Letter: Thanks From Miller Place Friends of the Arts

The Miller Place Friends of the Arts wish to thank the following people and firms who supported us so generously in putting on our seventh Ice Cream Social at the Miller Place High School on Sunday, June 5, 2011: 

Gail & Jim McNulty of McNulty's Ice Cream Parlor, Marcello Serrao of Ralph’s Famous Italian Ices and Stop & Shop.

We also wish to thank the principals, teachers, Board of Education, administrators and staff of the Miller Place School District, with thanks going to the music faculty, especially,Jennifer Kirby, Pat Isenberg, Cynthia Reinhardt, Mary Jeanne Stead and Terri Troyano.

We also wish to thank the numerous parents who showed up to help scoop, collect money and clean up afterwards.

Several hundred people showed up to have a good time listening to our talented student musicians and vocalists and socialize with their neighbors -- all while eating delicious McNulty’s ice cream and Ralph’s ices.  We are looking forward to next year when we do it all again.

Once again, this year’s event was dedicated to the memory of our friend Jim Rackowski.  He was not only a dedicated teacher to thousands of Miller Place music students over three decades but he was also a mentor and inspiration to so many of them. Seven years ago he brought the idea for an ice cream social to a group of music parents, and from there the Miller Place Friends of the Arts began.  Mr. Rackowski will always be remembered fondly in Miller Place and Sound Beach.  His motto lives on: “One Band, One Sound”.

- Doug Ports & Mark Larson for the Miller Place Friends of the Arts