Catholic Bishop’s Syosset Roots

From altar helper at St. Edward to

bishop of Military Archdiocese

When Robert Coyle was an altar server at St. Edward the Confessor Church, Syosset, a visiting priest once asked him if he ever thought about becoming a priest.

“No, Father,” he politely replied. “I don’t want to be a priest.” He told the priest that he was thinking of becoming a police officer, a lawyer, or a Naval officer.

The priest “asked me to think about it”

Syosset's Top Grads

Syosset High School has announced its valedictorian and salutatorian for its Class of 2013—Valedictorian Roger Witkin and salutatorian Seung Wan (Steven) Yoon.

At the high school, Witkin has taken such courses as Advanced Placement World History and Honors Chemistry. He has been an active member of the Ken Literary Magazine for four years and was named webmaster last year. Witkin has also participated in Junior Statesmen of America, a branch of the Political Science Club, and Model Congress.

Syosset’s ‘Women Of Distinction’

Oyster Bay Town Supervisor John Venditto, together with members of the Town Board, recently honored two women with Syosset connections who were among eight recipients of the town’s 15th annual “Women of Distinction” awards. The ceremony, held at Town Hall, recognized the outstanding achievements of women who either live or work in the town.

“The ‘Women of Distinction’ program has certainly proven to be a memorable tradition, honoring women who stand as role models for the younger generation in the Town of Oyster Bay,” Venditto said. “These women are a shining example of the outstanding citizenship that has made the Town of Oyster Bay such a special place to live and raise a family.” 

This year’s local recipients are:

The Bishop Visits

It’s been a historic time for the Catholic Church worldwide as Pope Benedict XVI retired into a private life of prayer, to be replaced by Pope Francis. In Syosset, history was being made as well, as Bishop Robert Brennan visited St. Edward School for the first time.

Bishop Brennan enjoyed a spirited assembly in his honor that showcased the school’s students, including members of the Monarchs cheerleaders, Liturgy Club, Performance Club, and first-grade classes. Several students also spoke about their experiences at St. Edward’s, providing the Bishop with a glimpse of what it’s like to be a student at the school.

To Lincoln Center

Syosset High School’s chamber ensemble has been selected as one of the winning groups to participate at the Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center’s 30th Annual Young Musicians Competition on April 18 at Alice Tully Hall. The ensemble consists of Mary Kim and William Chan on violin, Hyunkee Sung on viola, Anna Kim on cello and Tadayuki (Eric) Higashide playing clarinet. The students will be performing the first movement of Johannes Brahms’ Clarinet Quintet in B minor, Op. 115 and will also receive two coaching sessions prior to the performance from members of the Chamber Music Society.

Celebrating 85 Years

Our Lady of Mercy Academy, an all girls, Catholic college preparatory school located in Syosset, will celebrate its 85th Anniversary with a gala on Friday, April 26. Our Lady of Mercy will honor members of the Mercy community who are faith-filled individuals and supporters of Catholic education; Marilyn Martone and her daughter, Michelle ’94, of Sea Cliff; Joseph Salvo and his wife, Barbara Breen ’75, of Lake Grove; Deacon Jerry Reda and his wife, Suzanne, of St. James; and posthumously, Sister Jacqueline Walsh, RSM ’70.

The gala will be held at the Huntington Crescent Club. Mary and Michael Frinquelli of Cold Spring Harbor, and Marianne and Constantine Iordanou of Upper Brookville are the co-chairs of this special evening.  The gala will feature the music of Frankie Valli as well as a live auction. Info: Office of Mission Effectiveness at 921-1047, ex. 117 or visit www.olma.org.

Reconsidering Abstraction

Even for art lovers, Abstract Expressionism can sometimes be a bit of a hard sell. Museum-goers who draw inspiration from the idyllic garden parties of the Impressionists and the breathtaking landscapes of the Hudson River School often throw up their hands in confusion, or even disgust, at the giant swaths of color, indelicate globs of paint, and seemingly incomprehensible shapes that often populate the works of Abstract Expressionism. “It’s just not for me,” they say, satisfied to ignore this one particular school of art in favor of almost anything else.

Not so fast, says the Nassau County Museum of Art. With the show AB-EX/RE-CON, running now through June 16, viewers are asked to reexamine their preconceptions of this critically acclaimed, but intensely polarizing, school of art. In addition to classics of Abstract Expressionism from decades past, the show also highlights the work of three living artists: Judith Godwin from New York City, Stan Brodsky from Huntington, and Rita Rogers from Rhode Island. Love AB-EX or hate it, it’s virtually impossible to see the show and deny the vibrance of the movement.

Jericho Schools Adopt Budget

The Jericho school board has adopted an $117.8 million budget for the 2012-14 school year.  Board President Joseph Lorintz attempted to clear any confusion about the district’s revenue percentage increase of 3.13 percent being above what has traditionally be known as a two percent tax cap.

“The calculation of 3.13 percent is the legal budget cap amount for Jericho,” Lorintz said. “Every school district has a calculation, and ours says that 3.13 percent is the number you can go up to without asking the public to vote in a super majority to approve the budget - we are not piercing the cap.”

Maragos: The County Isn’t Broke

Brushing aside widespread assertions to the contrary, Nassau County Comptroller George Maragos last week flatly declared: “The county is not broke.”

In a wide-ranging discussion with editors of Anton Community Newspapers in Mineola, the Republican comptroller declared, “Why can’t people believe that if we give an audited financial statement, performed by outside auditors and show that we have a surplus, why isn’t it real?”

Annual Lincoln Day Dinner

The North Syosset-Woodbury Republican Club celebrated with over 450 friends, dignitaries and community members at the 57th Annual Lincoln Day Dinner at Crest Hollow Country Club on March 14.  This year’s dinner was the one of the largest crowds ever recorded for the organization and was attended by Nassau County Republican Committee Chairman Joseph N. Mondello, Town of Oyster Bay Supervisor John Venditto and Nassau County Comptroller George Maragos. Info: nswgop.com.