Hope everyone had a great relaxing mid winter break whether they traveled or stayed at home.

The Rockaway Point Volunteer Fire Department sponsored a blood drive at St. Thomas More this past weekend yielded 37 pints of blood for the Long Island Blood Services. The blood mobile was parked at the church from 8:30 am to 2:30 pm. Great job by everyone who organized and donated.

Speaking of blood drives, the Peninsula Hospital Center will be hosting a blood drive this Monday, February 22nd, from 9am to 3pm. We urge any and all donors to give. If you would like to make an appointment, please call 718-734-2626.

This Saturday night is the installation dinner of the honorees of the upcoming Queens County Saint Patrick’s Day Parade at Antun’s in Springfield Gardens at 8 PM.

The Grand Marshal of the parade this year is Mr. Patrick McGowan of McGowan Builders, Inc. The Honorary Grand Marshals are New York State Senator Marty Golden and Irish Radio Network USA Executive Vice President Aine Sheridan. The Deputy Grand Marshals are Saint Johns Hospital Chief Operating Officer Patrick Sullivan, Rockaway Special Olympic co-founder Kathleen Clarke, Martin Dunn, O’Malley’s Irish Dance School Teacher and Founder Maureen O’Malley Byrnes, then Breezy’s own Chairman of the Board of Directors Joseph Lynch, New York State Supreme Court Judge the Honorable John Ingram, Rockaway Point Volunteer Emergency Services Chief Edward Valentine, New York City Sanitation Deputy Chief William Glynn and Andrew Healey.

Get your recipes out for the 4th annual Comfort Food Cook off sponsored by the Rockaway Point Association to be held next Sunday February 28th. Last year there were many fine entries and hopefully this year will be even better. Also this year there will be a pie-eating contest for adults and children, but only if they have at least 5 entries in each age group signed up in advance. Call Terri Cassidy today to sign up 718-634-4103. It should be a great gastronomic afternoon.

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