High Tide

Last Saturday, Rockaway came together for the funeral of Firefighter Pat Brady, who tragically lost his life while battling a fire in Brooklyn on November 8. We did not see an official crowd estimate, but attendance was certainly in the thousands. In true Rockaway fashion, the community showed up to honor Pat. Red bows adorned homes and trees, businesses displayed Pat’s photo or FDNY flags in their windows, and the streets were lined with uniformed personnel and civilians dressed in red and carrying flags. Our thoughts and prayers continue to go out to his wife Kara, his family, his many friends, and his fellow firefighters. He will be deeply missed. Rockaway truly lost one of the best.

*****

Advertiser and reader reminder: Next week is a short week for us due to Thanksgiving on Thursday. The deadline for ads is Tuesday, November 25 at 12 noon. The paper will be delivered on Wednesday, November 26, and the email edition will go out Wednesday morning.

*****

Now is the time to place holiday orders with local businesses and make those reservations. Start your planning by checking the pages of—where else?—The Rockaway Times! Many of our advertisers are offering terrific holiday specials. When you take advantage of the deals from our loyal advertisers, please let them know you saw their ad in The Rockaway Times. We greatly appreciate it!

*****

Kudos to the Graybeards and RIBS, who held their annual food drive last weekend and collected blue bags filled with donated items from house to house on Sunday. These donations were distributed to local food pantries. What a wonderful way to begin the Thanksgiving season. Thanks to them for their hard work—and to all who contributed.

*****

If you’re looking for another way to make someone’s Thanksgiving special, you can donate a meal to a person in need by purchasing a Thanksgiving meal gift card at Crustinos on Beach 116th Street. The meals are $26 each (or $23 each if you buy four). You can give the card directly to someone, or leave it with Mike Fiore at Crustinos, who will distribute them in advance to those in need. Recipients can then enjoy a hot meal—turkey and all the trimmings—on Thanksgiving Day from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m.

*****

Saint Mary Star of the Sea Church invites friends and neighbors in the Rockaways to a bilingual (Spanish/English) Thanksgiving Mass at 10:30 a.m. Head to the church at 1920 New Haven Ave. All are also invited to join for a Thanksgiving meal in the school auditorium immediately following Mass.

*****

Last weekend, mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani did an interview on ABC7, where he announced that he’s received resumes from every zip code in the city, except one—11695. He encouraged people from 11695 to jump on board. He might be waiting a while as 11695 is a PO Box only zip and has no residents. It’s Fort Tilden.

*****

Jack Palmese, a member of DSNY and a longtime coach and integral part of the BCAC Shamrock’s Summer Shootout basketball league, died on Tuesday, November 18. He was 48. Our thoughts are with the Palmese family.

*****

The Catholic Teachers Association will hold its annual Christmas Dinner Dance at Russo’s on the Bay on Wednesday, December 10 at 6 p.m. Father Jim Cunningham of St. Francis de Sales is among this year’s honorees. Tickets are $120. To attend, contact teachers191@yahoo.com or 347-633-5035.

*****

We email the entire paper every Thursday to more than 4,200 subscribers. They receive it fast (8:30 a.m. on Thursday mornings) and free. Want in? Drop us a note at Mail@RockawayTimes.com and we’ll add you to our list.