed.

The Long Island Press reported Romaine passed away at Winthrop University Hospital in Mineola from complications caused by a viral infection.

Romaine just won the reelection last week.  It is shock to hear he died at 11 a.m. today.  Romaine's dad is Ed Romaine, a Suffolk Legislator who served as County Clerk under the former County Exec Robert Gaffney. 

Suffolk GOP chair John Jay LaValle, a long time friend of Romaine, was quoted by the Long Island Press something that reflects what everyone feels, "I am deeply saddened by the loss of my friend and colleague.  The thoughts and prayers of the entire Republican family are with his father Ed and the entire Romaine family. Although he passed at such a young age, his tireless efforts on behalf of his community have left an indelible mark on so many lives. He will be missed but not forgotten.” 

Autumn In Mastic Beach

Summer sands slip through our fingers the leaves turn from green to shades of orange, yellow and red.  Instead of hanging out at the Beach Hut at Smith's Point, we are hiking at our local trails.

The Wertheim, St. Georges Manor and William Floyd Estate are beautiful places to hike during the fall season.  Listen to the birds as you observe the fantastic fall foliage and watch the deer run by. 

We took a hike last week at the Wertheim but I forgot to bring my camera.  I can't wait to go back and get those fabulous shots of the fall foliage reflected on the Carman's River.

Mastic Beach is much more than summer fun - it's a breathtaking place to be in the fall. 

By the way, are you getting ready for Halloween?  I just put up all my harvest decorations and bought pounds of candy in preparation for the trick-or-treating ghosts and goblins.

Do You Really Want Mastic Beach To Be A Village?

Everyone is doing it. Those cool green signs are posted all over the neighborhood, indicating a household in support of making Mastic Beach an incorporated village. Is it peer pressure or do you really want to be a village?

Having been employed in municipal law for over a decade, I am well aware of the positive and negative elements of becoming an incorporated village. In some instances, communities gain much-needed organization and assistance. Often this occurs in tiny communities with little other opportunity for a voice.

Mastic Beach is a large area. While many people claim we won't pay more taxes as a village, that simply isn't true. I've seen these plans in action over the years in many areas. We will pay more taxes and can the residents of Mastic Beach really afford that? What about seniors who lived here their entire lives? Disabled veterans and their families barely getting by now? Will this new village financially force these people out? Where will they go after building this community, often considered one of the "last hopes" on Long Island? Is this a way to thank them, the PEOPLE of Mastic Beach?

I don't see it impacting the slumlords, who are all integrated into our school district, government and community organizations. They will tailor laws to suit their own needs, creating an area with the "have's" and "have-nots" instead of the wonderful, struggling middle class community we are.

It seems to be another way to pick the pockets of residents of our community. Ultimately, more people will be in "power" with greater control over our lives, homes and money. We know what government officials have done with that power in the past. Is this what we really want?

Frankly, I was for this Village idea for all of ten minutes until I started to reconsider the harsh realities. It seems to be wiser to band together to demand our already elected officials DO THEIR JOBS. If everyone did their jobs, this would not be an issue. Our government is already top heavy with little real representation for the people. Though I don't see it in the media or local papers, many people I talk to do NOT want the village and feel it is a mistake.

How about signs for us? Let's stand up and be counted.

Mastic Beach's Anna Wintour On David Letterman

Mastic Beach is home to an array of famous people including artists, writers, politicians, editors and more. One of our most famous residents is Vogue magazine editor, Anna Wintour. Also known as the inspiration for the movie, "The Devil Wears Prada", Ms. Wintour recently spoke about this and more on the David Letterman show.

Letterman asked if she was as cold as the movie "The Devil Wears Prada" portrays. Wintour demurely replied, "Well, I'm very decisive and I try and give very clear direction to the people that I'm working with, and sometimes, unfortunately, they don't hear the answer that they would like to hear."

Wintour further commented on a recent New York times article claiming she's an ice queen. "I read in the New York Times this week that I'm an ice queen, I'm the sun king, I'm an alien fleeing from District 9 and I'm a dominatrix. I recon that makes me lukewarm royalty with a whip from outer space. What do you think?"

Wintour removed her signature sunglasses for the Letterman interview and wore a fabulous black and white dress by Carolina Herrera.

Kate Browning Visits Bay Manor Reunion

For decades, people sent their children to preschool at Bay Manor. Located in a cozy little room at the Grace Lutheran Church, many happy memories were made at Bay Manor. Both of my children attended this preschool. It was a joyful introduction to learning and we made several lifelong friends.

Due to lack of funding, Bay Manor finally closed their doors. Last year was the first year people did not have Bay Manor to send their children to. It was a sad moment for many of us.

On July 26, Miss Maria decided to host a Bay Manor reunion at South Haven Park. It was a beautiful afternoon. Miss Rosie and Miss Debbie were there to celebrate with many Bay Manor students and families. We all picnicked, talked and had a great time.

Kate Browning visited the Bay Manor reunion to give kudos to Miss Maria for her dedicated service to the children and community. Miss Maria was touched by the lovely commemoration she deservedly received.

I wrote an enthusiastic article about Bay Manor preschool years ago if you want to read more about it. For many Mastic Beach residents, Bay Manor was the beautiful beginning of community life in Mastic Beach. We will miss you, Bay Manor, and look forward to future reunions!