My heart leapt to my throat Sunday when I saw this online alert: “The following is an Urgent Message from the BCVFD: Report of Missing Child, last seen 30 minutes ago on 18th RD. Description: 4- to 5-years-old, grey shorts, white T-shirt. Name Shawn. Answers to Shawnee. Contact 100 PCT or BCVFD if located.”
Thankfully, I read further that Shawn was located a short time later. But like many BC people I am sure, I was ready to run out and go looking myself.
Years ago, the youngest of my grandchildren, Isabella, was around six. She, her mom and her brother Sam were living with me on Noel Road. Well, let’s just say that being obstinate (or determined) runs in my family like cold weather runs through Minnesota. So one day instead coming into the house, Isabella decided to take off.
Well, before long there were nearly a dozen people out looking for her. Neighbors from down the street, people over at PS 47, people we didn’t even know who were with their kids at the Gene Gray playground. On top of that our town postal carrier, Kathy Reardon Savino, rode up and down the streets, looking for Isabella from the height of the mail truck.
Sure enough, she was spotted hiding behind a car, now deathly afraid because of the neighborhood kid-hunt she had set in motion.
I was understandably upset with my granddaughter. But I was so impressed with how people in BC came together to look for her. I can only imagine how upset and worried little Shawn’s family was. But I am so grateful the little guy had the best of people looking out for him.
This Saturday, May 16, the overnight Relay for Life walk starts at 5 p.m. at the BCAC Memorial Field. Dedicated teams and individuals will be walking through the night, till 7 a.m., to raise awareness and raise funds to fight cancer. Proceeds go to the American Cancer Society.
This event is very much open to the public. Come to be part of it, contribute and/or to cheer on those who will be walking. There are usually games and entertainment for those who come down. A number of volunteers have offered to come and perform especially for the participants including Thomasina’s Dance Company.
On Sunday you can look forward to a delicious brunch at the VFW. Enjoy pancakes, omelets, eggs, bacon, sausage, coffee, drinks, desserts and more from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. As the flyer says “Spend Sunday with old friends. Make some new ones too.” The proceeds go to support the VFW’s programs. This is the place to be, especially if you skipped the long lines on Mother’s Day.
The PS/MS 47 Parents Association is having a fundraiser! Friday, May 29, 7 p.m. at the American Legion there will be entertainment, auctions, 50/50’s, a Name That Tune contest and music by DJs@Work.
Even in the fog last Saturday, May 9, people came out early all up and down the boulevard for the 25th annual Spring Planting and Adopt-A-Tree event. Individually or in groups of families and friends they made terrific progress in weeding, cleaning and planting in the tree pits on the median. Even some rain earlier on didn’t slow them down. Some people said it was perfect weather for planting! Even the championship CYO Girls Swim Team came out.
Judy Zack, who with the BC Civic’s Beautification Committee organizes this event, was out with her family on Sunday to get some more planting done.
There is now a colorful variety of new flowers out, as well as American flags and decorative pinwheels. There were even green and white balloons.
If you’re passing by West 17th Road you will see one special new, flowering tree. It was planted with care by Arlene Nix’s family and dedicated to her memory. It will always be a reminder of her.
Don’t forget, our former St. Virgilius pastor Father Charles White is celebrating his 50th anniversary as a priest. There will be a Mass on Sunday, June 7, at 1:15 at St. Mary’s Star of the Sea and a reception afterward.
The 2nd Annual Shad Creek Association Golf Outing is at the Riis Park Pitch and Putt on June 12. Draw a golf ball with a smiley face on your calendar.
Bus stops leaving Broad Channel? According to the Queens Public Transit Committee, a local group that is fighting for better transit options for the Rockaways and Broad Channel, the MTA has a proposal out to eliminate bus stops. This includes several in Rockaway and the one at 5th Road and Cross Bay Boulevard. This is under a new SBS/BRT, as in Select Bus Service/Bus Rapid Transit, plan.
Maybe you ride the buses, maybe you don’t. But I’ll bet your neighbor does, or a family member. Give a call to the MTA or our local elected officials if you’re not happy with these stop closures.
Congratulations to Marina and Kevin Callaghan, “Our son Kristopher (just) joined the ranks of New York’s bravest. (This is) the path begun by his grandfather in 1950, followed by his father in 1979, and then his Uncles Tom and Gregg soon after.” Best of luck to you, Kris.
Congrats also to Nancy Egan and Stephanie Wagner who put together a successful Ladies Shopping Night at the Bungalow Bar last month. You may recall that Stephanie had the “brilliant” idea of brightening upBC with holiday lights for Christmas just after the storm. She’s been raising funds and keeping up the new town tradition ever since.
Standing Offer: I usually take a lot of photos when I am at BC events. I would be happy to put them on a disc and share them with any organization that asks. They’re free for you to use as you like. Just give me a mention as the photographer. Send me an email.
Got BC news and/or upcoming events? Send it to workingstories @aol.com. Thanks for reading
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