Memorial Day is the day on which we remember and honor all the American service men and women who have given their lives so we may live our lives in freedom. This year, after the events of September 11 and with many of our brave men and women engaged in the conflict overseas, the number to whom we owe our freedom has, once again, increased. It was with this knowledge that the people of Port Washington, and throughout America, gathered to cheer the service men and women who have served our country and the people who make a difference in our community. FULL STORY

A hotly debated meeting occurred among members of the Councilmanic District Commission and public speakers offering opinions on the concept of councilmanic districts in North Hempstead. The hearing, held May 28 at the Landmark on Main Street, was peppered with cross accusations of grandstanding, politicization and misinterpretation of statistical data. FULL STORY

The boys varsity lacrosse team's season came to an end last week with a heroic effort that came up short. The Vikings started their season off with a sensational upset win over Chaminade and ended with a quarterfinal loss to Garden City. In between there were ups and downs but the final game, though heartbreaking in its result, was absolutely glorious in its effort. FULL STORY

Jamie Boeckel, the young sailor who was swept off the deck of Blue Yankee during a huge storm and drowned off the Fairfield, CT coast right after the start of the Block Island Race, wrote a letter to Scuttlebutt, a sailing newsletter which comments on daily sailing events, and publishes letters to the editor on a myriad of topics of interest to sailors. The letter ran on September 17 of last year, and is included here to give readers insight into this fine young man, who lost his life prematurely. He wrote, "As an east coast sailor about to participate in the big boat series I would like to applaud the St. Francis YC and the Big Boat series committee on their decision to cancel the regatta in light of recent events. The atrocities committed in New York and Washington are an affront to our nation and although we are all affected to some extent it is comforting to know that people have put aside their own personal problems to remember those of the victims and their loved ones. We are now confronted with the unimaginable task of rebuilding what has been destroyed and helping those who have been hurt. I would like to take this opportunity to suggest that in lieu of sailing this week that the entry fees for cancelled regattas around the country be donated to some form of disaster or victim relief fund to further help those in their most dire hour of need. If we all participate in some small way the returns will be beyond belief." No wonder so many people thought so highly of this talented young sailor. FULL STORY