A Look Back at 2024
By Katie McFadden
Here’s a rundown of some stories featured in each issue of The Rockaway Times in 2024.
January 4
Noelle Polanco ended 2023 as a 1,000-point basketball player, becoming the youngest player at Fontbonne Hall Academy to do so. The dunes uptown were being vandalized. The Rambones were gearing up to hold a Ramones Tribute night in an effort to rename the new amphitheater. Construction began on the new mobility ramp at the Cross Bay Bridge.
January 11
The Lighthouse opened at Coastal Frozen Yogurt. Robert Sarnoff released his film, “The Block,” on Amazon Prime. St. John’s Medical Group of Episcopal Health Services opened their Clinical Learning Center. Storm winds up to 70 mph collapsed the facades of two commercial buildings in Far Rock and forced the emergency evacuation of Floyd Bennett Field’s migrants to Madison High School.
January 18
The peninsula once again faced widespread flooding after a storm. HPD settled their case with the Dayton Beach Park board, allowing an election to take place for new members in May. Rockaway saw snow for the first time in 701 days.
January 25
Officials celebrated the completion of an elevator at the Beach 67th Street train station. Daniel Sails, the driver of the vehicle that hit and killed Ava Conklin, was arrested on a misdemeanor reckless driving charge. Three Brooklyn youths were arrested after a stolen vehicle pursuit that ended in a crash. A court hearing was held over the Floyd Bennett Field migrant tent.
February 1
Community Board 14 said “No” to the City of Yes Economic Opportunity proposal. Team Been There Beat That, Rocco Pisani and Siobhan O’Sullivan, launched their LLS fundraising campaign. Assemblywoman Stacey Pheffer Amato worked with NYC Sheriffs to shut down three illegal weed shops.
February 8
NYC Parks raised starting pay for lifeguards to $22/hour to boost recruitment. Senator James Sanders held another town hall with state and city officials to discuss solutions to the ongoing flooding issue. Poseidon’s Prom was held at Connolly’s. The Queens rebate went into effect for the Cross Bay Bridge.
February 15
The Rockaway Times launches the ninth annual photo contest. The Lighthouse debuted film, “The Wallpaper Artist,” a documentary about wallpaper artist Russel Siegel.
February 22
Young Anthony Filippazzo’s Love Train was getting ready to stop in Rockaway to spread awareness for Williams Syndrome. Watercolorist Arlene Cornell passed away. Scholars’ Academy graduate Esam Ahmed lost both parents in a car accident, leaving him and his injured sister as orphans.
February 29
Rockaway was gearing up for the 49th annual Rockaway St. Patrick’s Day Parade.
March 7
The St. Patrick’s Day Parade turned out to be a wet one! Ava Conklin’s memorial on Beach 108th Street was vandalized. Crustino’s pizza shop opened on Beach 116th Street. The B.R.I.D.G.E. Family Enrichment Center introduced itself to the community with a homecoming.
March 14
The Floyd Bennett Field migrant shelter lawsuit case was dismissed. Alma’s proposal for the Surfside property became a hot button issue at Community Board 14. Scholars’ Academy’s hydroponic farm was flourishing.
March 21
Rocco and Siobhan raised $188K for LLS. Three Leap Day babies were born at St. John’s Hospital. Daniel King was killed in a car crash with the overpass near Riis Park. The Belle Harbor civic meeting got heated as locals expressed concerns over the migrant shelter after the legal case was dismissed.
March 28
NYPD Officer Jonathan Diller was killed in a shooting on Mott Ave. The RTC was hosting “Urinetown the Musical.”
April 4
Two bodies were found washed up on the beach. Rockaway was getting ready for another solar eclipse.
April 11
The first seals started arriving on the beach. Rockaway got eclipsed and felt the effects of a 4.8 earthquake from New Jersey. At a scoping meeting with City Planning, residents came out strong to let their voices be heard against Alma’s proposal for the Surfside property.
April 18
JBRPC and NPS were hosting Floyd Bennett Field’s first public arts festival. Suicide was suspected in the discovery of a body found in Jamaica Bay. The second walk for autism was set to take place. First Congregational Church was seeking donations to help keep the doors open.
April 25
DA Melinda Katz’s office arrested a Rockaway Park man for having 30 guns, including ghost guns in his home. BCAC’s softball season began with a parade! Edgar the Egret made his seasonal return to Broad Channel.
May 2
A fallen emergency slide for a Delta aircraft was discovered hanging on a jetty in Belle Harbor. The Rockaway Times took home multiple awards in NYPA’s Better Newspaper Contest for the 10th year. Holden Ringer, who started a walk across the country with his feet in the Pacific, made it to Rockaway to dip his toes into the Atlantic. The Top 30 photos for the RT photo contest were revealed. The Arverne East Nature Preserve officially opened.
