High Tide

Dear ol’ Mom! What on earth would we do without you?! We hope all the mothers on the peninsula have a wonderful and relaxing Mother’s Day this Sunday. The weather is shaping up to be exactly what they deserve. We hope you enjoyed some of the photos on our cover this week—and be sure to check out more on pages 13 and 14.

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Congratulations to Golden Tempo on taking the win in the Kentucky Derby—and anyone who bet on him. We also got to witness Cherie DeVaux become the first female trainer in the 152-year history of the race to win the Derby.

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Just 15 days until Memorial Day weekend—hurray! We don’t know about you, but we can’t wait for summer.

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And speaking of summer, we’re in the final stages of putting together our 2026 Summer & Community Guide. As always, a big thank you to our loyal advertisers—we couldn’t deliver our FREE paper or FREE Summer Guide without them. Please, please, please support the businesses that support The Rockaway Times, and be sure to tell them you saw their ad! Keep an eye out for the 2026 Summer Guide with your paper on May 21 and at all the usual pickup spots.

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Some good news for our local churches. After suffering a fire last year, St. Edmund Church in Breezy Point has been restored and will open on Friday, May 29, with a 7 p.m. Mass of Consecration, attended by Bishop Robert Brennan. The Parish Center at St. Virgilius in Broad Channel is also finished! A dedication ceremony will take place at the end of the 4 p.m. Mass on Saturday, May 16. Bishop Brennan will join. Lastly, with the addition of Father Kuroly as the new administrator of St. Camillus, following the 11:30 a.m. Mass on Sunday, May 17, Father Kuroly  will host a town hall to lay out his vision to help strengthen the church.

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The Jamaica Bay–Rockaway Parks Conservancy, Edgemere Alliance, and The Garden by the Bay are hosting a free Pollinator Festival this Saturday, May 9, from 12 p.m. to 3 p.m. at Beach 43rd Street Waterfront Park (592 Beach 43rd Street). Join them to plant, create, and give back to the environment. There will be hands-on activities, garden exploration, pot decorating, and native plant giveaways. For more information, visit www.JBRPC.org/events

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The Rockaway Track Club is also hosting its 1-Mile, 5K, and Half Marathon Mother’s Day Run this Saturday, May 9. For more information or to register, visit www.rockawaytc.org

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Councilwoman Joann Ariola’s office is currently hosting a diaper drive in support of the Glendale Kiwanis Wyckoff Hospital Expectant Moms Baby Shower. Diapers (sizes 1-8) and baby wipes can be dropped off through Monday, May 11, at her Rockaway office (114-12 Beach Channel Drive).

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Rockaway will never forget. You can still donate to support repairs to the Tribute Park 9/11 Mosaic ahead of the 25th anniversary this September by visiting www.rockaways9-11tributepark.com

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Have a teen looking to stay busy on Saturday nights? The Rockaway YMCA (207 Beach 72nd Street) hosts Saturday Night Lights, a free basketball program every Saturday. Middle school runs from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., and high school from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. Parents can register in person at the YMCA.

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If you want to make sure you receive The Rockaway Times, we email the entire paper every Thursday to more than 4,300 subscribers. It’s fast (8:30 a.m. Thursday mornings) and free. Are you receiving it online? If not, drop us a note at Mail@RockawayTimes.com and we’ll add you to our list.