For the third consecutive year, the Greentree Foundation has made a substantial grant to the Manhasset Community Fund for distribution to charities serving the people of the Town of North Hempstead. This year, the foundation's grant was generously increased to $175,000, allowing even more organizations to benefit from the program. The 2006 grant winners were announced at a recent luncheon at the Greentree property here in Manhasset. Several Manhasset organizations are among the 24 grant recipients this year, as are charities serving our neighbors in Port Washington, Great Neck, Herricks and Roslyn. FULL STORY

The oppressively hot weather did not tamp the spirits of the graduating cadets of the United States Merchant Marine Academy who were the first class to ever be figuratively and literally patted on their collective backs by their Commander-in-Chief George W. Bush. The thrilled young men, 174 of them, and 28 women burst into cheers as President Bush acknowledged their hard work and the excellence and rigor of the Academy's training. It was their day to shine. FULL STORY

Now that the sailing season is in full swing, our junior sailing programs have begun. What this means is that for three of the four yacht clubs that dot our bay, children from 8t years of age on up are offered a summer of learning the joys of sailing, not only on Manhasset Bay but on Long Island Sound. This column will report on some of their activities from time to time. FULL STORY