Kids & Family

Good News: West Islip Relay For Life Raises $72K

Some stories put a smile on your face. Here's our wrap-up from around the area.

Town Honors N. Babylon's Mike Filippone

The Town of Babylon recently honored North Babylon resident Mike Filippone, who set the Guinness World Record for marathon batting by hitting baseballs for 24 hours straight at Phelps Lane Park on Father's Day weekend. 

“With his 24-hour batting marathon, Mike Filippone has become a local hero,” Supervisor Rich Schaffer said. “Not only did he make a place for himself in the Guinness Book of World Records but he also supported a great cause while doing so. I congratulate Mike for this tremendous accomplishment.” 

Benefit Honors Fallen Lindenhurst Vet

A benefit was held on Saturday, June 29 at Fireman's Park Pavilion to honor fallen army veteran Sgt. Bill McKenna.

The second-annual benefit, which helped raise money for the Sgt. Bill McKenna Foundation, helps raise awareness of a rare form of T-cell lymphoma cancer that McKenna contracted after being exposed to burn-pits while deployed in Iraq over two deployments.

The Lite Choice Reopens After Eight-Month Hiatus

Babylon Village has continued to recover from Hurricane Sandy, especially with a recent business reopening after its owners were impacted by the storm.

The Lite Choice, an ice cream and yogurt shop on the southwest corner of West Main Street and Fire Island Avenue, has reopened after a nearly eight-month closure.

West Islip Relay For Life Raises $72K

The first-ever West Islip Relay For Life proved to be a success, with the overnight fundraiser garnering more than $72,000 in donations for the American Cancer Society. 

"[It] was a complete success," said Jake Ulrich, a recent West Islip graduate who helped coordinate the relay along with his father, Board of Ed Trustee Bob Ulrich. "The event ran smoothly without any major mishaps, which is an accomplishment for a first time relay.

Cops Rescue Ducklings From E. Patchogue Storm Drain

Two Suffolk County Police officers might want to consider becoming park rangers after the duo rescued two broods of ducklings in one 24-hour period, both from storm drains in Holtsville and East Patchogue. 

In a story reported by Newsday, Officers Lance Prager and Michael Coscia rescued the first hatch of ducklings in East Patchogue on Tuesday before getting a call about another hatch the following day on Morris Avenue in Holtsville.

Local Brewery Takes Bite Out of Beer Festival  

Holbrook-based brewery Spider Bite Beer Company showed up at the Beer Fields festival at Pennysaver Amphitheater on Saturday with two offerings from its micro-brewery.  

The festival combined craft beer sampling with two stages of music. Headliners were reggae legends, the Wailers, performing classic Bob Marley tunes and Dirty Head, a Southern California punk/reggae band. Some larger and more well-known names in the beer game were on hand mixed in with smaller guys like the folks at Port Jefferson Brewery and Spider Bite serving hundred of thirsty festival-goers.


Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here