Good News: Region Toasts 40 Years of Wine Country

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.

LI Wine Council Celebrates 40th Anniversary

The Long Island Wine Council began in 1973 with just a few agricultural pioneers — Dave Mudd — with a vision that the North Fork's vegetable farms could someday be transformed into one of the top destinations for wine production and tourism in the world.

And 40 years later, Long Island Wine Country is right up there with Sonoma County and Napa Valley. To celebrate four decades of existence and its now over 40 wineries on the roster, the Long Island Wine Council hosted a low-key tasting party Thursday night at Raphael Vineyards in Peconic, where a Who's Who of North Fork vintners and others in the local food and tourism industry showed up to mingle.

Port Jefferson Students Make Snowflakes For Sandy Hook

Students from Earl L. Vandermeulen High School joined their teachers in a project launched by the Sandy Hook PTA that encouraged students to create snowflakes to decorate the halls when they returned to the Newtown school in January.

Winter Farmers Market Blooms in Commack

There is no hibernation this winter for local growers as business blossoms at the newly opened farmers market at the Suffolk Y JCC in Commack. The farmers market circuit is growing to meet the need for fresh, local food on Long Island dinner tables. The organization already has a farmers market in Long Beach, Hicksville, Kings Park, Elmont and Nesconset. The winter market opened in Commack last Sunday and is already a hit with customers and vendors alike.

Harlem Wizards Slam Dunk School Fundraiser

The Harlem Wizards stopped by Hauppauge High School on Saturday to put on a dazzling show of energy and skill, all for the benefit of local students. Teachers and staff of Forest Brook Elementary School put on their running shoes to test their skills against the Wizards to support educational programs.

Wrestlers Shave Heads to Support Mom Diagnosed With Leukemia

Mattituck High School junior Bobby Becker's mother, Sue Becker, recently lost all of her hair due to treatment for leukemia. This week, Bobby's teammates on the wrestling team decided that they would shave their heads in support for his mom. The whole team, about 30 guys, packed into the Love Lane Haircutters Wednesday at 5 p.m. after closing time.