OUR COMMUNITY — Getting closer in celebration
Coming soon!!!! TOP
THANKSGIVING — Thanksgiving — is a time for thanks in the AntiHamptons
The point of Thanksgiving is to remember all the things for which we are grateful. We give thinks for the food before us and our family and friends. We also have to keep in mind that we are giving thanks for all the thousands of fortunate moments, the multitude of blessings that we receive each year. That's not always as easy as it sounds.
We tend to remember the bad things much more easily than the good. Making thankfulness an everyday habit, will benefit you throughout the year. Don't focus on what you don't have. Focus on what you do have. For example: "I'm so fortunate to have a warm place to sleep in the winter." "I'm so fortunate to live in a safe neighborhood where I can take walks on the waterfront." "I'm so fortunate to be able to live in such a beautiful place."
Think about people you've known that have made you thankful for their existence. Think about people who have made life hard for you. Now think about the things you accomplished because of them. Did you finish something because they said that you couldn't? Did you get better at something because they made fun of you when you did it badly? Did their cruel actions make you vow never to treat others that way? Even the negative forces in your life can be hidden blessings, worthy of your thanks.
Think about the animals that have given you joy. Think about the places that make you smile. Now pass it on. True gratitude involves action. Lend a hand. Pitch in. Make a gift. Give your time. Listen. Give back as often as you can. Even a friendly greeting can make all the difference in the world. Let others know when they've done something that you're thankful for.
Remember that hard times make good times sweeter. Also keep in mind that obstacles and challenges not only make you stronger, but they force you to explore outside of the comfortable routine that you've settled into. Without challenges, there can be no progress. Without obstacles, there can be no achievement. Be thankful for the opportunities that they provide.
We here at the AntiHamptons are thankful to all our community associations working hard to make this a wonderful place to live. For the natural beauty of the AntiHamptons and for the fantastic AntiHamptonites that through their hard work and commitment to the area make this neighborhood a true community. Thanksgiving is gratitude's special day, be thankful today and then make it a habit for your whole life. TOP
What to do on Halloween — So many choices!
There are a ton of events going on this Halloween season here in the AntiHamptons. You can find a Halloween fright fest for teenagers. A Masquerade ball for the adults. Countless Halloween parties for the kids and a parade for everyone!
October 25-26: Spooky Walk Camp Pa-Qua-Tuck 7 p.m.- 9 p.m. $10 at the gate
October 25: Masquerade Night at the Races Center Moriches Knights of Columbus. Buffet dinner, beer wine & soda included. $45 a ticket.
October 26: Keith Romaine's Halloween Party at the Mastic Beach Property Owners' Association Clubhouse. A free event for children 10 years of age and under. The event will feature trick or treat bags, costume contest, music, ice cream, games, spooky storytelling, face painting, entertainment and snacks & juice. You must have a ticket. Tickets are available at Hansen's Carpet, 1473 Montauk Hwy, Mastic and Wanda's, 225 Montauk Hwy, Moriches. Children must be accompanied by and adult. Two sessions 11-1 and 2-4pm.
October 31: Kate Browning's Halloween Party at the Mastic Beach Property Owners' Association Clubhouse A free event for children 10 years of age and under. The event will feature trick or treat bags, costume contest, music, ice cream, games, spooky storytelling, face painting, entertainment and snacks & juice.1 p.m. - 4 p.m.
October 31: Knights of Columbus Children's Halloween Party at the Knights of Columbus Hall; 176 Madison St., Mastic from 5 p.m. - 8 p.m. It's Free!
October 31: March of the Goblins from 4:30pm to 6pm on Main Street Center Moriches. Free candy given out to all kids by the merchants of main street. TOP
Great Kids
We at the AntiHamptons we're scheduled to use this space to promote the Blue Crab Claw Festival at Marina One on August 24th. But we decided to change the content at the last minute because of two incidents that happened here in the AntiHamptons to our editor in the past few weeks.
First Incident: Last week I was riding my bike home from Smith Point with my son in his bike seat singing B-I-N-G-O down William Floyd Parkway. We were stopped by two teenagers on bikes. One of them turned to me and in the most polite voice said, "Excuse me ma'am, did you lose any money? We found some money here on the parkway and we are looking for the owner."
