theLevittownTribune.com Calendar
Friday, 18 January 2013 00:00
Saturday, January 19
Annual James McNaughton Tribute
The annual tribute to the fallen, Army Staff Sergeant and NYPD Officer James McNaughton, will take place on Saturday, Jan. 19 at Mulcahy’s Music Hall, 3232 Railroad Avenue, in Wantagh from 1 to 8 p.m. The proceeds from the event will be donated to three charities - The Wounded Warrior Project, the Long Island 9-1-1 Veterans and in the light of the recent events here on Long Island. Live music, raffles, giveaways, drink specials, food and more. $20 donation at the door. Visit http://www.jimmymcnaughton.com/ for more information.
Thursday, January 24
Women Veterans Networking
The Veterans Health Alliance of Long Island seeks all female veterans from all eras to attend their first female veteran networking group. This is a safe and confidential place for women veterans to share and learn from other military women in a peer lead support group. Dinner will be provided. First meeting will be held at Huntington Hilton, 598 Broad Hollow Road in Melville on Thursday, Jan. 24 from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Event is free, but pre-registration is required before Monday, Jan. 21. Call Lauren Hagemann at (516) 489-2322, ext. 1260, or email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it for more information.
Sunday, January 27
Hempstead Lake State Park Bird Walk
The South Shore Audubon Society will hold a bird walk on Sunday, Jan. 27 at Hempstead Lake State Park will be the location from 9:30 a.m. to noon. All are welcome. Walk leaders and other birders and nature enthusiasts will be happy to share their knowledge and experience with you. Bring binoculars. The walk is free of charge. The group will meet in Parking Field #3, exit 18 South, from the Southern State Parkway. Rain, snow or temperature below 25 degrees will cancel the bird walk. For information, visit www.ssaudubon.org or call Steve Schellenger at (516) 987-8103.
Tuesday, January 29
Positive Psychology and Self-Renewal
Dr. Duffy Spencer, social psychologist, will be presenting “Positive Psychology and Self-Renewal” at Bethpage Library, 47 Powell Avenue, Bethpage on Tuesday, Jan. 29 at 7:30 p.m. Admission is free. For information, call (516) 931-3907.
Saturday, February 16
WinterFest
Levittown Community Council 12th Annual WinterFest will be held on Saturday, Feb. 16 from 11:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Levittown Hall, 201 Levittown Parkway in Hicksville. A day of games, crafts, entertainment and activities for families, free. Free raffles to all adults who attend. Refreshments available for purchase. Contact Pat Patane at (516) 579-2831 or Louise Cassano at (516) 735-5901 for more information.
Ongoing Events
Miscarriage Support Group
A safe, confidential, supportive environment to talk about what you have been through, reactions and feelings and how to move forward. You are not alone. Facilitated by a professional therapist. Three consecutive Tuesday evenings at 8 p.m. in the Hicksville-Plainview area. $60 for three meetings. To register call Nancy Berlow, LCSW: 516-356-7109. All inquiries are confidential.
Soldiers Angels
Soldiers Angels sends care packs to deployed troops all through the year. Cards and letters for our deployed troops, local veterans and for our wounded heroes are also needed. Soldiers Angels also accepts donations for our local veteran missions in the community. For more information on this and other local missions of support email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . You may drop off cards and letters of support to the LevitStyle office at 19 Jerusalem Ave., Levittown. You can also visit the Soldiers Angels website at www.soldiersangels.org.
Twin County Chorus
Ladies, do you love to sing? Then we’ve got a place for you. Join Twin County Chorus in the joys of a cappella harmony. We rehearse every Thursday evening in Levittown from 7 to 9:45 p.m. Call Bobbi at 516-798-4325 or Susan at 516-729-8323 for more information. Or visit the website: www.twincounty.org.
News
Wednesday, 19 June 2013 00:00
The members of the eighth-grade graduating class at Jonas E. Salk Middle School proceeded down the aisles of the school’s gymnasium in a ceremonial moving-up tradition, as proud parents and family members watched from the bleachers. Class officers led the salute to the flag, after which the eighth-grade chorus, conducted by Lisa Levenberg, sang the national anthem.
Thursday, 13 June 2013 00:00
When Msgr. Ralph Sommer was growing up he found inspiration from the example of his uncle, Father Ralph Besendorfer. “He was a Brooklyn priest,” said Msgr. Sommer, who is known to parishioners as “Father Sommer” or “Father Ralph.”
“My uncle was a most powerful and delightful influence, happy, caring, and helpful,” said Father Sommer, outgoing pastor of St. Brigid’s Church, in Westbury. “I would look at him and say, ‘I could do that.’”
For a number of years, Father Besendorfer would come out to St. Bernard’s in Levittown on weekends to assist.
Now, Father Sommer finds himself about to become pastor of St. Bernard’s on June 26, succeeding Msgr. Gerard Ringenback, pastor of St. Bernard’s since 2001.
He doesn’t know if anyone at St. Bernard’s will remember his uncle, Father Sommer said, but “if I meet people who remember him from that time, it will be a nice thing.”
Born in Flushing, Queens, Father Sommer grew up in Garden City, attending St. Anne’s School. He advanced to St. Pius X Preparatory Seminary, a high school for young men considering the priesthood.
“It was a caring community,” with priest-instructors and students who shared an interest in exploring the priesthood.
For college, he left the seminary system for Adelphi University near his home. “I walked every day. We didn’t have another car.”
Adelphi offered an opportunity to test his vocation. He majored in psychology, “which I thought would help me if I became a priest.”
After Adelphi, he returned to priestly studies at Immaculate Conception Seminary, Huntington. Upon graduation, he was ordained a priest in 1983.
Sports
Thursday, 13 June 2013 00:00
Senior pitcher Anthony Semonella at Division Avenue High School has received a scholarship from the University of Bridgeport and has signed a National Letter of Intent to play baseball at the collegiate level. He was joined by parents Donna and Ralph Semonella, Principal Dr. Francesco Ianni, Physical Education Chairperson Mauro Chiti and varsity baseball coach Tom Tuttle as he signed a letter confirming his acceptance to the university’s athletic program.
Photo provided by Syntax
Thursday, 13 June 2013 00:00
St. Thomas Aquinas College freshman Robert Naughton, of Levittown, has made his impact known in the NCAA Baseball East Coast Conference. Naughton started out his 2013 campaign not allowing an earned run in the first 19 innings he pitched.
At completion of his first season Naughton pitched 58 innings compiling a record of 6-1, leading the East Coast Athletic Conference with an era of 1.54.
Calendar
Poet Laureate Induction - June 15
Island Harvest Benefit Run - June 15
Lazy Days Of Summer - July 12
Columns
The Worst-Case Coliseum
Written by Sheila Ferrari
Quinn’s Quest: Suburbia To Gracie Mansion
Written by Sheila Ferrari
Belmont Stakes 2013: A Sure Bet
Written by Mike Barry, MFBarry@optonline.net
