During the sixth annual Vytra Cup tournament against Suffolk rivals at the Nassau Coliseum Jan. 5, Daniel Valente of Garden City was a star defenseman for the Nassau team. All players that participated in the tournament were selected by the High School Hockey League Association of Nassau County and the Suffolk County High School Hockey League and included students from every member school within the leagues.

A record-breaking total of 1,253 runners and walkers crossed the Bethpage High School finish line at the 14th annual Ho Ho Ho Holiday Run Dec. 22. Top Garden City finisher Chris Mendolia finished in 17:27 and was the 20th finisher overall and sixth in the highly competitive 30-34 age group. Other Garden City runners successfully completing the run were Kevin Hegarty (19:47), Dan Schleyer (21:07), Aileen Quattiander (22:44), John Hegarty (23:44), James Furey (24:00), Valentino Wong (24:11), Ann Marie Murphy (25:38), Michael Ogazon (27:02), Nancy Geygan (28:03) and Ruth Pollack (35:08).

"This was a great morning for the Long Island Running community," Race co-Director Bob Sherman said. "We are happy that we will be able to make another substantial contribution to the community through the Bretton Bowl Fund, and that other moneys will be turned over to the Maurer Foundation for their important work in combating the deadly scourge of breast cancer."

Children attending the Young Children's Program at Charles Water's Karate & Fitness received promotions. The young children's program is one of four beginner classes at the school. Charles Water's program instills the values that all people want for their children. These students learn age appropriate self-defense, hand, eye and foot coordination as well as the ability to focus and listen. These are all life-long qualities, according to Water, that build the foundation to success. "These children are given the tools to be on a quest to be their best," he said.