Look up, Broad Channel; you never know when the sun might be coming out. And if it doesn’t, well, we’re just moving ahead anyway.
This weekend marks a big day in the BC year. On Saturday morning, April 18, parents, families, friends, neighbors, siblings and Broad Channel Athletic Club players large and small will begin assembling at17th Road Park for the BCAC Opening Day Parade.
At 9:30 a.m., they will begin, with rows and rows of colorful uniforms, strollers and wagons in tow, with juice boxes and coffee cups very much in evidence, and march en masse northward onto Cross Bay Boulevard.
There is nothing like this good-natured crowd, and nothing like seeing hundreds of people, from Broad Channel and beyond, joining together and being together like this. It feels like the whole town has come out, either to march with these youngsters or cheer them on.
I remember a year or two ago watching workmen up on Sandy damaged roofs stopping, watching and waving!
For this 20th consecutive parade, the grand marshals will be the men and women of the 100th Precinct. Leading BC’s special guests will be their commanding officer Captain Craig Adelman. The procession, which stretches for blocks, end off at the BCAC Memorial Field. There will be Opening Day ceremonies, games for each of the teams and hot dogs and soda. It’s a very happy event.
There will also be a very special guest on hand to throw out the first pitch. ‘Mr. BCAC’ Charlie Ledogar will do just that and officially open the 2015 season.
As the BCAC noted Charlie “has been the foundation of the club since the 1970s. He is the ultimate member of the BCAC. His years of service to our community can never be matched and the BCAC is what it is today because of Charlie. We thank him for all the years and his continued inspiration to the younger members of the club.”
Whether to march, watch or cheer on the players, come on out and enjoy the parade. It’s certainly one of those “only in Broad Channel!” kind of things.
The Relay For Life (RFL) round the clock walking event, to be held in BC, is getting closer and closer. In the meantime, many teams in Rockaway and Broad Channel are doing everything they can to raise more funds for the American Cancer Society. This Sunday, April 19, a lot of the RFL teams are banding together for a great big yard sale at the BCAC Field from 12 to 4 p.m. You probably haven’t been to a yard sale since the last time it was actually warm out, and it’s a good way to help a great cause.
Someone said to me not long ago that almost everyone has been touched by cancer or someone close to them has. If you know my story, you’d know that cancer certainly has touched my life. Twice it has completely and forever changed my world. Go, browse, buy some things, enjoy being in the sun and help others while you are doing it.
Before you go rocketing down Noel Road with bad brakes, bald tires and no seat belt on (you know, they don’t tell just everyone about the concrete wall at the end)... make sure to sign up for the 6-Hour Defensive
Driving Course. Do it now though. It will be given over Tuesday, April 21 and 28 from 7 to 10 p.m. at Springman Hall across the bridge over at St. Camillus. Completing the course will get you a three year 10 percent discount on your auto insurance and up to a four point reduction on your license. No test, refreshments will be served and your $45 payment now guarantees you a seat. Call Helen 917-553-2409 or 718-945-4648. Proceeds go to help St. Camillus’ religious instructions (CCD) program.
Plan on being at Grassy’s next Saturday night, April 25. Liz McCarthy is organizing a blowout Friend InNeed benefit for her sister. From 7 p.m. on, there will be live music from 100 Proof, Wild Side and Lady Sabbath. Plus raffles and 50/50s and the $10 admission includes your first drink. Drop in!
Coming up Saturday and Sunday, April 25 and 26, the Broad Channel Volunteer Fire Department is having an open house! There will be activities from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the firehouse on Noel Road. The schedule for each day will be: 9 a.m. introductions; meet the Volies’ members, 10:00-11:30 a.m. firefighter drill and demonstration, Jaws of Life drill on Saturday and an emergency medical technician drill and demonstration and a car extrication drill on Sunday. At noon there will be BBQ and refreshments served and remaining afternoon events will be basic first aid and BP checks and activities for the kids will include hose games using BCVFD fire hoses from a working fire engine and bouncy rides for the little ones from 10 a.m. till 4 p.m. Oh, they’re organizing a magic show, too. Details to be announced. Done in conjunction the FASNY (Fireman’s Association of the State of NY), Recruit NY drive, the Volies open house will also have presentations, demonstrations and information on how you can become a volunteer firefighter, EMT or fire alarm dispatcher right here in your own town. If you have time to spare, you can help. And you don’t even have to live in BC to volunteer here.
Want to really enjoy the outdoors? There’s an Earth Day shoreline clean up on Sunday, April 26, from 11 to 2 p.m. Meet at the Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge. Bring gloves and wear boots. Call 718- 474-0896 for more information. RSVP: jamaicabayearthday.event brite.com
Oh, make a green mark on your calendar for Saturday, May 9, 10 a.m. for the Channel’s annual Spring Planting and Adopt-A-Tree Event. It’s the 25th anniversary of this community event. Watch this space for more info.
Finally, great brunch at the VFW last Sunday.
Got BC news? Send it to me at workingstories@aol.com.
Thanks for reading
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