1940-2023
Monsignor Martin Geraghty
After a devastating fire in September 2021, St. John’s Episcopal Hospital is officially rebuilding its damaged 11th floor, with new and even better improvements.
On Tuesday, April 4, Rockaway’s hospital held an official groundbreaking ceremony on what will be a new state of the art 11th floor (Tower 11). The project, once completed, will reveal a brand new Medical Surgical (Med. Surg.) Nursing Unit, and equipment that includes new telemetry equipment, a Nurse call system, new beds and furniture, a security system and handicap bathroom showers.
Tuesday’s groundbreaking ceremony comes a year and a half after the devastating fire broke out on the rooftop of the hospital causing substantial damage to the 11th floor and the hospital roof. At the time, all patients on Tower 11 were relocated to other units throughout the facility while continuously receiving exceptional care from the hospital’s team members.
Tower 11 team members who were affected by the fire deemed it as a temporary setback. Tuesday was their first time back on the 11th floor since the fire.
“I actually have goosebumps,” said Monique Armstrong, Tower 11 Staff Nurse. “The fire left us devastated. Today we see it as a new beginning for us, we plan to come
back here, it is our home. We’re coming back to our home, a renovated brand new home and we just want to share and tell everyone out there that we are grateful, thankful and we can’t wait to come back.”
To display a new beginning for the hospital, the rebuilding of the 11th floor is only one of the many initiatives the hospital is undertaking this year. Within a couple months, the health system will break ground on an Ambulatory Pavilion that will offer services including, primary care, behavioral health and oncology. This is in addition to opening a state-of-the-art Clinical Learning Center.
St. John’s Episcopal Hospital, the Executive board and the team members are committed to the beautification of the hospital, better care for the patients, and creating a healthy community.
Congressman Gregory Meeks
67-12 Rockaway Beach Boulevard
Arverne, NY 11692
Phone: (347) 230-4032
Assemblywoman Stacey Pheffer Amato 9516 Rockaway Beach Blvd Rockaway Beach, NY 11693
Email: amatos@nyassembly.gov 718-945-9550
City Councilwoman Selvena Brooks-Powers
1931 Mott Avenue, Suite 410 Far Rockaway, NY 11691 • 718-471-7014
City Councilwoman Joann Ariola
114-12 Beach Channel Drive, suite #1 Rockaway Park, NY 11694
Email: joannariola32@gmail.com 718-318-6411
State Senator James Sanders Jr. 1931 Mott Avenue – Suite 305 Far Rockaway, NY 11691
Email: sanders@nysenate.gov 718-327-7017
Assemblyman Khaleel Anderson
Is that a Rockaway Times tank top?! Sarah Miller was spotted sporting the rare garb while soaking up some sun on Lake Havasu in Arizona this week.
19-31 Mott Avenue, Suite 301 Far Rockaway, NY 11691
Email: Andersonk@nyassembly.gov 718-327-1845
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The English language is a doozy. I would like to spend some more time diving into some of its wackier eccentricities. There are so many different aspects of it to explore. Spelling, which happens to be an Achilles’ heel of mine (thank goodness for spell check), is one of the areas of the English language that fascinates me most. Have you ever noticed that “refrigerator” does not have a “d” in it anywhere and yet we shorten it to “fridge?” Or recently, it was pointed out to me that the word “restaurateur,” meaning someone who owns and operates a restaurant, does not have an “n” in it. This all brings me to something
that happened last week, and while the above examples really are just quirks of language, the below example is more human made.
In my column last week, I mentioned the Verrazzano Bridge. We’re a big bridge community which makes sense with us being on a peninsula and all. While the Marine Parkway—Gil Hodges Memorial Bridge and the Cross Bay Veterans Memorial Bridge will always hold a special place in our hearts, the Verrazzano Bridge cannot be far behind for most. Again, as I mentioned last week, I try my darndest not to drive though Manhattan. Most of the time, with that
limitation, going through Staten Island ends up as the best option, albeit relatively so. Like it or not, this bridge plays a pretty big role in our lives.
Because of its seemingly everyday use, you would think that it would not be so difficult a word to spell. For the most part, it is not, but when one of my proofreaders said they were pretty sure that there was one “z” and I agreed, we found ourselves entering quite the rabbit hole.
Up until five years ago, the bridge was spelt “Verrazano” with one “z” which was not the way that the bridge’s namesake, Giovanni da Verrazzano, spelt his name. It was not until 2018 that a law was passed, and the spelling was changed to the correct “Verrazzano.” Apparently, there were two very adamant sides to this argument although I am not exactly sure why. As the story goes, even on their way to the groundbreaking ceremony for the new “Verrazano-Narrows Bridge,” squabbling politicians argued over the spelling while riding on a boat named “Verrazzano” with the cor-
rect spelling. The one “z” side won the day, and the bridge was incorrectly named as such for over 50 years. Thankfully, that wrong has since been righted. Thanks to Robert Nash, a student at St. Francis College, who started a petition to have the name corrected in 2016. That petition gained the attention of some state senators who were able to introduce a bill to the NY Assembly and (after first being defeated once) successfully passed both the Senate and the Assembly and was signed into law by then Governor Cuomo in 2018. If you still see some signs with the misspelling that is because, as a cost saving measure (HA!), old signage was set to remain, and only new signage would have the correct spelling. The first sign with the correct spelling was installed in February 2020.
Personally, I find it comforting that there has always been a certain level of incompetence and division. It tells us that the times we live in now, although they may seem especially bonkers, are par for the course. It just happens to be one hell of a course.
Leonardo da Vinci once said, “Water is the driving force of all nature,” and Tuesday night at CB 14’s April meeting, water certainly was the driving force, flooding rancor to many community concerns. From the Department of Environmental Protection’s looming April 30 expiration date of sanctioned waivers for property owners’ overdue water bills, to the Army Corps of Engineers’ project seemingly sluggish update on mitigating rising waters in Jamaica Bay—the packed room at Knights of Columbus was on edge. And with 15 people signed up for public speaking, CB 14’s meeting was long, but not uneventful.
First, some encouraging news on the policing front from both the 100th and 101st Precincts. Captain Steve Hyland, the new executive officer of the 100th precinct, shared that starting May 8, there will be 40 officers on beach detail. However, he warned, “If you're out on the beach, just be careful of unattended property. Auto grand larceny is up in Rockaway, and if you have money, cell phones, credit cards out in open view, that’s a draw. Also, if you have your car parked near the beach, doublecheck to make sure it is locked. Queens South has had a big problem with thieves using converters to break into these new cars. I actually recommend people get a guard that can help prevent someone from driving away with your car.”
Captain Timothy Schultz from the 101st Precinct said that police beach detail on the eastern end of the peninsula is increasing from 16 to 24 officers to which CB 14 attendees welcomed with applause. “We’ll definitely have the manpower to deal with any issues especially at O'Donohue Park and the boardwalk,” he said. Schultz also reported that crime, especially shootings, were down. Public speaking was mostly commandeered by members of SHAFT and their supporters all
adamantly expressing their opposition to Alma Realty building even more 20-story buildings on the land where the existing buildings are on Shore Front Parkway.
At the onset of the meeting, CB 14 District Manager Jonathan Gaska reported that, regarding Alma’s proposal, nothing concrete is in the works, at least for now.
“I spoke to the head of Queens City Planning today just to kind of get an update. Basically, this is a very large-scale project. Projects of this size and scope require a number of steps. The first step when they go up for re-zoning is they do something called an EAS (environmental assessment), which is a precursor to a full environmental impact statement (EIS). The EIS looks at traffic, school seats, environmental issues, a number of different things. A project of this license scope will almost certainly trigger a full EIS. Those of you on CB 14, remember that with Arverne By The Sea and some of the other bigger projects, with EIS, even if it goes quickly, it takes four to six months, and as much as a year,” Gaska said.
City Councilwoman Joann Ariola’s Rockaway Community Liaison, Margaret Powers, said, “The councilwoman just wants, especially the people of Surfside, to know that she spoke with the DCP. She was assured that there was not a scope submitted for approval for the proposed project before it goes forward. At the end of the process, it will need the approval of the council member. And the council member would like to reassure the residents of Surfside that she has not changed her position of opposition regarding Alma’s plan.”
During public speaking, it was announced that Saturday, April 22 is Denim Day, a day of solidarity against sexual assault, victim blaming and domestic violence. From 11 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., at Hammel’s Playground (Rockaway Beach Blvd. and 84th Street), there will be violence preven -
tion speakers, performances, a self-defense seminar, Zumba, yoga, live music, puppetry and more. Then at 9 p.m., Denim Day continues with an after-party at The Rose Den. For more info, call: 347-757-9972 or email: xtrememeasuregold@gmail.com
Now regarding, water.
Karen Ellis of the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) addressed CB 14 about the upcoming April 30 debt forgiveness deadline for New Yorkers with unpaid water bills. In January of this year, Mayor Eric Adams and DEP announced DEP’s one-time amnesty program, designed to alleviate financial burden on qualified customers with an excess in water and wastewater bills because of the COVID-19 pandemic. According to the DEP, the program allows customers to have their accrued interest either reduced or forgiven after they pay their principal balance by April 30. Put more simply, it’s the forgiveness of late payment and interest charges.
This is different from the Low-Income Household Water Assistance Program, which allows for the forgiveness of up to $5,000 for overdue water or sewer bills for qualified individuals.
Ellis said the Amnesty Program is open to a diverse range of property owners — from building owners to single-family household owners.
“Nearly one in four NYC water customers is behind on their bill, representing a combined $1.2 billion owed to DEP. This program will help customers get caught up, while also helping the city to recoup money in order to keep rates low, so that we can continue to invest in the water system's resiliency. DEP depends almost exclusively on water bill revenue to fund services, operations, maintenance and capital improvements. The department must collect nearly $4 billion in order to deliver more than one billion gallons of water and treat 1.3 billion gallons of wastewater this year.
“And this program is available to all delinquent customers, including business owners, and it's going to forgive the interest in exchange for principal repayment. However, customers must apply by April 30. There are several ways to pay. For all options and more info, go to our website: www.nyc.gov/dep amnesty and use our your ‘Account Lookup’ tool to see if you’re eligible and your options,” Ellis said.
