By Sabina Cardali
Welcome to the Point. The Point being College Point. Spring has finally arrived. The daffodils tossed off their green coats and are proudly waving their yellow bodies. I saw my first spring robin and he went immediately to swim in our immaculate bird bath but he kept chasing out all the other birds.
The College Point Security Patrol is working with the 109th Precinct and Deputy Inspector James Waters on the hate stickers. None of our members has found any of these stickers in College Point and local residents do not want their community even mentioned in connection with them. If anybody sees even one of them, please call the 109th Precinct immediately at 321-2250.
Congratulations to the Knights of Columbus St. Ambrose Council which held a successful pancake breakfast to support the Youth Programs of College Point. Vinny Zaino made a multitude of pancakes. He was too busy to count them this year. Thank you to Vinny, Bruce Johnson, Phil LaForno, Bob Graziano, Chairman John Tie and Grand Knight Rocco Cardali.
Thank you to BJ's for its donation and to Regina Reavis, marketing coordinator; Bernadette LaMagna, Queens County Savings Bank manager; and Steve Benjamin, optician at Optometrics Eye Care at Whitepoint Shopping Center. The following Cub Scouts from Pack 18 served: Matthew Morris, Andrew Mulvey, James Stout, Austin Guerrero, James Sfachios. Thank you to each and everyone of you who helped make this a success.
I had to go to the First Reformed Church to join in the sad adieu to Pastor William Cameron as he officiated at his last service and a coffee hour. Both were extremely crowded but I was lucky and did get a loving kiss on the cheek. May the love and concern that you gave to the College Point community follow you with our gratitude and love always.
Knights of Columbus St. Ambrose Council No. 1463 is running a Rummage Sale, “My Junk Your Treasure,” Saturday, April 8, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Sunday, April 9, from noon to 4 p.m. Vendors are welcome; cost is $20 per table. Drop donations on April 8 at 9 a.m.
St. Anne's Society will hold a Penny Auction Tuesday, April 11 in the Madonna Room. Admission is free. Refreshments will be served. All are welcome.
The 22nd annual Queens Half-Marathon and the Skaggs-Walsh 5K Run will be held Saturday, April 15. The race will start on Poppenhusen Avenue at 8 a.m. Please leave your car at home from 7:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m., as there will be traffic delays and rerouting during this time. To volunteer, please call Hector Moreno at 424-2478.
This year's Queens Half-Marathon has been selected as part of the New York Roadrunners Team Championship Series where points are earned for the top men and women finishers. The College Point Board of Trade is awarding two $250 scholarships for the first full-time male and female students who reside in College Point or Malba who finish the 5K Run.
The 5K Run is for those runners/walkers who have not yet graduated to the longer distance. Prizes totaling $2,000 will be given to the top three male and female finishers of the Half-Marathon. The major sponsor for both events is the Skaggs-Walsh Fuel Co. Free refreshments for all participants.
Entry forms can be picked up at General Fitness Center in College Point, Greenpoint Savings Bank, Skaggs-Walsh Fuel Co. or the NYRRC, 9 East 89th St. in Manhattan. For more information or to volunteer call 762-1519 or beeper 917-317-0880.
The College Point Citizens Memorial Day Parade Committee is in full swing and can always use some additional help. The next parade meeting is Tuesday, April 4 at 7 p.m. at the VFW Hall. Steve Coppolino has again generously offered the use of his flatbeds for our floats. If you wish to volunteer, call Chairman Fred Mazzarello from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at 939-3393.
They are looking for a few good moms to mobilize for common sense gun control during Mother's Day 2000, a march in Washington, D.C. The mothers are endorsing the following: Sensible cooling off periods and background checks, licensing of all handgun owners, registration of all handguns, requiring manufacturers to child-proof guns, limiting purchases to one handgun per month and a no-nonsense enforcement of gun laws. Get involved. Call 1-888-989-MOMS. In Queens, call 781-4971.
A speedy recovery to Graham Munson.
Congratulations to the Griecos on the birth of their daughter Michele Lauren who joins her brother Eric.
Happy birthday to Susan H. Rimsky on April 3 and Joe Paliatta on April 10.
Condolences to the family of Nick Forgione.
It was a pleasure meeting Sister Frances Rita who was born in College Point and is a fan of my column.
Welcome to the new and completely refinished Acropol European Bakery, 15-26 College Point Blvd. While there be sure to say hello to Lula. The bakery is open daily and features Italian and Greek pastries, all occasion cakes, deliveries to restaurants. Place orders for holiday cakes and pastries. A special organizational discount is available.
Sabina Says – It was fun celebrating Mabel McAuliffe's birthday at Mezza Luna Restaurant. We insisted that because her birthday is March 19 and it is St. Joseph Day, you just have to eat the St. Joseph sfingi and zeppole pastry.
Eva Hrastnig-Mieras, service unit manager of N.Q. 111 of the Girl Scouts, had special pens engraved with the following which pertains to just about everybody, not only the Scouts: “Go for it in the year 2000. Be the best you can be. Health and Happiness always.”
