Huntington Notebook: Kayak for a Cause; Huntington Awareness Day

12th Annual 'Kayak for a Cause' a Success

Thirty five paddlers kayaked across the Long Island Sound--from Crab Meadow Beach in Northport to Connecticut--for the 12th annual 'Kayak for a Cause' fundraiser on July 21. A group comprised of KFAC veterans and newcomers alike to raise money for local charities that focus on helping the environment and their community.

Shortly after 7 a.m., paddlers had their choice of options. A new feature for KFAC XII: a “boomerang” from Connecticut to Connecticut, a round trip paddle of 24 miles from Connecticut to Long Island and back. Also, paddlers could paddle from Crab Meadow Beach on Long Island to Sandy Beach in Connecticut. The paddlers returned to Sandy Beach in Norwalk that evening for an after party featuring food and entertainment.

Kayakers were required to donate a minimum of $500 to participate in the event and the funds raised were donated to several charities such as: Canine Companions for Independence, Norwalk River Watershed Association, Fidelco, Builders Beyond Borders, Alzheimer’s Association, Save the Sound and Norwalk Nagrote. Thanks to the generous event sponsors – Heineken, Voli Vodka, Onyx Moonshine, Purple Turtle Catering, Purdue Pharma – KFAC was able to cover all costs of the event and every dollar raised will be donated to the various charities.

“I was honored to welcome the participants of this commendable event onto our shore and see them off on their journey to Connecticut,”said Huntington  Councilwoman Susan Berland. “I wholeheartedly thank the coordinators and everyone who took part in Kayak for a Cause. This is such a wonderful event that spans both our shores, gives generously to charity and I look forward to it every year.”

Huntington Day

Mark Sept. 22 on the calendar for the Third Annual Huntington Awareness Day, which includes a parade through Huntington Station and a fair that celebrates the community’s unity, diversity and solidarity.      

In celebrating Huntington Station’s continuing revitalization, the parade will take special notice of the Rosen family, which has been a force in the local business community since 1982. The family’s continuing investments in the community have helped spark Huntington Station’s rebirth, including the office building that houses the Huntington Station branch of the Huntington Public Library, the 7-Eleven adjacent to that building and the recently opened Station Sports entertainment complex on Depot Road. Brad Rosen, who is treasurer of the Huntington Station Business Improvement District, will represent his father, Robert, and other family members as grand marshal.  

Once again, bands, floats, vintage cars, service groups and local merchants will join the march through Huntington Station from West Hills Road to Church Street, ending at the fair in the municipal parking lot between Railroad Street and Church Street.  The fair will include performances by local artists, a participatory chalk art activity and booths offering crafts and services. Local restaurants will be on hand to sell food.

The starting time for the parade has been changed to 11 a.m. to encourage more spectator participation. The fair will run through 5 p.m.

The parade and fair are organized by the Huntington Awareness Community Partnership. Persons can obtain details about sponsorship or parade participation and download the necessary forms at the website, www.huntingtonawareness.org.

Those interested in becoming a parade sponsor, entering a float in the parade or reserving vendor space can also contact Dolores Thompson either by calling her at 631-425-2640 or by sending an e-mail to huntsec@aol.com.

Huntington v. Babylon Bocce Tournament on Aug. 4

On Saturday, Aug. 4, teams consisting of four players will converge at Mill Dam Park in Halesite to play bocce - an old world sport that combines bowling, marbles and the precision of golf.  The sport takes skill as a player tosses a two pound ball down a 76 foot long dirt court. Whether aiming for the pallini (a small white sphere that looks like a cue ball) or trying to bump the opposition's ball out of the way, it certainly is more difficult than it looks.
 
The tournament between the Town of Huntington and the Town of Babylon began in 2002, and has grown in popularity with each passing year.  The 2012 tournament will be hosted by Huntington Councilman Mark Cuthbertson and Babylon Supervisor Rich Schaffer, and for the first time, the tournament will take place at the four new bocce courts Mill Dam Park in Halesite.

Depending on the number of teams, the tournament will either be “round robin” or “double elimination.” The FREE tournament begins at 9 a.m. on Saturday, Aug. 4 and is open to all.  Please register in teams of four players. The registration deadline is July 27. For more information or for registration forms, please call 351-2877.

Coming Up

Zoning Board of Appeals will meet at 6 p.m. on Thursday in Town Hall. The agenda is attached as a PDF.