Brooklyn's Bravest Celebrate Their Centennial
     Generations of firefighters gathered at the headquarters of Engine Company 271 and Ladder Company 124 on the Ridgewood/Bushwick border last Saturday, Sept. 20 to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the founding of both units. As noted, the companies were formed on Sept. 18, 1908 originally as Engine Company 171 and Ladder Company 62 before being redesignated to their current names five years later and serve the surrounding Ridgewood and Bushwick communities out of the stationhouse they jointly share on Himrod Street. The ceremony included music provided by the FDNY Emerald Society Pipes and Drums and the dedication of plaques listing the names of current members of both companies. Uniformed members of the units, including Engine Company 271 Capt. Bruce Barvels, Ladder Company 124 Capt. Joseph Bachety and Brooklyn Borough Commander Chief Edward Kilduff, are among those shown posing for a photo on the occasion. (photo: Allen Epstein)
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Young Ones Provided Big Help In Forest Hills
     Some local youngsters were among the volunteers who gathered in the parking lot of the 112th Precinct in Forest Hills before setting out to remove graffiti as part of an event sponsored by the 112th Precinct Community Council last Saturday morning, Sept. 20. As shown, Capt. Christopher Tamola, the 112th Precinct's commanding officer, and Heidi Harrison Chain, president of the 112th Precinct Community Council, were among those who took part. (photo: Allen Epstein)
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Children Injured After Being Hit By Car
     Riding their bikes along a Ridgewood street proved dangerous for two youths who were injured after being hit by a car last Friday, Sept. 19, Fire Department sources said. Reportedly, the accident occurred at around 4:50 p.m. near the intersection of Putnam and Seneca avenues. Members of Engine Company 277, the 104th Precinct and EMS units responded to the scene. The injured children were taken to local hospitals with head injuries, FDNY sources said. (photos: Allen Epstein)
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Bushwick Blaze Burns Apartment
     One person suffered minor smoke inhalation during a one-alarm fire that broke out inside a Bushwick apartment last Friday morning, Sept. 19, it was reported. Fire Department sources said the blaze occurred at around 10 a.m. on the first floor of a home on Hancock Street near Irving Avenue. Members of Engine companies 222, 271 and 277; Ladder companies 112, 124 and 176; Squad Company 252; Rescue 2; and Battalions 28 and 44 responded to the scene under the direction of Division 15. Officers from the 83rd Precinct and EMS units also arrived at the location. Using two hose lines, the blaze was brought under control at around 11:30 a.m., an FDNY spokesperson said. (photo: Joseph Epstein)
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Counting Their Blessings
     It was a special event for some special friends as Emanuel United Church of Christ in Woodhaven held a blessing of pets, performed by Pastor Toni Walrond, last Saturday morning, Sept. 20 (photo: Joseph Epstein)
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Starting Point Had A Golden Touch
     To usher in the school year, Christ the King Regional High School in Middle Village hosted a special liturgy, celebrated by Msgr. Nicholas Sivillo and attended by the entire student body. During the mass, Sr. Elizabeth Graham, CK's campus minister, was honored for her 50 years of service in the Order of the Sisters of St. Joseph. Shown from left: Monsignor Sivillo, City Council Member Anthony Como, Sr. Elizabeth Graham, Principal Peter Mannarino and State Sen. Serphin Maltese.
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Post's Commander To Serve Again
     Veterans from the Glendale-based Joseph B. Garity Post No. 562 of the American Legion gathered at Von Westerhagen's Restaurant on Cooper Avenue last Sunday, Sept. 21, as the Queens County Committee of the American Legion announced that Fred Boll (seated at center) will serve another term as commander of the Garity Post. (photo: Milady Lopez)
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Glendale School's 100th First
     When the doors opened at St. Pancras School following summer hiatus, it marked the Glendale institution's 100th first day of school. On Saturday, Nov. 1, the centennial will be celebrated with a special mass in the church, followed by a dinner dance and reunion at Russo's on the Bay in Howard Beach. For more information regarding the event, call Chris Kotnik at 1-718-381-1249 or Linda Napolitano at 1- 718-821-7281. Shown in photo are Principal Philip Ciani (at open door, at center) and Fr. Vincent Gallo (next to the principal, at right), pastor of St. Pancras parish, welcoming students to the start of a new and historic school year.
