Hello Everyone! Hoping you all had a great summer. Well we did spend some time in Montauk and as I have said before, I always run into people from Middle Village wherever I go and this summer was no different. While coming from a restaurant on the dock we noticed a group of guys with the same shirt on and suddenly they started to approach us. They were all from Middle Village and attending the Annual Jim Barker Fishing Classic.
Congratulations to Paul DeSantis on his big catch in Montauk, a 42-pound striped bass.

And we also ran into the DeSantis girls, Isabella and Francesca, at Gosmans Dock.

And pictured at the Sole East restaurant are Katie, Nicole, Sarah, Jack and Julia, our grandchildren.
Betty and John Killcommons, Lynn and Larry Roth, Kathy and Felix DeGiovanni and Ginny and Gene Hummel are pictured at the dock.

MaryBeth Meenan, a Middle Village resident who teaches at PS/IS 102Q in Elmhurst, Queens won the 2016-2017 Big Apple Award. The Big Apple Award is a program that recognizes educators in New York City who inspire students, model great teaching, and enrich their school communities. In June she was informed through a surprise classroom visit from Chancellor Farina. In the upcoming school year she will serve on the Chancellor's Teacher Advisory Group allowing her to expand her impact in education.

Once again, the concerts in Juniper Park were a great success with hundreds attending. People were dancing, singing and having a great time in the park. On Italian night, there was one enthusiastic fan, Lena Cialone who will celebrate her 96th Birthday on September 8th. Lena was my neighbor on 80th street (where I grew up) for many years and she still lives there. Congratulations Lena! Continue your wonderful spirit for many years to come.

On Thursday, August 18th, the new CBS Series “Bull” was filmed in Juniper Valley Park. The scene was a baseball game staged at the field on Juniper Boulevard South and 76th Street. The premier of “Bull” will be on September 20th. Pictured are Michael Killcommons and Michael Weatherly, and John Philips and me.

Congratulations to Tanya Magnus, daughter of Juniper Berry columnist Joe Magnus and late JPCA Secretary Margaret Magnus, who gave birth to twins Sean and Margaret on June 4th. Here they are all decked out for their christening in August.

Francine LaRosa-LaSala has joined Crifasi Real Estate as a Sales Agent. Best of Luck to Francine!

The Secular Franciscan Fraternity held a gathering at St. Adalbert Church in Elmhurst to select a new fraternity Council recently. The new Fraternity Council members elected are the following:

Minister: Carolyn Talento, Glendale; Vice Minister: Mary Ann Page, Middle Village; Secretary: Marie Casalaspro, Elmhurst; Treasurer, Constance Watz, Glendale; Formation Director: Teresa Ornas, Maspeth. About a million men and women worldwide live as Secular Franciscans married or single with jobs living in their homes having made a commitment to follow in the footsteps of St. Francis and live the Gospel in daily life. The Fraternity meets on the last day of the month in the lower Church, All are welcome to attend. Contact Carolyn Talento at 718-821-1875.

Best wishes for a speedy recovery to Father Paul Wood, who unfortunately had to have the lower part of his leg removed in July. He is rehabilitating but expected to soon be back to his pastoral duties at St. Stan’s and Transfiguration parishes. Our prayers are with you, Fr. Paul!

Middle Village's own Joseph Mortillaro has been drafted by the Los Angeles Dodgers. Joe is an alumnus of both St. Margaret's and Christ the King. Congratulations!
Congratulations to JPCA’s Christina Wilkinson and Ed Shusterich who received the General Slocum Award from All Faiths Cemetery in early June for their service to our communities. As you are aware, Christina is president of Newtown Historical Society and Ed is the founder and caretaker of the Pullis Farm Cemetery Historical Landmark.

A heartwarming tribute was given to Michael McHugh at Our Lady of Hope auditorium in June with the entire school participating. There were songs and skits performed depicting his life. It brought tears to the eyes of many students who had to say farewell to this wonderful teacher. Bob Holden, Lorraine Sciulli and I were invited guests and were moved by the entire performance.

Francine LaRosa-LaSala has joined Crifasi Real Estate as a Sales Agent. Best of Luck to Francine!

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of a good friend in our neighborhood, Kathleen O'Connell, who worked in Artis Drugs for many years. All reports indicated that Kathy was putting up a valiant fight during her illness but sadly, the bad news is her passing on September 5th. The funeral Mass was held at Miraculous Medal Church and she was waked at Hess Miller Funeral Home. We send our deepest sympathy to her family and they should know that everyone's friend, Kathy O'Connell, will be dearly missed. Rest in peace, Kathy, you were a hard worker, always ready to help anyone who had a problem.
– Lorraine Sciulli