May 9
Off-duty firefighter Lt. Richie Cannon, on his way home to Breezy Point, saved a man from a burning car on the Belt Parkway. Waterside teacher Susan Harter was selected as a Grosvenor Teacher Fellow by National Geographic, earning a trip to the Galapagos. Local surfer Maya Karl committed to Cal Poly for college.
May 16
Monsignor Richard Ahlemeyer of St. Camillus/ St. Virgilius died unexpectedly. Former BCVFD Captain Robert H. Nussberger died.
May 23
St. John’s Hospital broke ground on their new labor and delivery unit. The beaches were officially opening for the season. Beachside Pharmacy was getting ready to open. A brand-new board was elected at Dayton Beach Park. Rockaway walked for ocular melanoma awareness on behalf of Casey Gallagher.
May 30
Parts of Riis Park’s beach were closed for the season due to heavy erosion. Pete and Cubos tattoo shop opened its Rockaway location. RAA brought back its summer art program for kids.
June 6
The Rockaway Irish Festival was that weekend. EMT Brendan Burns and EMT Shawn Griffin, two Rockaway residents, received awards at the FDNY Medal Day Ceremony.
June 13
Marty Ingram, the former Chief of the Point Breeze Volunteer Fire Department, died unexpectedly. Community Board 14 voted “No” to City of Yes Housing Opportunity. Bettina Hornung hosted Rockaway’s first Roast, with the Best Dressed Man in Rockaway as the first victim. Two local teens helped reunite Michael Wolf, who has autism, with his family after he ran away on the boardwalk. Rockaway held a rally for a trauma center. Scholars’ Academy Seawolves were crowned city softball champs.
June 20
RockStock and Barrels was taking place that weekend. The Rockaway Republican Club held a Flag Day ceremony at Callies, dedicated to fallen Marine Michael Glover. St. John’s Hospital’s 11th floor reopened after a devastating fire in September 2021. Local band Wine with Sue celebrated their 30th anniversary. Father Michael Falce was gearing up to join Blessed Trinity parish.
June 27
The Rockaway Times celebrated 10 years in business. Two teens drowned in Riis Park. Local swimmer Sean Green returned from his first Olympic trials.
July 3
Beach 124th was co-named for the late Linda Ruscillo and Beach 128th was co-named for late Det. Maureen O’Flaherty. Pilot House opened in Arverne by the Sea. Swimmers Tess Howley and Sean Green got a welcome parade after returning from the Olympic trials. Challenge Charter High School celebrated its first graduating class.
July 11
Hope for the Warriors arrived for a fun weekend around the peninsula. Councilwoman Joan Ariola held a hero storytime on the beach.
July 18
Broad Channel local Mike Sirota was drafted by the Cincinnati Reds. Rockaway was dealing with a sand issue as it kept piling up on the new boardwalk due to high winds and the Army Corp’s tall new dunes. Rockaway held its first Color Run on the boardwalk.
July 25
Summer Classic celebrated 40 years in Rockaway. Arverne Cinema was hosting interactive film, “Flight.” A 30-year-old Army veteran drowned in Rockaway. BCAC Shamrocks held their Summer Shootout.
August 1
The brand-new Far Rockaway Library finally opened to the community. Jeffery Morris was doing his part to keep Rockaway clean. Christine Schmitt was weaving art into Broad Channel. NPS announced that the T-9 warehouse would be demolished. Rockaway Fisheads Rugby celebrated 50 years.
August 8
Beach 108th was co-named for the late Ava Conklin. Rich Pontieri penned a children’s book based on his autistic son.
August 15
The RT Photo Contest Top 10 was revealed. The Rockaway Film Festival began. Pat Rorke sold Spa Rockway to Marisa Napoli. Assemblywoman Pheffer Amato held a rally to urge Gov. Hochul to sign the Jamaica Bay Bill. Far Rockaway grandma Sharmeika Davis-Boyd penned a series of children’s books.
August 22
Surfside residents held a town hall to raise concerns over the poor conditions in their buildings as Alma was proposing building more. Riis Lifeguard Tom O’Neill won the Ironman and was heading to the World Lifesaving Championship. Beach 109th experienced a series of crime incidents allegedly connected to residents of the St. John’s Home. RBAF was hosting a back-to-school carnival.
August 29
Lauren Devine’s shot of her son birdwatching on the bay took first place in the RT Photo Contest. The Community Boathouse welcomed Brooklyn veterans for a day of fun on the bay. Shane Kulman debuted her adult coloring book. The 11th annual 3 on 3 by the Sea was another success.
