Grand finale for summer reading series

Dusk illuminated Florence Gatto and the famous gazebo at the Schoolhouse Green in Oceanside.

Penny Frondelli/Herald

Matthew Vaccaro, 5, and his dad, Jim, attended the season finale of Oceanside’s Gazebo Summer Reading series on Aug. 25.

Penny Frondelli/Herald

Lorraine Conlin, Long Island poet, at the season finale.

Penny Frondelli/Herald

Antony Iovino, founder of the Oceanside Kiwanis gazebo reading program.

Penny Frondelli/Herald

Billy Stuber and Max at Oceanside’s 8th season of Gazebo readings.

Penny Frondelli/Herald

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The Oceanside Kiwanis Club finished another summer of its Gazebo Reading Nights program, with the last reading of the year on Aug. 25. The program, in its eighth year, raised $5000 for the Kiwanis club this summer through sponsors and patrons.

“It gets better every year,” said Thomas Cesiro, president of Oceanside Kiwanis Club.

Kiwanis will use the money raised for their summer youth programs. The organization will send 11 Oceanside children to Kamp Kiwanis and give them supplies – such as sleeping bags, duffle bags, toiletries – if they need it.

The money from the Gazebo Reading Nights program will also go to and the Key Club at Oceanside High School, the Builder’s Club at Oceanside Middle School, the K-Club at School #3 and other Kiwanis events, like the Special Needs Halloween Festival.

“It’s a great program that was started by former president Tony Iovino and his wife Angela,” said Cesiro.