It may seem like a vague recollection now, but it really did snow here in the Channel last week. It wasn’t enough to get more than your boot soles wet, but it did give everything, including the bay, a glistening white coating. The temperatures that hovered in the teens took their toll, though. Father Ritchie came to St. Virgilius for Saturday Mass, only to find the pipes had frozen under the church. The burner was chugging along fine, but no heat was traveling through the pipes. Both Saturday and Sunday Masses were moved to St. Camillus across the bridge.
On Saturday night, Father mentioned that someone would be coming down with a blast heater to thaw things out and see where everything stood. I believe there was a prayer for the pipes to be intact and not burst.
Thankfully, so far as I know, Christ Presbyterian Church suffered no weather-related ill effects.
There was a great sendoff last week for Jill Weber, the NYC Parks Supervisor forRockaway, at the beautiful old Oak Ridge building at Forest Park. Jill, whose Parks career spanned 34 years and many pivotal positions, was of course supervisor here before, during and after Sandy.
While she is most often associated with the beaches of Rockaway, she worked very closely and had quite an impact on Broad Channel. It is her and NYC Park’s push and their partnership with BC that started Sunset Cove’s transformation from the old boat yard to a beautiful park. Future visitors and generations of people in the Channel will smell the water, feel the sun in their eyes and the breeze in the hair there. And in good part, we will have Jill Weber to thank for it.
When the BCAC says ‘thank you,’ they do it in a big way. Last Saturday they hosted a Broad Channel ‘New Year’ party at the American Legion.
Their invitation said “Come, eat, drink and merry,” and they meant it.
It was BCAC’s way of sharing a great night and showing “appreciation to all of those who helped out the BCAC and the town this year.”
The company was great, the music was terrific and so was the food. You couldn’t ask for a livelier crowd. A high point of the night was an impromptu rap number where one guest free styled rapid fire rhymes for a good 10 minutes.
The first BCAC party like this, held last year, reached out and thanked all the people who helped the town recover and rebuild after the wreck of the storm. Spirits couldn’t have been higher then, and certainly ran high now. Of course there are reminders every day. But its events and occasions like this, and special people like the BCAC, that really bring home what a special place BC is.
Just to note that the BC American Legion recently donated $5,000 to the Wounded Warriors Project.
John McCambridge just sent me a great old photo of the post office right here in the Channel. I am guessing it dates from the late 1800s to early 1900s. It shows a small corner building with a sign that says “Post Office- General Store.” The bottom also notes it as “Broad Channel, L.I.” There are a few small buildings next to it, dirt roads going off in either direction and kids in knickers out front. I’m still working on the location and a closer date. But I hope to share the picture with you in The Wave real soon. Thanks, John.
Speaking of post offices, Jackie Brust let me know that her mom, Mildred Brust, worked at the PO in O’Sullivan’s pharmacy for years.
Happy belated birthday to Muriel Stemmann Berry, my Cross Bay neighbor, who celebrated 93 on Jan. 15. I have a great picture of Muriel at 17, in 1939, out on a frozen Jamaica Bay. Spiffily dressed for winter, she stands confidently on a pair of boottype ice skates. Way behind in the background is the Rockaway Roller Rink!
Steve Hawk, the Broad Channel bass player who can usually be found singing and playing with Breezy Grass, will be spreading his wings this Jan. 17. Steve will be appearing as part of The Wes Houston Trio at the Walk Street Tavern and Restaurant, 1218 Jericho Turnpike, New Hyde Park, that Saturday at 9 p.m.
I was delighted to find Steve and I actually have a lot of points of connection, going way back. It’s a small island after all.
On Thursday, Jan. 22, the National Park Service will have an open house to discuss plans for Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge’s West Pond. I saw a heartbreaking aerial view of the fresh water pond shortly after the hurricane. It had just been completely torn open on one side, which filled it with salt water from the bay. The meeting will be at the Refuge visitor center of Cross Bay Boulevard from 6 to 8 p.m.
Disaster case managers from Catholic Charities will once again be at the BC Library. They will help storm hit Channelites with setting workable recovery goals and connecting them with resources and services. They can also help with Sandy damaged furniture and appliance replacement and advocacy in navigating Build It Back. They will be at the library on the first and third Thursday of every month from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. By the way, the library has new hours. It will now be open Monday 12-8, Tuesday 1-6, Wednesday 10-6, Thursday 12-8 and Friday 10-6. They’ll still be closed Saturdays and Sunday. Of course the book automatic return slot is open 24/7. All Queens’ libraries now have new hours. So if you use Howard Beachor any of the branches on the peninsula, check their schedules before you go.
Got BC news? Send it to me at workingstories@aol.com!
Thanks for reading!
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