Hello Everyone,

Well, here we are at the end of another year of reporting in the Juniper Berry as we look forward to a new decade. 2020! I take this opportunity to wish you all a Merry Christmas and Healthy, Happy New Year!

Firefighting is all in the family as Matthew Eberlein graduated from the Fire Department Training Center on September 25th. Pictured from left to right: Matthew’s grandfather, Ret. Battalion Chief Lenny Eberlein, grandmother Mickey, father Captain Lenny Eberlein, brother Matthew, Firefighter Danny Eberlein, mom Lisa and grandmother Arlene. Matthew and Danny’s deceased grandfather, Jim Rubino, was also a New York City Firefighter. Congratulations Matthew! We wish you the best.

On October 6th at Breezy Point Field, Our Lady of Hope’s 6th Grade Girls Bantam L won 3-1 against Blessed Trinity in the CYO Championship Game. Congratulations to the team, Mackenzie Capria, Bridgette Corrigan, Caitlyn Girdusky, Lauren Hicks, Katie Karacsony, Brooke Louisa, Leah Mangano, Victoria Mitchell, Maria Modano, Nicole Muzio, Isabella Pepe, Kate Reuter, Kristen Ruebenacker, Teresa Soja, Isabella Solimando, Kristen Vargas and coach Brian Corrigan on this fantastic win.

“Rosary Rally for America” held every year at Juniper Park. This year it was held on October 12th and promoted by “America Needs Fatima.”

A new classroom for science, technology, religion, engineering, the arts and mathematics (known as a S.T.R.E.A.M. lab) at St. Stanislaus Kostka opened this past October. Principal Catherine Mangone is grateful to Maspeth Federal Savings Bank and its president, Tom Rudzewick, a 1979 St. Stanislaus Kostka graduate, for bringing the project to fruition so quickly. The bank donated the $250,000 that was used to renovate the room, buy the equipment and pay the teacher’s salary.

A wonderful Halloween Festival was held in Juniper Valley Park on October 19th with fun for kids of all ages. Thank you to Council Member Robert Holden, the NYC Parks Dept and the PTA of PS/IS49 for sponsoring it.

The Maspeth High School and NYPD ladies volleyball teams faced off on the court to raise funds for the PBA Widows’ and Children’s Fund. And our kids won! Congrats and thanks for your fundraising efforts.

Peyton Doremus celebrated her first Halloween! Peyton is the daughter of Dan & Erin Doremus of Middle Village.

Middle Village ladies celebrated birthdays at a dinner held at Parkside Restaurant recently. Happy Birthday to Ruth McDermott and Andrea McGoldrick!

On November 9th, JPCA park volunteer Ursula Rosenhammer celebrated the wedding of her grandson Will to Kelly Asfazadour, also of Middle Village. Ursula is pictured with her grandsons, granddaughters-in-law and her great granddaughter.

Fr. Peter recently traveled to Rome and is pictured attending Morning Mass at the tomb of St. Peter. Safe travels.

Congratulations to Berry Editor Christina Wilkinson for being selected as one of six art commissioners representing Maspeth and Ridgewood for Queens Council on the Arts during 2019-2020! The volunteer commissioners are tasked with selecting performing art projects dedicated to the neighborhoods of Ridgewood and Maspeth which will be performed here next Fall. We can’t wait to see what will be presented.

Federazione Italo-Americana of Brooklyn and Queens, led by Tony DiPiazza, recognized 5 local organizations at a dinner held at Villa Erasmo on November 18th. The organizations were: the 104th Precinct Community Council, The Glendale-Middle Village Coalition, G-COP, St. Matthias Food Pantry and Greater Ridgewood Youth Council. Each group received $1000 to continue their hard work.

Two days later, Newtown Historical Society was recognized by Maspeth Federal Savings Bank for their commitment to our neighborhoods with a community service award and a $500 donation at a ceremony that took place during the unveiling of the bank’s brand-new lobby at their Fresh Pond Road branch. Aren’t we lucky to have so many great volunteers in the area?

These little brothers were adopted into June Mooney’s family about a year ago from PuppyKittyNYC, a rescue organization located right here in Middle Village. How they have grown! It’s great to adopt pets. They provide a source of companionship and deserve our love and care.

Andrew LaSala, a local realtor at Crifasi and Middle Village resident, has donated a charging computer cart to Our Lady of Hope Catholic Academy. OLH is so appreciative of his generosity. Thank you for your contribution.

Gerard Farco, nephew of Basil & Josephine Greco, has started a scholarship for a 7th grade student based on merit. Mr. & Mrs. Greco were very active in the Parish and it was his wish to award a student with a scholarship in their honor. This is the 3rd year that Mr. Farco has given to Our Lady of Hope Catholic Academy. Mr. Farco and Mr. Campailla awarded Joseph Hoermann a $500 scholarship. We would like to thank Mr. Farco for giving back to the community and acknowledging our students in doing so.

The following message is from Len Santoro: The Juniper Juniors are recruiting volunteers, join us today! If you would like to make an impact in our neighborhood and you are between the ages of 11 and 18, please send an email with your name and email address to info@junipercivic.com, attention: Juniper Juniors Membership. You will receive emails on all of our cleanup events and invitations to the parades that we participate in.

Looking to stay local on New Year’s Eve? Why not check out Sacred Heart’s New Year’s Eve celebration? The price is certainly right and it’s a quick cab ride home.

Frank Mule posted this beautiful picture of Juniper Valley Park on JPCA’s Facebook page. I thought it was worth the reprint here to end the column. It will no doubt be looking like this again soon.

Happy Holidays to all and I’ll see you next year!