Kids & Family

Good News: One of the Cutest Marriage Proposals Ever Caught on Video

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

As a local news organization, Patch covers stories of all kinds, from heartbreaking tragedies to nitty-gritty breakdowns of government and school district issues. But some stories are simply inspiring, often showing that at the heart of our communities is a desire to do good. Here are some of the touching headlines from the past seven days.

Message in a Bottle: 'Will You Marry Me?'

Paige Tyree thought it was just another romantic evening on the beach at Theodore Roosevelt Memorial Park in Oyster Bay. Then boyfriend Porter Furman found a bottle with a message inside.

Furman, 38, of Oyster Bay, left his job early Friday to bury the bottle under a tree on the beach. When the couple arrived few hours later and spread out a blanket nearby, Furman surreptitiously discovered the artifact and handed it to Tyree, 31, a business teacher at Huntington High School.

She uncorked the wine bottle and out popped a scroll. As she read, Furman pulled an engagement ring from his pocket and popped the question.
Click here to watch the video.

Greenport Grad Run Over By SUV Home, Headed Back to School

Sometimes in life, there are miracles.

Despite being seriously injured after she was run over by an SUV, Greenport High School graduate Katherine Johnson not only survived, but she came home from the rehabilitation center two weeks ago — and is headed back to school at the end of the month.

And now, Katie wants to thank the community who rallied to support her, helping with donations and coming together to give her strength in her darkest hour.

Teen Distributes School Supplies to Needy

Ariana DeMattei, a Westhampton Beach Middle School student, knew her goal to fill 150 backpacks with school supplies for area elementary school students in need by the start of the school year was not going to be easy. But, last week, she reached her goal.

On Monday, DeMattei, distributed the supplies she collected and purchased through fundraisers to 130 local students.

Trio Chosen for Field Hockey Classic

Three West Islip players participated in field hockey classic event.

Blue skies and crisp autumn air ushered in the High School Field Hockey season at Dowling College on Sunday, August 25, 2013 as it hosted the 1st Annual Long Island Rising Stars Field Hockey Classic.

Playing for the EAST team were three West Islip Seniors. Forward: Danielle Ciolino, Forward; Justine DeLuca and GoalKeeper; Olivia Kelly.

Happy 100th Birthday

Josephine Eich-Katzmarski, a resident at Our Lady of Consolation Nursing & Rehabilitation Care Center in West Islip, celebrated her 100th birthday and did it in style complete with a tiara for the festivities this summer.

A long-distance switchboard operator for the New York Telephone Company and later at Elmhurst-Mt. Sinai Hospital where she retired after 25 years, Josephine and her husband Frederick were married for 57 years, until his passing, and raised two children, Judith and the late Frederick Jr.  Josephine later remarried Michael Katmarski, Sr., of Plainview.

Business Truly Celebrates Patriot Day

Military personnel are honored with a free meal.

The Fish Store in Bayport will celebrate Patriot Day, Sept. 11, once again by offering military personnel, active and retired, a free meal in its comfortable dining room.

The owner, Seth Needleman, says its his own way of thanking those who have served their country

Kerry Rose Foundation 5K Scheduled

The Kerry Rose Foundation, which was created to honor a Commack graduate who was killed in a fire, will hold a 5K-trail run in November to raise awareness of safety and sprinkler systems in college-operated housing.

The run will take place Nov. 30 at Hoyt Farm Nature Preserve in Commack.

School Dedicates New Playground to Graduate Who Died Tragically

A new playground at the Long Island Lutheran Day School was dedicated last week to Spencer F. Carr, a graduate of the school, formerly known as St. Paul’s Lutheran School.

Dozens of local residents attended the dedication ceremony Aug. 28 to honor Carr, a graduate and Greenlawn resident who died in February 2012 after accidentally falling from his apartment balcony in Queens. He was 20 years old.

PTA Donates $11k for Student Tablets

Students at Joseph A. Edgar Intermediate School will get a little extra taste of technology this year following an $11,000 donation from the Rocky Point Parent-Teacher Association that will go toward buying 30 tablets.

Raised by the ad-hoc committee and donated to the district on Aug. 15, the funds will purchase 30 Acer Ionia tablets which will be available to individual classrooms one-at-a-time. The school will have a cart for the tablet that will go around the school and let third-through fifth-grade students get a hands-on experience.

Winning Entry

A Patchogue-Medford High School student recently won an essay contest that, as part of the prize, will have been on the air of several Long Island radio stations this month. Click through for the story and to listen to what he will say on the air.


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