Next, a representative from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers came to give an update on “The Rockaway Project,” focused on ideas for Edgemere and Hammels areas “to prevent high tides and storm surge flooding.” She said, “You know, and we know, that the flooding on the ocean side is different than what we see on the back bay side, especially what we saw this past December. So, we put together a plan to reduce what we call, ‘high frequency flooding.’ It consists of berms, bulk heads, flood walls between a height of two and five and a half feet above ground. Again, we’re still in the design stage and this is all preliminary. You're not going to see anybody with a shovel on the ground. There’s no schedule.”
CB 14 members were definitely not pleased with some stating how many cars they lost, and property damages incurred post-Hurricane Sandy.
CB 14 member John Cori, significantly stated, “Can you get this message back to the powers that be: ‘Where the hell is the sense of urgency?’ This is insane. The levies in New Orleans were rebuilt with billions of dollars in six months. Why is the peninsula being left behind? There's no urgency. And what I've always told the politicians, this takes the governor to declare a state of emergency every time water comes through the spouts and the sewer system. It's an emergency. To the city and state legislators here, bring this back to your office, and get the governor here!”
The sand is coming to Riis. According to a press release, the National Park Service has authorized placement of approximately 360,000 cubic yards of sand along 5,000 feet of shorefront at Jacob Riis Park as part of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, New York State, and New York City’s East Rockaway Inlet to Rockaway Inlet, and Jamaica Bay Coastal Storm Risk Management project.
In 2022, sections of the beach at Jacob Riis Park were closed due to beach erosion which created unsafe conditions and exposed deteriorated wooden groins, rockwork, and other structures. The exposed structures were not always visible, especially at high tide, and were dangerous to swimmers. The 2023 sand placement project will improve these unsafe conditions.
Sand placement is scheduled to begin in mid-April at the western end of the beach at Jacob Riis Park and progress east. The west-east sand placement direction is necessary to protect piping plovers, a federally threatened species protected under the Endangered Species Act, that nest at Fort Tilden beach at the western side of the beach at Jacob Riis Park. It is expected that the sand placement
will be completed by mid-June and that all equipment will be off the beach by June 30.
During the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers sand placement project, from mid-April to the end of June, sections of the beach at Jacob Riis Park will be closed to public access. While lifeguards will be on duty at Jacob Riis Park from Memorial Day through Labor Day, short-term closures of the beach will occur to ensure visitor safety during sand placement operations. Bays 3-5 will remain closed until sand placement has been completed. The Jacob Riis Park boardwalk will remain open.
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Is anyone out there? With schools off, Rockaway always seems to turn into a ghost town this week. Don’t tell everyone down in Florida, but we are having some pretty great weather this week. Spring appears to have sprung! *****
This past week, Rockaway, along with many other communities, lost Monsignor Martin Geraghty. Throughout his time in Rockaway, Msgr. Geraghty left a mark on the entire peninsula that will last forever. He was a light that led this community through some of its darkest times, acting as a rock for countless people after 9/11 and Flight 587. A wake was held yesterday at St. Francis de Sales. An additional wake will be held today, Thurs-
day, April 13 at St. Francis de Sales from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. A vigil mass will also be held today at 7:30 p.m. and the funeral mass will be Friday, April 14 at 11 a.m. at St. Francis de Sales.
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Congratulations to Breezy Point summer resident and Poughkeepsie native, Maddy Siegrist, who was drafted number three overall in the WNBA draft by the Dallas Wings. This is just the latest accomplishment for Maddy, who earlier this year became Villanova basketball’s highest scorer for both the men and women’s programs. Maddy is the granddaughter of Mary Ellen and Jim Barnes of Breezy Point.
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If you own a business or run a non-profit, you want in. You want to reach people from one end of the peninsula to the other; you want people coming off the ferry to
know about you. You want in The Rockaway Times Summer & Community Guide, the easy-to-handle magazine that’s free, and is distributed from Memorial Day weekend through the 4th of July. It will be available online as well. Want in? Give us a call at 718-634-3030, or contact us through Facebook, Instagram or email. *****
How time flies! The deadline for The Rockaway Times Photo Contest is tomorrow, Friday April 14 at noon. We receive too many photos to consider those who don’t follow the rules (4 photos limit) and miss the deadline. Or send to the wrong email. If you haven’t sent your photo to us, please send to: Contest@rockawaytimes.com. This great event is sponsored by NYC Parks, NYC Ferry, and JBRPC (Jamaica Bay – Rockaway Parks Conservancy).
This week we received a report of a flying orb over Rockaway. One local described it as golden and shiny with a few jets on it. It was first spotted over Cronston Avenue
in the Beach 120s and was seen moving east downtown. If you also saw something similar, drop us a line and let us know! *****
New York’s State Budget, which was originally scheduled for a vote on April 1, has received another extension and now will be voted on on April 17. The budget, proposed by Governor Hochul, is seeing some fierce debate with bail reform and her controversial housing plan being the major sticking points. These two issues, which would normally be handled as standalone issues in the Assembly, are being included as part of the budget. “I don't believe that we should be doing policy on budgets, I've been very clear on that,” said Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie. While the negotiations continue, State workers will receive pay as usual. State lawmakers, however, will not be paid until after the budget is passed. *****
Bass player John Fabry is retiring from Wine with Sue. Catch his final performance at 9 p.m. on Saturday, April 15 at Rogers.
FRIDAY 4.14
ACOUSTIC W/ BARRY WALLER 6PM SINGING GUITARIST PLAYING CLASSIC AND SOFT ROCK
SATURDAY 4.15
ACOUSTIC W/ ARTURO RIVERA 6PM
FRIDAY 4.21
ACOUSTIC W/ FRANK PERSICO 6PM
SATURDAY
ACOUSTIC
APRIL 13
Pesach Osina was born. Kate Rizzo was born.
1970 - Apollo 13 announced, "Houston, we have a problem," when an oxygen tank burst on the way to the Moon.
1997 - Tiger Woods became the youngest person to win the Masters Tournament and the first of African descent to win a major golf title.
APRIL 14
Peter Galvin was born. Linda Humphrey was born.
1828 - Noah Webster copyrighted the first edition of his dictionary. 1865 - Abraham Lincoln was assassinated by John Wilkes Booth.
APRIL 15
Michael William Coughlin was born. Phil Goldfeder was born. Kelly Kalisak was born. Catherine Murphy was born. Kathy Marquardt was born.
1912 - Titanic sank off the coast of Newfoundland after it struck an iceberg. 1947 - Jackie Robinson made his Brooklyn Dodger debut and scored the game-winning run.
APRIL 16
1972 - China sent President Nixon two giant pandas as a gift.
1999 - Hockey great Wayne Gretzky announced his retirement.
APRIL 17
Robert Zimmer was born.
1969 - Sirhan Sirhan was convicted for the murder of Robert F. Kennedy. 1970 - The Apollo 13 astronauts safely landed after their near-disastrous flight.
APRIL 18
Lisa Redmond was born. Alison Kase was born.
1775 - Paul Revere warned Massachusetts colonists of the arrival of British troops during the American Revolution. 1906 - The Great San Francisco Earthquake destroyed over 4 sq mi. and killed over 500 people.
APRIL 19
Jay Ferriola was born. Chris Gallagher was born. Theresa Hyland was born. Christina O’Shea McGovern was born.
1897 - The first Boston Marathon was run.
1995 - The Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building in Oklahoma City, Okla. was destroyed by a car bomb. 168 people, including 19 children were killed.
On the evening of Sunday, April 23, there will be a Yom HaShoah—a Holocaust Remembrance program at the Temple Beth-El Sanctuary (201 Beach 121st Street).
Dr. Alexander Gruenstein, nephew of Mira Nakash Hackel and son of Drs. Lynn Chinitz and Steven Gruenstein, will be one of the keynote speakers at the community-wide Yom HaShoah program. The Chinitz family has deep ties to the Temple and remains a strong voice in the Jewish community. It is over 80 years since the Holocaust began and education remains one of the vital components in dealing with this hate and bias. Accordingly, the topic of the evening will be, “Antisemitism- Are Our Schools Doing Their Job?” Concerning the Shoah, Dr. Eli Wiesel, of bless -
ed memory, often said, “Let us be a voice, not an echo. Let us not be bystanders but let us step forward and speak out.” In this spirit, we ask you to mark your calendar, spread the word to children, grandchildren, family, and friends and join us April 23 for an evening of memory, hope and unity.
The evening will also feature a candle lighting ceremony, clergy remarks and a youth cantata. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. and the event begins at 7 p.m.
This event is co-sponsored by West End Temple, Temple Beth-El of Rockaway Park, Rockaway Jewish Community, Jewish War Veterans and held in accordance with National Days of Remembrance as designated by Congress. All are welcome. Masks are optional.
“Now that’s a good haircut,” said one man who just finished getting a sharp new trim at the sharp new Unisex Salon in Broad Channel. The new hair and nail spot has been generating quite a buzz since it opened at 9-11 Cross Bay Boulevard.
“We had the grand opening on Saturday, April 1. We had food, drinks. It was a good turn out,” says Angelica, one of the owner/staff/operators at Unisex. Keeping things like family, they insist on first names with all who come through their door. They opened those doors to greet their new neighbors with thick round piled sandwiches, crackers, salads, beer, seltzer, liquor and strawberry topped drinks to celebrate their new venture.
Altogether, Angelica notes, Stella, Jack, Suzanna and herself comprise the Unisex Salon team. They might be new to the Channel and to Rockaway, but they are certainly well experienced in the business of caring for hair and making folks look their best.
“Mom,” she says, calling out to Stella, “How long have you been in this business?” Pausing only briefly, scissors in hand while giving a gentleman a stylish cut, “Thirty years,” Stella replies. As Angelica explains, before opening their own place, “We worked in Howard Beach.” When the opportunity presented itself, she, Jack and Stella made the move
to Broad Channel. “We wanted our own shop, because we were working for somebody else,” she said.
The transition is still evident in the sign above the storefront. Below the orange awning emblazoned with the now gone “Lina X Nail Spa Inc.” name, a white banner strip proclaims “Hair Salon- Stella and Jack Are Here.” Stella explains that they are waiting for signage permits to clear to make the public facing change complete.
