High Tide

Happy 2026!

Congratulations to all of this year’s New Year’s Day polar plungers. With a fresh coat of snow on the ground and a low tide that forced participants to really work for enough depth to dive under—the only way that counts—this year’s dip was no joke. Check out photos from a few of the big plunges around the peninsula on pages 10–12.

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For some of us, the last two weeks—with Christmas and New Year’s Day—can be notoriously disorienting. What day is it? What year is it? Where am I? When will my next Rockaway Times be delivered? Hopefully, that holiday-season fog is beginning to lift and you’re settling back into your routines.

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It’s always gratifying to receive affirmation from our readers that we made the right call on certain decisions. Naming Joe Featherston The Rockaway Times Person of the Year certainly brought that—and then some. The response was overwhelming and clearly well deserved. As one person commented on Facebook, “No one deserves this more. Joe is a wonderful human being.” Others echoed the sentiment, noting, “Joe is a stalwart of the Rockaway community and can always be relied upon,” and, “He is the kindest and most caring man. Nobody is more deserving of this honor.” We’re honestly not sure how we’ll be able to top Joe next year. Any suggestions? Let us know!

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Just a reminder: the NYC Department of Sanitation collects live Christmas 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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The NYC Parks Department is also hosting Mulchfest through January 11, helping to make the city even greener. To find a Mulchfest drop-off site near you, visit www.nycgovparks.org/highlights/festivals/mulchfest. Parks is also hosting a “Chipping Weekend” this Saturday, Jan. 10, and Sunday, Jan. 11, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., where you can bring your tree to a chipping site and receive a free bag of mulch.

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If you’re feeling a bit of a winter slump with the holidays now in the rearview mirror, here’s something to look forward to: it’s only 58 days until our next big celebration—Rockaway’s St. Patrick’s Day!

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Got electronics to clear out for the new year? On Saturday. January 10, you can recycle your unwanted electronics (TVs, computers, printers, computer parts, phones, tablets, video game consoles, etc.) at the Joseph P. Addabbo Health Center at 6200 Beach Channel Drive between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. They’ll also be collecting textiles (clothing, towels, bedding curtains, clean rags, shoes).

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With the new year underway, are you thinking about your next summer job? If you’re interested in helping protect swimmers as a NYC Parks lifeguard, we don’t blame you—it’s the city’s best summer job. And with higher pay and new retention bonuses, it’s even better. To learn more about the application process and testing, visit nyc.gov/parks/lifeguards

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The 101st Precinct recently shared a few reminders to help safeguard your vehicle. They may seem simple, but they’re often forgotten: always shut down the ignition before exiting, close all windows and doors, remove valuables, and take your keys or key fob with you.

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We email the full paper every Thursday to more than 4,200 readers. It’s fast (delivered at 8:30 a.m.) and free. Are you receiving it online? If not, drop us a note at Mail@RockawayTimes.com and we’ll be happy to add you to our list.