Computer Technology students at HB Ward Technology Center of Eastern Suffolk BOCES in Riverhead have won their first-ever website awards. These two prestigious awards—Webmaster Excellence Award and Educational Award of Excellence--were given for HB Ward’s websites ease of navigation, obvious hard work, and unique content. The students, who are all members of VICA (Vocational Industrial Clubs of America), are given the unique opportunity to develop and maintain the school’s website which can be found on the web at www.hbward.com.  In addition to working on the school website, the students are working as interns creating and maintaining sites for not-for-profit organizations such as the North Shore Youth Council in Rocky Point and the Brain Injury Society of Manhattan.Award-winning HB Ward Computer Technology Students from left to right: T.J. Schlie (Westhampton); Erick Valdes (East Hampton); Jason Hamlin (Southold); Crystal Stiriz (Manorville); Adam Katz (Hampton Bays); Jonathan Centeno (Hampton Bays); Seidy Solis (Southampton)

Smithtown Seniors:
Like to Read? Can’t Get to the Library?

Here are two “Van-tastic” Solutions! A van from the Smithtown Senior Citizens Center will take you to any Smithtown Library Building.  Upcoming dates for this service are Thursday, February 27 and Thursday March 27.  If you need to go to the library when a visit is not planned, call the Senior Citizens Center’s Transpor- tation Department to inquire about scheduling an individual visit. To arrange to be picked up for a planned visit or to request an individual visit, call the Senior Citizen Center’s Transportation Department at 265-8811.  One week’s notice must be given for a pick up.  There is a $1.00 charge each way for transpor- tation ($2.00 roundtrip). More information.

KeySpan Breaks Natural Gas Delivery Records: 

Meeting the challenge of the severe cold spell in the Northeast, KeySpan has sent out record amounts of natural gas to homes and businesses in New York City and Long Island.  On Long Island, KeySpan sent out 667,930 DTH January24, breaking the previous record of 650,000 DTH, which was set the day before. 

For the next month, students of Mrs. Stakey’s Distributive Services class at H.B. Ward Tech Center in Riverhead are selling paper hearts for a quarter each.  After purchasing the heart, the customer may write a personal valentine to be displayed on bulletin boards in front of the school store.  The class hopes to raise $250 with all proceeds from this activity sponsored by VICA to be donated to the “Make a Wish Foundation.”(Photo: Cynthiana Stone of Southampton adds one more heart to Ward Tech’s annual “Have a Heart” campaign. )

Suzuki Violin classes available at the East End Arts Council Riverhead, NY January 14, 2003- The Suzuki method is based on the premise that any child can learn to play the violin. Group classes for parents and children 3-5 yr. and 5-8 yr. are currently forming for the spring semester starting February 1^st. Private Suzuki violin lessons are also available. Our licensed Suzuki instructor is Ms. Cheryl Beth Blumenthal. Ms. Blumenthal is a member of the international Suzuki Assoc., Suzuki Assoc. of America. For further information please contact the East End Arts Council Community School of the Arts, 141 East Main St., Riverhead NY 11901, 631-369-2171

Drew Wright and Scott Robey were honored by the Town of Huntington for their rescue of John Jahir who had been injured in a swimming pool accident on June 10, 2002. (Click on photo)

Holiday Flowers for All! On December 18, 2002, H. B. Ward Horticulture and Floral Art students and VICA (Vocational Industrial Clubs of America) members brought 60 poinsettia plants to the Skilled Nursing Facility at Central Suffolk Hospital in Riverhead.  The students grew over 600 plants in the school greenhouse, and decided to donate 60 of the plants so that each resident at the facility would receive a plant before the holiday.  The students also sang Christmas songs as they made their deliveries.  It really made the patients’ day, and the students felt the residents’ warmth as they accepted their gifts of kindness

Suffolk County Legislator Jon Cooper (D-Huntington) announced a $10,000 grant for the Inter-Media Arts Center, Inc., which is a non-profit performing arts center located in Huntington Village. IMAC presents live performances and video and visual arts exhibitions to the greater Long Island area. IMAC will use this grant to reupholster worn theater seats that have been in constant use for over half a century

Brookhaven Town Officials joined nearly 100 residents for the Annual Menorah Lighting; a night of traditional music and celebration at the Holtsville Ecology Site. Rabbi Leibel Baumgarten of the Lubavich of Eastern Long Island led the ceremony and the public in a religious observance. Pictured are (left to right) Supervisor John Jay LaValle, Rabbi Leibel Baumgarten, Highways Superintendent Patricia Strebel, Councilwoman Geraldine Esposito, Councilman Charles Lefkowitz, and his two sons Louis and Samuel

Sachem H.S.9th & 10th Graders Bag Leaves for Senior’s

Thirty-eight student volunteers from Sachem High School South after the students volunteered to rake and bag leaves for 9 elderly families this fall.The pilot project was funded with $5,000 of community enhancement funds to purchase rakes, bags, snacks, and arrange transportation to fulfill the request of the seniors. The remaining funds for additional projects in the Town.

Pat Broderick, Lori Hewlett, Fern Miranda helped arrange the 38 ninth and tenth graders that participated: Monika Achtziger, Maria Aiello, Landon Bartel, Luisa Batista, Kiamesha Black, Laura Chillami, Michele Clinton, Christine Clinton, Christina DeLeon, Brianne DeSpiches, Kathryn Fuller, Lauren Funes, Jennifer Grimaldi, Aprile Grossi, Danielle Haskins, Jacqueline Hawson, Katie Herbst, May Khamis, Carisa Kvalvik, Erica LeBow, Danielle Lichte, Terry Meaney, Anthony Meranto, Nicole Munar, Harry Noriega, Stephanie Nucclo, Maggie O'Brien, Preet Parmar, Diane Passenant, Kelly Reinen, Kasey Renna, Sara Rochester, Jessica Ruggierio, Kristina Ryan, Dan Saccoccio, Paula Saunders, Tom Stellwagen, Kerrilynn Timlin, and Joseph Torlentino.

Smithtown resident John Lessard is named to board of DDI. Rest of the story...

The East End Community School of the Arts is pleased to announce that Cheryl Beth Blumenthal has joined the music faculty.Ms. Blumenthal has a Bachelor of Music and Education degree from Wilkes University, Wilkes – Barre, Pennsylvania. She has Suzuki training and certification for the book one, two and three. She has taught at the School Of Music and Fine Arts in Goshen and Warwick, New York, The Suffern Montessori School and Brookhaven Youth Orchestra Suzuki Program. Ms. Blumenthal is a member of the International Suzuki Association, Suzuki Association of America, SCMEA and American String Teachers Association. Mrs. Blumenthal will be available for Suzuki violin instruction on Fridays. For further information call the Community School of the Arts at 369-2171.

–  The Dowling College Psychology Club, Psi Chi Chapter, employed some techniques learned in the classroom to collect 913 pounds of food (over 1,242 items) during their recent three-week food drive to help families in need.  Pictured: Michael Chetta, Club President, Stephanie Moore, Linda Pulitano, Dr. Robert Youth, and Dr. Mitchell Laube.