Inside, all is new, including shelving, counters, reception/appointment station. There are four well-appointed styling stations and salon chairs, so there is little waiting. There is also a comfy manicure and pedicure station and hair washing station towards the back.
“We do men’s haircuts, women’s, too. We do coloring, cuts, manicures, pedicures and eyelashes,” Angelica notes. They also do highlights, single process and eyebrow threading and waxing, among other things.
Do you do “kid’s haircuts?” someone asked online. Yes, was the answer, as someone else added, “My boys have gone to Stella and Jack for years. They are great!”
Angelica notes, “Business has been very good. And reception from the neighborhood has been great!”
“We’re open seven days, and walkins are welcome!” she adds. Unisex Salon opens at 8 a.m. every day. Monday to Friday, they are open to 6 p.m., Sat-
urdays to 5 p.m. and Sundays to 3 p.m.
To make an appointment or get more information, Angelica says, people “can call us at 646-244-3081. They can find us on Facebook, social media. And there’s word of mouth,” she says. “We’re getting a lot of people from word of mouth.”
Judging from the lively posts following the announcement of Unisex Salon’s opening, that word of mouth has been very good indeed.
“You said threading!!! Sold!” one woman commented. “My husband will be thrilled! Especially the Sunday hours!” said another. And one man noted, “Now maybe I’ll get my hair cut more frequently!”
Angelica mentions many people from Broad Channel came to see them when they worked in Howard Beach. Now that they have opened up in Broad Channel, they are looking forward to seeing many old friends and many new faces, and their heads of hair, from the Channel and from Rockaway.
Now that they have officially opened their doors, Angelica says, “We’re very excited, very happy!” Judging from the praise from the man noted earlier and his also newly hair trimmed friend, Stella, Jack, Angelica, Suzanna and Unisex Salon are more than ready to greet every customer and send them out in style.
When U.S. servicemembers returned home from the Vietnam War, many weren’t given a warm welcome. Yet many of these soldiers, including many who were drafted, came home carrying the weight of the horrors they experienced in war, including injuries and losing friends. Many kept it to themselves. However, years after, some decided to share their stories, as personal historic records of what they experienced, and in tribute to those who weren’t lucky enough to come home. Rockaway resident Dennis Graham is one such U.S. Army Veteran who recently published his own story in a new book called, “On an Unknown and Distant Hill: A Citizen Soldiers’ Journey to War and Home.”
After returning home from the Army in 1970, 21-year-old Dennis Graham thought he was OK after serving in Vietnam during the war. And no one ever asked if he was. Nine months after, he got into a severe car accident. “When I made it home, I thought I was fine. I was young and strong, but I wasn’t fine, and I didn’t know it. I got into a bad car accident, almost killing myself and being read my last rites. Even after that I thought I was OK, but over the years, I realized maybe I could use some help, so now I’m in a cognitive therapy group in a VA hospital in Brooklyn and we get together weekly and tell our experiences in the military,” Graham said.
Graham is no stranger to hospitals. After the military, he got into healthcare and went on to become a nurse, a career he held for 41 years, last working at Sloan Kettering. After seeing what can happen to people in war, and in hospitals, Graham decided maybe it was time to start sharing his story. “I got up at the crack of dawn and would take out a tape recorder and started to dictate my experiences in Vietnam. I did that for ten and a half years, and in 2006, as I was getting closer to retirement, I realized how many patients I was taking care of and staff I was working with who were veterans. I had met a trauma surgeon who I learned served in Vietnam and they looked like everybody else, but they were walking around with this story in their back pocket. One doctor wrote a book about his experience as a surgeon in Vietnam and decided to publish it,” he said. “So, I got on my trusty computer and went to work. In
2007, I had a lady from Rockaway transcribe my tapes and I worked on the copy. I found out about self-publishing. It’s been a journey.”
In March, Graham’s book was officially published, almost 53 years from the day he was inducted into the U.S. Army. Getting drafted was something Graham had tried to avoid by enrolling in college. “I had to take 12 credits to get a deferral. I went to Queensborough Community College and signed up for what I thought was 12 credits in September 1968 and I’m in one of the classes, and after two hours, the professor said, ‘come back next week.’ I realized it should’ve been three hours and I looked it up in the course book and found out it was only two credits. I only had 11 credits, and that’s how I got drafted. There was nothing I could do. I thought maybe it wouldn’t happen, but it did.
“When I got to Fort Hamilton to get inducted on March 13, 1969, I thought maybe I could explain about the mistake with the credits, but I saw 200 other guys there like me and I said to myself, ‘why not me? I’m not better or worse than they are.’ I wasn’t sure I could do it physically. I didn’t know where they would send me or what I would become, but my father and uncles were all in the military during WWII. As a kid, I grew up listening to their stories.”
And so began his own. After going through basic training, Graham became an infantry soldier and was shipped out to Vietnam on September 30, 1969. He was assigned to Charlie Company, 1st Battalion 8th Cavalry.
“Within the first 45 days, I was wounded twice,” Graham said. “I have a piece of shrapnel in my left arm and one in my back. I had a CAT scan at a VA hospital after and the tech goes, ‘you’re a lucky boy.’ I said ‘why is that?’ They said, ‘I saw your CAT scan.’ I could have been in a grave instead of having this conversation.” Graham was awarded a Purple Heart for his injuries.
Others were not as lucky. Graham says he lost 13 guys from his company. Graham had served 19 months, five days and six hours with the U.S. Army in Vietnam. He finally returned home on October 14, 1970. Between August 1969 to October 1970, 69 soldiers from 1st Battalion 8th Cavalry 1st Air Cavalry had died.
Graham pays tribute to them all in his
book, with their photos and brief information as listed on the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C. His book also contains poems from his fellow soldier, Jim Ellis, who pays tribute to some of their fallen brothers. Graham also includes several photos from his experience in and out of the jungles of Vietnam.
Despite the hardships of war and after, Graham looks back as his experience and says, “It was an amazing journey. War changes you forever, but we did what we were supposed to do and what we did was try to keep one another alive.”
Graham is still striving to keep soldiers alive. After his experience, he created the Center for Veterans Health, a notfor-profit organization that helps veterans with things like housing, healthcare, food and other services. While out on the boardwalk, trying to let veterans know about the organization, he found the inspiration he needed to finish telling his own story. “A couple years ago,
I see one guy with a 101 Airborne hat on and he told me his son served in Iraq and he died from an overdose on drugs from PTSD. He was wearing the hat for his son. I walked further and saw two guys that had no military apparel, but I asked, and one guy said he was. He said, ‘I was in Vietnam in the 4th Infantry. I was in mortuary affairs.’ I said to him, ‘That must have been very difficult,’ and he said, ‘It still is.’ That made it all come together for me to finish the book,” Graham said.
Fifty percent of the proceeds Graham makes from his book, will go right to the Center for Veterans Health to help fellow veterans. The book is available for purchase on Lulu Books. Search “Dennis Graham” on Lulu.com to buy a copy.
Graham hopes his book may one day make it into libraries so others can know how war impacts people. “I hope it reaches some people so they understand how war can make you who you are,” he said.
Dear Editor:
Well, let’s stop dancing around! Ask any thirteen-yearold "what are the best months to go to the beach in Rockaway?" The ANSWER of course is June, July and August. A-hah! So that's why the Parks Department and Army have scheduled full guns ahead NOW
for their candy-coated beach protection folly. Their plan includes rolling beach closures between Beach 116th and Beach 146th Street for the whole season. The question is: Why the crash now? Sandy was 2012… eleven years ago, and now all of a sudden for this summer they have scheduled a gangbusters effort to disrupt and basically ruin the season for locals. It seems vindictive! Why wasn't this extreme effort undertaken in the spring, say March, April, May? Or skipped to ahead to the fall—September, October, November?
To the Parks / Army - Your righteous chest pounding is laughable! Don't tell me the existing concessions will stay open. Well of course they should be! No thanks to you.
Don't boast that 70+ blocks of beach will be open. Say instead 76 blocks will NOT! - Beach lovers here are now facing major closings, on and off, with crashing rocks dropping and endless beep beep beep from the bulldozers from 7 to 4 every day.
This whole scheme is totally self- serving. Parks and Army Corps just need a surefire way to justify their paychecks. If not this - what the h*ll else would they be doing?
Last, but not least - reality check - if Mother Nature wants her way again all of these rebuild efforts will be swept away in minutes. Really.
Glenn LawsonDear Editor:
Thank you to Dan Guarino for the article “Fraud! Check Scam Hits Rockaway” in the March 30, 2023, issue. On two occasions since January, I have had checks to my mortgage company, and real estate taxes to the NYC Department of Finance stolen. I do not drop my business or personal bills in free standing mailboxes in the community where they can be potentially fished out. I bring my mail to the Beach 116th Street Post Office and place them inside the PO mail slot. I began getting emails, texts and phone calls that my January mortgage was never received. After a few weeks waiting for some answers, I went to my local Chase bank and put a stop order on the check and reopened my account. Then two months later, upon checking another account, found that my real estate check for April was cashed by someone named Majorky De Las Cruz using the technique "check washing," a term I never heard of before. I had it checked out by my brokerage account fraud people who found out that one of two checks was washed by putting paid to the order of the above’s name on the check. The fraud division picked it up and I was reimbursed. I was charged a late fee and had a double payment one
for January and the April bill. In this case it was, once again mailed in our local post office.
I was told to call the Postal Service fraud department to report the incidents. This apparently has been happening a lot and they would investigate. I was told to send letters certified mail, return receipt. I have never had to send my bills this way and pay extra to send my bills. As of now, I haven't heard from the PO fraud department. All I can say is try to be careful when sending important mail; check your online accounts to make sure your checks have gotten to whoever should be receiving them. Any other suggestions would be appreciated.
John W. Roberts
GB Syndrome
Dear Editor:
(In response to Ask the Doc column on 3/30) Few realize that President Franklin Delano Roosevelt was misdiagnosed with polio and actually had Guillaine-Barre Syndrome.
