High Tide

Happy New Year! Here’s to a happy and healthy 2026!

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We hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas. With Christmas falling on a Thursday this year, it made for a long weekend—and an even longer week—of festivities.

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Kwanzaa also began last week on Friday, December 26, and ends tomorrow, January 1. Happy Kwanzaa to our friends and neighbors who celebrate!

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Wow … this week marks our three-year anniversary of taking the reins of The Rockaway Times from Kevin Boyle. We’d be remiss if we didn’t extend a big thank-you to Kevin for his constant guidance over the past few years, to our loyal advertisers—who are just plain awesome—and to you, our readers, for your continued support.

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Congratulations to Joe Featherston on being named The Rockaway Times Person of the Year! This tradition began five years ago when Liz Hanna was honored for her tireless efforts helping businesses and the community, especially during COVID-19. Keith “Bugsy” Goldberg followed for all he does for the community. Next, we honored Rocco Pisani, an amazing young man who beat cancer and continues to do an incredible amount of charity work and advocacy for blood cancer awareness. Last year, it was Kami Leigh Agard’s turn to be recognized for all she does with Rockaway Beach Autism Families (RBAF). This year, we proudly honor Joe for all he does for the community and the Rockaway Special Olympics. Congratulations, Joe—so well deserved!

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For those looking to start 2026 with a bang, look no further than a polar plunge tomorrow on New Year’s Day, Thursday, January 1. While the original plunge on Beach 145th Street is still going strong, countless other blocks and groups host their own plunges from one end of the peninsula to the other.

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If you’re heading into the city on New Year’s Day, the ferry will be operating on a modified holiday schedule. You can view the full schedule at www.ferry.nyc

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Attention College-Age Students: ’Tis the Season to Darty! St. Francis de Sales Parish invites you to a Christmas Darty (that’s a day-party for the uninitiated) on Sunday, January 4, at 2 p.m. There will be a Mass, followed by a reception in the Small Hall.

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Ready to get rid of your live tree? The NYC Department of Sanitation collects live trees and wreaths as part of its Curbside Composting service. Simply remove all lights, stands, and ornaments, and place your bare tree or wreath (not in a bag) at the curb on your regular recycling day.

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Additionally, the NYC Parks Department is hosting Mulchfest through January 11 to help make NYC even greener. To find a Mulchfest drop-off site, visit www.nycgovparks.org/highlights/festivals/mulchfest. They are also hosting a “Chipping Weekend” on Saturday, January 10, and Sunday, January 11, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., where you can bring your tree to a chipping site and receive your very own bag of mulch.

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Want to help save lives? The 100th Precinct is hosting a blood drive next Tuesday, January 6, from noon to 6 p.m. in the Muster Room at 92-24 Rockaway Beach Boulevard.

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With Christmas over, it’s time for the Little North Pole (144-03 Neponsit Ave) to come down, and they need help! They’ll be pulling the cords and taking down pieces on Saturday, January 3 and Sunday, January 4 starting at 10 a.m. And on Saturday, January 10, the trucks will roll in, ready to be loaded at 10 a.m., to take the pieces back to the North Pole. Consider lending a hand if you can!