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Friday, December 11, 2015

Broad Channel Bits



By Dan Guarino

If you were at home on Monday, Dec. 7, around 7 p.m. you may have received a knock at your door. If you answered it, you would have found a happy group of young faces, ready to sing for you. As I was headed out along the Boulevard I saw a large group of children and parents making their way from door to door and calling at each one. It was too dark for me to make out which group it was, but I could figure out what they were doing. They were caroling! If anyone knows who this merry band was, please let me know. I would like to give credit where it is surely due. Joy to the world? We can’t have enough of it.
What’s coming up?
Put down this paper and go get a new unwrapped toy. You might still have time to join in the children’s gift drive Debbie Spanburgh-O’Connor and her daughters are doing. Friday, Dec. 11, is the last day. Drop by Debbie’s Facebook page for the details on where to drop them off.
The toys will go to children being treated for cancer at the Cohen Medical Center and at Ronald McDonald House. Go ahead, be someone’s Santa.
Stop by the BC Library on Wednesday, Dec. 16, for a holiday stress break. They’ve got a Guided Meditation for you from 5 to 5:45 p.m.
On Saturday and Sunday, Dec, 19 and 20, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., the VFW is hosting their Last Minute Christmas Bazaar! There will be plenty to choose at the VFW Hall on 713 Shad Creek Road. Proceeds benefit the VFW’s veteran’s programs and events. If you’re a vendor, there is still some room for you. Call Crystal at 917-246-3126 and reserve your spot now.
Hear those frying pans ringing? Yep, Christ Presbyterian by the Sea Church is hosting a very special Breakfast with Santa on Sunday, Dec. 20. From 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at church hall there will be omelets, eggs, hash browns, pancakes, sausages, bacon, rolls, juices, coffee, tea, desserts and more. Christ Presbyterian is at 104 Noel Road. No reservations are required, and you don’t have to be from the Channel to come and enjoy these things!
The Broad Channel Volunteer Fire Department is once again helping Santa deliver to extra special children this year. Contact the firehouse at 718-474-8888 weeknights from 8 to 11 to make your reservation with the Vollies now.
Help a Boy Scout do a good deed. Broad Channel Boy Scout Troop 282 is conducting their Annual Christmas Wreath Drive. The wreaths are $20 and come fully decorated. You can stop by Ruffle Bar to place your order today. The Scouts will also have a table set up outside of St. Virgilius Church and St. Camillus after all of Saturday and Sunday masses.
Thanks to everyone who came out for the Broad Channel Crafters and American Legion Auxiliary Annual Craft and Christmas Gift Sale last week. Proceeds benefit the Wounded Warriors Project.
Get your new BC Historical Calendars from All-American Channel Market, Rock and Roll Bagels or BC Historical Society members. It’s still all 12 months for on $5, and they make great gifts.
Stop in at Christ Presbyterian by the Sea Church for Zumba with Cathy McCarthy Thursday nights at 7:30 p.m. sharp.
The Broad Channel Christmas Tree Lighting was a spectacular success with hundreds and hundreds of people down at the BCAC Field last Sunday. Of course, Santa, coming in aboard a BCVFD fire engine, was a big hit.
The kids from the PS 47 Chorus and BC Girl Scouts were terrific. Major kudos to Thomasina’s Dance Company. Due to a glitch their music cut off in mid-performance. But these young troupers finished out their full routine, never missed a beat and never missed a step! How Broad Channel is that?
I had just come from a meditation session in Belle Harbor, then the NYFAC toy run at the VFW, then the Little North Pole lighting festival in Neponsit, then the Beach 116th Street Menorah Lighting.
The NY Families For Autistic Children Foundation 2nd Annual Toy Run brought about 200 bikers riding from Forest Park to Broad Channel. They raised nearly $15,000 and collected hundreds of toys. There was a big party afterwards at the VFW, with a barbecue, drinks, live bands and a backyard jam packed with some of the most bighearted people you’d ever want to meet.
Speaking of which, the Relay for Life of Broad ChannelBreezy Point and the Rockaways team is ready to roll for another record breaking, cancer fighting year. Find them on Facebook and see how you can help.
There will be a Memorial Mass for Father James Dunne, who we lost one year ago, at St. Camillus Church on Friday, Dec. 18, at 7 p.m.
Harvard University sociology student Taylor Benninger is doing a study on people who lived in Brooklynor Queens in 2012 and were affected by Hurricane Sandy. All she needs is an hour of your time for an interview. Interested? You can contact her at hurricanesandy.study2015@gmail.co m or 617-925-7093.
You can nominate our BC Library for an NYC Neighborhood Library Award for best library in the borough. Go to www.nyclibraryawards.org/theawards to nominate ours. The winning branch gets $20,000, $10,000 goes to the runner up.
Brand new copies of Images of America: Broad Channel have arrived. Thanks to Grace Ann Rooney, who purchased the first copy out of the box. It’s the first published book about Broad Channel, has nearly 200 vintage photos and lots of text detailing the colorful and often surprising history of our town. My late wife, Liz, and I had a great time writing it. You can get a signed copy straight from me, for yourself or as a gift. Email workingstories@aol.com or leave a message at 347-246-6820. It’s $20 a copy and I will deliver it right to you.
Thanks for reading!

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