Christmas Tree Lighting Pics from MBPOA

I recently wrote about the Mastic Beach Property Owners Association tree lighting and how much we enjoyed ourselves. I could not post the pics because my computer was dying a slow death at the time. It ceremoniously went down for the holidays, forcing me to max out my credit card to get a new one. (A writer without a computer is like a taxi driver without a car - without the equipment, you're not making any money.)

Anyway, I am finally getting to put up a pic of the Christmas tree. Hope your holidays were happy and the new year is prosperous for you and yours!

(Reminder: Tonight is the special Board of Ed meeting about the H.S. shooting incident.)

Another Note:

With the holidays, I've been "out of the loop" (never mind we had 2 computers break down, a cell phone and hubby's truck in 2 weeks). I managed to miss an important meeting last night listed on the MBV Exploratory blog:

Meeting on Monday evening, 5th January--all welcome!

Monday, January 5, 2009, 7pm-9pm

Mastic Beach Fire Department, Neighborhood Road , Mastic Beach, NY

Pattersquash Creek Civic Association, Inc. and Mastic Beach Village Exploratory Committee

Agenda:

1. Presentation of Our Two Trophies for Our Two Floats in the Chamber of Commerce Christmas Parade

2. Report on the Neighbor-to-Neighbor Letter Campaign

3. Report on Petition Drive Against the J6 (Second Story) Rezoning of Neighborhood and Mastic Roads in Mastic Beach

4. Guest Presenter: Terry Germano of the Community Library on Library Link and Our Two Listings on that Website

5. Report on Community Efforts in Response to Recent Gun Violence

6. The Mastic Beach Village Exploratory Committee Presents The Year in Review. Videos of the past meetings with West Hampton Dunes Village Mayor Gary Vegliante, Patchogue Village Mayor Paul Pontieri, Islandia Village Mayor Allan Dorman, and Municipal Attorney Joseph Prokop will be shown.

All residents are cordially invited to this very important meeting
that will affect the future of our community.

All members are encouraged to bring a guest or guests.

New Year Board of Education Meeting for Mastic Beach

Happy New Year, Mastic Beach! Are you ready for change in 2009? I certainly am. My word for the new year is "organization". Do you have a word or resolution to live by?

On a local note, I received a telephone call and email about a special Board of Education meeting tomorrow night addressing the recent shooting outside the high school. The email informational purposes is as follows:

Good evening this is Dr. Casciano, Superintendent of Schools. This is a reminder that there will be a special Board of Education meeting Tuesday night, January 6th at 7:30 pm in the High School Auditorium to discuss our district’s response to the incident that occurred after the Varsity basketball game on December 12th. County and law enforcement officials will be at the meeting. I look forward to seeing you tomorrow evening. Thank you and have a good night.

Update On William Floyd High School Shooting

I was glad to just hear those involved in the shooting at William Floyd High School last Friday were apprehended. Here is the update from the William Floyd School District:


The Suffolk County Police Department has made an arrest in last Friday night’s incident at the high school. Police have identified both the suspect and the man believed to be the intended target as non-students in their twenties. The district is pleased that the Police Department has apprehended the suspect so quickly.

The basketball game scheduled for this Friday night has been moved to Saturday during the day. Attendance will be limited to ticket-holders only with valid picture ID. Tickets will be issued in advance only to parents and siblings of players, cheerleaders and rockettes. A limited number of tickets will be issued in advance to students. For students, a ticket to the game and a William Floyd student identification card are required. No one will be permitted to enter without both a ticket and valid photo identification.

No one will be permitted to enter the game after the first quarter. No one will be allowed to re-enter. Additional security and Suffolk County Police Department personnel will be present.

For updated information on this matter visit our website www.wfsd.k12.ny.us and click on the latest “Important Information” link.

A meeting has been scheduled for Tuesday, January 6, 2009, at 7:30 PM in the high school auditorium to provide additional information and updates.

Gunshot At William Floyd High School

Last night I was running a few local errands and wondering why there were so many police and emergency vehicles. When I went to Grace Lutheran Church, I discovered there had been a shooting at the high school. Several teary-eyed teens walked through. Needless to say, everyone was concerned and upset but trying to keep it quiet for the sake of the smaller children.

We received an automated call from William Floyd School District this morning to "explain" the incident. The school district website posted:

"A William Floyd High School student was injured by a gunshot wound to the leg outside the school following a basketball game at William Floyd High School. The student was brought to a local hospital. The injuries are not life threatening.

"The incident occurred at approximately 8:10 PM on Friday, December 12, outside of the school. Bystanders helped the student into the building to receive medical attention at which point emergency responders were called to the scene. The school district is working cooperatively with the Suffolk County Police Department. The district will be taking all measures to ensure the safety of our students and staff. Our thoughts and prayers are with the injured student and the family. Please check our website for more information as it becomes available."

I am saddened to think of this injured student and the family during the holiday season. We must all pray for healing for the individual and our community.

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!

A Victorian Tea In Mastic Beach

I was completely charmed on Thursday evening when I attended a Victorian Tea at the Tangier Smith Elementary School. It was a fun, cultural experience that was a good time for all.

Tasty gourmet cookies and a variety of teas were served, including herbal tea and iced tea for the children. Students from the William Floyd High School orchestra played in the background, which was simply perfect. It was a pleasure to see teens devoting their evening to such a worthy event for children. The children made an easy craft which turned out adorable. It was a simple sachet with fabric and potpourri, which only took a few minutes and will add a pleasant scent to our drawers. There was even a raffle at the end.

My children and I really enjoyed this little event just a few days after Mother's Day. Just one of the many cultural events we get to appreciate in Mastic Beach!