New York Islanders’ Two Matts Are Very Welcoming

Moulson, Martin reaching out to military families

“Home ice advantage” is a common expression used throughout the National Hockey League, and one usually utilized for good reason: as of Jan. 16, only two out of the 30 NHL teams had a winning percentage below .500 on home ice.

For New York Islanders’ forwards Matt Martin and Matt Moulson, playing at the Nassau Veteran’s Memorial Coliseum represents more than just a statistical advantage as the two athletes host a different member of the armed forces and his or her family for each of the team’s 41 home games. Win or lose, regulation, overtime or shootout, Martin and Moulson meet with their guests after games near the Islanders’ locker room – where, uncharacteristically, hockey isn’t the only topic of conversation.

Long Island’s 2011 Charles Water Karate and Fitness Tournament

Students at Charles Water Karate & Fitness demonstrated courage and self-confidence as they competed in their sparring tournament.

The program is a combination of exercise, karate, discipline, focus, respect, awareness and confidence taught in a format specifically designed for children ages 4½ - 6 years old.  In a fun filled and nurturing setting your children learn concentration, discipline, respect, as well as an understanding of self-defense at their own level. The results are improved strength, coordination, flexibility and the self-confidence that we all want for our children.

With 3-1 Win, Green Team is Mineola PAL Squirt Division Champions

Mineola PAL Green Team won the semifinal match on Saturday, Jan. 7. The game went to overtime against the white team, winning 5-4. The championship was Sunday, Jan. 8, which saw a 3-1 victory over the red team. Great defense was played by Vinny Ingardia, Joe Mueller, Ben Cohen and Anthony Raziano.

Islanders Host Fundraising Night for Alzheimer’s Association Long Island

Alzheimer’s Association Long Island will get an “assist” from the National Hockey League’s New York Islanders with a special fundraising night on Feb. 24 at Nassau Coliseum when the Islanders face off against their division rivals, the New York Rangers, at 7 p.m.

The Islanders are teaming up with Alzheimer’s Association Long Island to raise funds for their mission to eliminate Alzheimer’s disease through the advancement of research to provide and enhance care and support for all affected and to reduce the risk of dementia through the promotion of brain health.

Karatatot’s Graduate Tip and Belt Levels  

The foundation for character building and success starts at home. The schools and role models that impact your child’s life assist in reinforcing the aspirations that you have for your child’s development and future.

These children who have achieved goal at a young age, are in Karatatot, which is a unique program offered by Charles Water Karate & Fitness in Williston Park. Karatatot is a combination of exercise and karate in a format specifically designed for children ages 4½ and up.

LI Thunderbolts Softball Team To Hold Winter Skills Clinic

Players ages 7-12 can improve their softball skills before spring season

After holding a successful clinic in 2011, The L. I. Thunderbolts Softball Club is now taking reservations for their second Winter Skills Clinic, which will take place in early 2012 at the Hebrew Academy of Nassau County, located at 25 Country Drive, Plainview. Geared for girls ages 7 – 12, this is a perfect way to get ready for the softball season; a limited amount of spots are available.

Session 1: Hitting will be held on Jan. 15, 22 and 29 for a cost of $65. Session 2: Pitching or Fielding will be held Feb. 5 and 12 for a cost of $55. Session 3: Hitting will be held Mar. 4, 11 and 18 for a cost of $65.

Wheatley Field Hockey Team Receives State Recognition

The Wheatley School’s Varsity Field Hockey team has been recognized by the New York State Public High School Athletic Association (NYSPHSAA) for academic excellence and has been declared New York State Team Champions in its Scholar/Athlete Recognition Award Program. This program, which was initiated by NYPHSAA 21 years ago, recognizes athletic teams from across New York State for the exemplary academic performance of its team members. Based upon a composite of the grade point averages among team members, team champions are selected for each varsity sport from those high schools across New York State that enter the competition.

In the 21-year history of the NYSPHSAA Scholar/Athlete program, the field hockey team GPA of 98.591 is the highest recorded GPA in the sport of field hockey. This remarkable accomplishment is a credit to the athletes who have had to balance the demands of a rigorous academic schedule with the long hours of practice and competition required to successfully compete in interscholastic athletics at the varsity level. 

Mineola Resident Commended At GLIRC Awards Night

The Dec. 20 Open General Meeting of the Greater Long Island Running Club (GLRIC) served as the Club’s Awards Night for 2011, and Katie Cappeller of Mineola was among those receiving awards that evening. The Meeting was held in the auditorium of the Plainview-Old Bethpage Public Library with an audience of nearly 300 in attendance.

Katie Cappeller won top honors among women Club members in the 15-19 age group. 

 

Mustang Players Honored with County Accolades

Two Mineola High School varsity football players were honored at the Nassau County High School Football Coaches Association’s 46th Annual Gridiron Banquet, held at the Crest Hollow Country Club on Wednesday evening, Nov. 30. 

Rob Clarkin, Senior QB and Joe Massaro, Senior MLB/RB, both received All-County honors for their 2011 on field performance. Clarkin and Massaro were also named to the NCHSFCA Twentieth Annual Academic All-Conference Team, based on combined athletic/academic achievement. 

Mineola Students Awarded NC Physical Education Students of the Year

The Mineola School Community congratulated Quinn Paggi and Amanda Buckley on being awarded the Nassau County Physical Education Student of the Year Award. This award is presented to two students at Mineola High School each year.

This year, the High School Physical Education department felt that Amanda and Quinn displayed an overall dedication to their class work and participation in physical education that made them the unanimous selections. The award dinner was held on Dec. 12 at the Crest Hollow Country Club.