The Village of Farmingdale recently took first place honors in the New York Conference of Mayors' (NYCOM) 2002 Main Street Competition. The village, which has been working on the revitalization of Main Street and other areas in Farmingdale received the prize recently from NYCOM President Ellen Polimeni. FULL STORY

Senator Kemp Hannon recently invited residents of the Sixth Senatorial District to his annual Family Health and Safety Fair. This year, the event was held at Island Trees Middle School in Levittown on a Saturday afternoon. Over 500 local residents attended the event, which featured exhibits with information on first aid, nutrition, home safety, bicycle safety, dental and pediatric health and more. FULL STORY

Again Friday, June 28, we had an abbreviated schedule as Mother Nature put on an impressive light show (aka lightning). Team Synergy and J-Two played a great game with Synergy coming out on top 15-8. Some of the offensive highlights for Synergy were Paul Pombonyo's 3-4 and Mike Muscara's and Frank Horoszewski's 3-4 - two RBI nights. Also with big games were George Beatty's 3-4, three RBI and Bob Baumann's 2-3, including a rope for a triple. All in all this was a great game, as demonstrated by the sportsmanship of the J-Two players. The other early game was the Barco-Morgan Bs seesaw battle which Barco won in their last at bat 16-13. In their tough loss to Barco, Morgan Bs hung in there with a sterling pitching performance by Bobby Joyce as well as great plays by many to keep the game close. At bat Bruce Coonan, coming off what everyone believes was a self-inflicted injury, had four hits including a big triple. Going downtown with bombs over the fences were Larry Lembo and rookie phenom Tom Vanasco. The 16-13 loss was a heartbreaker to the whole team. Barco, which now has won five in a row, were led by Phil Tripoli's 3-3, Tom Burke, Kevin Maloney and Steve Schwind's 3-4 nights. Dave Ringer went 2-3 with a homer over the RF fence (just so he wouldn't have to run). Kevin Maloney and Steve Schwind's rope (?) won it for Barco with clutch two out hits in the ninth. And Rick "twinkle toes" Pedone struck again, this time on the base path. The Norse Thunder God, Thor, had an answer to the prayers of Singleton's and saved them from what looked like their first defeat of the season. With Mers in front by 13-1 and coming to bat in the top of the fifth, some well thrown lightning bolts forced the postponement and subsequent cancellation before the game became "official," thus both teams remained undefeated. On this night the mighty Mers offense and defense were clicking. In the four innings Mers defense had turned 2 DPs and the offense had already generated 17 hits. Mers and Singletons have yet to play a full game in two attempts, just setting up an exciting finish to the season. FULL STORY

The Sons of Italy-Columbus Lodge #2143 Golden Lions confirmed that they have been contacted by the Easter Seals Society about participating in the 24th Annual Easter Seals New York Softball Classic, which will be held in Manhattan at Central Park, on July 20. "The Columbus Lodge has always been one of our strongest supporters," said Easter Seals' Gabriella Berberich. FULL STORY