Now, I don't think I look old enough to warrant a "ma'am" so I let it slide — this time. — I told the two young men, "No, I did not lose any money" and went merrily on my way. As I was biking I kept thinking, that is so nice those boys looking for the owner of that money.
Once I got home my husband told me, he too was stopped by the boys. He also told them that he did not lose any money. But he did ask, "How much money did you find?"
They replied, "$50" — Note: They didn't say sir — I'm letting it go, and getting my hair colored.
All I could think was, That's (almost) a tank of gas. A dinner out. The owner of that money is probably really missing it and those nice boys are doing the right and ethical thing by looking for the owner. I puffed with pride like I was their mother — ok, maybe I am old enough to warrant a ma'am.
Second Incident: I was at A National Night Out at William Floyd High School with many of my fellow AntiHamptonites on August 5th. We were all having a terrific time. All the volunteers couldn't have made it a more fabulous evening and I thank them all wholeheartedly.
The sun was setting and my daughter (who is three) was having just about enough. It was past her bedtime after all. So she asks for the ambulance shaped stress reliever that she picked up at the Mastic Volunteer Ambulance Table. I give it to her and she accidentally rips off one one the wheels and now I am listening to the scratching-a-chalk-board-into-a-megaphone that is my daughters screech. I hesitantly go back up to the Mastic Volunteer Ambulance Table and I am told they don't have anymore. I figure, oh well that's that, I'll have my own siren for the bike ride home.
Just then, this wonderful little boy Cameron (who is four) comes up and give my daughter his ambulance stress reliever. She stops crying and between sobs says, "Thank you."
He says, "You're welcome" and walks off with his grandma eyeing the bouncy slide.
Those boys that found that money and Cameron the generous four year old, we're raised right. I am so unbelievably proud to know they are my neighbors. These are the kids of the AntiHamptons — unpretentious well-mannered and courteous. Parents, if they sound like your kids, you are doing a great job. Keep up the good work. TOP
Summer Concerts — Music Under the Stars
There are great musical artists, some world-famous and others who should be, performing all over the AntiHamptons. Practically every summer night there is a free concert. Every type of music genre is showcased, from classical, folk and soft rock to hip-hop, reggae and hard core. Most are performed under the stars. So turn off that TV get outside and and cut a rug with your neighbors.
Music By The Bay — July 19th 6-9pm Brought to you by the Mastic Beach Property Owners Association’s Quality of Life Committee the Summer Concert Series is at Marina 1 on Whittier Drive in Mastic Beach. Refreshments will be available for purchase. Call the Mastic Beach Property Owners Association for more information (631) 399-6111.
An Evening of Music — Classical Music brought to you by the Audubon Society at the Audubon Center at Kalers Pond in Moriches. Bring a chair and a picnic. Donations welcome. Call 451-6113 for more information.
Summer Evening Concert Series - Brought to you by the Chamber of Commerce of the Moriches is on the lawn of the Clayton Huey School. Bring a blanket, chair and picnic.
Nightly Concerts — Every night the Beach Hut Rocks out at Smith Point County Park South End of William Floyd Parkway for more information go to thebeachhuts.com
Check out the AntiHamptons Calendar for more concert dates and times. TOP
Remember — What does Memorial Day mean in the AntiHamptons?
We are a pretty patriotic bunch here in the AntiHamptons. Our brothers, sisters, parents, children are serving in Iraq. Other friends and family members served in Bosnia, The Gulf War, Panama, Grenada, Bay of Pigs, Vietnam, Korea, and WWII. So we take Memorial Day pretty seriously. We hold a parade down Neighborhood Road in Mastic Beach. We honor the fallen and remember their sacrifices.
Memorial Day is when we, wear our poppies, fly our Flags and place flowers and flags on the graves of Military Personnel. Frequently there is a reading of Abraham Lincoln's Gettysburg Address. We all take time to remember the human sacrifice that has been taken to establish and maintain this great Nation of ours.
Later in the day on Memorial Day, time is set aside for picnics and other outdoor activities. This Holiday generally marks the beginning of the Summer Season. Which is akin to opening day here in the AntiHamptons. We enjoy ourselves. We live and live well. That's how we remember and honor the amazing americans that have come before and will come after. We live like Americans. TOP