Polio was caused by the massive use of the pesticide DDT at the time. When it was banned, polio disappeared well before the polio vaccine was created in the 1960s. Polio may still be found in some countries, like India, that still use this pesticide. It seems like Guilliane-Barre Disease is appearing more often now due to compromised immune systems.
Joseph Mugivan
him marrying local couples to baptizing local children, Msgr. Geraghty had a personal role in some parishioners’ biggest moments. He was also there to help the community through some of its most historic and trying times.
According to a 2002 “Irish America” article, Msgr. Geraghty had presided over 12 memorial services for neighbors who were killed on September 11, 2001. On that dark day, not knowing what to do, Msgr. Geraghty rang the church bells, as a signal for parishioners to come pray over the fallen. He thought maybe 50 people would show up. According to a 2011 “Wall Street Journal” article, more than 1,000 people came to the church to mourn and pray for the missing.
bringing people together. He had a deep interest in Jewish-Christian relations and was even appointed Chairman of the Diocesan Catholic-Jewish Relations Committee by Bishop Mugavero. He also served as Chaplain to the NYPD Emerald Society, and they named him Irishman of the Year in 2005. Then in 2015, he received the Fr. Mychal Judge award at The Great Irish Fair. Msgr. Geraghty held pride in his Irish roots, with family hailing from County Galway and County Mayo.
By Katie McFaddenFor 18 years, he was there for some of St. Francis de Sales parishioners’ most memorable moments. From baptisms to weddings, Monsignor Martin Geraghty brought moments of joy to local families. He was also there through some of Rockaway’s darkest moments. From funeral and memorial services for many neighbors who were killed on 9/11, to helping Rockaway get through another tragedy, the crash of Flight 587, Msgr. Geraghty left a lasting impact on the peninsula, even after being transferred to another parish in 2006. On Easter Sunday, April 9, Msgr. Geraghty’s journey on this earth came to an end when he died at age 83. This week, his services are being held at the church he held near and dear to his heart.
After weeks of calling for prayers at various Masses at St. Francis de Sales, for an ill Msgr. Geraghty who had been on hospice at Calvary Hospice Center in Brooklyn, while surrounded by family, he was peacefully called home on one of the holiest days in the Catholic religion—Easter Sunday. Just after Easter services concluded, St. Francis de Sales shared the news on social media: “Please remember in your prayers, Msgr. Martin Geraghty, who died early this morning.”
According to this obituary, Reverend Monsignor Martin T. Geraghty was born in Brooklyn on March 6, 1940, to Martin and Alice Ruddy Geraghty. He attended St. Francis Xavier Grammar School, Cathedral Prep, Cathedral College, St. Mary's Seminary, Baltimore and North American College in Rome.
Msgr. Geraghty knew for a long time that he wanted to dedicate his life to God. He was ordained on December 16, 1964, at St. Peter's Basilica in Vatican City. He was first assigned to St. Joan of Arc in Jackson Heights and then returned to Rome for advanced studies. After returning to the U.S., he was assigned to the faculty at Cathedral College, Douglaston where he taught Theology for 18 years. He also served as Parochial Vicar of Saint Elizabeth in Ozone Park.
It was in 1988 when Rockaway was lucky enough to have Msgr. Geraghty join the parish of St. Francis de Sales when he was installed as pastor of the Belle Harbor church. It was there that he was elevated to monsignor in 1990.
In wake of the news of his passing, parishioners from Rockaway to other parts of Queens have been mourning and remembering the impact the monsignor left. From memories of
Every memorial Mass for 9/11 victims thereafter was packed. The last one was on November 9. Three days later, Msgr. Geraghty felt the rumbles and heard the boom while performing a Monday morning Mass in the church as Flight 587 came crashing down in Belle Harbor, just around the block, killing all 260 passengers aboard and five neighbors on the ground. He got as close as he could to the scene and said a prayer for the victims. In the weeks after, he continued to console Rockaway through yet another significant tragedy.
“Everybody who has to confront a disaster or death has to ask why, but it is important to have faith to help us understand why,” Msgr. Geraghty told “Irish America” in 2002. “It is the reality that God will hold us all together and will bring us together that helps us get through it.”
Msgr. Geraghty served at SFDS until 2006, when he was transferred to St. Robert Bellarmine Parish in Bayside after the pastor there, Msgr. Lavin, had died. While most priests usually serve two six-year terms at a parish, Msgr. Geraghty had been at the end of his third term at St. Francis when he was asked to transfer. The news was met with pushback, with parishioners petitioning Bishop Nicholas DiMarzio’s decision, but ultimately Msgr. Geraghty wanted a peaceful transition, and he went on to share his gifts in Bayside. It was there where he celebrated his 50th year of priesthood in 2014.
Msgr. Geraghty had a knack for
Outside of the church, Msgr. Geraghty held a number of hobbies, from golf to even downhill skiing, which took him all over the world. He never shied away from a pick-up basketball game, and he was a diehard Brooklyn Dodgers and then NY Mets fan.
Msgr. Geraghty retired at the end of 2015 but remained with the Bayside parish as a senior priest afterwards. However, the sand never left his shoes. Msgr. Geraghty remained closely connected to the Rockaway peninsula and would return to perform weddings and other services for parishioners who requested him.
St. Francis de Sales was a parish that remained so near and dear to him that before his pasting, it is where Msgr. Geraghty requested that his funeral services be held. His wake began on Wednesday, April 12 at St. Francis de Sales and another wake will be held on Thursday, April 13 from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m., followed by a Mass of Transferal at 7:30 p.m. His funeral Mass will be held Friday, April 14 at 11 a.m. at St. Francis de Sales. He will be buried at St. Peter’s Cemetery in Staten Island.
May Msgr. Martin Geraghty rest in peace.
Only the best of the best are lucky enough to compete in the World Irish Dancing Championships, and this year, four senior dancers from O’Malley Irish Dance Academy of Brooklyn
The World Championships, which features more than 2,500 competitors, were held from April 2 to April 9. Dancers from across the world, from age 8 to 47, participated in solo and céilí traditional Irish step competitions at the Palais des Congrès de Montréal (Montreal Convention Centre).
In the 4-hand team event, the team comprised of Rockaway’s own Molly Grimaldi, as well as Reagan Murphy, Jack Murphy and Thomas Byrnes of Brooklyn. These friends and teammates placed seventh in the world!
and Breezy Point were among the competitors in Montréal, Canada.
O’Malley Irish Dance Academy shared the news on social media saying, “With one of them with an Achilles injury for the last couple of weeks and another away at college playing competitive rugby, plus three of them actively assisting in our younger classes — what an accomplishment!!! They made the time. They worked together! They are
proud owners of a WORLD MEDAL!” the Facebook post said. “Our school, our neighborhood(s) and our Region is SO proud of Jack, Molly, Reagan and Tommy! Huge thanks to our teachers Lisa and
Cassie who went up to the competition! Our assistant coach Katie (and acting as Tommy’s mom) and our team moms Tricia and Marylou! What a wonderful crew we have!”
All photos must be high resolution and must be submitted to Contest@Rockawaytimes.com, along with your name and what category you’re entering. Photos submitted to other email addresses will not be considered.
Selected Photos will be displayed in poster-size along the boardwalk this summer.
*The Rockaway Times may use any photos as they see fit, including for The Rockaway Times Summer Guide. Photo credit will be given.
As those of Jewish faith celebrate Passover around the world, recent incidents have shown that antisemitism is still alive. Acts of hate bookended both ends of the peninsula this week. Police are on the search for three young suspects after carrying out not one, but two antisemitic attacks on members of the Jewish community in Far Rockaway. According to police, on Friday, April 7, a 49-year-old man was walking near the Orthodox synagogue, Yeshiva Ateret Shimon on Caffrey and Mott Avenue, just before 3 p.m., when the three suspects, believed to be two males and a female teenager, followed the man, and began shouting antisemitic remarks and throwing rocks at him. The female then allegedly threatened the man with a razor. After a passerby intervened, the suspects fled. The man was not injured.
But it wasn’t their only act that day. Later on, the teens allegedly approached a 48-year-old man around
Beach 17th Street at 9:30 p.m. and began shouting antisemitic remarks at him. They got into a dispute that resulted in one of the teens pushing the man to the ground. The suspects then fled. The man was not injured.
The NYPD’s Hate Crimes Task Force is investigating both incidents. The first incident was caught on video footage and the police need help identifying the suspects. Anyone with information in regard to this incident is asked to call the NYPD’s Crime Stoppers Hotline at 800-577-TIPS (8477). The public can also submit their tips online at crimestoppers.nypdonline. org, or on Twitter @NYPDTips.
A few days later, antisemitism was displayed on the opposite end of the peninsula. Belle Harbor resident Jeffry Gitter, who is Jewish, reached out to The Rockaway Times on Tuesday, April 11, after being disturbed by what he found on the beach near his home.
“Kids were out partying last night on Beach 135th like they are often. I didn’t bother them, I walked outside to see what was happening and some-
times I offer them a garbage bag to clean up,” he said.
This morning (Tuesday), I go out to clean up after them, which I have to do often, and I pick up a couple beer cans and see a Bud Light beer box and written all over it in Sharpie is
‘f*** all Jews’ and swastikas. I’m Jewish and I found it very disturbing, so I called the police. They came and the response was what I expected, which was nothing. They said they can’t do anything because they didn’t see any commission of crime.”
That’s when Gitter reached out to local parishes, newspapers and local elected officials for more assistance. “Our neighbors have cameras and we’re trying to see if we can get footage. These are local kids, there’s no question about it,” he said. “I’m really furious. I find it to be such an insult. I want to know who these kids are and for them to face repercussions.”
Antisemitism is on the rise around New York City. According to the Anti-Defamation League, there was a 39% spike in antisemitic incidents in New York in 2022. And it isn’t the first time such incidents have occurred in Rockaway. There have been a few antisemitic incidents in recent years across the peninsula. In September 2022, a Far Rockaway man was charged with assault as a hate crime for attacking a Jewish man. In 2019, around Labor Day weekend, there were two incidents of antisemitic messages being scrawled around the peninsula, including at the Silver Gull Beach Club and then in the sand in Belle Harbor.
