Rockaway Track Club Spring Half Marathon & 5K Run a Huge Success

By Charmaine McVeigh

The new amphitheater on Beach 94th Street was the venue for the start of the Rockaway Track Club Spring Half and 5K on Saturday, April 15. Over 200 runners competed in the two events with near perfect weather and a great time was had by spectators and competitors alike.

In the 5K, the top three male finishers were Ronald Dorsett (18:21), Yacine Mehtar-Tani (20:36) and Paolo Capuzi (21:47). The top three female finishers were Palnicia Mendez (26:58), Sarah Lucas (27:14) and Mae Woods (28:25).

In the half marathon, the top male finishers were Jeff Propert (1:18:24), Francisco Martinez (1:21:06) and Padrig Davies (1:22:23). The top female finishers were Kaitlyn Dibello (1:26:07), Alex Gilgore (1:38:49) and Penelope Maher (1:41:45).

It should be noted that this was 12-year-old Penelope’s first half marathon, and she crushed it! She finished third overall, winning several age groups. She and her father traveled from Summit, New Jersey to run the half and we look forward to seeing them again.

Runners from all over the tri-state came to the event as well as competitors from Ireland, England, Germany, Scotland, Jamaica and Trinidad.

Special kudos to local favorite Steve Gifford who finished his 5,000th half marathon in top form and Father James Rodriguez of St. Rose of Lima who finished the half marathon in style.

Next up, on Saturday, May 13 is the Rose Gurry Mother’s Day 5K, 1 mile walk to benefit rockaway special ath- letes, and half marathon. Rose Gurry has been an avid supporter of Rockaway running for over half a century and an original volunteer and contributor to Rockaway Special Athletes since its beginning in 1996. All proceeds for this event will go to support all our special athletes.

Thank You, Msgr. Geraghty

Dear Editor:

Back in '88, my friend Jimmy and I were shooting hoops in the schoolyard at night. A new St. Francis De Sales priest appeared and seemed surprised to find two adults shooting around in the dark. (He was new to Rockaway!)

After an intro and quick chat, the priest started to leave when Jimmy asked, "Hey Father, wanna take a shot?" To our surprise, he banked home a 12-footer from the left side. (No, he did not call ‘bank.’) We offered him a follow, but in his first act of wisdom at St. Francis, Father Martin Geraghty declined. He left the court perfect.

Many of us would benefit from his wisdom in the 18 years that followed. I, for one, am the sort who rarely asks for help, but when my family saw its most difficult times, Father/Monsignor Geraghty was a person I sought out for guidance. We all benefited from his wisdom and compassion when our neighborhood met the terrible challenges of 2001. It was so hard to say goodbye when the Diocese transferred him in 2006.

In 2009, Monsignor Geraghty returned to St. Francis to preside over my father’s funeral. After speaking of my Dad’s endless community service, his final words to my Dad were, “Jack: Take a rest.” To that I say, “Marty: Take a rest.” Well done, good and faithful servant! And thank you.

Paul King

Shame on Antisemitism

Dear Editor:

I read the Rockaway Times, April 13, 2023 article, “Antisemitism Bookends the Peninsula Over Passover Weekend”, including Mr.

Gitter’s report with dismay.

Author, Ursula Hegi, describes life in a small German town during the WWII era through the eyes of a disabled young woman in her book, “Stones From the River.” She witnessed three categories in response to the arrival of Hitler’s propaganda youth to her town.

There were those neighbors who swallowed the propaganda hook, line and sinker. They were willing to view their Jewish neighbors who they grew up with, lived with, and shared a common tranquil existence, as newfound enemies of the Aryan nation.

The second group were opposed to the national movement to demonize and eventually eliminate Jews and other undesirables from Germany and the rest of Europe. The message from Hitler and his emissaries was appalling, but they were unwilling and afraid to stand up for their fellow citizens.

The last group were those heroes who chose to be righteous and protected their Jewish friends and neighbors.

The prevalence of antisemitism in our small and geographically isolated community may come as a surprise to some but it’s real and disturbing. Teens like those Mr. Gitter encountered are victims of their parents’ biases which grows into a feeding frenzy of hate and bigotry, especially when fueled by alcohol. A true shame for a community that shared disasters, loss and a common effort requiring resiliency and bravery. The anti-Semitic sentiment that exists is not the backbone of our community. Bravery, tolerance, empathy and compassion is.

In which of Ursula Hegi’s group do we want our children to be part of? The group that lurks in darkness and exemplifies cowardice or the one that represents the best of humanity and our country?

The ‘museum’ Yad Vashem (in Israel) celebrates those bravest souls of humanity and serves as an example and a beacon. God bless America.

John H.

Untrue Claim

Dear Editor:

I'm a long-time reader and big fan of The Rockaway Times, but I have to call out an overt untruth printed in the letter section of the April 13, 2023 edition. In the letter "GB Syndrome," submitted by Joseph Mugivan, the writer suggests that Polio is not caused by a virus but is caused by exposure to DDT used in pesticides. This is blatantly untrue and is easily refuted. There is no scientific evidence that Polio is linked to exposure to DDT. Polio is in fact, caused by a single stranded RNA virus and is transmitted by oral contact with bodily secretions or fecal material from an infected person. Most cases are asymptomatic and live in the digestive system. Only 1% of polio virus infections enter the nervous system and become poliomyelitis. The vaccine for polio was introduced in 1955 and is directly credited with the disease being brought under control in America. The idea that FDR had GB Syndrome and not Polio is speculation at best and also can't be proved.

I realize that this letter was submitted by a reader, but it is demonstrably incorrect and warranted at least a footnote from the editor stating there is no scientific evidence of his assertion. C'mon RT, keep it real!

Matt Charles

Mail Fraud Confirmed

Dear Editor:

(In reference to Dan Guarino’s check washing fraud article in the March 30 edition of The Rockaway Times) I sent two birthday cards and one letter to a loan company. All three had checks. No one ever received them. I sent a birthday card on March 5 and an Easter card on April 4. No one received them. Both had checks. I could not afford to put stop payments on all. Luckily, I write checks with pen that can’t be washed. So far, none of the original checks were cashed. I didn’t know what to blame: the mailbox on Newport Ave. and Beach 120th Street or the Rockaway Park Post Office. My daughter-in-law lives upstairs and has had two checks that were never received. I called the main Post Office and they said they will investigate. Still waiting.

Georgianna Terra