The Oyster Bay Civic Association (OBCA) announced the winners of their holiday house-decorating contest for the hamlet of Oyster Bay. The first place winner is the house at 11 Ivy Street, the home of Lori and Joseph Caggiano. "They won because their display was the best," said OBCA President Marie Knight. She and Charlene Niznik took a two-hour tour of the area to pick the winners. The second place winner was the home of Natalie and Dan Aquilino at 90 Summers St. "They won because of their beautiful display, plus the fact that they had a crèche which impressed me," said Ms. Knight.

"The third place winner is located on Route 106 opposite the Clam Bar. It has had wonderful decorations over the years," said Ms. Knight. "I walked up to the door to meet Fabiola and Fernando Lopez of 102 Pine Hollow Road. The house decorated for the hoidays has always stood out. She bought the house a year ago from her mother-in-law. Over the years, her husband had decorated the house for his mother and now he is still doing it for them. This year it had candy canes outside. Each year they do a super job."

The plaques for the winners are being donated by Tom Bradke, lifelong resident of Oyster Bay. "He is the husband of Carol and father of Jeff and Chris. He graciously donated this year's Holidays in Oyster Bay plaques for the outstanding Christmas decorations. The committee wishes to publicly thank him," said Ms. Knight.

In addition, Canterbury Ales proprietor Mark Fox is giving gift certificates to the resident winners. The first place winners will receive a $75 gift certificate, the second place winners will receive a $50 gift certificate and the third place winners will receive a $25 gift certificate.

The plaques will have the winners' name, address and "Christmas 2005" on them. "They can be placed inside or outside the house," said Ms. Knight. She was very appreciative of all the help she got from Ms. Niznik in arranging for the Holidays in Oyster Bay this year.

"Legislator Judy Jacobs will induct the three new board members, on Thursday, Jan. 19, no matter what her title will be then," said Ms. Knight. "She is currently the Nassau County Legislature presiding officer but is being challenged for that position, but whatever happens with that, she is still a legislator and will do the induction for us."

This year's new board members are Tim Archdeacon, Fran Leone and Louise Rea. Mr. Archdeacon was the founder of the Oyster Bay Civic Association and is the president and CEO of International ABI Research. Ms. Leone is a longtime Oyster Bay resident, an environmentalist and is on the board of Friends of the Bay. Ms. Knight has worked with Louise Rea who is retired from Citibank. "Years ago we set up the photo booth at the St. Rocco Festival. She is proposed for the position of treasurer," said Ms. Knight. The current treasurer, Sean O'Toole has resigned because he wasn't able to attend meetings. He is an attorney and a former NYC police officer.

The new members will join the current members of the board: Judith-Ann Barnett, secretary; Stan Spiegelman, vice president; Marie Knight, president and Joe Mimmo of Cove Point Realty, a board member.

"We will be setting the agenda for 2006 at the meeting," said Ms. Knight.

Ms. Knight, as president of the OBCA is kept busy working for residents in the hamlet via numerous calls to the OBCA hotline, 922-5068.

The weekend of the Holidays in Oyster Bay celebration she spotted one of the trash containers overflowing with garbage and plastic trash bags on the corner of Orchard and South Streets. On Saturday, Dec. 10, she called the town's emergency number for DPW in Syosset. "The supervisor called back and said they would take care of it. If not, that garbage would have remained at the corner Saturday, Sunday, Monday and Tuesday, when it would have finally been picked up on the town's regular collection day for the downtown area," she said.

She added that the hotline informed her that the town has a list of at least 15 commercial establishments in the hamlet that misuse the litter baskets, as do many apartment dwellers.

Tim Archdeacon founded the Oyster Bay Civic Association in July of 1998 and was a member for two years. He left because of business reasons. Today he is returning. Mr. Archdeacon said, "Marie said that she needed help on the board and I have a fondness for the Civic Association. I founded the organization and Oyster Bay is still very important to me. I have expressed my care in other ways, recently. I don't think I have to be part of the Civic Association to express myself, but I am happy to be there."

Mr. Archdeacon has made charitable donations to the community and is now the publisher of the Northender which is primarily an internet media portal for Long Island's north shore. It is an interactive website.

Mr. Archdeacon is working on a revitalization plan for the Theodore Roosevelt Memorial Park. He said, "Hopefully the local politicians will live up to their word to create a revitalization plan - which includes the input of local organizations - not just for the park but for all of Oyster Bay. I think it's important that more than one view on what's done at the park should be presented. We shouldn't be relegated to the limited and confining opinions of one organization." [The Main Street Association presented their plan for the Theodore Roosevelt Memorial Park recently.]

Mr. Archdeacon has also been active in questioning the problems on parking in the hamlet. "Why don't the elected officials actually take action on solving the parking problems in the hamlet?" he asked.

Oyster Bay Civic Association meetings are held at the Italian American Club on Summit Street, the third Thursday of the month. Meetings start at 7:30 p.m. New members are welcome.