This past month as part of an education related development initiative, 27 students from the University of Pennsylvania traveled to West Africa. Manhasset's Douglas Gilman was a part of this team. The idea for this project stemmed from the potential power of the Internet as a development and education tool in West Africa and was an attempt to form a partnership between the University of Pennsylvania and the Third World, Mali, specifically. Shortly after a pilot project was implemented in December of 1999, they were convinced that the Internet would have an impact on the education system in these countries by complementing or replacing dated used textbooks as a source of information, linking the students to others around the globe, and igniting a passion for acquiring knowledge and technology skills within the students. The idea grew into a full-blown international development and service project, the first mission of its kind affiliated with an Ivy League University. FULL STORY

Close cooperation between police and fire departments and quick response time kept a fire in Plandome Manor from becoming a tragedy. According to the sixth precinct, the police and the Manhasset-Lakeville Fire Department responded to a fire at 186 Bayview Road in Plandome Manor. The fire occurred at approximately 3:40 a.m. on July 12. Police patrolling the area responded immediately and Manhasset-Lakeville Companies #1, #2, #3 and the fire department ambulance arrived within minutes. FULL STORY

The fifth and sixth grade girls lacrosse team coached by the father-daughter team of Carol and Bob Hotarek and assisted by Ted Breslin finished their successful season with a win against a tough Baldwin team. The girls had a terrific season and ended this year with a 4-2-1 record. The coaches were impressed with how much the girls improved during the season, which they credit to hard work during practice and their desire to win. FULL STORY

This was a weekend of contrasts. Saturday was rainy and cold for a mid-summer day, but Sunday, defying forecasters' predictions, was partly sunny with variable winds that made for a pleasant day for outdoor activity. Racing also provided a sharp contrast, this time between the "big boats" competing in the weekly Thirsty Thursday competition, and the model boats participating in the Mill Pond Model YC's annual Ned Wagner Regatta. FULL STORY