🌱 Riverhead Daily: GoFundMe For Baby's Heart + Gingerbread U

Morning, people of Riverhead! It's me again, Diane Witek, your host of the Riverhead Daily. Here are the top 4 stories in Riverhead today.

First, today's weather:

Mostly sunny. High: 50, low: 37.

Here are the top stories in Riverhead today:

1. Community Rallies For Baby Who Needs New Heart: "We Love You All." A GoFundMe was set up to help a couple's 2nd baby needing a new heart — as the child has surgery for a device to help him as he waits. "We have made decision to use a VAD called Jarvik instead of the Berlin heart," the baby's Dad said. "It is currently in clinical trials and has only been tested in seven pediatric patients so far". On Friday, the baby had been in the operating room since 7:30 a.m.. and "made his way upstairs without remaining on any additional support besides the Jarvik and breathing support. This is a huge milestone for advancements in ventricular assist devices. (Riverhead Patch)
2. Gingerbread University hosting holiday pop-up in Wading River. Gingerbread University, the beloved shop where kids — and kids at heart — can build the gingerbread house of their dreams, is back in a new location. Formerly located in Riverhead, Gingerbread University will be open through the end of the month in the Shoppes at East Wind. (Northforker)
3. New legislation will allow kelp cultivation in Peconic Estuary. New York Governor Kathy Hochul signed legislation on Dec. 7 permitting Suffolk County to lease underwater land in the Peconic Estuary for kelp and other seaweed cultivation, according to a state press release.
   The legislation will allow kelp aquaculture in 110,000 acres of underwater land in Gardiners and Peconic Bays. The land had originally been ceded to the county by the state for shellfish cultivation. (Riverhead News Review)
4. Toy giveaway event returns to Calverton Dec. 18. The sixth annual toy giveaway hosted by LIR Clothing, Tyre Lodge and Bright & Early Discoveries is scheduled for Saturday, Dec. 18 at the Hampton Jitney, located at 253 Edwards Ave. in Calverton. More than 650 toys were handed out last year as cars stretched all around the parking lot waiting to pick up toys in a drive-thru event. It was the largest event since it began with higher turnout attributed to families struggling during the pandemic. This year’s event starts at 1 p.m. and will include free hot chocolate and desserts. It will be a drive-thru event again and everyone in the car must wear a mask to receive the gift. (Riverhead News Review)

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Today in Riverhead:

• HS Winter Concert - Symphonic Band, Senior Choir, Symphony Orchestra, 6:30 p.m., Cardona Auditorium. (All Day)
• Dance With Me - Riverhead Free Library. (10 a.m.)
• Art of Seed Saving - Cornell Cooperative Extension of Suffolk County. (2 p.m.)
• Community Service Opportunities - Riverhead Free Library. (5:30 p.m.)

From my notebook:

• Suffolk County Sheriff's Office: "The SCSO/NYC Corrections charity hockey game was a big success, with Suffolk's BOLDEST winning 4-3 in the final minutes! All proceeds from this game will be donated to the family of Suffolk Sheriff Inv. Sgt. Keith Allison, who passed away." (Facebook)
• East End Food Market: "Did you know that you can order from your favorite vendors (like @akigoldberg) on our Virtual Farmers Market? You can preorder your local goodies and pick up on Saturdays at the Market." (Instagram)
• RiverheadLOCAL: "COVID cases continue to surge in Suffolk, driven by the delta variant. The number of laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 cases per 100,000 people in Suffolk has climbed 77% since Thanksgiving." (Instagram)

From our sponsors — thanks for supporting local news!

Events:

• FREE WEBINAR Italian Architecture Through the Ages: The Marvels of Imperial Rome. Online. (Dec. 14)
• Grief & Loss During the Holiday Season Workshop. Located at 16 Library Ave, Westhampton Beach. (Dec. 15)
• Big Apple Circus is NOW OPEN in New York City! (Dec. 17)
• Christmas Concert. Located at Community Baptist Church, 5267 Sound Ave, Riverhead. (Dec. 17)
• A Tuna Christmas. Located at The North Fork Community Theatre, 12700 Sound Ave, Mattituck. (Dec. 17)
• Christmas Celebration. Located at United Methodist Church, 160 Main St, Southampton. (Dec. 19)
• New Year’s Eve Gala in the Grand Ballroom. Located at East Wind Long Island, 5720 NY-25A, Wading River. (Dec. 31)
• Add your event.

Announcements:

• Behind The Scoreboard – Ed Sullivan’s Huge Lesson For The World. (Details)
• Animal Communication Sessions. Holiday Gift Certificates. (Details)
• Sound Wave Therapy for Stress & Pain Relief. (Details)
• Add your announcement.

Gigs & services:

• Rt-PCR COVID TEST, ACCURATE SAME DAY results, best test for travel. (Details)
• Add your gig or service.

Loving the Riverhead Daily? Here are all the ways you can get more involved:

• Send a friend or neighbor this link so they can subscribe.
• Get your local business listed in front of readers.
• Send me a news tip or suggestion at diane.witek@patch.com.

Now you're in the loop and ready to head out the door on this Monday! I'll be back in your inbox tomorrow with another update.

— Diane Witek

About me: Impassioned Writer, Website Designer, Social Media Marketer and newly proclaimed Baker. Lover of nature and animals of all kinds.