We are happy to pass along the news that Jennifer Lambert, aka JTechnoQuilter, will be hosting an Artist’s Reception at newly opened Deja Brew Café (102-10 Jamaica Ave in Richmond Hill) on Monday, September 23rd from 6:30pm-8pm. Jennifer’s work will be on display until October 14th.
"My artistic goal is to inspire others, to open their minds, to encourage the sharing of one's story, and to bring the community together,” Jennifer told us. “I am trying to find platforms for our local Artists to spread their art throughout 11421, to give Woodhaven its own unique Queens identity."
Deja Brew Café is a new establishment with a welcoming staff and indoor environment, with incredibly peaceful backyard seating and delicious fare including weekend brunch.
They are looking for local Artists to share their work for intervals of 4-6 weeks and are in need of an Artist starting 10/14.
Jennifer is a founding member of the Woodhaven Art Circle, you may remember our interview with her a while back:
Jennifer has several artistic irons in the fire, including:
Kew Gardens Community Arts Day 2024, Austin Ale House 82 -70 Austin Street and surrounding streets, Saturday September 21st, 12 – 5 pm
Friends of Maple Grove Cemetery, 127-15 Kew Gardens Road, Kew Gardens, where her works will be on display from October 1st -October 30th with Artist Reception Saturday October 19th at 5pm.
And finally, Jennifer is giving four FREE crafting classes for 30 elementary aged children (limited seats) at Oak Ridge in Forest Park:
Tuesday October 15 Leaf Rubbing Wreath
Tuesday October 22 Halloween Monster Mobile
Tuesday November 12 Sunflower Hanger
Tuesday November 19 Thank You Box
Again, these classes are free and you must register at Eventbrite:
This Saturday, September 21st at 11 a.m., a piece of Woodhaven’s history will be revived with the unveiling of a “Legion Square” sign at Eldert Lane and Rockaway Boulevard. Designated as Legion Square in 1930, the name gradually faded from use over the decades.
The designation of Legion Square came in the wake of World War I, a period when the losses from the war were still fresh. American Legion Post 118 sought a community site to honor their heroes. The busy intersection of Rockaway and Eldert was chosen due to its prominence in Woodhaven at the time.
In the 1920s and 1930s, this intersection was known as “The Gateway to Queens,” bustling with activity as automobiles transitioned from Brooklyn into Queens. Local businesses like grocery stores, a bakery, a barber shop, and a bar & grille populated the area, though today those establishments have been replaced by ground-floor apartments.
During the mid-1930s, when Woodhaven residents were selecting locations for “Welcome to Woodhaven” signs, this intersection was a popular choice in a poll conducted by the Leader-Observer. Unfortunately, that sign was never put up.
World War II brought Memorial Day Parades that began at Legion Square. The parades would travel down 91st Avenue to 88th Street, then head east on Jamaica Avenue to 118th Street in Richmond Hill, and continue along Myrtle Avenue to the My Buddy statue at Park Lane South – one heck of a long parade route!
At Legion Square, there was a grassy triangle that Queens Borough President George Harvey dedicated to American Legion Post 118 for memorial services. This area, known as Legion Triangle, is managed today by the New York City Parks Department.
In the early 1930s, Legion Square even hosted gatherings that included veterans of past wars, some of whom had participated in the U.S. Civil War, which had concluded nearly 70 years earlier.
Now, nearly a century after the dedication of Legion Square, we have the opportunity to honor and remember those who sacrificed their lives for our country. This event serves as a tribute to American Legion Post 118, which has fostered patriotism in Woodhaven for over a hundred years.
In these tense and divisive times, it's crucial that we come together to honor those who served our nation, particularly those who made the ultimate sacrifice. American Legion Post 118 has been steadfast in this mission, from the Memorial Trees in Forest Park to the World War II monument at Forest Parkway. Their annual Garden of Remembrance, a miniature cemetery for deceased members, is a poignant reminder of their commitment.
We extend our gratitude to the Woodhaven Residents’ Block Association and Woodhaven Business Improvement District for supporting the Woodhaven Cultural & Historical Society’s petition to restore the Legion Square name, as well as to Community Board 9 for its approval.
Special thanks go to Councilmembers Joann Ariola and Robert Holden for their role in guiding this request through the New York City Council.
