Winter or summer, there is something so beautiful about where we live that it’s easy to take it for granted.
Last Sunday in the deepest of the deep freeze, temperatures hovered around a record breaking, skin freezing zero. As I was headed over the Cross Bay Bridge into Rockaway that morning, I was treated to a majestic sight.
The ocean retains heat in winter. So when the fiercely cold air hits the warmer water, it produces an effect which looks like clouds sitting out on top of the sea. I nearly froze to death two years ago trying to take a picture of it. I accidentally sunk my leg deep into unexpected snow drift on top of a deserted sand dune. Of course it was a balmy 8 degrees that day.
On Sunday as I topped the bridge across this vast field of white I saw a ship, a huge tanker, just on the horizon. Amazingly it looked like it was covered in snow!
So this weekend you may want to roll up your sleeve for the St. Camillus-St. Virgilius Blood Drive. It’s this Sunday, Feb. 21, at Springman Hall, 180 Beach 100th St., between 8:15 a.m. and 2:15 p.m. You don’t need an appointment. Walk-ins are more than welcome. Don’t forget there is always plenty of free parking for any event at St. Camillus’ Springman Hall.
The BCAC’s Thank You party date is Saturday, Feb. 20, from 7:30 to midnight, at the Legion Hall. The original date was drowned out by the second biggest blizzard in New York City history. So there are quite a few people who’ve been really waiting to have a good time.
Don’t forget to pick up your tickets now available for the BCVFD Installation Dinner Dance. This is a major fundraiser for the Volies. Every ticket helps. Plus it’s a really good time!
The event is Saturday, Feb. 28, from 8 p.m. on over at the Legion. Your 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. You can also reserve your seat on the BCVFD Facebook page.
Don’t forget the big BCVFD raffle. Grand prize? 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. At $10 a ticket, go for it!
Sign up now and guarantee your seat for the upcoming 6 Hour Defensive Driving Class. It will be given over Wednesday, April 6 and 13, from 7 to 10 p.m.
There is no test and refreshments will be served. You must attend both nights, but you will get 10 percent off your auto insurance for the next three years and up to a 4-point reduction of any penalties you have on your license. Call Helen at 917-553- 2409 or 718-945-4648. The proceeds benefit St. Camillus Catholic Academy.
Many thanks to Helen Henglein for reposting my February, 2013 column “You’re Probably From Broad Channel If…” You can find it at www.rockawave.com/news/2013-02-01/Columnists/Broad_ Channel_ Bits.html.Even though it recalled bleak times, she wrote “Dan, I have to share this again. This is you at your best. You made us laugh at a time when we needed it most.”
Now is the time to register for BCAC Little League. Registration is on 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. at the BCAC Clubhouse at Memorial Field.
CYO covers boys from third grade up, and girls from second grade up. Little League and T-Ball is for 3-year-olds and over. Checks or money orders only please, made out to the BCAC. No cash.
It’s never too early to get your St. Patrick’s plans in order. And out our way, St. Patrick’s is not a day, it is a season.
The Rockaway parade will be on Saturday, March 5. More details to come.
There will be a St. Virgilius-St. Camillus Parish St. Patrick’s dance on Sunday, March 6, from 3 to 6 p.m. at Springman Hall. There will be a sit-down corned beef and cabbage supper, along with beer, soda and set ups. Plus there will be live music from Jim Crowley and the Summer Wind Band. Call 718-634-8229.
If you want to get a running start, come over to the Rockaway Artists Alliance T-7 Gallery at Fort Tilden. I’ll be putting on an RAA Afternoon of Irish Stories, Humor and Songs from 1:30 to 4 p.m. on Sunday, March 6.
Joining me will be Sheila Cassidy, John Gilleece of the Rockaway Theatre Company, Annmarie Acosta-Williams and the Acosta School of Irish Music and Dance, Walter Ensor, David Roffe, John Simonelli and others. John S. will also be making his famous corned beef. The event is free and open to the public. Come by. It’ll be fun.
The St. Virgilius Choir is practicing for Easter and Good Friday and regular once a month performances. Want to join in? Contact Doris Dady at dorisd459@gmail.com. Practice is on Wednesdays at 7 p.m. No musical experience necessary!
Finally, I received a great little book in the mail last week. It’s I’ve Never Been This Old Before from our own Marguerite Rocholl. You may recall her first book, Before You Were Born, which recounts her BC childhood.
With crisp writing and 27 photos, she tells about her newest journey into senior-hood. Try this: “In the beginning the signs are subtle. An AARP card arrives in the mail. That might be followed by the young man packing my groceries and greeting me with ‘Ma’am’.”
It’s an enjoyable book! Find it in Amazon.com et al.
Thanks for reading!
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