Kids & Family

Good News: Lobsterman's Rescue Defies Odds

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.

‘Miracle’ Rescue After 12 Hours a Sea

Perhaps the biggest good news story of the year came from Montauk this week, where lobsterman John Aldridge was plucked out of the Atlantic after drifting in the ocean for 12 hours using just a few buoys and rubber boots as a floatation device.

Find out what's happening in Kings Parkwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Aldridge fell overboard when the handle on a cooler he had grabbed snapped, but we wasn’t noticed missing until several hours after that,. His story captured much of the East Coast this week, as locals celebrated the man’s resilience.

Click here to see him tell his story.

Find out what's happening in Kings Parkwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Luckily, for the victim, Charlie Schneider, a Boy Scout from Hampton Bays, was at the right place at the right time.

Town Honors Late Navy Cross Recipient

Just under 70 years ago, a Marine on a Pacific island in the middle of World War II acted in an instant when an enemy grenade was thrown into a trench with him and five other men, picking it up and throwing it back out as fast as he could. The grenade took his hand, though Pfc. Frank Celentano would go on to live to the ripe old age of 90, with most of his years at a home on King Road in Rocky Point.

Click the headline above to read more of his story.

Local Family Walking for Alzheimer's Research Again

It's hard these days for Irene Acker and Evelyn Cramer to keep their family members in mind. So, Rebecca Cramer and her family are asking for others to.

Cramer, a Miller Place resident, real estate agent and printing shop owner – and granddaughter to two woman who have been struck with Alzheimer's Disease – is leading a team for the second year in a row to raise funds for Alzheimer's research. Her family's team, named "Keep Me in Mind," is walking in the Second Annual Walk to End Alzheimer's at the end of August in Riverhead.

Canine Companions Provide Service and Smiles

More than 300 people recently came out to support Canine Companions, a national organization that provides assistance dogs to children and adults with disabilities other than blindness.

The group honored two CCI graduates who received assistance dogs. Capt. James Van Thach, a wounded Iraqi war veteran, Bronze Star and Purple Heart Recipient and Shaun Egry along with their service dogs at Smithtown Toyota on Sunday.

Kids Squeeze Out Hundreds

Kids on Spencer Lane in Stony Brook's "S Section" came together on Friday for a lemonade stand fundraiser to support Stony Brook Long Island Children's Hospital.

NY Liberty Picks Up Local Athlete

Commack’s basketball prodigy Samantha Prahalis is headed back to New York.

New York Liberty Coach Bill Laimbeer announced Monday that the local hoops-star has signed onto a seven-day contract with the team.


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