Finally, we acknowledge and appreciate all members of American Legion Post 118, both past and present, for their service and dedication, ensuring that patriotism remains vibrant in the Woodhaven community. Thank you for your unwavering commitment and sacrifices.
We hope to see you all this Saturday, September 21st at 11 a.m. at Eldert Lane and Rockaway Boulevard, which will now and forever be known to all residents of Woodhaven as Legion Square.
This Saturday, October 7th, Neir’s Tavern will be celebrating its 194th Anniversary with a Block Party from 12 noon to 6 p.m. There will be games and face painting for the children (including a bounce house), live outdoor music, raffles, hot dogs, cotton candy and more. This is a free event, and everyone is welcome.
Neir’s Tavern has been located at the corner of 78th Street and 88th Avenue ever since it opened in 1829 across the street from the famed Union Course Racetrack. For decades, horsemen would gather, lay wagers, and dream up match races that would excite the betting masses.
They would also tell tales of the old days, especially that day 200 years ago in 1823 when American Eclipse and Sir Henry (representing the North and the South), brought over 60 thousand spectators to Woodhaven.
In the 194 years since it opened, the tavern has gone through a few name changes (“The Blue Pump Room,” “The Old Abbey,” and “The Union Course”) while the neighborhood around it went through a few changes of its own.
Think of all the local history Neir’s and its customers have witnessed. During the Civil War, the inactive racetrack across the street was used as a camp for Union soldiers.
In early 1876, when it was just 47 years old, people spoke about the tremendous fire that destroyed the Grosjean factory on Atlantic Avenue, leaving many in the community without jobs. A few months later, they celebrated when the new factory building reopened (a building that also still stands).
One day in July 1895, when it was 66 years old, patrons drank as they recounted their experiences about how the deadly cyclone that ripped through Woodhaven had just missed them on Snediker Avenue (now 78th Street).
In 1898, when it was pushing 70 years old, the tavern was purchased by Louis Neir who added a bowling alley and a ballroom and renamed it “Neir’s Social Hall.” Some say that famed starlet Mae West may have even dropped into the saloon.
And in October 1929, on the worst day that Wall Street ever endured, residents wondered what was going to happen to all of them, certain that a bleak future lay ahead. Some of them may have even wondered what the future had in store for Neir’s, which had turned 100 years old that very month.
As for why Neir’s has been able to survive for so long, in particular during recent years when rising rents and COVID-19 nearly gave this story a sad ending, owner Loycent Gordon has an idea. “It’s community support - that has been the backbone of Neir’s Tavern’s survival.”
And within the Neir’s Community there are several people whose strong support will be recognized this Saturday at a brief ceremony at 2 p.m. and quite a few of them are from Woodhaven, including:
Chris and Karen Flood – This dynamic duo will be receiving the Community Service and Advocacy Awards respectively.
Martin Colberg – This two-time president of the Woodhaven Residents’ Block Association (WRBA) and board member of the Woodhaven Business Improvement District (WBID) will be getting the Small Business Champion Award.
Edwin Gardiner Jr.– This year’s History and Preservation Award goes to Eddie Gardiner, a board member of the Woodhaven Cultural & Historical Society (WCHS), whose hard work and support helps keep Woodhaven’s rich and interesting history alive.
Maria Thomson– And this year’s Lifetime Neir’s Ambassador Award goes to the late Maria Thomson, whose tireless efforts on behalf of Woodhaven will never be forgotten.
And this year, the entire 194th Anniversary Block Party is being dedicated to NY1 news reporter Ruschell Boone, who passed away in early September after a valiant struggle with pancreatic cancer.
“When we first learned of her illness, we began hosting fun events like our Goodfellas Challenge, to raise awareness and money to fight this terrible disease,” Gordon said about his fellow Jamaican native.
“After she announced that she would be returning to the airwaves, we hosted a watch party for Ruschell’s return; you should have heard the cheering!”
“Tragically, Ruschell lost the battle but we hope to raise even more awareness about this terrible illness by dedicating the 194th anniversary of Neir’s Tavern in her honor.”
The party this Saturday is rain or shine and everyone is invited to honor, and become part of, this truly historic part of Woodhaven.
