The Interreligious & Human Needs Council dinner has always been a favorite of ours. It brings together people from all over the community - people we meet as we cover the news and people we probably would not have the pleasure of meeting. We hear their great stories at the dinners.

There were many comments made by the presenters that give a feeling for what is happening in the community. Efrain Azamitia, co-chair of the dinner said of the high school members receiving the Humanitarian Awards: "They are shining examples of young people working very hard and we recognize it."

He said Jennifer Rhoades helped inside the church with the Sunday School and Vacation Bible School and at a Summer Mission Work Camp. Alex Hogg helped outside the church working with Habitat for Humanity, making all the phone calls to get the tools and work parties organized, and gave progress reports on Sundays. The house was finished in record time, said Mr. Azmitia.

We learned that the young people honored were involved in a great many things. Jennifer Nastri won the Ed Miranda CYO Award and plays the flute. Pastor Louise Stowe-Johns said she generously plays in benefit concerts.

Everyone's favorite Oyster Festival oyster shucker and Mt. Olive Baptist Church's wonderful singer of spirituals, Johnny Watson presented the IHNC Humanitarian Award winner to Ashley Bishop. He said she always says yes, when he needs something done at the church on South Street.

North Shore Community Church's new pastor Pastor John Yenchko said he has been here for nine months and thanked Monsignor John Alesandro, Rev. Kenneth Nelson and Rabbi Marvin Demant for welcoming him into the community. He nominated a "people person" committed to prayer, a U.S. veteran from Colombia who helps in their food pantry, Jorge Gutierrez.

We learned that Dr. Carolyn Reeve, is a professor at Mt. St. Vincent, a pediatrician and a teacher of biology and health. She is the moderator of the St. Dominic's Student Ambassadors and received a Renee Harer Award.

Oyster Bay Jewish Center Rabbi Demant's wife Judi made the Renee Harer Award presentation to Shelly Mahoski, their board of education chair. Mrs. Demant said, "We are blessed with intermarriage in the synagogue." She said it teaches children not only who they are but to be accepting of other religions. Growing up together makes us more understanding of life and the beauty of knowing others.

We heard about the First Presbyterian Church Renee Harer winners Janice and Richard Longworth, married 40 years. They have three daughters and five grandchildren. She runs the church's progressive dinners.

Rev. Nelson said as pastor of the smallest church in Oyster Bay, Hood AME Zion Church, "It's not hard to find someone doing a lot." He said they have been working on refurbishing their basement.

Pastor Louis Stowe-Johns of the Community United Methodist introduced their Renee Harer Award nominee saying Stephen Gilroy teaches social studies in Manhasset. His commitments in life are: "God comes first, then come his sons Jordan and David and then come the presidents of the United States." He is a serious and thoughtful human being, she said, "He does not separate his faith from his daily life."

We learned that Fairdeh Siahpoosh, nominated as the Renee Harer Honoree for the Baha'i Community of Oyster Bay, has been a librarian for 30 years. She assists the needy in soup kitchens and promotes tolerance in the interfaith group Building Bridges that teaches we are one family of God through all faiths. Ms. Siahpoosh has traveled to Eastern Europe, Russia and Poland where religion is struggling. She has promoted a United Nations Day at the Roslyn Library with members of the UN coming to the library to talk about what they are doing.

Ms. Siahpoosh said in accepting her award, "This is a great award. The Baha'i are working tirelessly to bring unity among mankind's different religions."

Christ Church Warden Stuart Keill, said he was a close friend of Renee Harer. She was a person of great respect and quiet persistence. The kind of person who makes a parish run in spite of the others, who let her do the work. He nominated Pat Collier who has volunteered at the INN soup kitchen for 15 years. "She volunteers with the Glen Cove Ladies Auxiliary in orthopedic rehabilitation. She delivers Meals on Wheels in Bayville. Inside the church she works with the altar guild where her exquisite taste is evident. She is a greeter and usher at the 8 a.m. Sunday Service and she cares for the nursery tots.

"She is not a perfect person," said Mr. Keill, "Once she had pneumonia," he joked.