Kids & Family

Good News: Race Walker Wins Big; Mother-Daughter Winery Takes Root

Some stories put a smile on your face. Here's our wrap-up from around northern Suffolk and the East End.

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.

Race Walker Comes Out on Top

A Nesconset native is keeping herself a step ahead of other American race walkers, one step at a time.

Maria Michta, 27, won 34th place at the women's 20-kilometer walk race final at the world track and field championships in Moscow, Russia on Tuesday, Newsday reports. She was the top finisher among American competitors.

Michta finished the tiring 12.4-mile race in 1 hour, 33 minutes and 51 seconds - just second off her time Olympic time. At the 2012 London Games, she finished in 1:32:27 to finish in 29th place – the best time an American woman race walker has ever finished in the 20K race.

Lacrosse Star Named Rookie of the Year

A Smithtown West lacrosse star is quickly making a name for himself in the professional leagues.

Rob Pannell was voted Major Lacrosse League's 2013 Rookie of the Year after scoring 42 points, 25 goals and 17 assists, as an attackman for the New York Lizards.

Fire Department Takes Top Honors at Local Parade

The Kings Park Fire Department won top honors at the East Northport Fire Department Annual Parade last week.

Kings Park's volunteer firefighters were awarded the Best Overall Department trophy.

Behind the Vines: Mom and Daughter Make One Woman

Thirteen years ago, Gabriella Purita remembers kneeling with her mother, Claudia Purita, and her sister Maria, in the middle of a blazing hot summer marked by blackouts — hand-planting vines in the Southold soil.

Today, those vines have grown and yielded a harvest, just as One Woman Wines & Vineyards, located at 3195 Old North Road, has continued to flourish.

"The first two acres, my sister and I helped our mother plant," Purita said. "We were out there from 7 a.m until 10 p.m. in the broiling heat. When we first planted the vines, they were only three or four inches out of the ground. Now I walk through that field, 13 years later, and the tiny strands have turned into six or seven feet of canopy. It's the most rewarding thing. My mom and I joke that the wines are like our children — it's like raising a kid."

Purita and her mother have shared every step of the journey that has gone into creating the One Woman winery. 

Modell's Managers Honored for Service to Veterans

Two associates from the Commack Modell's were recently honored by the Northport VA for their support of homeless veterans.

Assistant Manager Dan Sommer and Operations Manager Kellie Wehrheim were honored July 27 by Lonnie Sherman who actively participates  in the Northport Veterans Affairs Medical Center and Assemblyman Andrew Raia.


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