Hello Everyone,

I would like to take this opportunity to wish you all a wonderful summer with lots of sunshine and good times with family and friends. Also, a reminder that Thursday, June 21st will be the last JPCA town meeting until September. Be sure to put it on the calendar! If you haven't paid your dues for 2018, please make sure to mail in your check or pay at the meeting. We can't keep things going without your support.

On May 9th, the Queens County Republican Party honored two of our favorite councilmembers, at its annual spring gala at Russo's on the Bay. Congratulations to Bob Holden (D-Middle Village) and Eric Ulrich (R-Ozone Park). Also honored were borough district leaders Oliver Ta and Ramona Campbell.

The annual Relay for Life, for the benefit of the American Cancer Society will be held in Juniper Valley Park on Saturday, June 23rd. If anyone would like to join this relay, donate or dedicate a Luminaria in memory of a love one lost, someone currently battling, or anyone who's overcome it contact Relay for Life online relaylogisticsmv@aol.com Luminarias honor every life touched by cancer.

Catherine Mangone, a resident of Middle Village, and longtime teacher at St. Stan's school (on Grand Avenue at 61 St. in Maspeth) was selected to lead the school March 23, 2018. Congratulations!

Frank LaSala received First Holy Communion on May 12th at Our Lady of Hope Church. Congratulations, Frank. Pictured with Frankie are Mom and Dad, Andrew and Francine, and big brother Billy.

Happy Sweet Sixteen to Jack and Julia Killcommons celebrating their special birthdays in Montauk.

Friends celebrated Elna Kraupner's birthday at Parkside restaurant on April 5th. Elna who was a long-time resident of Middle Village relocated to the Beach in Bayville but never lost ties with Middle Village and is still a member of JPCA. Happy Birthday Elna!

May 12th was Junior Prom Night for Archbishop Molloy High School. Group pictured here boarded a party bus to Flushing Marina where they celebrated on a Skyline Cruise. A great time was had by all.

Nicole Werner celebrated her 17th birthday on May 30th with family and friends. Happy Birthday Nicole!

Thanks to a generous donation by her brother, Thomas, Juniper Berry editor Christina Wilkinson and her husband, Steve Garza, spent the evening of April 23rd in the company of Yankees perfect game winner David Wells, along with a special guest – another perfect game winner, David Cone. Wells shared his suite as part of a fundraiser for his Perfect 33 Foundation, which promotes youth athletics and education and supports the military and their families. Can you believe it's been 20 years since Wells pitched that game and 19 since Cone pitched his?

NYC Parks Commissioner Mitchell Silver was guest speaker at the “lt's My Park” awards reception on March 13th in Manhattan. The reception was sponsored by NYC Parks and the City Parks Foundation. Pictured are Commissioner Silver and Ed Shusterich, a member of Partnership for Parks and an advocate and supporter of Juniper Valley Park and the Pullis Farm Cemetery.

It was a great Birthday celebration for Phyllis Mayr who is pictured here with all her children and grandchildren Happy Birthday Phyllis! On Saturday, May 12th, Giuliana Laspisa received her first Holy Communion at Our Lady of Hope Church. Congratulations Giuliana!

PS/IS 87 teacher Lee DiGeorge competed against other teachers on the episode which aired May 7th. Lee, who teaches Middle School English and Technology, didn't make it to the winner's circle, but all participants in the Teachers Tournament are awarded a $2,500 grant which will be put toward new tablet computers for the special education department at his school.

New York State Senator, Joseph P. Addabbo Jr. has nominated Michael O'Kane to the New York State Senate Veterans' Hall of Fame. Michael O'Kane has served as President of Vietnam Veterans of America Queens Chapter 32. He enlisted in the United States Navy in 1966 and achieved the rank of PO3. In honor of his service O'Kane received many awards, among them the National Defense Medal, Vietnam Service medal, Vietnam Campaign Medal (with three campaign stars) Combat Action Ribbon, Presidential Unit Citation and the Meritorious Unit Citation. After leaving the U.S. Navy he began a career with the NY Telephone Company. Michael O'Kane continues to be active in his community serving as a member of Community Board 5. Congratulations Michael O'Kane!

Congratulations to Joey and Jennifer Muzio receiving their First Communion on Saturday, May 12th.

Crystal Wolfe heads the nonprofit, Catering for the Homeless, which utilizes the food waste from catering companies, restaurants and schools for the hungry and homeless. She has been working with other homeless nonprofits and churches throughout NYC to do this. Her program has provided 10,400 meals to the homeless and poor in Queens, Brooklyn, and Manhattan. If you would like to help, her website is www.cateringforthehomeless.com, email is cateringforthehomeless@gmail.com. At the end of last year, Crystal hosted a multi-parish drive with six churches in the CB2 District (St Sebastian's, Corpus Christi, St Mary's, St Teresa's, St Raphael's, and the Queen of Angels) to raise almost 6,000 toiletry items which were distributed to the homeless in shelters, on the subways and in the streets Good luck in your work, Crystal!

Our area is so desirable that many families have been “flocking” here lately. Maspeth resident Mary Ann Todzia reports that an American Robin built a nest inside a wreath hanging on her front door this spring. Wonderful.

Jackie Vallone-Hodurski wrote the following on JPCA's Facebook page May 16th: “Just another great reason to be a part of the Middle Village community! A huge shout-out to Tess Atannav, a member of the Juniper Park Civic Association, for rescuing our Pink Flamingo who was found flying around on Eliot Avenue in the storm. He is now back home safe & sound! Thanks to a suggestion from a friend we’ve decided to name him Eliot!! Thank you again for showing that there really is still some good, honest people around especially in Middle Village!!” Just in time for pool weather.

And one last word, don't forget the summer concerts in Juniper Park! July 10th – Nash East Country Band, July 17th – Andy Cooney Irish Band, July 24th – Italian Night, July 31st – White Wedding Band, August 7th – Generations Band along with National Night Out Against Crime. See you there.