Helene's Blog

On the evening of May 23rd, 2016, I attended and spoke at The International Dyslexia Association's Long Island Branch "Right To Read" Scholarship Fundraiser in Huntington, New York.

It was a great evening, filled with awesome people, great kids, and lots of fun raffle prizes. I ended up winning "The Giving Tree" that was ladened with lotto tickets.

Many of the children that attended were dyslexic. For them, receiving a first edition, signed autographed copy of Stoked - 1969, my second  young adult novel about a fourteen-year-old boy with dyslexia, was a big deal. One of the boys expressed to me how excited he was that he had finally learned to read and that he was going to read my book all by himself. For anyone who has experienced the struggles of learning how to read, or living with someone who struggles with language, this was a heartfelt, moving moment because for many of us, learning how to read changes our lives forever. It's not about talent, but rather hard work and perseverance.

Everyone who gathered at the event did so to help raise money for dyslexic children whose families don't have the financial resources to provide the individualized instruction necessary for their child to learn how to read.

All contributions were and are tax deductible! So if you'd like to give a gift for this important scholarship you can contact Dr. Connie Russo at: http://www.lidyslexia.org or send checks made out to IDALIB and mail to:  IDALIB - 1488 Deer Park Avenue, North Babylon, New York 11703

The International Dyslexia Association "provides a brighter future for a child with dyslexia one reading lesson at a time."

Remember - It's never to late to learn how to read!!!!!!

 

The International Dyslexia Association - Long Island Branch has invited me to be the Keynote Speaker at their annual fundraiser in recognition of DYSLEXIA AWARENESS AND THEIR "RIGHT TO READ" SCHOLARSHIP.

Date: Monday, May 23rd

Time: 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.

Place: Milto's Fine Italian Restaurant

315 Walt Whitman Road

Huntington Station, New York

Cost: Tax Deductible Donation $60.00 which includes appetizer, pasta dinner, soft drinks and dessert.

There will be great food, entertainment, and lots of chances to win valuable prizes.

MUSIC AND RAFFLES!

"The IDALIB mission is to raise the general awareness of dyslexia and award scholarships to dyslexic children whose families don't have the financial resources to provide the individualized instruction necessary for their child to learn how to read. "

All contributions are tax deductible!

You can pay for tickets in advance on the ISALIB website: http://www.lidyslexia.org

or send checks made out to IDALIB and mail to:

IDALIB

1488 Deer Park Avenue, ! 190

North Babylon, New York 11703

The International Dyslexia Association "provides a brighter future for a child with dyslexia one reading lesson at a time."

 

  Date: August 20, 2016 Place: Atlantic Avenue, Amagansett Time: 5:00 p.m. start Distance: 1/4 mile, 1/2 mile, and 1 course Register: Afternoon of event or at active.com Proceeds to benefit the East Hampton Volunteer Ocean Rescue organization

  East Hampton Volunteer Ocean Rescue members are joining with members from Swim Across America to help make waves to fight cancer. Date: July 9, 2016 Place: Fresh Pond Beach, Amagansett Time: 7:00 to 11:00 a.m., ceremony to follow Distances: 3 mile and 6 mile courses Register at: http://www.swimacrossamerica.org/ Proceeds to benefit Fighting Chance and local beneficiaries in support of cancer research, prevention, and treatment. Join us to "Make Waves To Fight Cancer."  

  The Montauk Playhouse Community Center, in partnership with East Hampton Volunteer Ocean Rescue, is offering one of the few safe opportunities to swim an ocean race on the Eastern seaboard with certified Ocean Lifeguards to protect you. The challenge offers distance categories for all ages and abilities, making it appropriate for youth, recreational, and competitive swimmers. Participants swim along Montauk's majestic oceanfront, ending their swim at the popular Ditch Plains Beach. Date: July 23, 2016 Place: Ditch Plains Parking Lot,  Montauk Time/Distance: 1/2 mile course 8:00 a.m. start 1 mile course 7:30 a.m. start 5K course 6:30 a.m. start Register: At active,com or morning of event Proceeds benefit the construction of the Aquatic Center at the Montauk Community Playhouse  

Thanks to Dell Cullum, East Hampton Town had its 3rd Annual Shoreline Beach Sweep.  Dell organized local environmentalists throughout the town to put aside April 23rd to give our beautiful beaches a good spring cleaning. He hoped this would be a trash clean-up day like no other.

