We close another year of positive accomplishment and look forward to an active and fruitful 2012.

Another year has come to an end with 2012 ahead of us and I look forward to continue with the positive work the MBPOA does for our members and residents of the community. We ended 2011 with our Annual Christmas meeting and welcomed Msgr. John Heinlein who opened the meeting with a prayer and well wishes followed by the delightful sounds of the William Floyd High School Chamber Orchestra.

We welcomed SC Legislator Browning and Mayor Paul Breschard and Frank Cappiello Pres. Of the Osprey Park Civic Assoc. to enjoy the festivities. Our thanks to Santa and Mrs. Claus who presented each child with a special gift. I hope everyone enjoyed themselves as much as I did. Also, attending were Ray Hopp and his staff along with his volunteers from Colonial Youth and Family Services. Ray’s group does so many wonderful things in the community and volunteers in so many ways. It’s so nice to see so many talented young adults with positive direction in the William Floyd School Dist.

The Third Annual MBPOA Christmas Tree lighting at the gazebo on Dec. 3 was a joint effort with the Village of Mastic Beach, The William Floyd Summit, and Osprey Park Civic Assoc. The evening was very festive with the Mastic Beach Fire Dept. making a grand entrance with sirens ringing and Santa waving to the crowd. Santa and Mrs. Claus gave out coloring books and crayons to each child.

We continued celebrating the holiday season at the Dec. 4th Christmas Parade where we were very proud to have received a trophy in the Annual Chamber of Commerce Parade for the float built and handled with care over the years by Gold Card Member Joe Fazio. Unfortunately, Joe was not able to attend the parade this year, but his spirit was certainly felt. Thank you to everyone who participating in making these events go off without a hitch.

Ringing in 2012

It’s important we work together by moving forward with the quality of life for our residents and I’m asking everyone to get involved with as much time, or as little time you can spare to make our community one to be proud to live in. We have many committees that are in need of volunteers to make them succeed, all you need to do is get involved. Our Quality of Life Committee worked hard for many years by turning in violations to the Town of Brookhaven for their attention. We can continue with this project either independently or as a committee to report violations to the Village of Mastic Beach. It’s where we live, work, play and raise our children.

Don’t wait for someone else to do it. We need you!

The Bayview Park project has been in the works since 1996 as documented in the Local Waterfront Revitalization Plan by the Town of Brookhaven and Cashin Assoc. The following individuals were recognized for their participation in drafting this plan in 1996: Former Councilman Ed Hennessey, Jeffery Kassner, Director of the TOB DEP., Nancy Rucks, NYSDOS, Former MBPOA President Jan Schaefer, Robert DeBona, Michael Leonardi, Richard Mazanek and Jeffery Kirk. The plan is to turn this into a passive park site which will be open year round and maintained by the Town of Brookhaven Park’s Department. Former TOB Councilwoman Carol Bissonette and Former Councilman Keith Romaine both worked hard on this project and TOB Councilman Dan Panico is doing his part to move this project forward. This Park will bring new people into the area and ultimately, bring in revenue to Neighborhood Road.

At this time we are working with other waterfront communities to design a trail from East to West along the South Shore of the Great South Bay were kayak and canoes can travel and have a place to stop for food, shopping and lodging.

The MBPOA owns six and a half miles of waterfront and we are responsible for the condition of the waters edges and the salt water marshes which line our shores. With the guidance of the DEC, the Nature Conservancy and the South Shore Estuary we must maintain and clean up the shore line. We must stop those who dump building debris, etc. at the waters edge. So please, its everyone’s responsibility to do what is best for our environment. Once it’s gone, it’s gone.

As we head into 2012, I want to thank my Officers and Directors for moving forward with some new ideas which will help us to continue to enjoy events at the MBPOA building.

For those who like to country dance and show off your two stepping, the first Friday of each month is the time to do it. Many of us are beginners and the instruction is easy to follow. More and more people are attending each month.

Friday night the bar is open to the members and their guests. Food is served from the kitchen by members who volunteer their cooking skills. Check the calendar for the weekly menu and kitchen schedule. Music groups are scheduled monthly with a small entry fee to cover entertainment costs.