By Katie McFadden
Rockaway Beach has a brand-new performance space and on Easter Sunday, House on the Rock Church was the first to christen the new space that will host entertainment and events throughout the year.
In their seventh year of hosting Easter on the Boardwalk, House on the Rock Church’s leaders and parishioners were rejoiced to be back at the
to change locations due to the construction, House on the Rock (HOTR) was blessed with the opportunity to be the first group to use the new space on Sunday. “Being able to be in that space and being the first to use it was definitely something we were anticipating and were hoping would happen since we’ve used the boardwalk many times over the years in Rockaway,” HOTR church Pastor Garry Patrylo said.
riding in the bike lanes on the street can see it, those walking on the sidewalk, those going by in cars can see what’s happening, and it gives maximum exposure more than any other spot I can think of,” Patrylo said.
On Sunday, those passing or stopping by HOTR’s Easter service, were treated to live musical performances, a choir of about 30 people, a solo dance performance by one of the middle schoolers at the church, and a trio of middle school girls that sang a song, before Pastor Garry took the stage to provide some words of encouragement on Easter Sunday. “The space worked really well for being able to showcase those different performances and ministry,” he said.
that many can relate to. “I talked about the idea that to really struggle with things means you’re putting up a fight. If you’re not fighting back, it’s not something you can call a struggle. Life is hard, but God will give you the power to fight back, so as long as you’re fighting back, with God’s help, even though it might seem like a struggle, you will be victorious.”
Beach 94th performance area and to utilize the brand-new amphitheater to bring encouraging song and word to roughly 350 people on Sunday, April 9.
Construction began on the performance space in early 2022. The $3.7 million project was made possible through leftover allocations from the FEMA 428 grant, provided in the wake of Hurricane Sandy, and contributions from the Office of the Mayor, Office of the Queens Borough President, and City Council. The idea behind the project, with input gathered from the community, was for it to serve as a gathering area and event space for the community, and act as the gateway to the Rockaways and the boardwalk. The amphitheater was completed in late fall 2022, too late to be utilized for last year’s warm season.
After three years of having their services disrupted by Covid and having
Pastor Garry believes the new performance space enhanced HOTR’s Easter service. “It has stadium seating which means we didn’t have to bring as many chairs and it accommodates more people. Our church (112-08 Rockaway Beach Blvd.) couldn’t host as many people as this space can. And I can see how on a warm, sunny day, the shade covering can be a big help in the summer,” Patrylo said.
He added that the new space, which is in a prime location being central on the peninsula, near the entrance to the peninsula from the Cross Bay Bridge, and being in a visible area, makes it ideal for hosting events. “It felt good to use it because we had been using a spot near the concessions while construction was going on, but with this, everyone has an opportunity to see an event taking place there, so to have this in the space, those walking on the boardwalk can see it, those
For HOTR Church, having an outdoor space for their Easter service is ideal. “Our main goal for doing it outside on the boardwalk is for those who may not feel as connected to attending a church and might be more likely to come to an event in what they might consider a neutral place to receive some encouragement and hope. It’s also a great opportunity for the kids to come out. In past years, we did an egg hunt and this year we did an egg roll using a long tube to slide eggs down the stairs, and we gave prizes to those whose eggs went the furthest,” he said. The event ended with giving out raffle prizes to winners and handing out candy to all in attendance.
Overall, it was a success. “Since Covid, this was our largest attendance. We had a larger turnout prior to Covid but we’re estimating we had about 350 people there, with at least 300 filling out the raffle tickets,” he said.
But what matters most is the connections that were made. “As a church, we consider something to go well when people have an opportunity to connect to God, especially on a holy day like Easter,” he said.
In his sermon, Pastor Garry provided some words of encouragement
At the end of the service, Pastor Garry got to see firsthand that his message connected with parishioners. “After the encouraging word, we probably had 35 people who came to the front and allowed us to pray with them,” he said. “Success is helping people connect to God more than anything and we think that happened that day.”
Patrylo says though they were the first, it won’t be their last time utilizing the new performance space. There are plans in the works for HOTR to host a summer concert there and maybe even a bike blessing ahead of the summer to say a prayer of protection for all of Rockaway’s bike riders.
And HOTR’s first event will be the first of many community events at the performance space. “We are beyond excited to bring a new amphitheater to Rockaway, and it is our hope that this performance space will strengthen and foster new community connections in the Rockaways at the intersection of greenspace, art, and music, made complete with the unbeatable backdrop of the beach,” NYC Parks Commissioner Sue Donoghue said. “This will be a big boost for Rockaway, and we look forward to an official ribbon cutting with the community this summer.”
Sean Fitzgerald
Direct 917-860-6701
Coastalfitz@gmail.com
Ellen May Esposito - Banks
646-209-2744
Office: 718-318-5030
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Six rooms, two baths with dynamic oceanviews. Available May - September $30,000
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This Stately BEACH BLOCK 6BR, 5.5 bath home was recently renovated and has over 3,400 sq. ft. of delightful living space. All the rooms are bright and spacious with high ceilings, recessed lighting, 2 wood burning fireplaces, gorgeous wood floors and 2 large balconies with ocean views. The grounds are beautifully landscaped and can accommodate a large swimming pool for entertaining all your family and friends. $1,950,000
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B. 146: 7BR, 7BA, jacuzzi, doublewide driveway & outdoor shower (LJ)
B. 123: Modern 2BR, 1Bath with loft, futon in LR, shared deck, yard & laundry (TC)
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B. 121: 1BR, 1BA co-op, oceanfront building, HW floors, Board approval. (BF)
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B. 120th: Renovated 5BR, 4 bath with a front porch and decked yard (CB) $14,000
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On average, we blink at a rate of 15-20 times per minute. That is equal to nearly 10,000,000 blinks a year.
Children's author Roald Dahl was an Air Force pilot and spy during World War II.
Associate Real Estate Broker
Hurricane Forecast is not very favorable this year! Everyone needs to get a flood policy!
Nearly one-fourth of bones in the human body are in the feet.
We are unable to breathe and swallow at the same time.
Your right kidney is positioned lower than your left kidney due to the presence of the liver.
The world record for the longest accurate shot in archery is held by Matt Stutzman, who has no arms.
Lettuce is a member of the sunflower family.
Starfish don't have blood. Instead, they get their nutrients around their body using seawater in their vascular system.
If you put super-glue on cotton, it will catch fire.
The reason the name of so many south and central Asian countries end in "stan" is because the word comes from the Persian root word meaning "land of" or "homeland."
Facts by Sean McVeigh, factologist.
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Alan is three times his brother Josh's age. In five years he will be twice his age. How old are and Josh now?
2 boneless, skinless chicken
en is well coated. Cover the mixture and refrigerate for 30 minutes up to 24 hours.
Heat a large skillet over medium high heat. Cook the chicken for 10 minutes or until cooked through.
When the chicken is cooking and almost done, slice the tomatoes. In a small bowl, add the guacamole and add the tomatoes. Mix to incorporate.
When the chicken is cooked, plate the chicken and top with mozzarella slices and then add the guacamole mixture.
Combine chicken, balsamic vinegar, garlic and Italian seasonings in a large
We are about to enter the best time of the year in Rockaway real estate. Buyers tend to be more motivated to get into a new home before the summer in order to enjoy our beaches and summer activities. As time goes by, the needs of families for additional space (or less space for those looking to downsize) continue to pressure their living conditions and push them into the market. There has been some softness in Rockaway prices compared to last year. Also, the 10-year hybrid arm mortgage as an alternative to the 30-year fixed rate has become palatable for some people. I know people who recently got 5.375% fixed for
The summer season has mixed effects on the Rockaway real estate market. On the one hand, we are a beachfront community and the draw of the summer activities does bring people here for: beaches, swimming, cycling, running, surfing, organized teams for kids and adults (although the pandemic may crimp some of these this year; thankfully the “end” is in sight). On the other hand, some sellers are reluctant to sell during the summer because they enjoy the aforementioned activities and don’t want to give them up so fast!
ten years on a 30-year amortization schedule for the hybrid arm. A $600k mortgage at 5.375% costs $3,360/month. Purchase is an interesting alternative to renting for people with sufficient savings for the down payment.
It can be harder to sell real estate during the summer due to vacations by buyers and sellers alike. Summer activities can also occupy people instead of allowing them to focus on the home sale process.
The spring season has been generally good for our real estate market. There has been action across the board in all price categories with an emphasis on the range below $1 million (approx). Prices have firmed up within the framework of recent comparable sales and in some cases are creeping higher. Inventory levels remain very low.
Call me, Love, Robin. 718-490-9463
The inventory of unsold homes remains low. However, we usually get an influx of new listings as we progress through spring. I expect the new listings to get “gobbled up” if they are priced correctly “within the framework of the comps.” My advice to sellers is to list your home now. My advice to buyers is to act fast before it is too late. The best listings usually sell quickly. Call me. Love, Robin.
In yoga, we often talk about the importance of being present. But what exactly does this mean and how can we practice living in presence?
My understanding of being present is very similar to being embodied. We are present when our minds, hearts, and spirits are in the physical body that exists now. Today’s society offers endless choices and distractions, which, if we are not conscious, can easily pull our minds in all different directions. This can feel incredibly confusing and, again, if we are not conscious, serve to complicate our lives. How do I know where I should be? What is
my purpose?
Am I in the right place?
The controlling mind can make it complicated, but the answers are actually quite simple. We are always exactly where we need to be. If the mind is confused and triggering emotions, take its attention to the breath in the body. This moment is a gift holding endless possibilities and opportunities that can only be truly explored when all parts of us are here. The purpose then, is to be here in the body, with whatever is going on.
This can take great trust and faith, but when we are here in body, mind, heart, and soul, healing can happen, and everything unfolds exactly as it should.
Living in the present moment does not mean living without care and consciousness. In fact, it is quite the opposite. Living in presence is living in deep conscious-
ness. The past continues to exist in our memories not so that we can get lost in it, but rather so that we can use it to inform us on the path we are on now. We can use the lessons of our past to help us make decisions that support a brighter and more aligned future.
