Great Presidents Contest at Raynham Hall
Written by D.F. Karppi Friday, 27 January 2012 00:00
Entries due by February 1; winner’s reception March 3
Raynham Hall and the Oyster Bay chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution are hosting the 20th annual Great Presidents Contest, being held at the historic museum at 20 West Main Street. Entries are due by Wednesday, Feb. 1 by 5 p.m. Only one entry per person. The reception will be held on Thursday, Feb. 16 at 4 p.m. All contestants and their parents and teachers are invited to attend a reception including an awards ceremony at Raynham Hall Museum, 20 West Main Street, Oyster Bay.
Winning entries will be on display at the museum from Feb. 17 through March 1, and will be available to be picked up beginning March 5.
All entries not picked up by March 12 will be disposed of unless prior arrangements have been made with the museum.
The writing contest is open to all students in grades 2 through 6, writing an original essay about their favorite U.S. President and why they chose him. The contest originally centered around Presidents George Washington and Abraham Lincoln – as the two presidents most closely connected to Raynham Hall Museum, which features a Colonial and Victorian section. Additionally, RHM owns an original George Washington letter and a set of his wooden false teeth.
It was then suggested that in Oyster Bay, there is another worthy President, local resident Theodore Roosevelt. As a result, the contest has opened up to the student’s favorite president.
Harriet Gerard Clark, RHM director, said “I just think it is good for people to have more choices and it gives us more of a variety to read. Having a choice also gives the kids the opportunity to go more in-depth for their learning. The contest is different every year to get more people involved.”
Contest winners will be notified on or around Feb. 10.
Each grade will have one winner and one runner-up who will both receive prizes courtesy of the contest’s sponsors. The contest is sponsored by Raynham Hall Museum and the Oyster Bay Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution. The DAR group meets monthly at Raynham Hall Museum, a fitting location for the women whose ancestors fought on the side of the revolution.
Work will be judged on content, creativity, adherence to guidelines, historical accuracy and correct grammatical usage. The panel of judges includes Ms. Clark, Phil Blocklyn, director of the Oyster Bay Historical Society, and Franklin Hill Perrell, director of the Roslyn Landmark Society.
She said, “We get about 200 to 250 entries and we narrow the number 
down to the top 50 and then the judges pick the winners and runners-up in each grade. In all, a total of 10 prizes will be given out.” Locust Valley Central School District and Oyster Bay-East Norwich Central School District students take the contest seriously as part of their history work and annually take part in the contest.
Students wishing to submit for the contest can send them to: Great Presidents Contest; c/o Raynham Hall Museum; 20 West Main Street, Oyster Bay, NY 11771 with a deadline of Feb. 1. You can also drop the entry off at the museum during regular museum hours: Monday through Friday, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. or on weekends from 1 to 5 p.m. Questions or comments about the contest can be directed to Stephen Waldenburg, Raynham Hall Museum education coordinator, at 922-6808 or email at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .
News
Thursday, 17 May 2012 12:08
Budget passes with 63 percent ‘yes’ votes to 37 percent ‘no’
The Oyster Bay-East Norwich school budget vote on May 15 passed by a wide margin, with 1,158 Yes votes to 680 No votes; the capital expenditure referendum passed 1,106 to 581; the OB-EN Library budget passed 1,185 to 448. Running for the school board, Robin Dando, received 1,222 votes. Scott Tepper garnered 1,249 votes for a seat on the library board. The numbers include about 20 absentee ballots.
Before a vote was counted, Superintendent of Schools Dr. Phyllis Harrington said, “We are going to do fabulously.” Resident Bob Santos commented, “You know I’m very positive. The vote is going to pass easily.”
Friday, 18 May 2012 00:00
Members and guests show their compassion for those challenged
The purpose of the Lions Club of Oyster Bay’s spring benefit is always to raise funds for the Guide Dog Foundation for the Blind (GDF) and their America’s VetDogs (AVD) as well as other worthy causes. This year’s benefit event, held at the Seawanhaka Corinthian Yacht Club (SCYC) on April 29, allowed people to get a better idea of the GDF and the people they serve.
In 2003, the GDF recognized the need for an overall assistance dog program for veterans that would incorporate guide dogs, service dogs and state-of-the-art mobility devices – especially as our nation’s veterans age and as our country’s wounded warriors return home from active conflicts abroad.
Sports
Friday, 18 May 2012 00:00
Boating safety tips for boat-happy dogs from the U.S. Coast Guard
Dogs can be seen taking in the sun and spray on all manner of sail and powerboats these days, and adapting just fine. But boaters shouldn’t assume that because dogs can swim that their particular dog is an adequate swimmer, or that it has the good sense not to chase that sea gull over the side.
Dogs are hard-wired to chase and swimming ability varies from breed to breed. Many with low body fat, like Greyhounds, may have trouble staying afloat. Breeds with short legs and long bodies can swim, but may tire quickly. Overboard, a dog can become disoriented and suffer the same hazards from coldwater immersion as humans.
Friday, 18 May 2012 00:00
On Memorial Day weekend, Bethpage Federal Credit Union and the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation, will honor the United States Navy and its 100th anniversary during this year’s Bethpage Air Show at Jones Beach State Park in Wantagh, now in its eighth year.
Fans will be treated to performances from the world’s most elite military and civilian pilots including the T-6 and T-34 U.S. Navy aircrafts. There will also be a rare performance from the U.S. Air Force F22 Raptor Stealth jet fighter, known as by far the best and most expensive fighter jet in the world, with its advanced combination of stealth, speed, agility and unparalleled precision.
Calendar
Oyster Bay Civic Association
Thursday, May 17
Joint Civic Cocktail Party
Friday, May 18
Health and Fitness Fair
Saturday, May 19
Columns
Frothing
Written by Michael A. Miller
Payson’s Legacy
Written by Mike Barry
Drilling Down: The Student Loan Crisis
Written by Michael A. Miller