Singer Brian Hyland, well known for such smash hits "Itsy Bitsy Teenie Weenie Yellow Polkadot Bikini," and "Sealed With A Kiss" will be celebrated in his hometown of Woodhaven, Queens on Saturday, September 18th 2021. The celebration will include an unveiling of a plaque on the home that Hyland grew up in, on 87th Road in Woodhaven at 3 p.m. A party at the famous Neir's Tavern, just around the corner from the Hyland home, will follow. Brian Hyland will be in attendance for this celebration. This celebration is being hosted by the Woodhaven Cultural & Historical Society in collaboration with the Your Memories of Growing Up In Woodhaven page on Facebook.
Brian Hyland was just 16 years old when he recorded "Itsy Bitsy Teenie Weenie Yellow Polkadot Bikini," which reached #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart; selling over two million copies and certified as a Gold Record. A long career followed and included over 20 Top 100 Hits. Hyland is still touring and his next scheduled show is the week before the homecoming celebration, Saturday September 11th in Wilkes-Barre, PA (click here for info and tickets). The lineup that evening also included Jay and the Americans, the Duprees, Lou Christie, The Happenings and Gary U.S. Bonds.
Sign Up For an Itsy-Bitsy Meet and Greet!
There will be an exclusive private party before the sign ceremony, a meet and greet where you will be able to meet with Brian and get your picture taken (you will be given an 8X10 glossy copy) and you will also receive an autographed item (an album or something else). Food and refreshments will be included. We are selling just enough tickets to cover the sign and the party, so once we hit our goal no more tickets will be sold.
Tickets to the meet and greet cost $75 per person and includes all the above as well as preferred positioning at the sign ceremony. For more information, email the Woodhaven Cultural & Historical Society at [email protected]. You can purchase your ticket(s) by clicking here or on the button below:
Laurie Ennd, the force behind Your Memories Growing Up In Woodhaven said it was exciting that residents of Woodhaven past and present were going to be able to celebrate Hyland and his career in person - and in Woodhaven. "It's a well-deserved honor and we are really looking forward to seeing everyone in Woodhaven on September 18th."
Ed Wendell, President of the Woodhaven Cultural & Historical Society, notes how the Brian Hyland story is always so well received. "There isn't anyone I know who doesn't smile and sing along when they hear Itsy Bitsy. People 100 years from now will be familiar with it. But what really makes this day special is that, in his heart, Brian will always consider Woodhaven his hometown and we're all very excited and honored to share this day with him."
Above is the Hyland household on 87th Road in the 1940s. Brian was just 16 years old in 1960 when he scored a world-wide smash hit.
For more information, email the Woodhaven Cultural & Historical Society at [email protected].
This story echoes a similar tragedy at a hotel with the same name that took place in July 1938, one that involved a police officer from Woodhaven. The tragedy caught the attention of the public and was eventually the subject of a major motion picture. (Note: The 1938 tragedy was at the Gotham Hotel on 55th Street, which is now the Peninsula Hotel).
It was a hot Tuesday afternoon in July, 1938 when Patrolman Charles Glasco found himself caught up in a life and death drama that would capture the imagination of an entire city and, in years to come, Hollywood.
Officer Glasco was writing traffic tickets and looking forward to the end of a long day and getting back to his home on 87th Street in Woodhaven, Queens. His wife, Margaret, had promised him bacon and liver for dinner, his favorite. But it would be many hours before he’d be able to go home, and when he did, he would be forever changed.
Checking in with his station at noon, he was ordered to report to Fifth Avenue and 55th Street to help with a burgeoning traffic issue. When he arrived at the intersection he found hook-and-ladder trucks, an ambulance, and crowds lining the streets pointing up to the top of the Hotel Gotham.
There, on a ledge seventeen floors above the sidewalk, stood a young man clearly in distress. There was a woman at the window, trying to coax him inside and the sergeant on the scene told Glasco that it was his sister. The sergeant also said that he had threatened to jump if he saw any police officers. It was a deadly situation, but Officer Glasco had an idea.
A friendly Irishman with a gift for speaking and making friends, Glasco suggested that he pose as a civilian to try and win the young man over. Minutes later, Glasco entered Room 1714 to try and save a young man’s life.
