The annual picnic of the Oakwood Princeton Park Civic Association was held on Saturday, Sept. 18 at the school yard of Seaman Elementary School. The weather was truly great. The many youngsters and adults who attended enjoyed the festivities. There was a moon bounce, a DJ, a clown, Elmo from Sesame Street, popcorn, pretzels and lots of games and prizes.

This is also our opportunity to thank all the hard workers as well as the local merchants who so generously donated to our raffle. We all enjoyed the home-baked cakes and cookies. Many thanks to all those who baked. A lot of hard work went into planning our picnic by Marissa Lorintz and Andrew Pfau, who once again served as co-chairs. Many thanks for your devotion to serving our community.

The following families volunteered their time by collecting donations, organizing the games, painting for us or manning the ticket and food tables. Thank you all for your help and dedication: The Pfau family, the Gilet family, the Cacciola family, the Freudenthal family, the Pi family, the Moskovic family, the Fried family, the LePrine family, the Rosenbaum family, the Caruso family and the Lorintz family.

Please thank the following local merchants who donated to our raffle by patronizing their businesses and/or restaurants: Capriccio Restaurant, Cardinali Uno, Bagel Boss, Burger King (Hicksville), Le France Cleaners, Pink Nails, Lindzer Products, Cabelo Cuts, Vinny's Mulberry Street Cafe, Bertucci's, Frank's Steaks, Syosset Bowl, Starbucks, Laura Nails, Bicato Enterprises, Inc., Pizzeria Dal Buongustaio, Jericho Wines and Liquors, Hot Cuts, Andrew Howard Dry Cleaners, Cafe DolceVita, Sutton Place Gourmet Market, Jericho Kosher Foods, Yogurt & Such, La Viola of Syosset, Sportime and Sun-Up Pizzeria. A special thanks goes to Pepsi for donating soda and water once again.

We would also like to extend our thanks to Seaman Principal Jeff Ratner; Superinendent Hank Grishman; Robert Noonan, the head of building and grounds; and the Seaman School custodial staff. Your cooperation is so very much appreciated.

At the picnic, the OPPCA presented a plaque to Ellen and Bill Doremus in appreciation of their dedication and commitment to the preservation of the Underhill Property. Ellen and Bill have provided the community with an invaluable amount of time, money and effort for this cause. Their involvement has been truly unselfish as is demonstrated by their pledge to donate the development rights to their 19 acres, which adjoins the Underhill Property, should the Underhill Property be preserved. At a time when developers are grabbing every last piece of open space to build on and landowners simply do not donate development rights without substantial compensation, the Doremus' pledge should be recognized and appreciated. The OPPCA certainly does. Bill and Ellen were also presented with citations from Nassau County and the Town of Oyster Bay.

This year, many of our local elected officials and candidates came. We would like to thank the following elected officials and candidates for attending the picnic: County Executive Tom Gulotta; Nassau County Legislators Ed Mangano and Judy Jacobs; Town Supervisor John Venditto; Councilmen Leonard Symons, Joseph Muscarella, Anthony Altimari and Martin Massell; Assemblyman David Sidikman; town candidates Kevin Langberg, Bonnie Eisler and Martha Offerman; and Nassau Legislature candidate Lois Weinstein.

Our millennium membership drive will be commencing shortly. Anyone interested in serving on the membership committee should contact Joe Lorintz at 935-4159. Make 2000 the best year yet. Let's start the new century off with 100 percent membership.