Broad Channel Bits

By Dan Guarino

The Choir performed at the Ash Wednesday service this week. It was our fourth outing.

After a rehearsal last week, I had just pulled in by 17 Road Park when I saw flashing red and blue lights behind me. Uh-oh.

It took a minute but I shortly realized that the police had actually pulled another car over on the side road just after I pulled in.

Still for a moment I had an image of me rolling down the window and explaining, “Well, Officer, I was just coming from choir practice….”

And the officer saying, “Sure you were, kid. Sure you were.”

Thanks to all who came out to the Shrove Tuesday Pancake Dinner at Christ Presbyterian Church By TheSea. Likewise the ecumenical service at St. Virgilius. It was wonderful to see Father Ahlmeyer and Reverend Mahaney of Christ Presbyterian celebrating this service together.

The American Legion Auxiliary’s Valentine’s Brunch is this Sunday, Feb. 14, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Bring your love ones for eggs, omelets, pancakes, sausage, bacon, ham, coffee, cake, juice and drinks. All cooked to order and served up with a smile. You don’t have to be from Broad Channel to come and enjoy these things! The Legion Hall is at 209 Cross Bay Blvd.

The St. Camillus-St. Virgilius Blood Drive is next Sunday, Feb. 21, at Springman Hall, 180 Beach 100th St., between 8:15 a.m. to 2:15 p.m.

Note: If you’re invited to the BCAC’s Thank You party, the date is Saturday, Feb. 20, from 7:30 to midnight, at the Legion Hall. Make sure to RSVP by Feb. 12.

Tickets are now available for the BCVFD Installation Dinner Dance. It’s Saturday, Feb. 28, from 8 p.m. on and also at the Legion. Your $45 admission ticket helps support the Volies and includes food, drinks, entertainment and lots of fun.

Contact Dan McIntyre at dmcintyre@broadchannelvfd.com or call/text 347-678-5857 for tickets. Or contact Jill Spinelli at jspinelli@broadchannelvd.com or call/text 917-995-2390. Or reserve a seat through the BCVFD Facebook page.

And get your tickets now for the big BCVFD Raffle. The grand prize is a getaway for two with two nights at Manhattan’s Marriott Marquis, show tickets and dinner at a top of the line theatre district restaurant. You get to pick the dates, the show and the restaurant. Total value is $1,500!

BCAC Little League registrations is Saturday, Feb. 20 and 27 from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m., Sunday, Feb. 21, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and Wednesday, March 2, 7 to 9 p.m. Registration is at the BCAC Clubhouse atMemorial Field.

The big news in the Channel is of course the flooding this week. There was also massive flooding up and down Rockaway and in other locations.

Over on the west side on Tuesday and Monday the morning tide brought water up to the middle of cars. A number were lost due to salt water hitting the electrical and other systems.

On the east side tidewaters came all the way up to the boulevard. Houses that were out over water looked to be sitting directly on or slightly below the water line.

There was damage to some homes. All around there was flooding in basements and crawlspaces.

Beyond that Channel people dealt with this surprising weather the best they could.

Over on West 14th Road, Dorothy Fraher reported, “It was like a comedy show here this morning. You had to be out of the house by 7-7:30 a.m. to miss walking in the water.

Then saw people carry their kids on their backs, splashing through the water,” she said. “One guy used two contractor bags [tied around his legs] to bring his son to his neighbor’s house. He left him there to go back and get the other kid.

“Then I see his wife with two white trash bags. Then the father had his pants rolled up and walked in the water with just flip flops on.

“Some free advice: they have a nice selection of rubber boots at Walmart in Valley Stream,” she let me know. “Make the investment - don't put it off. They are great for the snow, too. Or to show off at choir practice!”

On 10th Road Janet O’Hare’s light house statue went floating off her lawn and down the street. Her nephew came out to retrieve it.

The extreme weather also brought out the media. The only time they ever seem to come out is if there is some disaster. Sigh.

Keren McEneaney Feuer looked out of her house and reported, “There’s a news truck on the block. They don't know what to do with the tide. It looks like they are waiting for us to run out screaming or something.”

Vinny O’Hare replied, “Take out a fishing pole and cast from the front deck. I am sure that will get you on TV.”

But being the good people that BC people are, Keren noted, “I was gonna offer them help. They are amateurs at this I think.”

As for me, I got cold feet. Really. With the tide coming up my front steps and only exit, and me needing to get to work, I decided there was only one way out.

I picked my gear, and stuffed footwear and dry socks in a bag. Then I rolled up my pants and walked barefoot through freezing water up to my shins.

But the real fun was putting sandals and socks on frozen wet feet, while wearing a winter coat, in the car afterward!

This weekend I’ll be at Walmart. Buying rubber boots.

Thanks for reading.