A Thank You to our customers of
Mario’s Meat Market in Middle Village

“To live in the hearts we leave behind is not to die…” – Thomas Campbell

I read these words over and over again the day after my father passed away, knowing what they meant to me and feeling, as any “daddy’s little girl” would, that Thomas Campbell wrote them with MY dad in mind. Although unlikely, I would be reminded of this thought over and over again for the next couple of months along with my family. The first time, was just days later, when I stepped outside of Michael’s Funeral Home for air, and noticed the whole neighborhood on line, right down Metropolitan Avenue, waiting to pay respects to this man I called Papa.

Mario DiGangi came to this country in 1970, when he was 13 years old, from Polizzi Generosa, Sicily and began his life with his family as Americans, something he took so much pride in. Most of my uncles and my father went straight to work; my dad as an apprentice butcher at his cousin's butcher shop on Myrtle Avenue. There he learned the trade along with the many lessons he taught us in life, you start from the bottom, making deliveries and cutting chicken cutlets and you work your way up when you deserve it, a lesson my brother learned very well at a young age when he started working with my father.
Through my father’s battle with lung cancer we became more and more aware of how much this incredible disease unfortunately affects so many people around us. We knew that we wanted to be a part of the solution to this problem as soon as he was diagnosed. Mario’s has always donated money to Lance Armstrong’s LIVESTRONG Foundation. Some of you may remember my dad in the store, even before he was sick, ironically wearing a LIVESTRONG Bracelet, living very strongly. After my father’s diagnosis the store became gloomy, knowing that my dad’s smile was missing for such a long period of time. My brother, Joe, made the decision to bring the LIVESTRONG back to Mario’s and began collecting donations in return for the famous yellow LIVESTRONG bracelets.

Thanks to you, our neighbors, customers, and friends, we were able to raise over $5,000 for that charity.

After my dad’s passing in October, we were able to collect over $8,000 in his name, at the wake services that went to another charity that was dear to our hearts the “I’m Too Young for This! Cancer Foundation.” Another, approximately, $400 was donated in his name, online, to Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer center, where he was being treated. And lastly, in November, “Team Mario” walked in Cancer Care’s Lung Cancer Walk for Hope, where through your amazing donations, we were able to raise $6,000 to support the families of those suffering from or who have died from lung cancer.

My family and I would like to thank you from the bottom of our hearts for the love and support you’ve all showed us throughout this past year. We would also like to thank you for your amazing show of support for the charities mentioned. We would like to make it a Mario’s yearly tradition to participate in and maybe eventually hold a fundraiser for people and families dealing with the effects of cancer. We have no doubt that we would be nothing but successful in any future events with all of your love and support behind us. We would also like to assure you that Mario’s is and always will remain exactly the way my father left it and intended it to be, using and providing the freshest, most delicious fare, and serving it up with a friendly and familiar smile!
Thanks again for your friendship and continued patronage,

The DiGangi Family

Lucky to have the Juniper Berry

Bob & Lorraine,
Thank you for including two of my articles, I’m glad to be a contributor to a magazine that is extremely well done and very professional. Thanks again for using two of my stories in this issue. The people in your area are lucky to have you guys standing up for them. 

Robert Henry
Florida

JPCA Right On Regarding Illegal Immigration

My name is Robert Najmulski and I am the NE U.S. field representative for the Federation for American Immigration Reform (FAIR). We are extremely concerned about Mayor Bloomberg’s position on illegal immigration and criminal aliens. The printed comments from members of your organization were right on and I agree wholeheartedly with your position. 

I have a 30-year law enforcement background and worked closely on criminal alien issues. FAIR has a vast activist network and many members in the state of New York. This type of bill is dangerous and is grossly unfair to American citizens and legal immigrants. I plan on addressing this issue in detail and hope to maybe coordinate efforts with your organization. 

Thank you for your time and especially for your stance on Introduction 656A.

Sincerely,
Robert Najmulski
FAIR www.fairus.org
 
Ban Hydrofracking

To Bob Holden,
Governor Cuomo is thinking of lifting the moratorium on hydrofracking for New York. Hydrofracking for gas and using toxic chemicals is dangerous. It will contaminate our water and soil.

