High Tide
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Happy Thanksgiving! We are grateful for our loyal readers and contributors, as well as our awesome advertisers who have been supportive this year (and every year). We wish you all a very Happy Thanksgiving and hope you have an enjoyable and well-deserved long weekend!
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Over two weeks ago, on November 4, Ross McDonnell, an Emmy winning Irish filmmaker and photographer who lived in Brooklyn, was reported to be missing. A few days later, his bike was found locked up near Fort Tilden. This past Friday, police received a call that a human torso had been found on the beach in Breezy Point. While we are still waiting for DNA confirmation, police believe that the body is Ross McDonnell’s and that he may have entered the water and subsequently drowned. Our thoughts and prayers are with McDonnell’s friends and family as we wait for official word from the NYPD.
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This past Monday, St. Francis de Sales Church and West End Temple came together at St. Francis to celebrate an Interfaith Thanksgiving Service. There was a great turnout from both communities which is so important not only during this holiday season, but with everything that is going on in the world. Rabbi Rebecca Epstein even played guitar while the Catholic choir sang.
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Brrrr. If you want to kick off your turkey day with a cold water plunge tomorrow, November 23, meet the Rockaway Dippers Club on Beach 67th Street at 10 a.m. for a Thanksgiving bagel breakfast, followed by an optional plunge at 10:20 a.m.
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If freezing ocean water is not your thing, how about a fun run to begin your Thanksgiving holiday? The Rockaway Track Club is having a 5K Turkey Trot tomorrow, November 23, on the boardwalk at Beach 108th Street at 9 a.m. You can sign up on their website, www.rockawaytc.org, or go to Healy’s, 108-07 Rockaway Beach Drive, starting at 8 a.m.
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When is it appropriate to put up your Christmas decorations? Slowly but surely, more and more lights have been popping up around the peninsula. Some say that it might be a little early as we have not even finished Thanksgiving yet, but we think it is wonderful! Night seems to come so early these days and we are grateful for the lights to brighten things up a little bit. Doesn’t hurt to get into the spirit a little early either!
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Speaking of which, you better watch out, you better not cry… Santa Claus is coming to town early this year. The Little North Pole lights up this Saturday, November 25. The fun starts at 3:30 p.m. at 144-03 Neponsit Avenue. The event will be emceed by Joe Causi, Goumba Johnny and Sid Rosenberg & friends. This is the 28th annual seasonal highlight, hosted by Joe Mure and many, many volunteers. They all deserve our thanks; it is always a spectacular event!
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Some impressive soccer stats for the peninsula over the last two weeks, bringing home 11 CYO Diocesan Soccer Championships. St. Francis de Sales won seven, followed by Blessed Trinity with four. In fact, these two peninsula parishes won 11 out of 12 divisions and represented 18 out of 24 Championship Game participants. Those are some impressive stats — well done kids!
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We are always looking for more columns to share with our loyal readers. If you have dreamed of writing a column for your favorite local paper, let us know. Send us your idea for a column to mail@rockawaytimes.com. We look forward to hearing from you!
