North Fork News

Power Squadron Honor

Outgoing commander Fred Smith, AP, of the US Power Squadron’s, District 3, will be honored at a Change of Watch ceremony on March 30.

Smith was commander of District 3, which covers Suffolk, Nassau, Brooklyn, and Queens, from 2018 to 2019. He joined the Peconic Bay Squadron in 2001 and has served in various positions, including as Peconic Bay’s commander from 2006 to 2008 and again in 2011. Smith is also a New York State certified instructor for the US Power Squadron and a Vessel Safety Examiner.

Smith has lived in Mattituck since 1999, with his wife of 49 years, Nancy. Since retiring in 2001, Smith has volunteered on the Mattituck-Laurel Historical Society as a president and trustee, served as Mattituck Community Fund president for four years, and is currently a board member of the American Legion.

Suffolk County Historical Society Museum

In honor of National Quilting Day, the Suffolk County Historical Society Museum will host “Preserving the Fabrics of Your Life” with Susan Jerome on Saturday, March 16, from 10 AM to 1 PM.

Jerome is the collections manager of the University of Rhode Island’s Historic Textile and Costume Collection. The event will celebrate the traditional craft and art form and recognize quilt makers and their skills and is co-sponsored by the Hallockville Museum Farm.

Seats are limited. Tickets are $25 for non-members and $20 for Hallockville or SCHS members. To purchase tickets, call 631-298-5292.

Foster Graduates From Basic Training

Airman 1st Class Wade T. Foster of Cutchogue graduated from basic military training at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland in San Antonio, Texas.

Foster completed an intensive, eight-week program that included training in military discipline and studies, Air Force core values, physical fitness, and basic warfare principles and skills. With this training, he also earned four credits toward an associate in applied science degree through the Community College of the Air Force.

Foster is the son of Thomas P. and Jennifer L. Foster, and brother of Sage and Halle Foster of Cutchogue. He graduated from Mattituck High School in 2018.

Aquarium Accreditation

The Long Island Aquarium received accreditation from the Alliance of Marine Mammal Parks and Aquariums.

The accreditation is recognized as the gold standard for zoological parks and aquariums with marine mammals throughout the world. It recognizes the Long Island Aquarium as having the highest standards of animal care, veterinary practices, welfare practices, conservation, and education.

Obtaining the endorsement was a two-year process that consisted of compiling information, submitting a complex application, and an intensive inspection of the aquarium’s facility and staff.

“It’s very exciting to be considered among the top marine mammal facilities in the world,” Candyce Paparo, the director of animal training, said. “And to finally get this team the recognition it deserves for being some of the best professional animal specialists in the world as well.”

Pressler On President’s List

Emily Pressler of Southold was recognized on Georgia Southern University’s Fall 2018 President’s List.

Pressler was named to the list for excellence in academics. To be eligible for the President’s List, a student must have at least a 4.0 grade point average and carry a minimum of 12 hours for the semester.

Hance Elected Peconic Landing Board Chairwoman

Carol W. Hance of Sag Harbor was recently elected as chairwoman of the Peconic Landing’s Board of Trustees.

Hance, who served on the board for four years, is the managing director of LongueVue Capital and a member of the investment committee. She has had experience as a private equity investor and as an investment and commercial banker dealing with small and middle market companies.

The 13-member board is responsible for ensuring the fiduciary integrity of the organization while ensuring optimal performance of services. The board approves all operating budgets, annual operating plans, and strategic planning initiatives.

Hance will take over the position after the end of the term of Sandra Novick, the current chair who has served for the past two years. Novick will continue as a board member, chair of the marketing committee, and a member of Peconic Landing’s Strategic Planning Committee.

Southold Rotary Pasta Dinner

The Rotary Club of Southold will hold its annual fund raising Pasta Dinner on Monday, April 8, at Touch of Venice Restaurant in Cutchogue from noon until 8 PM.

The meal will include salad, a choice of four entrees, and a dessert made by Chef Brian Pennacchia and his staff. The proceeds will go toward various Rotary projects, such as scholarships for Southold and Mattituck High School students, Maureen’s Haven, Laundry Love, Eastern Long Island Hospital, Camp Pa-Qua-Tuck, Southold Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts, and more.

Tickets are $25 per person. A take-out option is also available. Gratuities are not included. Tickets can be bought in advance by contacting Walter Kruspki at 631-298-8026 or at robwalt@optonline.net. They are also available at the door.

Property Tax Extension

The Riverhead Town Board recently approved a resolution that allows an extension of property tax payments for federal employees affected by the government shutdown earlier this year.

The town will extend the deadline to pay property taxes for furloughed and unpaid federal workers from to April 25. The extension will also apply to the spouses of those workers affected.

Riverhead joins Brookhaven, Babylon, and Huntington, as well as Suffolk County, in offering this assistant to federal employees who had to work without pay during the shutdown.

“Working families should not have to suffer because of the dysfunction the dysfunction in Washington,” Supervisor Laura Jens-Smith said.

Extensions will be granted automatically to affected federal employees, but those applying must notify the Tax Receiver’s Office that they are seeking the extension. Proof of employment must be provided.

gmkotz@indyeastend.com