To live in presence, we must also not get too pulled into the future. Living with our heads in the future deprives us of the joys and opportunities that exist now. The future is a product of the present. If we are not here, we end up missing the golden tickets to our bright future and getting where we want to go takes a lot longer. We can shape the future by visualizing how we want it to look and then coming back into the moment with the feeling of having already arrived. Embodying the energetic feeling of having everything the mind desires guides us to make aligned choices that will effortlessly lead us into the future of our dreams.
So, in a world full of distractions, how can we become more present?
The more you prioritize and practice presence, the more natural and effortless it becomes. One way to instantly come into the moment is by bringing your attention to your breath in your body. Another tool for presence is to pause and notice details about your current environment. What are: 5 things you can see, 4 things you can feel, 3 things you can hear, 2 things you can taste, and 1 thing you can smell?
I invite you to join me at Ocean Bliss Yoga Studio on Wednesday, April 19 for a special sound bath where we will use intention, sound, and mantra to heal. At this event, you will also learn tools to be your own sound healer. Sign up under workshops at oceanblissyoga.net.
This week we are stepping away from our canine friends to focus on the hummingbird. As the warm weather approaches, so do the hummingbirds, as they migrate north from Central and South America to their breeding grounds. These tiny birds are usually around 3-4 inches long and weigh between 0.1-0.4 ounces. Despite their small size, hummingbirds are incredibly agile and have remarkable flying abilities, allowing them to hover, fly backwards and make rapid changes in direction during flight. The first hummers usually show up in our area around mid to late April. There is an interactive hummingbird migration map on a website called Hummingbird Central. It tracks the yearly migration of hummingbirds across North America based on sightings from birdwatchers. There are more than 300 species of hummingbirds in the world. They are only found in the Americas, ranging from Alaska to Tierra del Fuego. The majority of hummingbirds are found in Central and South America. However, a few species also breed in the United States and Canada. The ruby-throated hummingbird is the only species that breeds east of the Mississippi River. If you spot a hummingbird in Rockaway, chances are that it is a ruby throated. A male ruby-throated hummingbird has a bright red throat patch and a dark head with a white chest or belly. Females are less colorful with an iridescent green body and a white belly.
Attracting hummingbirds to your yard is not as hard as you would
think. Hummingbirds are attracted to brightly colored flowers, especially red ones. You can plant their favorite nectar flowers such as bee balm, cardinal flower and trumpet vine. You can also hang a hummingbird feeder in a quiet corner of your yard. Hummingbird feeders work great, and it is very easy to make hummingbird food with one-part cane sugar dissolved in four-parts water. I take a quart of filtered water from my fridge and add one cup of sugar and dissolve it in the microwave and then let it cool. The hummers love it! You can refrigerate what you don’t use for up to a week. You do have to clean out your feeder every four or five days because the sugar water will get moldy and can harm the birds. I rinse my feeders in hot water and add new sugar water every four days and those little birds must be watching me because as soon as the fresh mixture is in the feeder, the hummers appear. These little birds have a high metabolism and once they discover your feeder, they will show up dozens of times a day. They also remember their favorite sites and will return year after year.
Spotting a hummingbird in your yard is a special treat. They are fascinating to watch and once they get comfortable in your yard, they will become frequent flyers. So, good luck and if you have success attracting this elusive little bird, please share your pictures to The Rockaway Times!
FUN ANIMAL FACT: Only three known species go through menopause: the killer whale, the short-finned pilot whale and humans.
Queens District Attorney
Melinda Katz announced that Chad Collie pleaded guilty to attempted murder in the shooting of an off-duty NYPD officer who he was trying to carjack. The incident took place on February 1, 2022, in Far Rockaway.
“We will not allow our communities to devolve into a state of chaos where police officers are fired upon without consequence. The rule of law and the officers who enforce it must be respected,” District Attorney Katz said. “This case is yet another example of why we must continue doing all that we absolutely can to get guns off our streets.”
Collie, 19, of Rockaway Beach Boulevard in Far Rockaway, pleaded guilty to attempted murder in the second degree. Queens Supreme Court Justice Toni Cimino indicated she would sentence
Collie to a determinate term of 19 years in prison at sentencing on May 30.
According to the charges, on February 1, 2022, at approximately 10 p.m., Collie approached the officer’s vehicle which was stopped at a traffic light near the intersection of Beach Channel Drive and Beach 62nd Street in Arverne. Collie tapped on the driver’s side window and at gunpoint demanded that the driver, a 22-year-old off-duty NYPD officer, get out of the car. Video surveillance shows the officer exit the vehicle, and back away from Collie. At this time, Collie fired three shots at the officer, striking him once in the shoulder. The off-duty officer returned fire but missed. Collie then fled on foot from the scene. Officers spotted him and later apprehended him.
In Christian religions, Good Friday commemorates the day Jesus Christ was crucified. The Stations of the Cross are a 14-step Catholic devotion that commemorates Jesus Christ's last day on Earth as a man. St. Francis de Sales reenacts the Stations in the church and in the St. Francis Prayer Garden, but on Friday afternoon, they also held a service on the boardwalk
starting at Beach 126th Street.
Hundreds of parishioners joined in the service given by SFDS pastors Father Jim and Father Bill. The procession was led by altar servers from the church who carried the cross along the way. The procession paused 14 times to mark each of the stations with a prayer and song.
Despite temperatures in the thirties on Easter morning, Sunday, April 9, at least 300 people braved the cold to take part in St. Francis de Sales’ sunrise service on the Beach.
On Saturday, April 15 at 8 a.m., head to Beach 94th and the boardwalk to register for Rockaway Track Club’s Spring Half Marathon or 5K. The runs begin at 9 a.m. To pre-register, head to: www.rockawaytc.org/
On Saturday, April 15 at 11 a.m., head to the Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge to join Ranger Flor on a bird walk to explore the birds of Jamaica Bay. Binoculars are provided.
On Saturday, April 15 at 1 p.m., head to the Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge to join NPS as they select a portion of either the West or East Pond trail to clean up any marine debris and litter around the area. All volunteer supplies provided. Dress for the weather.
On Saturday, April 22, head to the Hammel Playground on Beach 84th
Street and Rockaway Beach Blvd. for Denim Day, a day of solidarity against sexual assault and domestic violence. There will be speakers, performances, a self-defense seminar, Zumba, Yoga, food, music, puppetry and more. After party at The Rose Den.
Save the date! On Sunday, April 23, Rockaway Beach Autism Families is hosting the first Autism walk. Registration begins at 10 a.m. and the walk begins at 11 a.m. on the boardwalk at Beach 96th Street. Sign up early at: www. rockawaybeachautismfamilies.org
On Mondays at 11 a.m., head to the RISE Center (58-03 Rockaway Beach Blvd.) to join Ann Fosteris’ Fitness to You class. Masks required inside RISE.
On Mondays at 11 a.m. and Fridays at 11:30 a.m., adults 60+ are welcome to JASA Rockaway Park Older Adult Center
(106-20 Shore Front Parkway) for weekly Yoga with Cynthia. Open to Adults 60 +. To register, call: 718-634-3044.
On Thursdays at 10 a.m., adults 60+ are welcome to JASA Rockaway Park
Older Adult Center (106-20 Shore Front Parkway) for weekly painting/ arts and crafts. Let your creativity be free! To RSVP and for more details, call: 718-634-3044.
On Mondays from 11:45 a.m. to 12:15 p.m., head to the RISE Center (58-03 Rockaway Beach Blvd.) for a free core and lower body class with Ann Fosteris of Fitness to You. All are welcome! Bring a mat. Masks required inside RISE.
On Mondays and Wednesdays from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m., head to Temple Beth-El (201 Beach 121st Street) and breathe, balance, move and stretch in
this chair yoga class led by Christine Walker. Donation based.
On Tuesdays at 10:30 a.m., certified yoga instructor Ruth Graves offers a FREE chair yoga class at RISE (5803 Rockaway Beach Blvd.). Beginners to seasoned practitioners--and everyone in between--are invited. Masks are required inside RISE.
Free classes at the Peninsula Adult Leaning Center, Queens Library (92-25 Rockaway Beach Blvd. ) begin April 17. GED (High School Equivalency), YALP (Young Adult Literacy Program, 16-24), ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages), Citizenship, Adult Basic Education, Art and Tech Workshops. Register now. Email: Peninsulalearning@gmail.com or call: 718-945-7058
Got events? Send an email to katie@ rockawaytimes.com with details for consideration to be listed.
SILVER YOUNG HOLDINGS LLC Articles of Org. filed with NY Sec. of State (SSNY) on 03/18/2023. Office in Queens Co. SSNY designated agent of LLC upon whom process may be served. SSNY shall mail copy of process to 136-20 38th Avenue, Suite 3A-1, Flushing, NY 11354 Purpose: Any lawful purpose.
Linmar’s Educational Tutoring Center LLC, Arts of Org. filed with Sec. of State of NY (SSNY) 2/7/2023. Cty: Queens. SSNY desig. as agent upon whom process against may be served & shall mail process to 223-36 106th Ave., Queens Village, NY 11429. General Purpose.
CURAM HOME CARE, LLC. Arts. of Org. filed with the SSNY on 01/20/23. Office: Queens County. SSNY designated as agent of the LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail copy of process to the LLC, c/o Kathleen Hayden, 88-57 Rutledge Avenue, Glendale, NY 11385. Purpose: Any lawful purpose.
Notice of formation of Clique Studios NYC LLC. Articles of Organization filed with the Secretary of State of New York SSNY on August 2, 2022 Office location: Queens County, NY. SSNY is designated for service of process. SSNY shall mail copy of any process served against the LLC to 144-15 243rd Street, Rosedale NY 11422. Purpose: any lawful purpose.
JUNOMRJ PROPERTIES LLC, Arts. of Org. filed with the SSNY on 03/23/2023. Office loc: Queens County. SSNY has been designated as agent upon whom process against the LLC may be served. SSNY shall mail process to: Yury Tsadyk, 6846 Juno Street, Forest Hills, NY 11375. Purpose: Any Lawful Purpose.
Notice of Formation of PEEK A BOO EI LLC, Articles of Organization Filed with the Secretary of State of New York (SSNY) on 11/22/2022. Office location: Queens, NY. SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail process to 141-28 71st Avenue, Flushing NY 11367. Any lawful purpose.
