Hello Everyone!

Well, the summer ended on a really high note at Juniper Valley Park celebrating Middle Village’s 200th Birthday. On Saturday evening, September 24, the Queens Symphony orchestra performed a medley of show tunes as well as patriotic songs honoring our military. Former military men and women in the audience were asked to stand as their branch of the military was called out and their anthem was played. We have to thank Borough President Melinda Katz for helping us get the Symphony to play at the park. A fantastic night was had by all who attended.

The homeless battle is still going strong with Bob Holden leading the charge. Hopefully we will win this battle. Fundraisers have been held to hire lawyers as well as buses to bring residents to rally sites. Our entire neighborhood needs to support these efforts. Please consider donating to the cause by mailing a check to Citizens for a Better Maspeth, 65-10 Grand Avenue, Maspeth, NY 11378.

I am sure all of you remember Abbracciamento’s popular restaurant and the Drake Theater where we spent a lot of time growing up. Now it’s a vacant lot and will soon be a seven story apartment house.

Have you noticed bike lanes painted on the streets all over the place? Take a look at 80th and Eliot. Middle Village has become a land of lines. And I don’t see anyone using them. Also, take a look at 63rd Ave just past the park. After lines were drawn, there doesn’t appear to be any room for CARS! Genius!

Congratulations to Gail and Dan Austin who took 1st place at a Halloween costume party as Hillary and Donald. Looking good, guys!

Katie and Sarah Killcommons hold the winning trophy for their team, The Orangetown Patriots who won 2nd Place in the Eastern Regional cheerleading competition. Next they go to the National Championship at the ESPN zone at Walt Disney in Orlando. Congratulations Patriots! Good Luck in Orlando.

Congratulations to Daniella and Angelo Morales on their marriage on August 7th. Beautiful bride! Daniella was my therapist early last year when I was at Sands Point Rehab. She did remarkable work with me, taking a special interest to get me walking again. I will never forget her. Wish you a great life guys!

Coming up in March, look for the presentation of “Something’s Afoot” by Maggie’s Little Theater, who always put on a good show right here in Middle Village.

I have often mentioned how this Berry reaches people near and far. Well, I recently received a letter from a guy I hung out with many years ago who got a copy of the Berry from his brother. It was great to hear from him. The letter can be read in “Letters to the Editor” in this issue. Check it out.

At the U.S. Tennis Center the Louis Armstrong Stadium has been torn down. A new stadium is being planned for the site with a roof and will open in 2018. Next year in 2017 a temporary stadium with 9,000 seats and a parking lot will be erected.

The New York Post named Maspeth High School one of the top ranking public schools citywide. They called it, “a new school — established in 2011 — that’s old-school, built on the classical concepts of grammar, dialectics and rhetoric.”

On Sunday, November 6th, Junior States of America represented Maspeth High School at the Queens Veterans Day Parade. The club members led the way to thank veterans within our community. We are proud of our school, our community, and our veterans.

The Martin Luther School family gathered in the Cougar Dome on November 23rd for an amazing event with One Sandwich At A Time! More than 250 pairs of hands put together 1,500+ sandwiches to be distributed to those in the area that are food insecure or have limited access to nutritious meals.

Martin Luther School's Middle and High School students will host their annual Christmas Program on Friday, December 16 at 7 PM.

On Estate Planning:
Dan was a single guy living at home with his father and working in the family business. When he found out he was going to inherit a fortune when his sickly father dies, he decided he needed a wife with whom to share his fortune. One evening at an investment meeting he spotted the most beautiful woman he had ever seen. Her natural beauty took his breath away. “I may look like just an ordinary man,” he said to her, “but in just a few years, my father will die, and I'll inherit 20 million dollars.” Impressed, the woman obtained his business card and three days later, she became his stepmother….women are so much better at estate planning than men.

You know I am always looking around for news for this column so send it in when you have something.

I would like to take this opportunity to wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a happy and healthy New Year 2017! See you next year!