Mary DiSario has been pulling off the BOB program for the past three years. It took three years of planning to get it going. Now, she is ready to pass it along to the next campaigner.

"I think this is my last year. I'm looking to find another organization to take it over. We got the grant money again, so it will have $5,000 with a budget of $10,000 and with the help of the Community Foundation of Oyster Bay and the Rotary of Oyster Bay, they have something to start on."

Mrs. DiSario's nursing job has changed as the Visiting Nurse Association has down-sized as it reacted to the changing market for health care. "I still work for the VNA, but not as much," she said. Mary has started Caring Alternatives to assist families with elder care issues. She feels she has to devote time to her new business.

Of the Teens for BOB (a Better Oyster Bay) she said, "It's been great. I hope someone will see the value of the program and take it on. But I can't keep devoting this much time to it." Her children: daughter Jenny, 19; and sons Michael, 17 and Anthony, 21, "Have grown up with the program," she said.

Local support for BOB has been terrific. Local restaurants have always said "yes," when Mary asked for food donations. Recently they went to the newest restaurant in Oyster Bay, Laura's, and got a food donation. Casa Mia the Italian Deli and the Olive Branch Deli on Audrey Ave. were among the donor merchants. "I don't think anyone refused us," she said.

Still, when visiting the program held at the Theodore Roosevelt Park, in the area between the boat launching ramps and the food concession stand recently, the lights were still a problem. While the town acted recently to have the construction schedule altered to get lights to BOB, the park still wasn't as well-lighted as they hoped.

More lighting in the parking lot would allow the kids to roller skate there. It would also make it easier for other youth to see some of the activities going on and intrigue them enough to attend.

This year, BOB used grant money to rent amusement park type games for the young people to enjoy, such as Sumo Wrestling, Bungy Bull, Bouncy Boxing and Gladiator Joust. The down side is that they needed lights and an electrical outlet to use the equipment. "We need a power source so it has always been challenging - always been nerve wracking."

The gap between what the town facilities offer and what the BOB program needed was provided by the Oyster Bay Fire Company No. 1. They have been doing a wonderful community service, being there on a regular basis with their truck providing the power and the lighting. Thanks go to Charlie Bradley, Chief James Michie, Assistant Chief Bill Ferris, Eric Golden, Paul Dillard Jason Craft, Brian Mediate, Frank Mantegari Jr. and Joseph Minicozzi, Sr. a retired but active member of the fire department who all helped.

"They're wonderful. They sit here all the night with the trucks. They saved us," said Mary DiSario. The problem has been logistics. There is only one outlet for the coke machine. "We suggested they put an outlet in the base of one of the lamps. If they're paying a contractor, why not," she said. "I ran out of steam from complaining.

"It's better, but it could be a lot better," she said. What is also better this year, she said, is having a local person as their on-site coordinator. "John is our man. It's much better having someone local to work with," she said.

"I'm a mortgage broker with my own company, Commons Financial, Inc. I'm in the Downing building on Route 106." He is the director of the New York Association of Mortgage Brokers. He is also an East Norwich Volunteer firefighter.

"Two nights a week I pick up the bagels at 3 p.m. and call all the volunteers. Coordinating takes time," he said. "Tonight, I picked up the cooler with watermelon. Mary and I basically tag team it out," he said.

Peggy and Dave Golden have been loyal volunteers for BOB. They and Pierre Marchais were regulars for the program. "We find it great to be of service to the youth of Oyster Bay," they said. The program was only rained out two evenings.

Everyone also wanted to be sure to thank the Nassau County Police Department for helping out. They keep the peace and did so as the program began. Young people from other areas came down thinking BOB was a place to "party." The police gave out appearance tickets to the youngsters with alcohol.

"We lost a lot of kids because the cops were diligent," said Ms. DiSario. "The word got out that there was zero tolerance for alcohol and drugs. The first couple of nights there were carloads of kids with beer. Once that message was sent, the kids who wanted to "party" didn't show up.

"A big contingency of kids were from Hicksville. They got appearance tickets and they are definitely not here," she said.

Also not attending are those youth who are 16, 17 and 18. When young people in the Oyster Bay district get their licenses - they travel!

Here, there are mostly the 13- to 16-year olds, she said. "We had 12-year-olds that we told had to leave. Some were very upset when we enforced the rule, but we had to keep the program to kids in their teens. We told them to come back next year," she said.

"The kids, other then for a few incidents, are well behaved," said Ms. DiSario.

"These youth are really nice controlled youngsters. They are really down to earth. The people enjoy being with them," said Peggy Golden.

"Look at these kids," said Doreen Ottaiano, one of the volunteers. "They are having a real good time. Mary has done a great job. It's because of her that we are here. She calls - we come. She's really a good person."

With BOB, the kids have a place to go, she said.

Mary is very appreciative of the volunteers, saying without them, the program couldn't work. She also thanked Kevin Ocker with Nassau County. He helped get a storage trailer for BOB which they were able to keep at the park. That made things a little easier, she said. The town lent a gold cart and Sean Lynch of Syosset and Tricia Adams of Massapequa, both on the town parks summer staff, were on hand to help keep things safe.

When some of the young people were asked how they liked BOB, they had some fun remarks ready like: "We want more McDonald's and Dunkin' Donuts. We need a couch, and more activity. We need to import more girls from other towns - (just kidding they added)."

Then they got down to reality and said, "It was great coming there. Fun. I love it. Better than last year. More cool stuff like the Bouncing Rugs; Juggernaut thing and the Wonder Wheel and Sumo Wrestling two times!"

The best part, said one of the boys, was that "It started the day after school ended and that was cool!"

Chris Fasulo of East Norwich plays the guitar for the group Kynduvme, which played at BOB on Aug. 20. The players are: John B, of Oyster Bay, on bass and a singer; Chris Fasulo on guitar - the leader of the group; Steve Freidman of Melville and Nat Kingsley of Oyster Bay. Chris teaches at the Five Towns College. They play original music.

John J. Moore IV, said "Chris Fasulo is the best guitarist ever!" He and his friends visited BOB. They play with the band Power Surge.