Notice of Formation of JRPP LLC, Articles of Organization Filed with the Secretary of State of New York SSNY) on 4/3/2023. Office location: Queens, NY. SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail process to JRPP LLC, 8302 Cornish Ave Apt 3D, Elmhurst, NY 11373. Any lawful purpose.
Notice of Formation of RemoteAir Hvac LLC, Articles of Organization Filed with the Secretary of State of New York (SSNY) on March 15, 2023. Office location: Queens, NY. SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail process to RemoteAir LLC, 3110 75th St, East Elmhurst, NY 11370. Any lawful purpose.
14-20 130 STREET LLC. Arts. of Org. filed with the SSNY on 03/30/23. Office: Queens County. SSNY designated as agent of the LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail copy of process to the LLC, 55 Bregman Avenue, New Hyde Park, NY 11040. Purpose: Any lawful purpose.
TERRA CONSTRUCT MGMT LLC, Arts. of Org. filed with the SSNY on 02/10/2023. Office loc: Queens County. SSNY has been designated as agent upon whom process against the LLC may be served. SSNY shall mail process to: The LLC, 41-63 71st Street, Woodside, NY 11377. Purpose: Any Lawful Purpose.
144 Sheridan Ave LLC, Arts of Org. filed with Sec. of State of NY (SSNY) 10/27/2022. Cty: Queens. SSNY desig. as agent upon whom process against may be served & shall mail process to Dragisa Fljankovic, 156-51 78th St., Howard Beach, NY 11414. General Purpose
Notice of Formation of ALPHABET GROUP LLC Arts. of Org. filed with SSNY on 06/21/2022. Office location: QUEENS County. SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail process to: 13211 101ST AVE, FL 2, SOUTH RICHMOND HILL, NY, UNITED STATES, 11419 Purpose: Any lawful activity.
To advertise in The Rockaway Times call 718-634-3030 · ads@RockawayTimes.com
Zhong Geng LLC, Arts of Org.filed with Sec. of State of NY (SSNY) 3/14/2023.
Cty: Queens. SSNY desig. as agent upon whom process against may be served & shall mail process to 47-45 189th St., Flushing, NY 11358. General Purpose
Be Rockaway Enterprises LLC Articles of Org. filed NY Sec. of State (SSNY) 1/04/2016. Office in Queens Co. SSNY desig. agent of LLC upon whom process may be served. SSNY shall mail copy of process to 114-04 Beach Channel Dr., Rockaway Park, NY 11694 Purpose: Any lawful purpose.
Saturday, April 22nd 10:00AM to 3:30PM
130-04 Rockaway Beach Blvd.
Rain date: 4/23
Everything must go!
Pursuant to the lien granted by the New York Self-Storage Facility Act, notice is hereby given that the undersigned self-storage units will be sold at a public sale by competitive bidding, to satisfy the lien of the Lessor, with Metro Storage LLC as managing agent for Lessor, for rental and other charges due from the undersigned. The said property has been stored and is located at the respective address below. Units up for auction will be listed for public bidding on-line at www.StorageTreasures.com beginning five days prior to the scheduled auction date and time. The terms of the sale will be by lot to the highest bidder for cash only. A 10-15% buyer’s premium will be charged per unit. All sales are final. Metro Self Storage LLC reserves the right to withdraw any or all units, partial or entire, from the sale at any time before the sale or to refuse any bids. The property to be sold is described as “general household items” unless otherwise noted. All contents must be removed completely from the property within 48 hours or sooner or are deemed abandoned by bidder/buyer. Sale rules and regulations are available at the time of sale.
The bidding will close on the website StorageTreasures.com and a high bidder will be selected on 4/26/23 at 1:00pm.
Answer: Josh is 5 and Alan is 15
Let Josh's current age be x and Alan's current age be 3x. In five years Josh will be x+5 and Alan will be 3x+5. Since Alan will then be twice Josh's age 3x+5=2(x+5).
Solve this equation: 3x+5=2x+10; so x+5=10 and x=5
The human brain is a truly amazing organ, albeit two-faced. The right brain and the left brain are very different. Most people are either left or right brain dominant, but a small number of people can combine both sides, and those who can are usually leaders in their respective fields. As you can see from the diagram, the left brain is rigid, logical, and scientific, while the right brain is creative, artistic, and imaginative. To quote Einstein, “The intuitive mind is a sacred gift, while the rational mind is a faithful servant.” Those who are left-brain dominant tend to be scientists and rigid thinkers like surgeons, while right-brain dominant individuals tend to be artistic and creative people. If you place a left-
brain dominant person in a situation that requires right brain skills, they are lost, and vice versa. A perfect example of this is a popular British-based television series, Doc Martin. Dr. Martin Ellingham, a brilliant, self-centered, and surly London surgeon suddenly develops hemophobia (fear of blood). No longer able to perform surgery, he is forced to relocate to a small fishing village in Cornwall, UK. Now functioning as a general practitioner, his dealings with the quirky town inhabitants are often hilarious, mostly due to his highly awkward social behavior, which seems to place him on the autism spectrum. But his real issue is that his left-brain dominant personality cannot adapt to a right-brain scenario.
Medical training is designed to provide deep levels of comprehension on the many aspects of pathological con-
ditions and how best to treat them for optimal patient outcomes. This requires highly detailed thinking and pattern recognition, as well as critical analysis and decision-making based on algorithmic formulas, all very leftbrain dominant activities. On the other hand, leadership often requires a different intellectual path of learning and knowledge processing, which, at times, relies heavily on intuition, imagination, and strong interpersonal skills, all very right-sided brain activities. Medical leadership requires a mix of both sides as medical leaders need both medical knowledge and good people skills. British psychiatrist and philosopher Ian McGilchrist wrote a book called The Master and His Emissary, which examines the typical manner of thinking between the right and left hemispheres of the brain. Typically, the left brain perceives the world through details, reasoning, critical thinking, and logic while the right brain is best with creative, intuitive, and imaginative perception. Right-
brain thinking, with its openness to experience, plays the more important part and is a better guide to reality than the narrowly viewed, rulesbased way the left brain perceives the world. McGilchrist suggests “We have become enslaved to an account of things dominated by the brain’s left hemisphere, one that blinds us to the awe-inspiring reality that is all around us.” He suggests that to understand ourselves in the world, “we need science and intuition, together with reason and imagination…” So, when both hemispheres are recognized as working together, we are better at perceiving things, especially the more beautiful and mysterious aspects of our everyday reality.
Please direct questions and comments to editor@rockawaytimes.com
The members of the St. Francis de Sales Bereavement Ministry invite anyone who has recently lost a loved one to join them in the Sacred Heart Chapel (Beach 129th Street).
There will be a Memorial Prayer Service on Saturday, April 15 at 11 a.m. at St. Francis de Sales Church (129-16 Rockaway Beach Blvd., Belle Harbor, NY 11694, 718-634-6464).
Everyone is welcome. Light refreshments will be served after in Monsignor Reddy Hall. Members of the Ministry will be available to talk to you if you have any questions.
P.S. For anyone grieving the loss of a loved one, the St. Francis de Sales Grief Share Support Group will begin Tuesday, April 18, 2023, 7 p.m. at the Parish House, 2nd floor. Please call the SFDS rectory for more information at 718-634-6464.
Another great season of St. Camillus/ St. Virgilius basketball came to
a close with six teams facing off to see who the champions would be in 2023. The first championship game was in the Senior Boys league (4th8th grade). In this game, the Purple team, led by their coach Tom McDonagh, started out on fire. They just couldn't seem to miss and unfortunately for the Red team, coached by Adam Bishop, it seemed like nothing would go in. Ty Duffy was amazing for Purple. He knocked down six 3-pointers and led his team with an incredible 34 points. Sean McDonagh also played a fantastic game for Purple. He was ripping down rebounds on both ends of the court and poured in 18 points of his own. Although the Red team never gave up and made several runs to try and catch up, they never could overcome the original deficit and the Purple team went on to claim the championship.
The next game was in the Girls league (4th - 8th grade). The Green team, coached by Allison Chavanne, faced off against the Purple team, coached once again by Tom McDonagh. This game looked a lot like the first with the Green team in the early goings knocking down everything they put up, and the Purple team just not being able to find the bottom of the net. Ashley Chavanne played her best game of the year. She did everything—domi-
nated the boards, ran the offense as their point guard, and scored a season high 17 points. Meghan Burns and Mara Brady were terrific, as always. Without them, there would have been no victory for Green on this night. Kudos to the Purple team who kept fighting and cut the lead to single digits in the fourth quarter, but they could never make that one big push they needed to get over the top. The Green team showed great poise in this game and was able to take home a well-deserved championship.
started out looking like the first two with the Purple team jumping out to a 10-point lead and holding that lead for most of the game.
3-pointers and ending up with 20 points. It was the fourth quarter when the excitement really began. The Green team, was still down ten when the comeback started. They came storming all the way back, and with just seconds to go, tied the game and sent it to overtime. The crowd was going crazy and the momentum the Green team built up in regulation went on to carry them to an amazing 3-point win for the championship.
The last game of the season was in the Junior Boys league, and we definitely saved the best game for last. This game was a duel between the Green team, coached by Byron Ahlemeyer and Rich Larkin, against the Purple team, coached by Lorenzo Santigo. The game
This game featured amazing performances from Ryan Tubridy and Mason Hance for the Green team who both dropped 19 points each. On the other side, Frank O'Toole was doing everything he could to get Purple a victory. Killing it on the boards, knocking down four
Thank you to all the coaches who volunteered their time to teach our kids how to play the game the right way. Thank you to Ron Hooks who organized all the referees for the league. We also can never forget the special thank you that needs to go to Calvin Stanley, the Program Director, who is at every single game and spends hours and hours of his time making sure that the league runs smoothly. It should be noted that he's been doing this for over 20 years now. Lastly, I need to thank Monsignor Ahlemeyer for his continuous support and leadership. Without him, there is no program.
Well, that's it for this year. Remember this league is open to everyone, so please come join us next year. I guarantee your kids will have a lot of fun.
