The-Leader_2009-06-25

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i74th Year, No. 26 Freeport, N.Y. 11520
The Community Newspaper
Thursday, June 25, 2009
Philip BrendeVFreeport's Father of ^Y^
by Laura Schofer .
The sound of music fills the Brendel h'ouse-hold, After year's of music lessons and."honk-' ing and squawking and rapping" from the bas­soon, french horn and drums, the Brendel . children now play the music of angels, thanks to the support and encouragement br their' father, Philip Brendel of Freeport vvho is The Leader's 2009 Father of the Year. - ' • •
"I love it,"-exclaimed Mr. Brendel. "I don't know if I deserve..this honor but my children, '...they're wonderful." ' • ' '. •
. The feeling is mutual. Marilyn Brendel,'22, writing on behalf of herself and her three sib- • lings; Veronica, 19, Peter,' 16, and little Melody, 6, said "our father is supremely devoted to' his family,..his children are eter-naljy grateful." ; ' ..
Mr. Brendel is extremely proud of his brood. "They're musical. My' daughters' are •
^ both music majors [in college]; Peter; plays the drums in the concert band at Freeport High School and Melody has just started music les­sons," he said. "I always liked taking them for music lessons. I've enjoyed watching them ' mature into their instruments."
• . Here's a man who puts his money where his mouth is. He has been involved in his children's interr ests from the get go. , ' - •
He has been a softball coach for Little League, a Cub Scout Pack leader and taught religious instruction at biir Holy Redeemer.. ; ' - .
FATHER OF YEAR PHILLIP BRENDEL along with;-(fronri;left) wife-Tenia, Ver^pniea, Marilyn, Peter and youngest daughter Melody in front; •'?:; .; • • •
"If they were interested in soiriething, I .encouraged it. As a parent you.must nurture and cultivate their interests," said Mr. Brendel. "Marilyti and "Verotiica .enjoyed.Softball, so I coached their teams. Peter was interested in Boy Scouts for a- while so I become
involved in that as well. Now it's Melody's turn." Mr. Brendel explained that he'and his ..' two older daughters went to Melody's first-" grade class at New,Visions. "I played the guitar and the three of us gave a little music concert," he said.
Mr. Brendel said that being a great father is due in part to the love'and support of his wife, Tanya. "My wife has been great," he added.
Mr. Brendel said'his Father's Day was
very enjoyable. "I received my cards and an
. incredible painting to hang over the piano.
Melody bought me a tape measure and a
'.'-~^ calculator from the Father's Day boutique at
„. school," he laughed. "I've really 6njoy my
children."
Philip Brendel of,Freeport has won the following prizes as the 2009'Leader's ,^aiihe,rri of the Year. They are: two dozen qbti'ghnuts-from Dunkin' Donuts; a $25 gift certificate frotri'The.Schooner; a gift certifi­cate for a bottle of champagne from Atlantic Bay view Wines and Liquors; a $25 gift certifi^-cate from Piccolo Pizza; a $25 gift certificate from Applebee's; a free eye exam from Access Optical; a free roUnd for a family of four from Crow's Nest Cove Mini Golf; a $25 dinner gift certificate from Otto's Sea Grill; a $25 gift certificate from Red Lobster and a free one-year subscription to The Freeport Baldwin Leader.
Editor's note: See.page 3 for the winning letter
Chalk day at Baldwin HS
Twenty-three Baldwin High School-students in. Advanced Placement Art participated in the Fourth Annual Sidewalk Chalk' Day last month. The class created seven murals with some of the students.working•aloiie and others in groups: The project was based oh. the concept of "i madonarri,"'which developed during . the Ital.ian Renaissance when artists created works of art on wafc ways to honor saints. The-AP Art.students"also studied some modern chalk artists like Julian Beever and Kurt Wenner. ..Their own ideas came from photographs, collages, and original sketch­es that grew into the sidewalk, miirals. Th6 class spent the entire day on their murals, .which were then judged by the art depart­ment. The winners this year were Jackie Balchi, Daphnee Ochoa, Elizabeth Thomas, Asli Ozcan and Amanda Marrero.
I
Farewell
Dr. Eversley
page 3
BMS graduate list
pages ,
Adopt-A-Cop picnic
page 7
MLK Park to re-open
page 14
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