I especially want to recognize and thank the Officers and Directors amd Members for all the many hours of time spent taking care of the Marinas, Washington Drive Beach, the Clubhouse, special events, such as the Blue Claw Crab Festival, Music by the Bay, Nite at the Races, The Art Show, the Country Dances, the Halloween and Christmas Events and the Friday Nite Cooks, servers and bartenders. The Success of the organization depends on many people and many volunteer hours and I am very grateful to have such a supportive Board. None of this could have been done without
them.

I wish you all a very Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah and a very Happy New Year.

Well Wishes

To our Gold Card Members, Arline Large and Joe Fazio who have been ill. We miss them at our meetings and look forward to their return. Please remember them and Nora Getchell in your prayers.

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Thursday, January 12th at 7:30 pm at the MBPOA Clubhouse, as a service to our members and the community, the MBPOA will be hosting a special presentation from The **Mark Lewis Tax Grievance Service**. Learn how you as a homeowner, can save hundreds, even thousands of dollars off your property tax bill every year. The process will be explained, the fees outlined and the benefits explained. A question and answer session will follow the presentation.

Marina Update The 2012 membership applications and waiting list forms for marina slips and stick docks were sent mid-December. Applications must be mailed or brought to the Clubhouse Office. Deadline to secure your boat slip of the previous year is February 1st. As a reminder, all Mastic Beach residents get first preference for slips. You must send a copy of your current boat registration and property tax bill. Non-Mastic Beach residents need only submit a copy of your current boat registration. If these copies are not included with your membership application, your paperwork will be mailed back to you.

Please be advised, it is your responsibility to call the office at 399-6111 if you did not receive your membership renewal forms.

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We have scheduled Double JJ for the first Friday of each month at 7:30 pm. Coffee and cake is included and a cash bar is available. So come on down and “kick-it up” on the dance floor. Entry is $8 per person ($6 for members). Dinner menu is available at 7 pm. Friday Night at the Clubhouse.

Tickets will be available for sale at the MBPOA office, the February and March General Meeting, or you can call 399-6111 or 395-5432. Corned beef and cabbage will be served along with beer, wine, soda, coffee, tea, and dessert. Tickets are $15 per person.

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Nora's only hope for a cure is a Bone Marrow Stem Cell Transplant. After 6 months of searching for a donor, she still doesn't have a complete match. She is currently undergoing drug therapy, but she is not responding to the treatment and is in danger of going into renal failure.

We are doing a cross-country "SWABAPALOOZA" to get as many healthy 18-44 year olds to get their cheeks swabbed and added to the National Bone Marrow Registry so one wonderful person can save Nora's life. The "Swabapalooza" drives for Nora will be held in January 2012. To find the nearest drive or to get a swab kit mailed to your home, go to www.bethematch.org. Once you have registered, enter the PROMO CODE: NG2012

Without a transplant an average child with Severe Aplastic Anemia—who does not respond to drug therapy—lives an average of 570 days from diagnosis and dies from a typical childhood disease like chickenpox, strep-throat or bronchitis...

Nora is around day 180.

WOULD YOU PLEASE GET SWABBED A.S.A.P.!!!! We only have until February 2nd to find a better match.

If you cannot be a donor, would you please consider making a $100 donation to the "Friends of Nora Getchell" Foundation P.O. Box 212 Mastic Beach NY 11951 so we can pay to have the donor swabs processed. Thank you for your generosity.

We ask everyone to keep in mind those who are in need. Please bring a non-perishable food item or grocery gift card, to one of our General Meetings. Warm clothing for children of all ages, pajamas, hats, gloves, scarves and winter coats are also in great need at this time of year.

We will also be collecting cash or check at the door. One hundred percent (100%) of all money collected will be used to purchase toiletries and necessities that food stamps will not purchase. Our neighbors need your help. Please be as generous as you can afford to be.

Please help support our Military Troops Overseas and please donate any of the following items to ship abroad by Girl Scout Troop 62. Donations will be picked up after the General Meetings by Girl Scout Troop 62. For more information please call Cheryl, Troop Leader at 516-901-8462.