The man on the ledge was 26-year old John William Warde, of Southampton, Long Island, a slender young man with a troubled past. A bank teller with a reputation for being moody or peculiar, Warde had survived two recent attempts at taking his own life, and had spent several months in a State Hospital.
Friends of the family tried to help by giving him a job as a chauffeur and a handyman and, hoping to cheer him up, took him and his sister Katherine on a trip to Chicago where he enjoyed seeing his favorite team, the Cubs. When they returned to New York they stayed at the Hotel Gotham and his depression deepened.
They were about to order breakfast in their room when Warde suddenly announced that was “going out the window.” His sister watched in horror as the young man climbed outside and perched himself on a ledge that was just 18-inches wide and over a hundred and sixty feet above the street. Katherine fainted and Warde refused to speak to anyone. And so the stage was set.
Officer Glasco, now wearing a jacket he borrowed off a bellboy in the lobby, came to the window and began to engage John William Warde in conversation. He told him that he’d been out of work for as long as he could remember and that this was his first day on his new job.
Glasco explained that if he were to jump, it would hurt the hotel’s business and that they’d be forced to lay him off. He explained to the young man that he had a wife and a family that depended on him keeping this job.
A few moments earlier, Warde was unwilling to speak with anyone. But Charlie Glasco’s engaging personality got the young man speaking and over the next few hours, they would discuss the merits of night versus day picnics, their favorite baseball teams, physical fitness and more.
Glasco brought him glasses of water and gave him cigarettes, hoping to get close enough to grab the young man and pull him to safety, but Warde was careful to stay more than an arm’s length away. It was a heroic effort under difficult circumstances, and the longer Glasco could keep Warde speaking, the greater chance there was he’d come back inside.
On the street below the crowds lined the sidewalk, three and four deep, into the evening hours, gasping each and every time Warde moved, or looked like he was going to jump. As the standoff was so long, photographers had ample opportunity to secure good vantage points on surrounding buildings to get dramatic photos of the young man on the ledge.
Nets were rigged up a few floors below in hopes of whipping them up over his head to entrap him, but the plan failed as they got tangled on the ledges below. Finally, just after 10:30 pm, eleven hours after the drama began, with Officer Glasco inside the hotel room, John William Warde stepped off the ledge and into eternity.
The dramatic and very public suicide made headlines all around the world. 10 years later, the story was the subject of a long article in the New Yorker called “The Man on the Ledge.” And two years later, the story got the Hollywood treatment.
“Fourteen Hours” a 1951 film noir from Twentieth Century Fox starred Paul Douglas as “Office Charlie Dunnigan” and Richard Basehart as the young man on the ledge “Robert Cosick.” The film also stars Barbara Bel Geddes (Miss Ellie from “Dallas”) as an estranged fiancé and Agnes Moorehead (Endora from “Bewitched”) as an overwrought, hysterical mother.
The movie also featured a few secondary stories, one featuring Jeffrey Hunter (who would play Jesus in King of Kings, and the Captain in the first pilot for Star Trek) and another featuring the film debut of Grace Kelly. It was on the set of this movie that the future Princess of Monaco would be noticed by Gary Cooper, who cast her as his bride in the western he was getting ready to shoot, the classic High Noon.
The Hollywood version follows the real-life drama fairly close, but deviates in several key areas. We won’t spoil that for you here; it’s a terrific film that shows up pretty frequently on TCM.
As for Officer Glasco, he was lauded for his valiant attempt to save this troubled young man’s life. He would be promoted to Sergeant, but didn’t speak much to his family about the incident. He lived the rest of his life in Woodhaven, just down the block from St. Thomas the Apostle, and passed away on February 3rd, 1976.
Greetings, and welcome to the Woodhaven HistoryDigest for September 2017! Click here if you are having trouble viewing this email! We hope everyone had a nice summer and is ready to have some historical fun! We kept busy over the summer. We had several cemetery cleanups and kept Woodhaven's historic burial ground looking sharp (top left); thanks to the generosity of the Josephine Foundation and the Friends of Maple Grove, a large group from Woodhaven attended a fun musical (top right); we had a nice walking tour of the old Union Course Racetrack (bottom left) and we had an Elvis Blue Hawaii Party (bottom right).
