Huntington Local

A Delightful Quarantine opens at Walt Whitman High School's Performing Arts Center Friday.

By Steve Bartholomew

This weekend, Walt Whitman's Center Stage Productions presents a sharp, witty, warm, and very delightful comedy that follows the lives of a small town's residents and visitors when they find themselves under a sudden house-bound quarantine.

Written by Mark Dunn, A Delightful Quarantine is a heart-warming original comedy/drama about how people react when there's nowhere else to go. Story lines are deftly balanced, and comedy ensues as people are forced to confront their personal issues.

Performances are scheduled for Friday, December 5, and Saturday, December 6, at 7:30 PM in the Walt Whitman High School Performing Arts Center. A special 2 p.m. matinee will be offered on Sunday. Tickets are $7 for adults and $5 for students/seniors. Senior citizens will enjoy free admission for the Sunday performance.

By Michael Ebert
michael.ebert@newsday.com

A group of 20 members of Commack High School’s Pay It Forward Club performed good deeds last month by raking and bagging leaves at four random homes.

As part of the project, the students left postcards urging the homeowners to use the time they were saved to “pay it forward” and help out someone in their lives.

“Our members have the opportunity to identify challenges in their communities,” said club adviser Rob Raeihle. “This project was fun and did indeed serve those families chosen.”

Patricia Radovich, Donna Robson and Florence Tuzzi

By Danielle Lambert

Three educators from Thomas J. Lahey Elementary School in the Harborfields Central School District recently presented at the 58th annual New York State English Council Conference.

Principal Florence Tuzzi, third-grade teacher Patricia Radovich and literacy coach Donna Robson gave a one-hour workshop about the school’s Balanced Literacy Reading Program. Recognized as a Program of Excellence in 2007, the three were asked to present the award-winning program to other English educators.

In addition, Robson received the NYSEC Educator of Excellence Award for showing a commitment to excellence, innovation and creativity in teaching, mentoring and learning. She was nominated by a colleague for inspiring excellence in students and teachers.

Danielle Lambert handles public relations for the school district.

“Beauty and the Beast’s Magical Christmas” is children’s theater where the audience participates, Saturday, 3 p.m. at the Carriage House Theatre, Suffolk County Vanderbilt Museum, 180 Little Neck Rd., Centerport, $10. For more information, call 631-854-5550, or visit arenaplayers.org.

Compiled by Joy Vestal

Centerport
A resident on Harrison Drive said vandals broke his front window Nov. 23.

Commack
The front window was broken Nov. 23 on a house on Tollgate Drive.

East Northport
A burglary was discovered Nov. 25 at a store on Laurel Road.

A man told police his car was stolen Nov. 25 from a parking lot on Larkfield Road. He said he had left the auto running to warm it up when it was taken.

A purse was stolen Nov. 25 from a car in the Stop N Shop parking lot on Route 25A.

Huntington
A purse was stolen Nov. 26 from a car on Sherwood Court.

Vandals damaged a car on Sheppard Lane Nov. 26.

Huntington Station
A man on Fairground Avenue and Pulaski Street told police he was robbed Nov. 25.

Melville
A burglary was reported Nov. 24 at a building on Hub Drive.

The tires were stolen Nov. 25 from a car on Sandgate Place.

The hubcaps were stolen Nov. 26 from a car in the Kohl’s parking lot on Route 110.

West Hills
Items were stolen from a car Nov. 25 on Sherman Street.

Here is a collection of earlier police reports.

Ruth Handler with some Barbie dolls in 1999.

Learn all about “The Story Behind the Barbie Doll and Her Creator, Ruth Handler” from Bernie Kivowitz, retired director of national sales accounts for Mattel, tonight from 7:30 to 9 at the
Huntington Library, 338 Main St., Huntington. Call 631-427-5165 if you need more information.

Robert Mrazek, a former five-term Democratic congressman from Centerport, will read and sign his new book, “A Dawn Like Thunder,” on Saturday, Dec. 13 at 11 a.m. at the American Air Power Museum in East Farmingdale.

According to an official of the museum, the book, which is subtitled “The True Story of Torpedo Squadron Eight,” tells “the little known story of a small group of men in an almost forgotten torpedo squadron that, through a combination of courage, loyalty and sacrifice, helped change the course of history at the epic World War II battles of Midway and Guadalcanal. In doing so, they became the most highly decorated American naval air squadron of the Second World War.”

Mrazek is the author of three novels, including the award-winning "Stonewall’s Gold." The museum is at 1230 New Highway, and the event, which will include a Q&A session, is open to the public.

Assemb. Jim Conte, left, with 5th grade students. At right, Mrs. Cinzia Reeves and teaching assistant Teresa Romero.

By Jen Pratico

Assemb. Jim Conte (R,C,I,WF-Huntington Station) recently taught a government lesson in Cinzia Reeves's 5th grade Dual Language class at Woodhull Intermediate School.

Assemblyman Conte spoke about the three branches of government in Washington and Albany and how it relates to the residents and students of the Town of Huntington. He also showed a video on "How an Idea Becomes a Law", which details the legislative process in New York state government.

Jen Pratico is an aide to Conte.

By Susannah Mrazek

With the holidays rapidly approaching, Councilwoman Glenda A. Jackson and Kevin Clement of K. Clement Landscaping wanted to do their part to bring a little more holiday cheer to Huntington Station.

They decided they would fulfill this goal by planting a tree; not just any tree, but what they hoped would someday become an official holiday tree of Rockefeller Center in Manhattan.

Just before Thanksgiving, Jackson and Clement, in photo at left, partnered to bring the first official holiday tree to the area. The tree was chosen and planted in Fair Meadow Park (corner of Park Ave and Pulaski Rd) by Clement and will be decorated by the Town of Huntington with brilliant lights and lit simultaneously with the longstanding Village Green tree on December 9, 2008 at 4:45 p.m.

The planting of the 18-foot Norway Spruce is part of a series of events that Jackson hopes will inspire pride in the community. The tree is expected to grow 2 feet per year, and be over 100 feet in the next forty years. Clement hopes that this will mean a chance for the spruce to be considered for the annual Rockefeller Center Holiday Celebration.

“A big thanks goes out to K. Clement Landscaping for their commitment to the Town of Huntington this holiday season,” Jackson said. “It is my hope that his gift to the community will resonate in every home and that children and families will enjoy the beautiful addition to Fair Meadow Park in Huntington Station.”

In the coming years, it is hoped that the tree will be celebrated with decorations and tributes to the different holidays of the season. If businesses, individuals or local organizations are interested in helping with the future of the Huntington Station holiday tree, please contact Jackson at (631) 351-3174.

Susannah Mrazek is a legislative aide to the town board.

Personal trainer Mary McCabe will be making a presentation tomorrow night called "What Every Woman Should Know" at the Half Hollow Hills in Dix Hills.

Learn eating and exercise habits that boost the immune system, the truth about the sun, how to avoid mental bullets and more. Bring a photo of yourself and wear comfortable clothes (there will be movement.)

It starts at 7:30 p.m. at the library, 55 Vanderbilt Pkwy.