And now for some member news …

balloonOn Monday, August 21, 2017, all of North America will be treated to an eclipse of the sun and Charlotte Koons will fulfill a lifelong dream of riding in a hot air balloon. The balloon ride is a late birthday present and Charlotte is very excited. We expect photos in the days to follow!





A photography by Linda Quinn has been awarded 2nd place in the Third Annual International Phone-Ography Competition at FotoFoto Gallery in Huntington.Poster

Update on Chris Pendergast’s Ride for Life

by Glenn Baldwin

Chris Pendergast (retired elementary teacher 2003), Founder and President of Long Island’s Ride for Life, an organization that has raised over six million dollars for ALS research, is still riding after 24 years of fighting and besting this disease. This past May he and two fellow patients along with a core of volunteers headed by retired Northport teacher, Charlie Catania (retired Phys. Ed teacher), began the 20th Anniversary wheelchair ride from Yankee Stadium to Washington, D.C.  They braved a monsoon across the George Washington Bridge for starters.   Continue reading

Sad News …

Mary Ellen Utell, 83, retired Bellerose Avenue teacher, passed away on Wednesday, May 24 in Ridgefield, Connecticut. She moved from Northport to Connecticut in 2001 to be closer to her daughter’s family. She was the pre-deceased by her husband Leonard.

Mary Ellen is survived by her daughter, Mary Jo Fornshell, three grandchildren, three step-children and a brother. Memorial contributions may be made to ROAR – Ridgefield Operations for Animal Rescue; 45 South Street Ridgefield, CT 06877.

National Park Senior Passes Set For Price Increase

2017 Senior Pass

A public service announcement for our members — If you do not already process a Lifetime America the Beautiful National Parks & Federal Recreational Lands Senior Pass now is the time to get one. The passes currently cost $10, but the price will increases to $80 on August 28. A new $20 annual Senior Pass will become available at the same time.

U.S. citizens or permanent residents 62 years or older are eligible for the Senior Pass. The annual and lifetime Senior Passes provide access to more than 2,000 recreation sites managed by six Federal agencies.

·       National Park Service
·       U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service
·       Bureau of Land Management
·       Bureau of Reclamation
·       U.S. Forest Service
·       U.S. Army Corps of Engineers

  • How to purchase:

May be obtained in person at a federal recreation sites,

NOTE: The cost of obtaining a Senior Pass through the mail or online is $20; $10 for the Senior Pass and $10 for processing the application.