“Dear Santa-
If you live at the North Pole, why I can’t see your house when I look on Google Earth?”
-from a little girl’s letter in Arthur Christmas.
Along with a whole slew of great movies, recordings and books, Arthur Christmas, from the wacky people who produce Wallace and Gromit, is one of many holiday treats available at our Broad Channel library. There’s plenty to share and enjoy with your family this season.-from a little girl’s letter in Arthur Christmas.By the way, Guardians of the Galaxy is also in! Whatever you enjoy, stop in!
If you are reading this on Friday, Dec. 19, you’ve got just enough time to get ready for the American Legion Christmas party tonight.
Come by tonight from 8 to midnight. There will be great food, music, dancing and, of course, fun. Tickets will be available at the door and they shouldn’t dip too far into your Christmas green for a great time!
If you’re coming from ‘out of town,’ American Legion Post 1404 Hall is at 209 Cross Bay Blvd. If you’re coming from in town, walk north.
The BC Volunteer Fire Department has the engine all polished and is ready again to help out Santa this year. In fact, Santa has been able to rely on the Vollies for the past 20 years!
They’ll be bringing the Man in Red to visit homes all around the Channel. He’ll be arriving by fire truck, so you really will be getting all the bells and whistles!
To make you and your family on the itinerary, call the firehouse at 718-474-6888 weeknights between 8 and 10 p.m. A $25 donation is requested per family. The joy of seeing little faces light up and some bigger ones too, is priceless.
Assemblyman Phil Goldfeder and Congressman Chuck Schumer are pushing to get a Contract Postal Unit back into BC.
They’ve joined the BC Civic’s start in getting this done. Goldfeder’s office noted that “According to the Broad Channel Civic Association, in early 2014, a Postal Service representative approved the Civic’s application for a new CPU in the neighborhood. In response, the Civic reached out to local businesses for a location and All American Channel Market Deli on Cross Bay Boulevard agreed to install the CPU in its store. However, in June, the Postal Service informed them that the application had in fact been denied, citing a lack of need for postal services in Broad Channel. In the meantime, the agency agreed to re-review the application, but has not yet made a decision.”
Civic president Dan Mundy Jr. noted, “We are extremely frustrated with the lack of assistance from the U.S. Postal Service in reopening a post office in Broad Channel after Superstorm Sandy. Our town has had an active post office for decades...”
“It appears to be another example of just how out of touch these federal agencies are by not recognizing how critical a post office would be to an island community with a large senior citizen population,” he said.
We last had a postal outlet here in the All American Deli, which got washed out by Sandy. Before that it was in the back of the Bay-Gull Store.
Some people might remember when post services were available at the grocery store in the middle of the block between West 9th and 10th roads. Or even recall doing their postal business over at Kroog’s (or Coogan’s) corner luncheonette at Cross Bay and Noel Road.
Many years ago my neighbor on East 8th Road ran the post office in an empty storefront on the Boulevard, right about where the ex-laundromat is.
Speaking of Kroog’s, it really was amazing all the things that neighborhood institution offered. You could get lunch or breakfast there. You could get a fountain soda or ice cream. There was the post office, with package service and mail pick up. Dry cleaning? Sure. Need work gloves, an extension cord, chips, small toys, candy, and greeting cards? Absolutely.
Well into the Coogan’s era they also had a community lending library (‘bring a book, take a book’) and probably one of the last wooden and glass, full sized closing phone booths in New York. Gosh knows what happened to that when they closed.
My late wife, Liz, always lamented that it really should have gone to a museum. We also would kid each other and say, “You know they have bowling in the back there, too!”
This past weekend we had the VFW hosting a great night of music with Walker Hornung and friends on Friday.
On Saturday, Christ Presbyterian Church by the Sea held their Annual Holiday Fair at the church social hall. They will also be celebrating a Christmas Eve Candlelight Service starting at 8 p.m. All are invited to join in with this warm and welcoming congregation.
Last Saturday, the American Littoral Society had their annual fundraiser and holiday party at theAmerican Legion Hall.
Broad Channel’s Mason and Frank Poretto and Poorhouse played the first Toys of Hope Jammin’ for the Kids Holiday Benefit at Brendan’s Bar on Saturday as well.
On Sunday, Dec. 14, the American Legion held its Annual Children’s Christmas for kids from infant to third Grade.
The 2015 Broad Channel Historical calendars are in now on sale at Rock & Roll Bagel and All American Deli. Or get them at a Broad Channel Civic meeting or from Historical Committee members. Want it sent to you or friends elsewhere? Email abtoborg@verizon.net. Add $2 postage for each calendar and make a check out to Broad Channel Historical Society. They make great gifts.
The Christ Presbyterian Hall is available for gatherings and events. Call Joyce Adamiszyn at 718-479-3580 and leave a message.
Ready for A Relay For Life event planned for Broad Channel on May 16th at the BCAC? Sign up now for upcoming fundraisers and team events.
For more info go to www.relayforlife.org. At “Sign Up For An Event” type in ‘Broad Channel’. Then “Relay For Life of Broad Channel Breezy and Rockaways - Broad Channel, NY,” for all info. Check them out on Facebook, too.
Got Broad Channel news? Send it to workingstories@aol.com.
Thanks for reading!
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