Woodhaven Historical Society Meetings in September
Tuesdays at the Avenue Diner - The Woodhaven Cultural & Historical Society meets on the 1st Tuesday Night of every month at 7 p.m. at the Avenue Diner (91-06 Jamaica Avenue). The next meeting will be Tuesday, September 5th. This month we will take a look at some real interesting pictures we acquired; we will also look back at the history of St. Anthony's Hospital; and we will give a sneak preview of the Museum of Woodhaven History.
Cemetery Restoration - We'll be at the Wyckoff-Snedeker Cemetery on Saturday September 9th from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. The grounds are in good shape, but we could use some help raking up old leaves around the edges. Come out and be a part of a historical green project.
Wednesday Lecture Series at Emanuel - We are resuming our weekday meetings this month on Wednesday September 27th at 1 p.m. at Emanuel United Church of Christ (91st Avenue and Woodhaven Boulevard). This month, we're going to have a fun Woodhaven Quiz Game!
Other Woodhaven Historical Events/Appearances:
Richmond Hill Park Fair - The Richmond Hill Block Association will be hosting its 44th Annual Park Fair on Saturday, September 16th from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at Buddy Monument, located in Forest Park at the intersection of Myrtle Avenue and Park Lane South. There will be games, rides, vendors, food and fun! The Woodhaven Cultural & Historical Society will have a table at this event with a small sampling of our Museum of Woodhaven History. We will also be selling T-Shirts and Books to help support the organization.
Woodhaven Lecture at Richmond Hill Historical Society - We are very honored to have been invited to give a presentation on Woodhaven's History at the Richmond Hill Historical Society on Friday September 29th at 7:30 p.m. at the Leonard Center (86-13 112th Street).
Infamous Crime Scenes in New York City - WCHS Board Member (and Woodhaven resident) Ike Ilkiw will be giving a presentation about infamous crime scenes at Neir's Tavern on Saturday September 30th at 2 p.m. And the great news is that the presentation doubles as a fundraiser for the WCHS! Come out and enjoy a thrilling presentation (Ike is a great presenter and a storyteller) and help the WCHS! By the way, have you been watching American Ripper on the History Channel? If so, Ike Ilkiw was interviewed about a NYC murder from 1891! Bonus: Click here to see Ike take about this infamous murder!
Wonderful Woodhaven Street Fair - We'll have a table at the street fair which is Sunday October 1st from 12 noon to 6 p.m. (on Jamaica Avenue from Woodhaven Boulevard to 80th Street). Come visit us outside the office of the Woodhaven Residents' Block Association at 80-20 Jamaica Avenue.
Fall Festival - This is a fun family event at Victory Field on Saturday October 14th from 12 p.m. to 3 p.m. Celebrate fall with this free event sponsored by CM Eric Ulrich with crafts, games, music, a great pumpkin patch (free pumpkins for kids), and more! The Woodhaven Cultural & Historical Society will have a special COLORING TABLE at this event where kids can use crayons to color drawings of Woodhaven History!
A Very Special Announcement
The School Sisters of Notre Dame Educational Center for Women is holding their annual Harvest of Wine and Cheese on Sunday, September 24th from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. At this event they will be honoring Loycent Gordon, owner of Neir's Tavern and board member of the Woodhaven Cultural & Historical Society. Loy is being honored for his ongoing support of the center and for his support of the Woodhaven community. Everyone is encouraged to come out to this free event and tour the center at 87-04 88th Avenue and show appreciation for Loy Gordon.
Another Very Special Announcement
2017 Woodhaven Dinner Dance - The Woodhaven Residents' Block Association is happy to announce the annual dinner dance will be held on Friday, October 6th from 7 p.m. through 11 p.m. at Roma View on Crossbay Blvd. This year's Man of the Year is familiar to WCHS Members, it is Walter Steffens, of Emanuel United Church of Christ. The WCHS is grateful to Walter for all of the help and assistance he has given us over the years and we are very happy for him. The other honorees are Charlotte Butler (Woman of the Year - President, K9 Korral Dog Run in Forest Park) and House of Holiday (Business of the Year). If you are interested in going, you can click here to purchase tickets. (We'd like all Historical Society members to sit together - make sure you add that notation when ordering tickets).
