It was sad to see the fire that destroyed O’Neill’s in Maspeth. The devastation was horrendous. We wish Georgie O’Neill, his family and loyal staff the very best of luck for the future and look forward to more great dining experiences at O’Neill’s of Maspeth.
Kelly Werner, Mom of Girl Scout, Nicole Werner reports the following update on Girl Scout activity. On Thursday, May 5th Girl Scouts Troop 4315 led by Theresa and George Lambert were on-hand at Juniper Valley Park for a Spring flower planting. The girls cleaned up the area, planted flowers and had a fun time sprucing up the park – great job girls!
At a Mass at Our Lady of Hope recently the Middle Village community honored the late Kathleen Murphy the nurse who created the 9/11 Garden of Remembrance in her native Ireland. At the site Ms. Murphy, an adopted New Yorker who immigrated to the United States in the 1960's, arranged to have 343 trees planted with plaques honoring the 343 firefighters who died in the Sept.11 terrorist attacks. As OLH Pastor Michael Carrano stated at the memorial Mass, which included many firefighters in attendance, “She did it with love and compassion and above all Irish humor.” Kathleen Murphy was a wonderful caring woman and she will be missed by all.
Congratulations to twins, Kaitlyn and Tricia Mahon, Our Lady of Hope June graduates, who were awarded academic scholarships to Archbishop Molloy and St. Agnes High Schools. They both will be attending Molloy High School this fall.
Help support Our Lady of Hope on Wed., June 29th and watch the Brooklyn Cyclones play the Hudson Valley Renegades in Coney Island at 7pm. Tickets are only $16.00 each (Box Seats) and all ticket holders will receive a FREE Cyclones baseball hat and all the kids will be able to line up on the field with the Cyclones for the National Anthem and run the bases immediately following the game. With 500 tickets sold, the Cyclones will donate $3,000 to Our Lady of Hope. For tickets or additional information contact John O’Rourke at 347-866-4523.
Let’s celebrate the birth Kylie Jade. She was born on 1/2/11 weighing in at 8 lbs.5 oz. Our little Kylie was 21 inches long and we are her proud parents, Keith and Jeanette Wieworka.” Congratulations to the Wieworka family on the birth of yet another prospective Juniper Junior!
Benjamin Schiff, a resident of Middle Village, was honored to have several of his photographs published in a new book that was recently published. The new book “Public Markets” by Helen Tangiers, PHD, shows photographs of the outdoor pushcart markets in Brooklyn, N.Y. taken around 1965 where Ben used to live. The photographs are from the Library of Congress where many of Ben’s photographs on file. The book sells for $75 and has 338 pages. There’s a story about Ben Schiff in the December 2003 Juniper Berry which you can read online at junipercivic.com. You will see that Ben has led a very productive life as a Middle Village resident over the years. We congratulate Benjamin Schiff and wish him continued success with his photography.
It’s wonderful to know that our great friend, Dan Austin, Sr., Chairman, President and CEO of All Faith’s Cemetery was inducted into the Christ the King Hall of Fame on Saturday, April 16th in a ceremony at the High School. Dan is a community activist and a loyal member of the JPCA. He has always been there for us when we needed his guidance and help. He stepped right up stating that All Faith’s could be used as a permanent site for St. Saviour’s Church. Congratulations, Dan Austin, a neighborhood treasure! We also congratulate the other Christ the Kind honorees, all members of our neighborhood who have given back to the community.
Two pupils from Our Lady of Hope, Shannon Scott and Amanda Gaglono have bragging rights with their own achievements. Shannon with a FDNY Holy Name Society and Capt. Patrick Waters Memorial Scholarship to Molloy High School and Amanda won half a Scholarship to St. Francis Prep. Congratulations to both young ladies!
JPCA Executive Board member Angelo Raneri and his wife Josephine celebrated their daughter Olivia Lianna’s 1st Birthday with family and friends. Olivia is pictured here. She’s a cutie! Good wishes to all the Raneri family.
