The Oyster Festival continues to work in wonderful ways to help the community around Oyster Bay Harbor. This year again, [on Oct. 15 and 16 from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.] the North Oyster Bay Baymen's Association (NOBBA) will be fundraising for the Matthew Fetzer Memorial Foundation. Matthew Fetzer, 10, of Bayville, a fourth grader at Bayville Intermediate School died of leukemia on April 7, 2005, after a long, courageous battle against the disease.

At last year's Oyster Festival NOBBA was selling lobsters at their booth to raise funds for Matthew's battle. They will be doing it again this year, but this time it is to raise money to battle leukemia in his name.

"It's a terrible thing but it's a good thing that we will be working to help," said Tony Capozolli, NOBBA treasurer.

A memorial plaque and plantings on the median on Bayville Avenue were dedicated to Matthew. At the dedication ceremony clergy members spoke as did Bayville Mayor Victoria Siegel, New York Senator Carl Marcellino and Nassau County Legislator Diane Yatauro (D-Glen Cove).

Bayville Mayor Victoria Siegel said Matthew died after seven years of valiant struggle. She said as they dedicated the new planting area on Bayville Avenue to him, "There was something special about that little boy. I think that little kids that leave us after as short a time as he did say, "I'm going to be with you. You're going to remember me." She said, "Although Matthew has gone, he hasn't left us. We can remember the vibrant young man he was."

Senator Carl Marcellino said, "Take a look whenever you drive by this place and remember what's really true in life - family and community."

Legislator Diane Yatauro said, "We started this project as a safety issue and wanted to provide both safety and drainage to this area. [Mayor Siegel added the plantings, memorial stone and plaque. Local merchants sponsored the new lights on the medians including: Scott Berbry, John and Ken Viteritti dba Tides Construction; Paul Yonkers, Plumbing & Heating; Robert Reichert of IGA Food Basket, Corrine Serra, Bob Spence and children of Bill Spence.]

Ms. Yatauro said, "I don't think I'll ever drive by here again and not remember Matthew."

One of his uncles said, "Matthew put up an unbelievable fight. He never gave up. He fought like hell. I hope I can do the same when it comes time. He was an inspiration to the whole family."

His sister Morgan, an eighth grader at LVMS said, "I always loved hanging out with him and doing whatever he liked. We'd play video games and watch TV and movies. We both loved South Park, it was his favorite."

His first cousin Paul Tarasevich said, "He was fun to play with. He was good at video games. He won every time!.We were playing a football game and he beat me. It was close, 19-20 so we had a rematch and again, he beat me."

Matthew's life was short, but his shadow is large. His death will help many others have a chance at a longer fruitful life.

So visit the Oyster Festival. There are a myriad of people and groups that will be helped by the annual two-day festival. We hope you will attend and we hope for great weather.

- DFK