The Vision Long Island (VLI) meeting on May 24 at the Hallock dealership site to discuss the AvalonBay proposed 400 - unit apartment complex ended with residents walking out and Eric Alexander, of VLI, saying this was the worse public meeting his group had ever held. From the first, he said, he noted the attitude of the crowd, wearing buttons saying Stop Avalon, and handing out literature. As a result, VLI changed its plans and instead of showing a presentation on the alternatives for the Hallock site they held an open forum. FULL STORY

Private initiative has paid off for the Oyster Bay-East Norwich School District. A ribbon cutting ceremony officially opened the newly restored and renovated Oyster Bay-East Norwich auditorium on Saturday, May 20. Local elected officials recognized the work of Cliff Kane, president of the Foundations for the Renovation and Restoration of the Oyster Bay Auditorium and his committee members whose enthusiasm for the project and donations from the public received additional backing from the board of education to create what is now called, "The Oyster Bay Performing Arts Center." It was called an educational laboratory for the performing arts. FULL STORY

History comes to life with a traditional Blessing of the Fleet ceremony at 1 p.m. on Sunday, June 4 on the town pier off Beekman Beach at the Western Waterfront. Commercial fishing boats, powerboats, sailboats, and excursion crafts will parade through Oyster Bay's magnificent Harbor. As they pass by the tip of the pier, clergy from different denominations throughout the community will bless the fleet. FULL STORY

The WaterFront Center will host its 6th annual free Bay Day event on Sunday, June 4 at Beekman Beach in Oyster Bay. "New this year, and made possible with support from Marge and Fritz Coudert, Bay Day will offer a wonderful musical stage," said Gaye Verdi, executive director of The WaterFront Center. Grammy-award winning singer songwriter, Tom Chapin, will perform at noon and 2 p.m. The New York Times has recognized Chapin as, "one of the great personalities in contemporary folk music." FULL STORY