The traditional community spirit in Middle Village and Maspeth was alive and well on Saturday April 30th when a group of super volunteers from the JPCA got together to cover the terrible graffiti on our neighborhood bridges, Eliot Avenue and Caldwell Avenue. Participating in the effort led by JPCA President, Bob Holden, were Dieter Keppler, Len Santoro, Angelo Raneri Richard Polgar, Cindy Danieliski, Alex Maureau and Lennie Rella. Cindy Danieliski summed it all up when she said she recently moved back into our neighborhood. She stated she missed our community spirit where she lived and she feels like she’s “come home!” even landing her job with our local Juniper Berry advertiser, Crifasi Real Estate. We get it, Cindy, community spirit is what the JPCA is all about and we thank all the super volunteers for their huge effort.
It was an emotional moment for Dorothy Rentel, former teacher at PS 49, to watch her granddaughter, Elizabeth Russo receive her First Holy Communion at Trinity Lutheran Church on May 1, 2011. A great party was thrown by proud parents, Dorothy and Joe Russo at LaBella Cucina Ristorante. Music for the event was provided by the JPCA’s expert DJ, Gary Colter.
Great Grandma and JPCA volunteer, Ceil Carrano, is proud to show off her new granddaughter, Gabriella Penn, born to her son, Michael and his wife, Juliette Penn. Gabriella was born on February 19, 2011 weighing in at 6 lbs. 2oz. You can bet the family is delighted to have this beautiful newcomer in their world. Congratulations!
Anna Bivona was born June 2, 1911 in Santa Margherita di Belice, Sicily, Italy. She is the mother of 6 children, 14 grandchildren, and 25 great grandchildren. She is now residing in Middle Village, and celebrating her 100th Birthday with her entire family.
If you haven't gone to La Bella Cucina lately, get over there! They have installed an awning on the back outdoor dining area where you can eat, drink, dessert and they even barbecue from a fantastic menu. Owner, Joe Passanante and his friendly staff make every effort to make you feel you're special and they have succeeded. Congratulations, Joe, on another innovative addition to your fine restaurant!
Cruise the Manhattan skyline in style while enjoying a fabulous Party aboard the “Jewel Yacht” at Bobbi and the Strays First Annual Dinner Dance Cruise. Thurs., June 30th Boarding: 6:45pm. Returns: 11pm Aboard the “The Jewel Yacht” East 23rd St & FDR Drive. Tickets are $100 per person – Includes Buffet Dinner, Soft Drinks Juice, Dancing & Cruise Around Manhattan Skyline. Age: 18 and over only. Wear your Dinner/Dance attire and kick up your heals to the beat of Latin, Ballroom, and Dance music. The best part – all proceeds will go to help our Dogs & Cats! Details & Ticket Purchase: https://bobbiandthestrays.charityhappenings.org
Our very own Tony Nunziato was out on a fishing boat from Orient Point on Long Island in the dense fog and he caught 4 striped bass. For a fishing enthusiast that’s a coup but with DEC conservation rules in place all the fishermen on the boat followed the letter of the law with the size of the fish and the total number they could bring home with them. For a fisherman, catching fish from the sea and cooking it is one of their favorite culinary treats. Our very own Tony Nunziato, local entrepreneur, candidate for elected office, community activist and fisherman, who knew?
Premier Care opened its newest clinic in the Stop & Shop Mall at 74-25 Grand Ave., Maspeth. Founder Dr. David Kim said that there’s a growing need for quality health care in Maspeth, especially since the closing of St. John’s Hospital. Middle Village’s own Dr. Vincent D’Amore is one of the excellent physicians at the clinic. A Walk-in urgent care center means no appointments are needed, limited wait time and the ability for patients to be treated quickly. JPCA welcomes Premier Care!
Congratulations to Joe Lume on his graduation from Christ the King Regional HS. Joe graduated with high honors and six distinguished awards at a beautiful ceremony this past Saturday. Pictured here is Joe with Maria Candela, his aunt. Joe is excited to start this fall at SUNY Stonybrook to study pre-med. Lots of love from his proud family:
parents Joe & Josephine Lume, sister Cathy and brother Nick, and his grandparents Gaspare and Phyllis Scarpulla.
As usual we encourage you to send your good news to the Korner so it may be included in the September 2011 Juniper Berry. We want to hear the good stuff from our great neighborhood. Until next time, Korner readers, be well.