People will get sick and won’t be able to work. Animals will suffer also. Our vegetables and fruits will be contaminated. We won’t be able to drink, cook or bathe in this water. It will hurt the fish industry as well. Hydro-fracking should be banned. Studies have shown all bad results In Texas, Colorado and Pennsylvania. We shouldn’t turn a blind eye to the facts. They speak for themselves, all bad. To permit this destructive procedure is dumber than dumb.

I hope you’ll speak about this issue in New York and perhaps the Governor will change his mind and have second thoughts. Thank you for listening,

Sincerely,
Mary York
Middle Village

A Member of the Family

Hi Lorraine,

In loving memory of Tubby “Beautiful Girl”
4-2-1993 – 1-15-2012

My family had a cat named Tubby for almost 19 years. She was born in our house so we know she was born April 2nd, 1993. Tubby was the most wonderful cat. We’ve had cats before and none were as loving as Tubby. She would greet you when you came home and sit on my lap every night while we watched TV. As all pet owners know she was part of the family not an animal.

In November, Tubby started losing weight, we did not think too much of it as she did this with the seasons changing. However this time she did not gain the weight back and became very thin, she was still eating but little by little stopped grooming herself and had trouble with using the litter box. She gave us no sign that she was in pain.

In the beginning of January we realized that it was time for her to go to heaven. A very hard thing to decide as any pet owner knows.

January 15, 2012 we took her to Juniper Valley Animal Hospital located at 63-08 69th Place in Middle Village. Dr. Colleen Kelly did the exam and confirmed that Tubby was very ill and her time had come. Turns out she had a tumor in her stomach.

I want to let everyone know that Dr. Kelly and the staff at Juniper Valley Animal Hospital were wonderful through this very difficult time. They were caring and understanding and let my daughter and me take our time with the last few minutes we would have Tubby with us. We stayed with her for the procedure. After she was gone once again the staff gave us all the time we needed to say our goodbye.

As for now there are no plans to replace Tubby. However in the future should we get another pet the Vet we use will surely be Juniper Animal Hospital.

Gloria Hoefferle
Maspeth

Response: There is no question, our pets make an indelible mark on our lives and putting them down at the end is an unforgettable and heartbreaking experience. I’ll bet at some point you welcome another “Tubby” into your world not as a replacement but as a newcomer ready, willing and able to put his/her own claim on your heart! ed.

Middle Village going to the dogs

On Christmas morning, I was greeted outside my home, on the sidewalk, with a large present(s) from a rather large dog. Every day this situation gets worse as I see more and more droppings
all over the neighborhood. It infuriates me. I am leaning towards taking pictures of this and posting them in the park. I’d love a suggestion as to how to catch these people who do not clean up after their dogs. I’m sure I’m not the only person who notices this.

Linda Sottosanti

Befriending Hawk 

Dear Juniper Berry:
After reading the article in the NY Post [10 Dec 2012], I wondered if there would be any feasibility in bringing the red-tailed hawk, Bobby, to Juniper Valley Park to join with our resident hawk? I don’t know the first thing about the habits of hawks, but it sounds sad that Bobby has lost his mate in Manhattan. And since we have a wonderful park setting and another of his species, wouldn’t it be great to relocate him to happier digs? I’d be curious to know your thoughts.

Thanks.
Steve Fisher
Middle Village

Response: It seems to us that “Bobby” will find his own mate if he so desires and who knows, he may be enjoying bachelorhood!
-ed.

Tree Obstruction

Dear Editor,
 As I walk around the neighborhood it has come to my attention that homeowners are putting fencing, plants and rocks around the curb trees. I realize they think they are adding beauty to the area, but it is causing many problems to drivers who can’t get their car doors open. Walkers are also faced with the hazard of tripping as this is proving to be an obstacle course to them.  I don’t know if any of this stuff is a violation but it seems to me that simplicity is a much easier way to maintain one’s property.

Joyce Beaudoin
Middle Village

Response: Putting fencing, rocks, plants around our street trees is a violation and should be discouraged. The trees should be allowed to thrive without the obstacle of rocks or other paraphernalia around their roots.