While the Town of Oyster Bay had its own dramas and scandals, the hamlet had its own highs and lows.
Envision Program at the Presidential Inauguration.
In January, Oyster Bay High School student Kathryn Moore attended the Presidential Inauguration of Donald Trump in Washington, DC, through the Envision Program.
In February, parents, teachers and staff began protesting the closure of the Early Childhood Center at Mill Neck Manor, a program that served the community for more than 25 years and closed in August, citing financial difficulties. That same month, Oyster Bay High School junior Keith Cassar made history by achieving All-State honors in the New York State Wrestling Championship.
In May, the community lost Abby Milton O’Neill, one of the founding trustees of the Community Foundation of Oyster Bay, which supports a wide variety of programs and services in Oyster Bay; her contributions will have a lasting impact.
In June, Tom Gould left the Oyster Bay-East Norwich School District after 28 years. He was presented with an honorary Varsity Award for his support of the athletics program over the years. Two other prominent changes took place, including the installation of new executive director Judy Palumbo at the Life Enrichment Center at Oyster Bay in June and the retirement of Oyster Bay Historical Society director Philip Blocklyn in October. Blocklyn was replaced by Denice Evans Sheppard, who will continue to keep the history of Oyster Bay alive.
The annual Oyster Festival in October was another success, held on a warm and sunny weekend and bringing about 200,000 people to the community for the 34th year. Coordinated by the Oyster Bay Rotary Club, more than 23 local nonprofit organizations participated and benefited from the proceeds.
Cheers to 2017 and here’s to more local success stories in 2018.