September 5
Ariola led a successful beach cleanup on Beach 108th. Thai Rock officially closed its doors after 13 years. A reckless driver was arrested after stealing a van and crashing it into a home in Breezy Point. A motorcyclist fell off of the Cross Bay Bridge and survived, but ultimately died a few weeks later. Maureen “Moe” Collins worked her last shift at The Wharf after 35 years. Bay Babes, Rockaway’s first indoor children’s play space, was getting ready to open. Jack Rafferty penned a memoir about his time in Vietnam.
September 12
Rockaway marked the 23rd anniversary of 9/11 with various events. The impending 17-week A train shutdown was the top issue at Community Board 14. Team Challenge at the Beach was challenging men to get prostate screenings. Arverne East received $10M in funding for a future public pool.
September 19
The lease was renewed for the Floyd Bennett Field migrant shelter. Borough President Donovan Richards held a town hall to address residents’ concerns. The MTA was back to repairing the Broad Channel entrance to the Cross Bay Bridge, as the work was done improperly seven weeks earlier. The Rockaway Dog Parade was out of this world!
September 26
The 10th annual Poseidon’s Parade was a hit! Rockaway Artists Alliance was readying to open “Portal!”
October 3
Rockaway Film Festival has a locals filmmaker showcase. Rain put a damper on the Beach 116th Fall Fest but the community still turned out for some fun. Catch a Cure, the Ryan Rudden Hockey Tournament and cancer and domestic violence walks were all taking place.
October 10
A Rockaway baby was the 52nd to be christened in a gown made from his great grandfather’s WWII parachute. Local residents held a surf vigil to mark the first anniversary of the attack in Israel.
October 17
Rockaway was treated to the rare appearance of the northern lights. BHPOA held a candidates’ night where assembly candidates Pheffer Amato and Sullivan discussed important issues ahead of the election.
October 24
Team RBNY-18 made the climb in memory of those who died on 9/11. Congressional candidate Paul King was busy speaking at a Rockaway Neighbors candidate forum. Rockaway marked the 12th anniversary of Hurricane Sandy. Rockaplay Social Club, a new kids’ play space, opened in Arverne by the Sea. Belle Harbor enjoyed a beautiful day for Fall Freedom Fest.
October 31
Rockaway was getting ready to vote in the big presidential election. The BCVFD was putting on scares with Volleyville Prison. Broad Channel resident Billy Grillman was stepping up for Hurricane Helene-impacted residents in North Carolina. The Rockaway Hotel was hosting Rockaway’s first food festival. Local lifeguard Patrick Murphy was honored by NYC Parks for off-duty heroic actions. Rockaway was celebrating Halloween!
November 7
The election results were in with Trump, Pheffer Amato, Meeks and Sanders declared winners. ZenTora opened, taking over for World Champion’s Karate and offering aerial yoga. RTC was ready to debut “Rent!” Local author Jane O’Hara read her children’s book at the Bay School for book character day.
November 14
Rockaway marked the 23rd anniversary of the crash of Flight 587. Ariola’s office collected more than 200 sets of sheets to deliver to veterans. Rockaway was hosting one of three concerts to benefit CYO. SFDS was sweeping up CYO soccer championships.
November 21
Locals Helping Locals launched their toy drive. HHC announced plans to close the Neponsit Adult Day Health Center in March. The MTA held a town hall to discuss the impending 17-week A train shutdown. Scholars’ Seawolves soccer team won the city championship. RBAF and ABA Tree teamed up to host a fundraiser for Hurricane Helene victims with autism.
November 27
Angelina “Angie” Intrabartola Corrigan celebrated her 100th birthday! 129 Pizza was getting ready to open on Beach 129th Street. P.S. 106 renamed the Arverne East Welcome Center the Coastal Conservation Center. Margaret Dwyer was getting ready to celebrate her 100th birthday.
December 5
Suzanne Campbell O’Rahilly and neighbors helped set up a Remembrance Tree on Beach 106th for the holidays. Youngsters Hailey and Chloe Murphy were hard at work with new candle business, Whimsical Wicks. Beach 116th lit its tree for the holidays.
December 12
The Little North Pole lit up for the season. Mayor Eric Adams announced the Floyd Bennett Field migrant shelter will close by January 15. Broad Channel lit its tree for the holidays.
December 19
Gov. Kathy Hochul vetoed the Jamaica Bay Bill and Horsehoe Crab Protection Bill. Fiery Jane McDade turned 95! The MTA released their final plan for the Queens Bus Network Redesign. WaveFrame revealed the winners of their Riders of the Storm photo contest.
Happy New Year! Here’s to an eventful 2025!
