High Tide
We were deeply saddened by the sudden passing of Charles Nopper, a familiar and friendly face to many of us on the peninsula from our visits to Jamesons Pub and Bishops Barn. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family, and his many friends. Charles’ warm smile and welcoming presence will be missed throughout Rockaway.
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Our Rockaway Times Photo Contest judges are meeting to select this year’s esteemed Top 10 photos. We’ll announce the Top 10 in next week’s paper, and the overall winner will be revealed at a reception at The Rockaway Times office on August 28, with the winning photo printed in our September 4 issue. If you haven’t yet, take a stroll along the boardwalk to view the Top 30 entries displayed in the Beach 90s, as well as the five Honorable Mentions at the ferry landing—before the contest ends and the displays come down.
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It’s that time of year when many of the peninsula’s college students are heading back to campus. Good luck to all our students, and to the parents helping them move in!
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On Friday, August 29, the 3-on-3 By The Sea Basketball Tournament will take place in the St. Francis de Sales schoolyard. This beloved summer tradition, started by Rockaway legend Clare Droesch and now held in her memory, is open for registration through Friday, August 15. The fee is $50 per player, and registration forms are available at St. Francis Summer Classics or the Graybeards office.
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The Rockaway Beach Volleyball League crowned its 2025 champions this past Saturday at Riis Park! Congratulations to the winners from all ten divisions—and to the organizers who make this great league possible year after year.
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A celebration of St. Camillus will be held on Sunday, September 7, beginning with the 11:30 a.m. Mass. After Mass, alumni will gather in the schoolyard by graduation year, followed by a light fare celebration from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. in St. Camillus’ Springman Hall. Admission is $20 per person (cash only) at the schoolyard entrance; children under 12 are free. The event includes soft drinks, water, and dessert (BYOB). For questions or to RSVP, email stcamilluscelebration@gmail.com
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St. Francis de Sales Catholic Academy is having an Alumni & Friends Dinner Dance on November 6 at the El Caribe. It may seem like a long time away, but an Early Bird Special is currently available for $150 per person ($1,500 table of ten) which saves $25 per ticket if purchased by August 17.
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Two years after Tatyana Koltunyuk was bitten by a shark on Beach 59th Street on August 7, 2023, the first Rockaway shark attack in more than 70 years, she’s seeing some miraculous progress. An update to her GoFundMe on July 9 said she moved the foot of the leg that the shark took a massive bite out of. This update comes after years of physical therapy, gym workouts and swimming. Congrats, Tatyana!
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Want to help a dog or cat in need? NYC Animal Care Centers are over capacity. If you’re not ready to adopt, fostering can be a rewarding way to help. Learn more at nycacc.org/foster/
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Just after 9 p.m. on Tuesday night, a 37-year-old man was fatally stabbed on Beach 115th Street. Police knew the suspect, who turned himself in shortly after.