Members from the East Hampton Volunteer Ocean Rescue and swimmers from the East Hampton Hurricane Swim Team gathered at Georgica Beach for the 3rd Annual Beach Sweep.

From left to right - Owen McCormac, Helene Forst, Emmett McCormac, Olivia Brabant, Ethan McCormac, and Aidan McCormac helped pick up trash from the entrance of Georgica Beach all the way to the pond and back.

We were proud to have collected a lot of trash - ropes and plastics, cans and bottles. Two of the kids got community service for the time spent cleaning up one of their favorite community beaches.

Dell said that, "Organizing the annual Shoreline Sweep with CCOM's Great Montauk Clean Up took a few emails and an okey dokey, but it all worked itself out."  Many other groups joined in the effort - East Hampton Volunteer Ocean Rescue, the Custodians of Lazy Point, East Hampton Middle School Surfrider Club, East Coast Surfer Girls, Amagansett Chamber of Commerce and several more. What's so impressive to me was that the list grew and grew until every beach was covered in the town. Dell's goal was to gather awesome environmentally compassionate folks and create a gigantic force to universally help remove trash and debris from Wainscott to Montauk. I'm proud to say, we did accomplish that. We did make one huge difference this year as we celebrated Earth Day and showed our planet, particularly our home town, that we cared. Kyril Bromley, a photographer from the East Hampton Press, shot this picture of members of East Hampton Ocean Rescue and the Hurricanes swim team while they were helping to clean up Georgica Beach. From left to right are: Aidan McCormac, Joan Ross, Helene Forst, Olivia Brabant, Stephanie Brabant, Owen McCormac, Jack Forst, Ethan McCormac, and Emmet McCormac. MY HEARTFELT THANKS GO OUT TO DELL FOR ALL HE DOES FOR EAST HAMPTON TOWN. ​

SURFRIDER FOUNDATION

EASTERN LONG ISLAND CHAPTER

Saturday, April 23, 2016 (rain date April 24th) The 3rd Annual Shoreline Sweep

Join Surfrider and help clean East Hampton's beaches, anywhere from Wainscott to Montauk. You can sign up and get more information from Dell Cullum at Kachina35@gmail.com or 631-377-6555.

ImaginationNature.com will also have updates up until the event.

  The 54th Annual St. Patrick's Day Parade will kick off from Edgemere Road at 11:30 am Sunday March 20th 2016 in Montauk New York. The Parade runs up Edgemere Road and then turns on to Main Street passed the reviewing stand on the green under the watchful eye of MC Rick White and finishes at the end of Main Street by the IGA. Come early to get a good vantage point to see New York's second largest St. Patrick's Day Parade. Starting at 10:00 am on the green, the Montauk Chamber of Commerce will be serving hot soup in your very own St. Patrick’s Day Parade souvenir mug. Montauk’s finest soups are made and donated by local restaurants. For more info contact the Montauk Friends of Erin.  

8th ANNUAL AM O'GANSETT ST. PATRICK'S DAY PARADE

 

I know I might be a little prejudice, but as a newly elected lieutenant to Squad 8 of East Hampton Volunteer Ocean Rescue, I decided to write lyrics to a song about how amazing our organization is. After writing it, my friend and fellow squad member, Peter Gideon, suggested several additional changes to the lyrics and melody. I thought it might be fun to post the lyrics on my blog. I hope you enjoy it!

RESCUE SWIMMERS ALWAYS ON CALL

By Helene Forst and Peter Gidion

Instrumental Opening Chords: G D C D

                (G)                      (D) In the Town of East Hampton                  (C)                  (G) There dwells super heroes (C)                          (G) Brave ocean swimmers        (C)                 (D)     (D) On call all the time.

        (G)            (D) No matter the day           (C)                 (G) No matter the weather                (C)          (G) They always respond                (D)                (G)       (G) From morning till night.

(Chorus)

(G)                    (D)    (C)           (G) They’re the brave and courageous (C)           (G)              (C)                  (D)         (D) Vol - unteering, training with smiles (G)            (D)          (C)         (G) Raising money, helpng others (C)                     (G) Pure super heroes         (D)               (G)      (G) On call all the time.

