Bethpage-Tribune_2011-06-10

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^Volume 49 Number 21 RO. Box 399» Bethpage, NY 11714
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June 10-16,2011 (516)932-7284 Email: Nuz2u@aolcom 50 Cents
RELAY FOR LIFE DOES IT AGAIN!!!! $106,000 AND COUNTING
Way to go Relay for Life of Bethpage! Once again the Bethpage
Community and members from other local communities came out in full
force to support The American Cancer Society for the 2011 Relay for
Life of Bethpage. Bethpage has eamed the unofficial title of "The Little
Town That Could". Together, we raised over $106,000 this year (and
are still counting) in the battle against cancer. Since the first Relay for
Life in Bethpage, 5 years ago, Bethpage has raised and donated over
$578,000 to The American Cancer Society to support research to end
cancer and programs to help patients who are and have undergone
treatment in their fight to celebrate more birthdays.
The night started out out with a beautifully moving Survivor recep-tion,
organized by our Survivor Chairperson, Kathy Alvarez. The Kitchen
staff, lead by her Co-Chair, Chef John Murphy, with invaluable assis-stance
from two Bethpage students attending Barry Tech Culinary Arts
Program, Dylan Selock and Michael Lowenstein, whose pulled chicken
and desserts were amazing! The Fraternal Order of Police provided
awesome fare and Bethpage's very own cooks, Yolanda (BHS) and
Grace (CC) helped to get it all going and keep the food flowing.
Additional donations were provided by Pappardelle's, Opa Grille, King
Kullen, 1800FLOWERS and BJ's. A touching survivor message was
given by Karen Stafford-Nicholson and our wonderful Legislator Rose
Walker joined the survivors in thanking the community. In addition to a
delicious meal survivors also enjoyed the upbeat music of Bethpage HS "
students led by our very own Jim Stehlik. Mrs. Blau's class, of JFK
Middle School, provided the Survivors with lovely pillows as a keepsake
of the dinner and in celebration of their Survivorship.
The festivities then moved outside to the Bethpage Athletic Complex
where the crowd listened to the National Anthem sung by American Idol,
Robbie Rosen, to the backdrop of a New York State award winning Civil
Air Patrol Color Guard led by Bethpage's own, Capt. Maurice Cosentino
and Capt. Joseph Pizzo. Civil Air Patrol provided the event security from
4 p.m. on Saturday until 6 a.m. on Sunday, as they have for the past 4
years. A big thank you to Legislator Rose Walker and TOB Supervisor
John Venditto, whose support for the Relay and this community is a
Blessing to us all. We did miss Ed Mangano, who sent his heartfelt
wishes through Rose Walker as he was attending the Empire State
Games Closing Ceremonies that night.
We could not even get to this point without the support of our American
Cancer Staff Partner, friend and Bethpage resident, Judy Wichter,
whose tireless efforts enabled this wonderful event being brought to
Bethpage 5 years ago. The Committee is especially grateful for the sup-port
Bethpage Schools Superintendent, Terry Clark, who has always
supported this event and stayed with us the entire evening. Additional
support from school district staff including John Franchi, Director of
Athletics and Jon Simkins, Director of Buildings and Grounds, made the
evening run smoothly and effortlessly. We appreciate the tireless efforts
of our hard working Custodial Staff who were with us through the night:
Jimmy DiQuattro, John Poggio, Horatio Payne, Dan Santiago, Tom
Foster, Brian Brown and Duane Harper.
The Survivor Lap was solemn and beautiful, seeing a community
come together to support a common goal is stirring and moving. There
were ipany relayers walking with Strides for Simon in support of Simon
Jambrone, a senior at BHS who lost his battle with cancer in the last few
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weeks. Simon's family courageously attended the Relay as Simon
always participated and were able to receive support from the com-munity,
while supporting us at the same time time. We love and miss
you Simon!!
The silent lap prior to the lighting of the luminaria candles was
done in darkness and once again led by our own bagpiper and
Bethpage HS Assistant Principal, Kevin Healy. The luminaria ceremo-ny
is when the track and stands are illuminated by candles honoring
those fighting this disease and sadly remembering loved ones lost.
The remembrance couch video taping and the Eagles Nest Canteen
were supported with great love by a host of volunteers throughout the
night whom we are also indebted to. Our several student musical
groups and Cheerleaders provided excellent entertainment during the
evening.
A note of appreciation to our own awesome "MASH" ladies who
keep our Registration Tent going year after year, Debbie Marmorale,
Kathy Spears, Jackie LaRose and Bridgette Ganz... Tommy LaRose
and TJ Hynes for our Luminaria and Relay Store amongst your other
efforts. Thank you to the local vendors who supported us with dona-
(Continued on page 8)
Bethpage Athlete Philip Formica
Crosses the Finish Line!!!!
Bethpage's Philip Formica participated in the Games for
the Physically Challenged, which was held this passed
weekend in Nassau County, We want to congratulate Philip
and his wonderful coach, Ron Abatelli from Bethpage High
School. Pictured above is Philip and Coach Abatelli as they
proudly cross the finish line! Way to go Philipll Bethpage,
your hometown, is so proud of you I
^ a u s