Readers—with Memorial Weekend just 44 days away—the feverish anticipation for beach days is at a high. So, spring your Rockaway Good Times crawl with our weekly entertainment roundup below! Here’s a tip—this Saturday—don’t miss Wine with Sue’s epic John Fabry sendoff at Rogers!
FRIDAY, April 14 6 p.m.
Friday’s forecast: 100% chance of great bevies and company with the Rock-AWades’ classic rock jam at Knights of Columbus.
333 Beach 90th Street
FRIDAY, April 14 7 p.m.
Folks, Rockaway’s got talent! Don’t miss media-lauded, “New York entertainer to watch,” and “Country radio’s new sweetheart,” Lauren Jaimes, as she headlines Tap That with her dreamy repertoire of vintage country western vibes.
111-04 Rockaway Beach Blvd.
FRIDAY, April 14 8 p.m. to 10 p.m.
Fire up your Friday fun-a-thon at Bar Marseille with Kerry Kearney & Friends’ red-hot brews of Southern rock and NYC blues and roots.
190 Beach 69th Street
FRIDAY, April 14 9 p.m.
Kick off your weekend above “Parr” with one of New York’s bravest and musically talented firefighters, Greg Parr, at the Belle Harbor Yacht Club’s Upstairs Lounge.
533 Beach 126th Street
FRIDAY, April 14 9 p.m.
Join the Jack Pack for several rounds of rock classics with The Uncle Jack Band at Rogers.
203 Beach 116th Street
FRIDAY, April 14
Enjoy a Breezy treat with picturesque sunset bay views, fine dining and music with JoJo at Kennedy’s. Call (718)945-0202 for showtime and reservations.
406 Bayside, Breezy Point
SATURDAY, April 15 7 p.m.
Rockaway’s own Midnight Society pours out a neighborhood brew of pop/rock/folk country/indie/R&B jam at Tap That.
111-04 Rockaway Beach Blvd.
SATURDAY, April 15 7 p.m. to 11 p.m.
If you’re thirstin’ for music that’s got some soul, just like that old time rock and roll—don’t miss Patti Blue and The Boyz at RBQ!
97-20 Rockaway Beach Blvd.
SATURDAY, April 15
What’s on the menu tonight at Kennedy’s? Divine sunset views, food, bevies and music by the Soccer Dads. Call (718)9450202 for showtime and reservations.
406 Bayside, Breezy Point
SUNDAY, April 16 4 p.m.
Folks, if you ever saw Dave Kellan in action on stage, you’ll come away wondering how on earth does he fuse Stevie Wonder soul with James Taylor rock, unearthing an Ed Sheehan vibe. Come see for yourself at The Sugar Bowl and leave a devoted fan.
15 Bedford Ave, Breezy Point
SUNDAY, April 16 5 p.m.
He’s a mesmerizing singer, songwriter, guitarist and a revered godfather of Rockaway’s music scene. Don’t miss Gerald Bair this afternoon at Rogers.
203 Beach 116th Street
ONGOING
Motivation MONDAYS
7:30 p.m.
Think you’re smarter than your friends? Find out at Rockaway Tiki Bar’s Trivia Mondays. For weekly themes, follow @ rockawaytikibar on Instagram.
67-20 Rockaway Beach Blvd.
Wine WEDNESDAYS
7 p.m.
Channel your inner Spice Girl at Rockaway Tiki Bar’s karaoke night.
67-20 Rockaway Beach Blvd.
8 p.m. to 10 p.m.
Bask in an evening of rhythmic storytelling with Ireland’s Cork-born renowned
folk songsmith, Niall Connolly at Sayra’s.
91-11 Rockaway Beach Blvd.
Thirsty THURSDAYS
6 p.m. to 10 p.m.
Thursday night is ladies’ night at Dred Surfer Bar and Grill. So, come let your hair down, drink some punch and enjoy delish food specials.
Beach 17th Concession
9 p.m.
DJ Baroque boasts one of the most enviable record collections known and unknown within the funk and soul scene, so tonight, don’t miss him spinning at The Rose Den.
174 Beach 116th Street
Selfie SATURDAYS
6 p.m. to 10 p.m.
Savor West Indian Island vibes at Dred Surfer’s, “Caribbean Soiree,” every Saturday, featuring seafood and drink specials, plus, reggae vibrations by Eyez A Bleed. Rain or shine. Free entry.
16-27 Seagirt Blvd., Far Rockaway (Beach 17th Concession)
Sweet SUNDAYS
3 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Sweeten your vocal cords to traditional Irish and American folk songs with Rockaway Irish crooner John Baxter and Friends’ Sing-Along Sundays at The Rose Den.
174 Beach 116th Street
THE RTC INVITES YOU TO AUDITION FOR “HELLO DOLLY!”
SUNDAY, April 16 — 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.
MONDAY, April 17 — 7 p.m. to 10 p.m.
Calling all musical theater actors, singers and dancers! The Rockaway Theatre Company is holding auditions for their Summer 2023 production, “Hello Dolly.” Callbacks will be Tuesday, April 18, 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. These are the only audition dates for this production, and if selected, you must be available for all performance dates: July 14, 15, 16, 21, 22, 23, 28, 29 and 30. Bring headshot and resume, and be prepared to sing songs requested. Sides will be provided for readings. For the dance audition, bring comfortable clothes and appropriate footwear. For further information, including character descriptions and audition songs, visit:
https://www.rockawaytheatrecompany.org/hello-dolly
Post Theater, Building T4, Fort Tilden SPECIAL MENTIONS
LITTLE ROCKS FAMILY WEEK AT THE ROCKAWAY HOTEL
THURSDAY, April 13 & FRIDAY, April 14
Parents, school spring break is almost at a close, so why not take advantage of The Rockaway Hotel’s fun and engaging activities for your children, while you dine at Margie’s or pamper yourself at the hotel’s spa! For scheduled activities, pricing and more information, visit: https://www.therockawayhotel.com/ happenings
108-10 Rockaway Beach Drive
WINE WITH SUE’S JOHN FABRY EPIC SENDOFF AT ROGERS!
SATURDAY, April 15
9 p.m.
Calling all Wine with Sue aficionados—both near and far! After 20 years and 556 shows, Wine with Sue bass player, John Fabry, plays his last set with a band that’s been and still is Rockaway’s #1 party band! This will be one bittersweet, but epic night, and what better place to rock to the past, present and future than Rogers! So, come out and make this a memorable night to stamp in Rockaway’s rock history books!
203 Beach 116th Street
TWO-DAY COCKTAILS & CLAY WORKSHOP AT THE ROCKAWAY HOTEL
SATURDAY, April 15 & SUNDAY, April 16 2 p.m.
Join ceramic artist Kaitlyn Sather at The Rockaway Hotel, as she guides you in creating your own masterpiece at this two-day clay sculpting workshop! In the first session, learn how to sculpt your own design of either a bud vase or a mug. Then the next day, get creative in painting your creation. Plus, at each session, indulge in the added bonus of sipping on one of the hotel’s signature cocktails while you sculpt. Each session is 1 1/2 hours. Admission: $125. For tickets and more information, visit: https://www. therockawayhotel.com/happenings
108-10 Rockaway Beach Drive
Got info on local live music, arts and more? Email: editor@rockawaytimes. com
We might be a little biased, but we think some of the best photographers in the world live in Rockaway. Here are some shots that readers shared with us this week. Send your photos (limit to 2 per week) to mail@rockawaytimes.com and we’ll do our best to print them (space permitting). We do receive more than we can print.
We might be a little biased, but we think some of the best photographers in the world live in Rockaway. Here are some shots that readers shared with us this week. Send your photos (limit to 2 per week) to mail@rockawaytimes.com and we’ll do our best to print them (space permitting). We do receive more than we can print.
OK, this past couple of weeks I have been getting the same question asked, “what do you think about Vince McMahon and the sale of the WWE to Endeavor and the merger with the UFC?” So, let's talk about it! In last week's column, I spoke about the WWE sale and merger with the UFC, and I support this merger. I believe it will truly create a Super Sports & Entertainment Company, that will benefit the fans of both pro wrestling and MMA. Now, I was adamant that pro wrestlers should be
hired as company employees and not as independent contractors, as they are currently being hired. I believe in providing wrestlers better pay, health insurance coverage, retirement plans and many benefits that they currently do not receive as independent contractors.
The same goes for the fighters of the UFC. They need to be hired as company employees and offered better pay, off after fights, and benefits. Both the WWE and UFC independently are very profitable, and they have made
money for years off the backs of the wrestlers and MMA fighters. If you are building a new Sports and Entertainment company with this merger, then it's time to better compensate those who are working for them. It's not only the right thing to do, but the fair thing to do, for those individuals who put their bodies on the line to make both companies’ profits.
Now, let's get into Vinny Mac! I don't agree with Vince remaining as an authority figure of the WWE. I understand that he came back and spearheaded the sale of the WWE, but overall, he should have just come in and overseen the sale and then stepped down, leaving his daughter or son-in-law, Triple H, to run the wrestling side of this merger with the UFC. Now, many of you are probably sitting there saying, "There is no WWE without Vince McMahon." Well, you're right, to a certain extent, but when Vince stepped away before and Triple H was running Creative, there was a shift in the company's dynamic, and it shifted for the better. Yes, you can credit Vince for making the WWE what it is now, but with this new merger, this is the time to take
the WWE and UFC into another level. It's time to do different things and move in different directions.
Everything eventually runs its course, and I feel the Era of Vince McMahon has done that -- run its course. It's time to let others come in, and once again take this new merger to another level. Vince McMahon Sr. can be credited for the creation of the WWF, and Vince McMahon Jr. can be credited for the evolution of the WWE. The time to let someone else write the future of the WWE is now.
The Question of the Week comes from Trina B. in Far Rockaway, and she asked, "What happened to IMPACT Superstar Eric Young? I haven't seen him on TV." Trina, Eric Young was apparently written off IMPACT TV around November/December of last year. He has been rehired by the WWE and there are talks about him reforming the Sanity stable with WWE Superstar Nikki Cross. That's the latest information I have on him. Thank you for the question!
Send questions and comments to eavil183@yahoo.com, have a great weekend!
