High Tide

Once again, getting this year’s Rockaway Times Photo contest down to a top 30 was quite the task. We had nearly a thousand to choose from! Our selections are on pages 11, 12, and 13. Our judges had a difficult task, but in the end, we think they did a great job. The Top 30 are in the process of being enlarged to poster size and will be put up on display on the boardwalk. Congratulations to the Top 30! Oh, and five Honorable Mention photos will be on display at the ferry dock. We will print those in one of our upcoming papers as well. Look for all the photos to be on display just before Memorial Day. Thank you to everyone who participated! After the Top 30 have had some time to bask in their glory on the boardwalk, we will continue to narrow down the field until we have our winner.

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Today is May 1. April’s weather may have brought some flowers but how about some consistently warm temperatures? Only 25 days until Memorial Day!

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Look Ma, you made it into the local paper! Want to honor your mom and put a nice picture of her in The Rockaway Times? Send your photo to Mail@Rockawaytimes.com by Tuesday morning, May 6, at 10 a.m., and we’ll do our best to put it in next Thursday’s paper for Mother’s Day.

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Congratulations to those from Happy Jacks on the opening of Jack’s Corner. We love to see new businesses open in Rockaway, and what perfect timing, with summer just around the corner. We can’t wait to check it out.

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There will be a blood drive in honor of Walter Blum this Sunday, May 4, at St. Francis de Sales (219 Beach 129 Street) from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Blood drives save lives. Please give if you can.

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We’d like to give a big welcome to The Rockaway Times’ newest advertiser: Maspeth Roofing. Check out their ad on page 4, and if you have roofing needs, give them a call and tell them you saw their ad in The Rockaway Times.

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Closed! Thai Rock has finally sold. RE/MAX realtor Fon Tongsomboon announced that the sale for the prime bayside spot is finally complete. We’re told a friend of former owner Metta Kaskel bought it, and Thai food may still be on the menu! We wish the new owner well.

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The Belle Harbor Property Owners Association’s 35th Annual Beach Clean Up will be held this Saturday, May 3, from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Meet at the Beach 134th Street or Beach 140th Street beach walls. Come out and volunteer to get the beaches ready for the season! Bring your own rakes! It’s a great way for kids to get community service hours, too!

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Also, this Saturday, May 3, from 2 p.m. to dark, Sail Rockaway is hosting its opening party with free sailing tours and lessons, live jazz, and $1 oysters. This family-friendly event is located at Marina 59, at Beach 59th Street.

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As part of Sexual Assault Awareness Month, if you have new or used jeans, any size, or jackets, pocketbooks, or hats, please drop them off at the Child Center at 57-10 Beach Channel Drive or 1027 Beach 20th Street until May 5 for the Spring 2025 Denim Day Drive. For more information on Denim Day, see the story on page 35.

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Didn’t get Patti McCartin’s book, “The 100 Foot Love Letter” yet? She’ll be at Yana House (116-16 Rockaway Beach Blvd.) at 3 p.m. on Saturday, May 3, doing a book signing.