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A Trip Down Memory Lane


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We have felt the grip of the winter’s icy cold temperatures; some folks would have been fine without it, but we are supposed to have four seasons every year. And we get them, global warming notwithstanding!

At the beginning of the year, a trip down Memory Lane can be fun. I was given the photograph by Margaret Wagner, who wrote the text as well. The photo shows the BCAC Swim Team at Far Rockaway High School in 2001.

“The BCAC Swim Team was started in 1989 with only 15 girls. In the 2001 photo we have about 70 girls. During that time the team was under the direction of coach Margaret Wagner. The photo was taken at the poolside of Far Rockaway High School. The team still practices there today. (We are not sure what will happen with the closing of Far Rockaway High School. It is very expensive to rent a pool and we have been swimming under the Police Athletic League all these years).

The team was propelled into the 21st century with Anne and Mary Forde taking over as head coaches. At one time they were two young girls on the swim team. As young woman they decided to come back and volunteer as coaches. A coach’s dream, to see what she holds so dear to her, and to be able to give up her leadership to the next generation. And who better than a child you have watched grow into an athletic champion. I knew that with Anne and Mary, the team was safe for many years to come. This year Anne and Mary are turning the reins over to Nancy Crocker and Barbara Corbett. The BCAC is proud to have been able to offer a swim program for the past 19 years.”

Margaret was also the first female president of the BCAC, a position she held from 2000 to 2002.

Speaking of first female presidents, the Civic Association just got its first female president, Ellen O’Reilly, who was among the officers elected at the November meeting. Interestingly, both Secretaries and the Treasurer are also women. The Recording Secretary, Eileen Smith, has served as the only female officer on the Civic Association for many years, however. Kathy Lawless and Diane Haywood-Malsy are the new Corresponding Secretary and Treasurer, respectively. The first Civic Association meeting of the year is on January 24 at the VFW Hall and starts at an earlier time, 7:30 p.m. Neighbors who don’t know the new officers are invited to meet them at the first meeting. Others, who do know them, are invited to congratulate them at the meeting and provide a show of support as they begin their first year together.

A bus ride to Atlantic City to the Trump Plaza Casino on Tuesday, January 22 is being sponsored by St. Virgilius Golden Age. The bus will leave from the corner of Noel Road and Cross Bay Blvd at 8:30 a.m. sharp! Cost is $30 per person; coin return is $25 with a food coupon worth $5. For a seat on the bus, contact Margaret at 718-945-4967 or Dolores at 718- 634-9472.

The BCAC Jamaica Bay Little League has scheduled registration dates for the upcoming 2008 season. Registration dates are Saturday, January 19 and Saturday, January 26 from 10 a.m. till 2 p.m. at the VFW hall at Shad Creek Road and Cross Bay Boulevard. Registration fees are $100 for each child playing in the CYO program, and $50 per child for the in-house program. At registration, each family is required to purchase $25 in Field Maintenance Raffles for a chance at winning $500! There will be a $25 late fee charged for anyone registering after January 26.

This year both softball and baseball teams again will be put into the CYO program; there will be an inhouse league for kids ages 3 and up. The child must turn three on or before May 1, 2008 (CYO programs go by the child’s year of birth). Late registrants are accepted only if there is space in the specific division. This year each family will get five raffle tickets to sell at $10 per ticket. Profits will cover the cost of capital improvements at the field. Save $10 per family for registering online. On www.bcacny.com go to the registration link and follow the instructions. Register online by January 31, 2008 to avoid paying a $25 late fee.

Christ Presbyterian Church will have Bingo on Friday, February 1. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. Early Bird will be at 7:45 p.m. Admission is $5; coffee and cake will be served.

If you have news that belongs in this column, please get the item(s) to me by Tuesday 9 a.m. of the week in which the item is to appear.

Please sign your email or note; like the rest of the newspaper, I cannot publish info that comes without a name.

Email can be sent to: Lizbcbits@aol.com

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