Taking A College Road Trip To The Library

Our Community Library is the perfect place to gather. There's something for everyone and it's always free or low cost. My family and I went to see "College Road Trip" yesterday and had a great time!

The downstairs room at the library just like a movie theater, with comfortable seats and a large screen. Bags of popcorn and juice boxes were served. The movie was an excellent choice with back to school and encourages young people to think about college. "College Road Trip" stars Raven, Martin Lawrence and Donny Osmond, so we laughed during the entire movie.

Where else can you have such a fun afternoon for free?

Bike A Thon

It's funny how Back to School cool at the Community Library was good for the kids and I. While they made their colorful totes, I read a few magazines and took out a funny novel. The magazines inspired me to write for this blog more. Maybe if I take part in the upcoming William Floyd School District Bike-A-Thon, I'll want to exercise more. It's for charity, so it can't hurt to try.

The Bike-A-Thon is sponsored by SEPTO and fundraising benefits both the Special Education PTO and each building PTO. Ten percent goes to the school PTO and the rest benefits special needs children in our district. There are cool prizes for your sponsored donations - example:

$25 donation (smallest) - $10 Toys R Us gift certificate or $10 Target gift certificate (those holidays are coming)

$60 $25 Game Stop or $25 Best Buy gift certificate

$100 - 16" bike for boy or girl or AM/FM CD boom box

$180 I-Pod 2GB Shuffle

$200 - 14" Flat Tube Television

$1,200 - Laptop, 80 GB HD, 15" widescreen

There are all different prizes at various levels. To sign up mail wfsepto@yahoo.com or call 631-399-6258 or go to th HS Senior Cafeteria on Wed. 9/24 at 6 PM. Checks are made out to William Floyd SEPTO. The ride day is October 18 between 9 am and 12 pm. Ride time is less than 30 minutes. Riders are asked to attempt: 2 times around course for grades K-2, 4 times for grades 3-6 and 6 times for 7th grade and above. There are also cool raffles so get involved and get more fit!

Back To School Cool

The Community Library had a fun program on Saturday called, "Back to School Cool". My kids made great tote bags they will use to carry their library books during the years. Since both children read at least a half hour every night, we love the library! It was a terrific program that put my children in the mood for school and reading.

Parent Academy - Identity Theft

William Floyd School District is having their second Parent Academy Workshop. The topic is identity theft and the NYS Attorney General's Office. The educational event is hosted by the William Floyd Community Summit. It will take place at the High School Library on September 24 at 7 PM.

To enroll in the workshop, contact Human Resources (631) 874-1549 or email tmehnert@wfsd.k12.ny.us. Check out this important topic that affects all of us in this high-tech, fast-moving world.

Village of Mastic Beach and The Links

Are you concerned about Mastic Beach becoming an incorporated village? Do you wonder what will happen with the redevelopment project at The Links in Shirley? These are pressing concerns for all of us.

On October 13 at 7 PM the Chamber of Commerce of the Mastics and Shirley will have their monthly meeting at Ladakins Restaurants on Montauk Highway in Moriches. There will be two guest speakers. Paul Breschard, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Pattersquash Creek, will discuss creating a village in Mastic Beach. A rep from the Holiday Organization will talk about future plans for The Links at Shirley. To get more info call Pres. Mark Smothergill at 631-399-0396. Be in the know and go to this meeting about your community.

Are You Ready For The Holidays? I'm Not, But...

On a day like today, we're all still thinking of summer. As my husband and kids go fishing, I'm working on several projects today. I keep taking breaks to blog about the community events coming up. Now that I've covered Halloween and Veterans' Day, it seems only natural to think about the holidays.

Am I ready for them? Not yet - I'm still shopping for back to school supplies and haven't even thought about what the kids will be for Halloween. (Well, we thought about it but didn't get anything yet.) Money is tight and we've saving for the holidays and hoping MI HEAP comes through. Despite those facts, the community marches on to plan the 39th Annual Mastics & Shirley Christmas Parade. The parade will be on December 7 at 12 PM at the Southport shopping center where Kohls is located. The rain/snow date for the parade is December 14.

Christmas Parade Grand Marshals are Paul Breschard, Chairman of the Board of Directors for Pattersquash Creek and Ray Hopp, Deputy Director of Colonial Youth & Family Services. Co-chairmen of the parade are Anthony Liberti and Fred Towle, Jr. For more information about supporting the parade, call 631-281-5500, ext. 103. Send donations to Chamber of Commerce of the Mastics and Shirley, PO Box 4, Mastic, NY 11950. I just can't bring myself to say Merry Christmas yet...not when it's 80 degrees, anyway...

