Friends and customers crowded into the Book Mark Cafe for a final reception on Wednesday, Feb. 26. Wine in long stem glasses and hot hors d'oeuvres were served to an appreciative audience. In the restaurant section diners were having their "last meal" amidst all the chatter. The tall ceiling, wooden bookcases and books, books, books softened the ambient noise to a comfortable level. Emotions were expressed and memories were recalled about what had been considered a cultural statement for the future of the Oyster Bay hamlet. FULL STORY

Without a little help from their friends, the Doubleday Babcock Senior Center is going to be running in the red. "We are running a $67,000 shortfall this year," said Barbara Hadel, DBSC executive director. "We have not had to borrow money to meet expenses yet, but we will have to this year, we are going to hit a snag in mid-year," she said. FULL STORY

On Saturday, Feb. 8, the Oyster Bay High School Varsity Winter Track Season ended with the Nassau County Championships held at SUNY Farmingdale College. Participating for the first time in winter track, 14-year-old, ninth grader, Olivia Oliver won the Nassau County Class "B" Title. Going another season undefeated, this time running the 55 meter, with a time of 7.4 seconds. On December 20, 2002 at the first meet, "The Friendship Games" at Nassau Community College, Olivia won first place in the 55 meter and received a beautiful medal. The next meet wasn't until January 10, 2003. So, to keep herself in shape, Olivia signed up for the "Colgate Games" held at the Pratt Center in Brooklyn. The games would take place every Friday night from December 27, 2002 to January 17, 2003. The top runners would advance to the semifinals, the winners of the semifinals would then advance to the finals on Feb. 8 at Madison Square Garden in New York City. FULL STORY

US Coast Guard Auxiliary Huntington Flotilla 22-01 is pleased to announce that it will be offering its "Boating Skills and Seamanship," "Basic Coastal Navigation" and "New York State Young Boaters" courses beginning Monday, April 7, and Tuesday, April 29. The courses begin at 7:30 p.m. and will be held at Half Hollow Hills High School East located at 50 Vanderbilt Parkway in Dix Hills, except for the Basic Coastal Navigation Course which will be held at the Huntington Yacht Club. FULL STORY