I visited the Raunt this week.
On a quiet morning, I stood on the shore and looked out over the wide East Pond. And there rising up out of the water, were the pilings on which it used to stand.
As you may know, the Raunt was a community that, like Goose Creek, neighboredBroad Channel on its own island in Jamaica Bay.
Like BC, it became a stop on the railroad in the 1880s and flourished from there. At one time it had more than a hundred structures on it, many built on stilts out over the water. The Library of Congress has some photos. Stories about the Raunt are legendary.
In the 1950s, the last of the residents were evicted and the houses were burnt down. This was part of NYC Parks Commissioner Robert Moses’ plan to build a nature preserve. So the land was filled in, the East Pond was formed and the Raunt, like Goose Creek, became part of Broad Channel’s now larger island.
Part of that plan was to raze our town and make it into a recreational water park. Not for the first or last time, Broad Channel banded together and stopped that from happening.
You might take a long walk down a tree covered wilderness path one day. You may find yourself sitting by the pond’s shore, listening to the ripple of the water and the passing of the trains, and hearing the voices of the people who laughed, played and lived in the those houses above the stilts in the Raunt.
Last chance to sign up for the 6- Hour Defensive Driving Class to be held Oct. 6 and 13, from 7 to 10 p.m. at St. Camillus’ Springman Hall, 185 Beach 99th St. it will give you a three year 10 percent discount on your car insurance and up to 4 points off your license. You MUST attend both nights. Call Helen at 917-553-2409 or 718-945-4648. Your $45 payment reserves your seat. There is no test and refreshments will be served. Proceeds help fund the St. Camillus-St. Virgilius CDC program. But call now!
The Blessing of the Animals will take place at St. Virgilius this Sunday, Oct. 4, at 12 noon and later at St. Camillus at 1 p.m. It is in honor of St. Francis of Assisi. All pets are welcome.
Congratulations to all children making their First Holy Communion this weekend. Best wishes to their proud parents, grandparents, caregivers and families.
Be there for the VFW hosted Chili Cook-Off and Music Festival on behalf of the New York Families of Autistic Children Foundation. On Saturday, Oct. 10, from 12 to 10 p.m. there will be 10 different bands and some of the best chili anywhere. There will be trophies and a cash prize for best chili. Go to nyfacfoundation.org for more info or to enter the contest.
Thanks to everyone who came out for the VFW Flea Market last week.
St. Virgilius Church is ready to hit the big 100. A special Mass and reunion will be held on Sunday, Oct. 18, at noon. After services there’s an anniversary reception at the American Legion Hall. Tickets are $35. Call 718-634-8229. All are welcome to this special BC birthday.
You’ll also want to get in on the huge 50/50 raffle. Chances are on sale after all Masses.
By the way, old photos of the church, the school, the parish hall, etc., would be greatly appreciated. Send photos, as attachments, to saintvirg2@aol.com.
A big Thank You to the American Legion volunteers who are treating our veterans to a great BBQ party this weekend. You are the best.
Boo! The BC American Legion Auxiliary is hosting their 3rd Annual Halloween Party on Oct. 24, from 8 p.m. to midnight. Get your costumes ready! Get your tickets and reserve your table now. They sell out fast. There will be a great DJ, buffet, and prizes for best costume! All for $25 per person. There will also be a cash bar, buckets and 50/50s. Call Carol at 917- 930-0536/718-634-7235, Karen at 718-474-0391 or Margaret at 917- 751-3698.
The Volies are winding up their fundraising for the year. If you haven’t yet, please take a minute to make a donation to these men and women who volunteer to keep us all safe.
Do you know anything about the Packard Club, which used to meet at 917 Shad Creek Road? The BC Historical Society is looking for any information. Please send whatever you have to me atworkingstories@aol.com.
Many thanks to Barbara Toborg, who shared with me that the Raunt had not entirely vanished after all.
Thanks to those who asked about getting tickets to the Rockaway Artists Alliance Gala on Oct. 10, from 7 to 11 p.m. It’s a celebration of RAA’s 20th anniversary, and also a major fundraiser. We’re a non-profit. So those funds really do go to keeping the lights on and all the programs going. Tickets are $125 and yes, I do have a couple more. Contact me via Facebook or at workingstories@aol.com. Or go towww.rockartistsalliance.org or call 718-474-0861.
Finally, neighbors discovered garbage strewn, bottles scattered and plants ripped up at 17 Road Park last weekend. On Saturday morning a neighbor, Joyce, and I found that vandals had put great effort into bending the metal letters which spell out ‘Queens Library’ on our library branch.
One letter was knocked off. Joyce held onto it for safe keeping and called our librarian, Carol, at home. Other calls ensued. If you have any information on this, call the 100th Precinct. An open police report is already on file. If you ever see or hear anything in progress, call 911. The one letter left on the ground was “A.” I assume this was the first initial of the fitting nickname for the person or persons who did this. Stupid is as stupid does. You fill in the rest.
Got BC news? Send it to workingstories@aol.com.
Thanks for reading
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