Broad Channel Bits

Broad Channel Bits

Dan Guarino

This month marks a year since I was able to move back to the Channel. After the storm had displaced me, I spent a good 10 months living in temporary quarters. The place where I used to live in BC was just not going to be there for me to come back to.

When I left I gave away a lot of clothing, furniture and whatever else was intact. After the storm, I knew somebody could use it. Some things I had to chuck. Some things went into storage, for what I thought would be just a few months. The bare minimum came with me. I left with a packed up U-Haul truck in the cold of early December.

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When I returned in the heat of mid- August, what I had, what I needed, hardly filled half the truck.

On that same summer day, after getting everything into my new place, I went to the BCAC field.

There, even while still dealing with the aftermath of the storm, Broad Channel had turned out an army of volunteers, kids and adults --- far more than expected. Together they built a new donated playground at the BCAC field, in record time.

Did everybody get through the wind, heavy rain and high tide last Wednesday night? I had to walk through that high tide, which had washed all the way up to my steps, in the dark, to get to my deck to get to my door. I can’t say that didn’t touch a few scary memories.

But once inside I knew that today, just like one year ago this summer, it is good finally to be home.

The hard working volunteers of VFW Post 260 Ladies Auxiliary are bringing the party to the vets at St. Albans hospital with a barbecue this Sunday, Aug. 17.

Say, if you happen to be just over the bridge, the very talented Guy Nevirs is running a great open mic on the next two Tuesday nights from 8 to 12 at Connolly’s. Come to listen or play. But after Aug. 26, that’s it until next summer.

You may have noticed Broad Channel Wines and Liquors is now opened for business on the Boulevard. Stop by.

Hope you caught the live music with Mr. Big Deal on Friday, Aug. 8, at the Ruffle Bar. As you know, Ruffle Bar and “Bubba For Mayor” are raising money for this year’s Mardi Gras. Proceeds go to the BCVFD.

Hmmm, I just got an email advertising “pen repair.” And here I’ve been using them up and throwing them away all this time.

This is the last weekend to sign up for soccer with the BCAC. Be at the BCAC Clubhouse at the field on Saturday or Sunday, Aug. 16-17, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. The registration is for BCAC’s in-house teams, which are for ages 3 to 5, and the St. Virgilius/St. Camillus/St. Rose CYO teams, which cover first to eighth grade girls and first to sixth grade boys. Kids do not have to have experience or have played soccer before. New players are welcome to join the roster.

In-house registration is $50. CYO is $85; with new uniform it is $110. For more information, emailrchurchil3@gmail.com. The BCAC

Clubhouse is at 125 Cross Bay

Boulevard, at the BCAC Memorial Field.

As long as you have your sleeves rolled up anyway, there is a blood drive at St. Camillus this Sunday, August 17, between 8 a.m. and 2 p.m. It’s sponsored by our St. Camillus- St. Virgilius shared parish.

Make sure before you go that you weigh at least 110 lbs., have no new tattoos done in the last 12 months, be 16-75 years of old and bring photo ID. Don’t forget to eat well and drink fluids the day before.

The Bloodmobile will be out front of St. Camillus on Rockaway Beach Boulevard. No appointment is needed, you can walk right in.

There are still seats open for Broad Channel's Educational program, which will be at Christ Presbyterian by the Sea on Noel Road. It is for 3- and 4-year-olds and is curriculumbased. The long running, well established program has half-day sessions from 8:45 to 11:45 a.m. Mondays to Thursdays. Contact Kerry at kerrylarkin76@gmail.com or Julianna at sanibelle593@aol.com.

With the full moon and heavy rains this week, this is good time to note that 2014 Broad Channel Historical calendars are still available. Check the local stores or with a Historical committee member. Make sure you have all the high and low tide information you need.

The members are Dorothy Fraher, Frank Henglein, Kathy Louis, John McCambridge, Dan Mundy Sr., Mary O’Connell, Barbara Toborg, Jane Mary Tubridy, Joe Young, Judy Zackiewicz and me, Dan Guarino.

There is still time to donate photos for possible inclusion in this year’s calendar. And it’s always time to donate pictures, writing, artifacts and more to the BC historical collection. Always add in whatever information you have, i.e. who’s in the pictures, when was it taken, where it is and who took it and who should be credited for donating it. You can give those to any Historical Committee member, and originals will be returned if you request it. Thanks.

Planning is underway for the next Historical Day. More details as they come in.

No new word yet on future plans for the old St. Virgilius School and lunch room buildings.

If you have any information about Hamberry’s burglary, or any other crime, call Crime Stoppers at 1-800- 577-TIPS (8477), log on to www.nypdcrimestoppers.com or text tips to 274637 (CRIMES) then enter TIP577. All contacts are strictly anonymous.

Finally, thanks to my friend, artist Linda Rufo, for doing the sketch that often appears with this column. I’ve gotten a lot of positive comments on that. There’s a lot of talent behind that pencil!

Do you have an upcoming BC event, news or general info about your organization or anything going on around town? Send it to workingstories@aol.com.

Thanks for reading.