INSIDE OUT The story behind Staten Island's stories Hawaii will henceforward be known as the cradle of our 44th president, Barack Obama. And it's where Mary Elizabeth Smith, formerly of West Brighton, keeps a house.

Obama and Mary Elizabeth might well have crossed paths at Honolulu Airport last month - he and his family returning for the holidays and she also heading to her native island for a tinsel-tinged visit. (It was 80 degrees on her departure and 18 when she landed at Newark.)

Mary lives on the windward side of Oahu, in Kailua - the very town where the Obamas spent their vacation. She points out that the golf course where Obama was photographed was "just up the road" and the Kailua beaches where he swam are among her own favorites.

Mary Elizabeth is a graduate of Moore Catholic High School and Fairfield (Conn.) University and earned a doctorate in early childhood education from the University of Virginia at Charlottesville.

Dr. Smith is on the staff at Chaminade University, Honolulu. She was in town to spend Christmas with her brothers Jim of St. George and Jack of Tottenville, and also got a chance to play tourist with her brother Bill of Front Royal, Va., as they visited the Christmas tree at Rockefeller Center. She even took in the Broadway musical "Billy Elliot," which she pronounced "fabulous - and worth the trip home."

Now Obama has his work cut out for him in Washington. As for Mary, she'll be enjoying the sun and surf of Kailua Beach. Some folks have all the luck!

CON ED DELIVERS

Seems as though Consolidated Edison delivered more than electricity this holiday season. Along with his Edison elves, Santa delivered toys and gifts to children from the Staten Island Liberian Community Association (SILCA) - as more than 200 gifts were collected this season as part of Con Edison's Toy Drive.

"We have many generous employees at Con Edison who wanted to brighten the holidays for youngsters," said Aubrey Braz, vice president of the regulated utility company.

"We are happy to be able to bring cheer to the children in our community."

"It felt great to do something special for these children during the holiday season," said first-time elf Justine Giarrusso. "It was so rewarding to see them enjoying their gifts."

"There's nothing more gratifying than seeing a smile on a young child's face," said Anthony Petricevich, who played Santa. "I am looking forward to next year when we can do this all over again."

"During these difficult economic times, many of our donors could not give as they had in the past so we had more kids than toys. We thank Con Edison for coming to our rescue," said George Curtis, president of the Staten Island Liberian Community Association.

In addition to SILCA, the Edison elves brought toys to Community Health Action, Seamen's Society for Children and Families, Cross Road Foundation and Stapleton UAME Church.

ITALIAN CELEBRATION

The Staten Island Chapter of the American Committee on Italian Migration (ACIM) will hold its annual commemorative of La Befana on Sunday at Waterfalls Restaurant, Meiers Corners, from 1 to 4 p.m. Gifts and raffle prizes will be distributed during the celebration. Reservations are $45 or $50 when paid at the door.

From an Italian legend, La Befana inherits her name from the Festival of Epiphany. Tradition dictates that the Wise Men visited La Befana on the way to Bethlehem but she was too busy cleaning house to accompany them when invited. Later, when she regretted the decision and set out to find them and the Baby Jesus, she couldn't locate them. According to the story, she continues to wander, leaving gifts for the children she finds in her travels. La Befana is a character in Italian folklore that is similar to St. Nicholas or Santa Claus.

Each year, ACIM celebrates the folk legend as part of their tribute to Italian heritage and culture. This year's event is being co-chaired by Jo Ann Diamond, second vice president of ACIM, and Audrey Lo Presti, recording secretary. Both are longtime members of ACIM.

For additional information or to make reservations, kindly telephone 718-984-6560.

'ANGEL' GRACES

CHRISTMAS DINNER

The Annual Christmas Dinner at the Trinity Lutheran Church Feeding Ministry was visited by an "angel."

Brian Reardon, coordinator of the Stapleton ministry, recounts that more than 200 individuals feasted during the Annual Christmas Dinner at the Trinity Lutheran Church's Feeding Ministry over the holiday season - even though governmental food sources have been somewhat depleted.

What's more, after the pantry and soup kitchen closed that day, they received a totally unexpected anonymous donation of over $1,000 worth of food from a woman who revealed only that her name was Margaret and who indicated that since God had been good to her in 2008 she wanted to share her blessing with the community. In fact, she went out and actually shopped and brought the food to the ministry, including 5-pound hams and much-appreciated coffee and tea.

Normally, a thank-you note would have been sent from the ministry, but since the woman wouldn't reveal her name or address, the organization asked that we reach out to her through this column.

It should be noted that the ministry is in dire need of baby food, coffee and tea. The food pantry is open each Saturday from 12:15 until 2 p.m. and serves all in need on Staten Island. All that is required is identification indicating that the people in need reside on the Island.

Those interested in volunteering or coming to the assistance of the ministry in any way should telephone Karen Shields at 718- 447-0526.

REUNION TIME

A reunion is on tap for anyone involved in the Morris League - including players, coaches, fans, etc., on Jan. 17 at Afternoone's restaurant, West Brighton.

The event will run from 7 to 11 p.m. at a cost of $50 per person that includes an open bar and snacks.

Those interested may contact Rusty Gaudet at Rusty's Tavern at 718-273-5501 or e-mail at rustybar879@verizon.net FYI: Mr. Morris will be in attendance and organizers are hopeful that many former players will attend.

BENEFIT CONCERT

New York Philharmonic violinist Charles Rex, cellist Fred Zlotkin and pianist Elizabeth Pridgen will perform a concert for the benefit of the Richmond County Orchestra on Sunday at 3 p.m. at the Performance Center of Wagner College, Grymes Hill. Selections will include Beethoven's Sonata in C Minor; Brahms' Sonata in E Minor, and Mendelssohn's Trio No. 1 in D Minor.

Tickets, priced at $25, may be purchased either at the door or by telephoning 718-390-4306. For additional information, visit www.richmondcountyorchestra.org.

CELEBRATIONS

Happy birthday today to Vincent Gattullo, retired director of the Staten Island Zoo, Samir (Sam) Farag, founder of Worldwide Electronics Corp., Carmela Neis, and twins Dominick Derek Passante and Tara-Jean Canlon, now 11 years old.

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