(G)                                     (D) The Chief, and the Captains,  (C)                                (G) Lieutenants and Members (C)                   (G)        (C)            (D)    (D) A group of many, working as one       (G)                  (D)               (C)                (D) Relentless, tenacious, bounding, astounding (C)                       (G)             (D)           (G)     (G) Braving the elements, always on call.

(G)                                 (D)                          (C)          (D) The jet skis and paddleboards and rescue swimmers         (C)         (G) Are all in position         (C)               (D)       (D) To guard and protect               (G)                        (D) From Main Beach to Montauk               (C)           (G) They cover the races (C)             (D)               (C)        (G)         (G) Tri – athalons and healing events.

(Chorus)

(SOLO (INSTRUMENTAL)

               (G)      (D)   (C)               (G) They waterproof all of the children (C)                           (G) Teaching with purpose (C)                         (D)      (D) So no one will drown (G)                            (D)   (C)             (D) How lucky this town is to have them (C)             (G)           (D)       (G) Ocean Rescue always on call             (C)          (G)      ( D)          (G)    (G) Yes, Ocean Rescue always on call.

  Experience the confusion, bravery, and hope of the Vietnam War era through the eyes of  fourteen-year-old Jake Edwards, in author Helene Forst's poignant coming-of-age novel, Stocked - 1969.

The world has gone completely crazy.

At least that's how it looks to fourteen-year-old Jake Edwards, whose whole life is upended in the blink of an eye.

Struggling with dyslexia and unable to read, Jake is sent to live with his wacky grandmother in the Adirondack Mountains in a last ditch effort to further his education.

But with his older brother off to war and America divided over its role in Vietnam, Jake finds himself learning a lot more than what's taught in the classroom.

Stoked - 1969 is a moving portrait of life in a time of crisis. Author Helene Forst seamlessly weaves together history, poetry, and a riveting tale of a young boy learning to question the world around him for the very first time.

Available for purchase at:  

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Stoked-1969-Helene-Forst/dp/1518899218/ref=sr_1_1_twi_pap_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1454943344&sr=8-1&keywords=stoked+1969

CreateSpace eStore: https://www.createspace.com/5840295

Meet the author:  https://heleneforst.com.

  The East Hampton Environmental Coalition is made up of 17 environmental groups totaling approximately 6,000 members. As a member of the Coalition, I was proud to be part of the writing process for the East Hampton Green Guide, a publication that summarizes its members' environmental concerns and offers recommendations for plans of action they hope local politicians will embrace as Election Day approaches. My topic was concerned with a 21st century sustainable energy grid update. East Hampton is defined by the unique character of its hamlets, villages, and countryside. However the hardening and upgrading of our electric grid has not been harmonious with the unique nature of the existing character of the community. PSEG-LI’s installation of 65-foot toxic utility poles laden with pentachlorophenol (penta), has contaminated our air, soil, and groundwater, destroying the aesthetic beauty of our residential areas, devaluing our homes, and creating a situation that negatively effects the health of its residents and our environment. Penta belongs to a class of dangerous chemicals that has left a toxic legacy around the globe. It is classified as a probable carcinogen by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). It is highly persistent and migrates down-gradient under conditions such as heavy rains, snow melt, and runoff to potentially contaminate drinking water and surface waters. Cancer-causing chemicals should not be leaking from utility poles into communities. It’s time for the United States and for New York State to ban pentachlorophenol. There are approximately 1 million utility poles treated each year with Penta. Senator Charles Schumer reported that over 95,000 of these toxic poles have been installed on Long Island. And to our dismay, PSEG-LI continues to harden our electric grid by installing thousands more Penta laden poles. Soils samples taken near utility poles in East Hampton showed concentrations of PCP more than 300 times New York’s permissible limits for poisonous substances. In a recent water test requested by the Village of East Hampton and East Hampton Town, the groundwater was found to be contaminated with 5 poisonous chemicals that are part of the penta formulation. ACTION PLAN • Support the New York State Bills to Ban Pentachlorophenol. • Recommend that all new electric grid upgrades be placed underground. • Recommend that composite poles be used when replacing utility poles. • Support projects that encourage the use of alternative, sustainable energy sources such as wind and solar. • Support legislation that requires utility companies to obtain permission from local government before they can work in a town or village and require the utility to provide a SEQRA before said work. • Remove all Penta poles along the 6.2 mile route between East Hampton and Amagansett, clean up the contaminated soil, and bury the lines. If poles need to be used, create a pilot program in East Hampton using composite poles.