Other Events of Interests Outside Woodhaven
Music at the Gate - There will be a free chamber music concert at St. Mary Gate of Heaven Church in Ozone Park (103-12 101st Avenue) Saturday September 9th at 7 p.m.
Queens Mystery Writers - The Friends of Maple Grove is sponsoring a free event celebrating the grand opening of the Kew & Willow Bookshop on Lefferts Blvd. Beloved Queens mystery writers Lyndsay Faye & Alex Segura will come to Maple Grove to discuss how Queens has influenced their writing and how they have woven their tales of mystery. RSVP by clicking here! Free admission; handicap accessible, Light refreshments will be served. Thursday September 14th 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. Free parking on cemetery grounds - enter at 129th St. & Kew Gardens Rd.
Kew Gardens Community Arts Day - Sunday September 17th from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. (Rain date Sunday October 1st). Outdoor arts fair on the streets of Kew Gardens (Lefferts Blvd, Austin Street & neighboring streets). Sidewalk chalk artists, Art demonstrations, Arts & Crafts Zone, Local Live Music! For more info, call 917-881-3358 or email [email protected]. Note: Artist Madeline Lovallo, famous for several Woodhaven paintings, will be at this event.
News From The Friends of Maple Grove
In September, the Friends of Maple Grove will begin their Fall 2017 season of exciting events! Most of these events are free. Detailed information on each of these events can be found on their website: https://www.friendsofmaplegrove.org/eventsRegistration can be made by responding to [email protected] or info@friendsofmaplegrove.org. Here are some of the items on the calendar for September at Maple Grove:
9/9/17 Saturday 10 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. Free Group Conversation on 9/11 National Day of Service & Remembrance. Explore how New Yorkers and people everywhere were transformed and interconnected in the aftermath of 9/11. Venue: Victorian Admin Building. Advance registration required ~ limited seating. Sponsored by Humanities NYC.
9/17/17 Sunday 1 p.m. - 2:30 p.m. Walking Tour featuring the Great Women of Maple Grove. Led by certified NYC Tour Guide and FMG Board Member Jo-Anne Raskin. $5 Fee (exact cash please). Meet at the Victorian Admin Building. RSVP requested.
9/23/17 Saturday 2 p.m. - 4:30 p.m. Spirits Alive. Annual outdoor event with presentation of historical figures at Maple Grove in the Victorian Monument Park section. Free admission. No RSVP needed.
9/23/17 Saturday 6 p.m. - 8 p.m. Music from the Movies Concert. Free admission at the Celebration Hall in the Center. Free admission. RSVP requested
9/24/17 Sunday 1 p.m. - 2:30 p.m. Walking Tour featuring the Great Men of Maple Grove. Led by certified NYC Tour Guide and FMG Board Member Jo-Anne Raskin. $5 Fee (exact cash please). Meet at the Victorian Admin Building.
We are in the early stages of collecting and recording Oral Histories of Woodhaven residents past and present. The idea is that 100 years from now, future historians will be able to hear about the early days of our community in the voices of the people who lived it. We will be making these recordings publicly available - and also donating them to the Queens Library for permanent storage (as part of their Queens Memory project). If you are interested in participating (and we know you are), get in touch with us. And to help you get the memory juices flowing, we have created this worksheet. You don't have to put any answers in writing - this worksheet is just to help you think a bit about what you want to talk about before we meet. And interviews are conducted over the phone, so it's very easy and convenient!
The Woodhaven History Library Corner:
Feel like reading up on some Woodhaven History? Here a few articles about Woodhaven's History:
Woodhaven's TB Hospital - Click here to read about St. Anthony's Hospital, the hospital started by the Franciscan Sisters of the Poor to combat tuberculosis. Below, some members of the Woodhaven Cultural & Historical Society tour St. Anthony's before it closed and was demolished. Come out Tuesday, September 5th at the Avenue Diner for more on St. Anthony's.
The Art of Stephen Csoka - We were happy to attend the opening of a retrospective of the art of artist Stephen Csoka, who lived on 87th Street in Woodhaven for several decades. Click here to read about Mr. Csoka, and his life.
Remembering Anniversary Day- One of the more fondly remembered annual traditions in Woodhaven. Click here to read more about it.