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     Catching Up On Covert Street Neighbors visited with each other while enjoying the block party sponsored by the Covert Street Block Association on Covert Street between Bushwick and Evergreen avenues in Bushwick. (photo: Adriana Varella)
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     This Summer Party Suited Them Youngsters were dressed for a dip in the pool at their block party on 82nd Street between 77th and 78th avenues in Glendale. (photo: Milady Lopez)
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     Set For A Party On Their Block The fun wasn't full-blown yet, but ready to run from curb to curb when this photo was taken at the block party on 62nd Road between 64th Street and Fresh Pond Road in Middle Village. (photo: Allen Epstein)
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     The Sun Wasn't For Everyone With a tree and an umbrella, these Ozone Parkers had it made in the shade at their block party on 97th Street between Linden Boulevard and Pitkin Avenue. (photo: Allen Epstein)
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     Just For Fun On Jefferson Avenue Friends and neighbors were happy to gather for a photo at their block party on Jefferson Avenue between Wyckoff and Cypress avenues in Ridgewood. (photo: Milady Lopez)
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     Letting The Good Times Roll Getting around was no problem at this Glendale block party on 65th Place between 68th Avenue and the dead end. (photo: Milady Lopez)
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     Best Of Times On Bleecker Street For these friends and neighbors, the enjoyment was in getting together on Bleecker Street between Central and Evergreen avenues in Bushwick. (photo: Adriana Varella)
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     Happy To Let Them Slide Youngsters enjoyed some inflatable fun at their block party on 107th Street between Liberty and 107th avenues near the Ozone Park/Richmond Hill border. (photo: Allen Epstein)
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     No Other Words Needed These Bushwick residents made it easy to see how they feel about the street where they live, thanks to the shirts worn at their block party on Decatur Street between Wilson and Evergreen avenues. (photo: Adriana Varella)
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     Sister's Special Welcome At St. John's Preparatory School in Astoria, senior Jillian Papanicolaou (at left) greeted her sister, Kelsey, and gave her a private tour as the high school recently welcomed the Class of 2012 with a freshman orientation program. The sisters are pictured with Principal William Higgins.
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     Senior Center Holds 9/11 Remembrance Nearly 300 seniors and elected officials joined staff and directors of the Peter Cardella Senior Center on Fresh Pond Road in Ridgewood for a 9/11 observance on Thursday, Sept. 11. Shown from left: John Mistretta, City Council Member Anthony Como, State Sen. Serphin Maltese, Peter Cardella, Barbara Toscano, Cookie Garcia, Fr. Al Barozzi, Jack Licausi, Katherine Aglione, Claire Forzano and Marie Pollina.
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     POW/MIA Day Observed In Maspeth Vietnam Veterans of America, Queens Chapter No. 32 held its annual candlelight POW/MIA memorial ceremony last Friday, Sept. 19, at Maspeth Memorial Park on Grand Avenue. As noted, Sept. 19 is recognized as National POW/MIA Recognition Day by the country's veterans service organizations. The VVA's ceremony, intended as a remembrance of all those missing in action as well as a tribute to current members of the armed forces, was said to be the only one of its kind in Queens County. (photo: Allen Epstein)
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     Fund-Raiser Hit On All Cylinders The success of the Seventh Annual Maspeth Classic Car Show had organizers and participants beaming last Sunday, Sept. 21. The event was held in memory of FDNY Lt. Kenneth Phelan, who died at the World Trade Center, with proceeds to benefit Maspeth Town Hall. It took place in the parking lot of Maspeth Federal Savings at 69th Street and Grand Avenue, presented by Joe Wroblewski of Frank's Deli, with Maspeth Federal Savings serving as the corporate event sponsor. (photo: Allen Epstein)
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     They Did Their Browsing Outdoors Area residents were on the lookout for bargains as they strolled along Ridgewood's Myrtle Avenue shopping strip and checked out the offerings of vendors at the Myrtle Avenue Fall Street Festival last Sunday, Sept. 21. The event, presented by the Myrtle Avenue Business Improvement District, was held from Fresh Pond Road to Cypress Avenue. Besides the vendors, the street festival also featured plenty of entertainment, children's rides, games and exhibits. The Times Newsweekly was among the corporate event sponsors. (photo: Allen Epstein)
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     Graduated Air Force Airman First Class Francis S. Elman has graduated from basic military training at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, Tx. A 2002 graduate of Xavier High School, Elman received a bachelor's degree in 2006 from Loyola College in Baltimore, Md. He is the son of Teresa Elman of 51st Street in Woodside.
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     GRYC Exhibits Local Artists Photographer Phil Purchia (at left) and painter Victor Soto (at right) displayed their works, as the Greater Ridgewood Youth Council sponsored its inaugural community art show last Friday evening, Sept. 19, at the GRYC Vito F. Maranzano Community Meeting Hall on Myrtle Avenue in Glendale. (photo: Milady Lopez)
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     A Softball League Of Their Own In Bushwick With the little league season now complete, the Quebradillas Baseball League recently began its women's softball season. As noted, the league kicked things off on Saturday, Sept. 13 with a game at Hope Park located in the vicinity of Knickerbocker Avenue and Menahan Street. (photo: Adriana Varella)
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