A new year starts in Broad Channel. It’s dipped to 14 degrees, after hitting near 70 two weeks ago. But still, the air is crisp and clear, there’s no snow and we have all been through worse.
First things first. There is an important Friend In Need fundraiser this Saturday, Jan. 9, at the VFW. You should be there.
There will be four top bands lending their talents –Walker and the Brotherhood of the Grape, Poorhouse, Solshyne Trio and Indaculture. There will be good music, 50/50s, raffles and drinks will be available at the bar. You can also bring snacks. Admission is $10.
The benefit will be raising funds to help Dee Harmony’s daughter-in-law, Ed Horan’s wife, Minnie. Minnie is fighting cancer and other conditions right now and the family could use all the help they can get.
The Jamaica Bay Eco Watchers have announced that the vacant lots on West 16th, 17th, 18th and 19th roads are now set to be taken over by NYC Parks. That means that the city will no longer be able to put them up for auction to any developer that comes along. Thanks to the BC Civic Association for their hard work, the support of our town, and the help of NYC Parks on this.
Keep your pipes from freezing. Don’t forget to run your faucets when temps drop down low.
As always, I was able to spend New Year’s with a lot of great people and doing a lot of interesting things. My thanks to my varied hosts: Barbara and Fred Toborg, Kevin and Marina Callaghan, the American Littoral Society, Tom and Laura Pulkoski, the Beach 119th Street New Year’s Plunge gang, my sister-in-law Joan, RAA, the National Parks Service and the NYC Department of Parks. Please let me know if I left anybody out.
In the last month I have done more singing at more parties and other venues than I can remember. I have sung on a boat, at a bar, on a terrace overlooking the ocean, around a kitchen table, at a senior center, in two living rooms and more.
I’ve sung with a full and fluid rock band, solo with my guitar, along with a viola, trombone and clarinet, a banjo, playing along with friends, and hours of acapella duets. It ran the gamut, including rock, jazz, folk, classical, carols and many songs I did not know.
Of course the top of that was three performances and numerous practices in church with our Broad Channel choir.
Thanks to all who enjoyed us during services at St. Virgilius. At the Feast of the Epiphany, Dec. 2, people even stopped at the end, turned to watch us and listen and even sang and clapped along. Thank you so much!
So, Broad Channel, how did you spend this New Year’s? And what do you wish for 2016? I put the question out there and many people were kind enough to answer.
“Even though our kids are grown my neighbor, Tricia Marshall, and I still make sure we are out at 12 to bang the pots. We do now get outnumbered though by all the fireworks! My wish for 2016 is health happiness and peace for all.” -Linda Kittle
“I love banging pots and pans! It reminds me of staying at my Gram’s house. Those memories will last! I spent New Year’s with close friends, laughing and catching up with each other.
“My wish for 2016 is for my friends and family who have lost loved ones that they can find peace and begin to live life again here on earth.” - Margaret Howard Wagner
“I had a sleep over with my two grandsons, where we dined on chicken parm and rang in 2016 VERY early, by making our own parade of pots and pans and lots of banging with spoons!” - Jo-Ann Loftus
“We went to dinner at Zum Stammtisch with friends and spent the rest of the evening at home.” - Helen C Henglein
“We spent our New Year’s Day bringing in the new year with good friends at our house. A fabulous way to start the new year.” - Pat Waldheim
“Our family spent a quiet midnight at home and then we went to St. Sebastian in Woodside for Mass in the morning to pray for a year of peace. The remainder of the day we took our daughter, Lyla, to the Hall of Science at Flushing Meadows Park to play and learn.
“My wish for Broad Channel is that NYC comes through with their promise and finally gets everyone displaced by Sandy back home by completing the Build it Back program.” -Scott A. Battaglia
“Stayed in New Year’s Eve but spent a great day with great friends at the VFW New Year’s Day, like Cookie Daley, Bora Albert and the rest.” –Kathy Reardon Savino
“Spent it quietly at home. Had a great day at the VFW on New Year’s Day. (My wish is) that Donald Trump wins by a landslide.” -Grace Arnemann
“I don’t remember any of it! I wish I knew what I did New Year’s Eve. Lol!
“That was a joke, by the way!” -Bobby Neuer
“I had my in-laws over and we played minute to win it games. We had a lot of laughs, ate and had a few drinks. We had lots of fun. By the time we finished the games it was already 10:30 p.m. My wish for 2016 is that we have world peace.” -Marta Scott
“I stayed home, watching TV. My wife, Nancy, had fallen asleep and woke at 11:55 to celebrate New Year’s with me and Brandy, my dog.” –Charlie Kroog
“The BC Vollies spent their New Year’s Eve as they always do, welcoming their new leaders for the 2016 year. As is tradition, elections were held in December’s meeting. The winners took office Jan. 1.” -Ed Wilmarth III
“I want to see my daughter-in-law Minnie in perfect health! I wish for a cure for cancer. And a Blessed New Year to all!” –Dee Harmony
Amen to that, Dee. Amen to that.
Thanks for reading
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