“A thrill of hope, the weary world rejoices, for yonder breaks a new and glorious morn!” from O Holy Night.
It seems that for as long as humankind has walked the earth, we have looked towards a bright but distant light. No matter how far away, we have followed it through darkness, through cold, tragedy and joy. Through the worst of times it has carried us through to the best. I believe we will hold fast to that light, no matter how dark the world may get, and continue to follow it as long as there are tomorrows ahead of us.
Get ready kids! And I do mean both the little ones and the big kid in all of us. This Sunday, Dec. 20, Christ Presbyterian by the Sea Church is hosting Breakfast With Santa. They will be serving up omelets, eggs, hash browns, pancakes, sausages, bacon, rolls, juices, coffee, tea, deserts and more, plus tomato and orange juice libations for the grownups, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Of course there will be photos and a special visit with the Man in Red! There are no reservations required. Just come by the church hall at 104 Noel Road. A reminder: You don’t have to be from Broad Channel to come and enjoy these things.
Bypass the rush and crush of the mall this weekend. The VFW, at 713 Shad Creek Road, is waiting just for you at their Last Minute Christmas Bazaar.
On Saturday and Sunday, Dec, 19 and 20, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., they will have plenty to choose and probably all the things you need to make your holiday shopping list complete and unique. Vendors, there might still be a space for you. Call Crystal at 917- 246-3126 and ask about a table now. Proceeds go to support the VFW’s programs throughout the year.
The American Legion Christmas Party is this Saturday, Dec. 19, at 8 p.m. Beer, wine, soda, food, fun and music by DJ Milty, all for $15 per person.
Now would be a good time to call the Volies and make a reservation for Santa to visit your house aboard a flashing, clanging BCVFD fire engine! You’ll want to make sure he has your extra special kids on his list. Contact the firehouse at 718-474- 8888 weeknights from 8 to 11 to make your reservation now.
Broad Channel Boy Scout Troop 282 has started their Annual Christmas Wreath Drive. Wreaths come fully decorated. 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
Here are two great, fun, easy to shop for and even easy to mail gifts. One is the new 2016 Broad Channel Historical Calendar. You get all 12 months for only $5, plus great pics from BC’s past, high tide times (so you know when to move your car), important dates and more. Plus it’s the one place you are guaranteed to get a date, every Saturday night! You can pick as many calendars as you need from BC Historical Society members like me, or at All-American Channel Market and Rock and Roll Bagels today.
Brand new copies of Images of America: Broad Channel have just come in. Get yours fresh out of the box, and I will not only sign it, but also hand deliver it to you. Email workingstories@aol.com or leave a message at 347-246-6820.
Written by my late wife, Liz, and I, it’s the first published book all about the lively and often surprising history of Broad Channel. It has nearly 200 amazing vintage photos. They make great gifts, and are great to pass on to kids, grandkids or even friends, relatives and neighbors who now live in other places.
It occurs to me that when you use the phrase ‘friends, relatives and neighbors’ in Broad Channel, you are often talking about the same people.
Christmas Masses at St. Virgilius will be on Thursday, Dec. 24, Christmas Eve, at 4 p.m. and Christmas Day, Friday, Dec. 25, 10 a.m. The Christmas Choir has been practicing very hard under the superb direction of Doris Dady. Come and hear us. I will put out the times and date for Christmas services at Christ Presbyterian online as soon as I have them. Why not visit both churches this year?
If you are looking for a good cause to join in the New Year, the Relay for Life of Broad Channel, Breezy Point and the Rockaways team is ready to roll for another record breaking season in the fight against cancer. Find them on Facebook and see how you can help.
Patricia O’Connor-Doyle said it best. “Congratulations to Debbie Spanburgh-O’Connor, (her daughters) Shawn, Alyssa, Anna, Amanda and everyone in Broad Channel! Six hundred ninety-two toys were collected and donated to children battling cancer! Way to go guys, you have the best hearts in the world!! Gotta love this town.”
Finally, last week I mentioned seeing a group of youngsters going door to door in the Channel. A few days later I saw this posting from Sabrina Gross, “Attention all Girl Scouts we made The Wave,” next to a snippet from the column. Sabrina, a Broad Channel Girl Scout, explained, “Thank you! We were caroling for a cause. We raised $187 dollars for a charity called Autum’s Colors.
Autum is a Girl Scout from Oceanside who has been hospitalized with health problems. Using this adversity to do good, she set up a charity that gives bags filled with art supplies to other children who are in the hospital. The money we raised will provide over 30 of these bags. Plus we spread some Christmas cheer and had fun!”
Looking for those bright, shining holiday stars? There they are.
Thanks for reading!
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