High Tide

Happy Easter!

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It’s yet another very quiet week around town with schools off, and it will remain quiet as some schools are also off next week. For those already out of town or heading out, enjoy your time away, and if you are searching for the sun, we hope you find it.

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Believe it or not, the deadline for this year’s Photo Contest is almost here. If you have not sent in your Rockaway Times 2025 Photo Contest submissions, you have until Monday, April 21, at noon. Please remember to submit contest photos to Contest@Rockawaytimes.com and only submit up to four entries! After Monday at noon, the email address will no longer be accepting any more submissions. It is then in the hands of our esteemed lineup of judges, who will be charged with deliberating upon the entries. Stay tuned for our Top 30 in the next coming weeks.

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Congratulations to Olivia Benedetto, a Roxbury resident and a high school senior at Scholars’ Academy, who has committed to Clemson University, where she will be a member of their Division I wheelchair tennis team. Make sure you read her essay on page 6 of this week’s paper. She is truly an inspiration for us all. We’re excited to see the bright future for this young lady.

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On Wednesday, Interior Secretary Doug Burgum directed the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management  to order Equinor to halt all construction activities on its Empire Wind project, the wind farm that was supposed to come off the coast of Rockaway, saying it requires further review.

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Reminder to all advertisers! If you haven’t reserved space for your ad for The Rockaway Times Summer & Community Guide, now is the time to reach out to us to hold your spot. You can reach out to Mary at Mary@Rockawaytimes.com to make sure you are in the one can’t-miss publication of the year. The summer magazine comes out the Thursday before Memorial Day (May 22, just 35 days away). Advertisement deadlines will be at the beginning of May. That means there’s only a couple more weeks to reserve your ad space. What are you waiting for? Thank you in advance for your continued support and participation!

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Last Saturday, April 12, a surfer drowned in the waters off of Bay One in Riis Park. Despite the efforts of those who pulled him out of the water and performed CPR, he did not survive. Our thoughts and prayers go out to his family and friends.

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Flying 3Sixty NAX, Inc. and the NYC DOC DRA are hosting an Easter Giveaway Event on Saturday, April 19, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the King of Kings Foundation Center (34-11 Beach Channel Drive). Families with children ages 3 to 13 are encouraged to attend, but all children must be accompanied by an adult. There will be free haircuts, free clothing, toy giveaways, easter baskets, and pictures with the Easter Bunny.

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Looking for something for your kids to do this summer, the Rockaway YMCA is having summer camps.  See their ad on page 3 for more details. If you sign up by April 26, you will receive a 10% discount.

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It’s Autism Awareness Month and to celebrate, Rockaway Beach Autism Families is hosting Radio Bingo on Saturday, April 26 at the Knights of Columbus. Proceeds will benefit autism families affected by the Los Angeles fires. Djs@Work will be running the show, so it’s sure to be a good time. Tickets are $35 each or $300 for a table of 10. RSVP to 718-450-5359 today!