How About Veterans' Day - Since I Already Mentioned Halloween...

Now that I'm thinking of Halloween parties, the next natural thought to pop up is Veterans' Day in November. My husband is a disabled veteran so we always do something special. With all the new veterans in the current war, it's a good year for everyone to do something special for all those veterans who stand up for all of us.

On October 18 there wil be a Craft, Yard, Rummage Sale at American Legion Post 1533 located at the corner of Washington Avenue and Mastic Beach Road. To find out more call 631-1981. Vendors are wanted - contact Joanne at 631-399-5134. Support your local veterans!

Possible Relief From Rising Heating Costs

For all those who did not qualify for LI HEAP, there will possibly be a MI-HEAP as of October. Under the current guidelines, a single person would have to earn less than $22,512 to qualify for LI-HEAP and a family of four would have to earn no more than $43,308. With the proposed MI-HEAP guidelines, a single could earn up to $30,391 annually and a family of four can earn up to $58,465 annually. The program is run by the National Energy Assistance Directors' Association. Those who qualify will receive one-time assistance of $800.

According to Legislator Ed Romaine, "Too many county residents are falling through the cracks." We agree. Check out the story about the proposed MI-HEAP program.

Another resource for heating help is The United Way's "Project Warmth". For more details, call (631)940-3757.

Halloween Is Coming So Let's Party!

We always prefer to participate in a safe, organized activity on Halloween. While we still trick-or-treat, we stay on our own block where we know everyone. For the past two years, we've enjoyed the Halloween festivities at the Mastic Beach Property Owners Association with Kate Browning. This year our community has a Halloween Party and Networking Trad Show for all those new businesses to spread the word.

While I am still waiting to hear about Halloween at the MBPOA, these festivities are sponsored by the Chamber of Commerce of the Mastics and Shirley and The Montauk Highway Merchants' Association. The Halloween Party will be on Friday, October 31, between 4 PM and 8 PM at the William Floyd High School Cafeteria. The event is free and for the first 800 kids under 13. The kids must be with an adult. Tickets are available starting October 1. Call 281-5330 for more info. If you want a table for the trade show, it's only $100 and you can all the same telephone number.

Fun includes a Halloween costume contest, candy and goodie bags, prizes, entertainment, pumpkin coloring and free giveaways. We love safe, free fun!

Family Fun Day Is On The Way!

The William Floyd Community Summit is hosting a fantastic Family Fun Day on September 27 from 11 AM to 3 PM at the Country Fair Entertainment Park at 3351 Route 112 in Medford.

Tickets are available in advance for $12.50 per person in advance. At the park on the 27th, you can still get tickets for $15 per person. The ticket includes your choice of 3 cool park attractions including: 1 go-kart race, 1 round of miniature golf, 4 batting cage tokens, 1 small bucket of driving range balls.

There will also be free activities and you only pay if you plan on using the park's attractions. You know we love something that is fun and free! Free activities include sack races and family fun relay events. You can pack your own picnic lunch or splurge on food at the park concession stand. Wear sneakers so you can enjoy yourself and be safe during the family fun.

For tickets, write: William Floyd Community Summit, PO Box 191, Mastic, NY 11950 or call for more information at 399-2639. Checks are payable to the William Floyd Community Summit by Monday, September 15 - so hurry up to take advantage of the savings of $2.50 per person (that adds up for large families). If the event is cancelled due to weather, you can still use the tickets on another day at the park up until November 15, 2009. See ya there!

Welcome Back To School!

This week marked back to school for all the parents and children in our community. We are glad to see the budget passed and everyone is taking buses and resuming after school activities.

Next week is Meet the Teachers Night. We can all look forward to meeting and greeting our children's new educators. I am particularly fond of the tradition in our school district that allows parents to bring their children up to the school the day before it starts to informally meet their teachers and see their classrooms. My children always visit their new classroom and teacher the day before school begins and it makes them feel calmer and more confident.

For some great back to school deals, check out Staples. It's so convenient to finally have an office supply store right in our own neighborhood. For just ten cents, you can get pocket folders! The only items Staples does not carry are marble notebooks. Check out Rite Aid who continues to run sales on them (I got 3 for 99 cents - a much better price than CVS, who is charging over 2 bucks apiece for marble notebooks).

Wishing everyone a safe, happy and successful school year!