Keep an eye on this spot as our Library Grows! Here are our past entries:
That's it for now - but we will leave you with one last thought.... we are currently working on The Museum of Woodhaven History *and* a brand new Woodhaven History Book. If you have any interesting photos squirreled away that you think would be of interest to either project, please get in touch with us! In the meantime, click here for a little teaser video we produced about the Museum!
On Tuesday July 18th, NYPD Police Commissioner James O'Neill visited Woodhaven to speak with residents and listen to their concerns. The meeting was held at American Legion Post 118 and sponsored by Assemblyman Mike Miller and the Woodhaven Residents' Block Association.
Assemblyman Mike Miller
This meeting was only announced late last week but word spread quickly and the room was filled with concerned residents and civic activists from not only Woodhaven, but Richmond Hill, Ozone Park, Glendale, and other neighborhoods. It was a full house and even with the air conditioning on full blast, it got pretty warm very quickly. Commissioner O'Neill arrived a little after 7:30 to a nice welcoming round of applause.
NYPD Commissioner O'Neill Arrives at the Meeting
WRBA President Martin Colberg introduced Commissioner O'Neill and the meeting got underway.
Woodhaven Residents' Block Association President Martin Colberg and Commissioner O'Neill
Commissioner O'Neill began the meeting by discussing his career and the current state of the NYPD. Here is the video of Part 1 of the meeting (Part 2, the Q&A, is a separate video - scroll down for that).
It was a standing room only crowd and a lot of people had questions for the Commissioner.
Standing Room Only at the American Legion to see Commissioner O'Neill
To be honest, though, there were very little complaints. A few noise complaints and a few good questions, but also a lot of thanks and praise to the Commissioner, and a lot of praise to the 102nd Precinct for the work they do. Here is Part 2 of the meeting, the Q&A.
Overall, it was a good meeting, many thanks to Assemblyman Mike Miller and the Woodhaven Residents' Block Association for sponsoring it, thanks to American Legion Post 118 for hosting it, and thanks to NYPD Police Commissioner James O'Neill for coming out to Woodhaven to listen to our concerns.
From left to right: Latchman Budhai (President 102 Precinct Community Council), Martin Colberg (President Woodhaven Residents' Block Association), NYPD Commissioner James O'Neill, Assemblyman Mike Miller, Maria Thomson (Executive Director Woodhaven Business Improvement District and GWDC).
Greetings, and welcome the Summer Edition of the Woodhaven History Digest. Click here if you are having trouble viewing this email! We're going to start by thanking everyone who came out to our big party / fundraiser at the Forest Park Carousel. To thank the Forest Park Carousel for their generosity, the Woodhaven Cultural & Historical Society presented the Carousel with a mosaic that we created, a picture of the Forest Park Carousel made up from three thousand smaller pictures of the carousel! This was printed on metal, so it will hopefully last a long time - you can see it hanging inside the snack bar at the Forest Park Carousel! If you have not visited the Carousel this year, check it out! It's growing every year - check out their website. PS Did you hear that a wedding was held there last week? We heard it was a beautiful event - we'll share pictures as soon as they are posted! But it goes to show that our Carousel can be suitable for any number of occasions!
WCHS (Not So) Quiet for the Summer (Big News!)
The Woodhaven Cultural & Historical Society will be quiet this summer - we do not meet in July or August. But we will be back to our regular schedule come September - the 1st Tuesday Night of every month at 7 p.m. at the Avenue Diner (91-06 Jamaica Avenue) and the last Wednesday of every month at 1 p.m. at Emanuel United Church of Christ (91st Avenue and Woodhaven Boulevard).
But that does not mean we are completely quiet! We have been busy at the Wyckoff-Snedicker Family Cemetery, continuing the ongoing cleanup. This past weekend we concentrated our efforts on one corner, removing years worth of leaves and rubbish, turning over the dirt, and planting grass - we hope to see some green there by next month! Here's a Before and After picture:
Our next cleanup has been rescheduled to Saturday, August 19th, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. We are going to continue working on the perimeter of the cemetery and could use a few extra hands raking and lifting up old leaves. Come out and be a part of the most interesting ongoing Woodhaven Historical project there is.
Besides that, we have 2 fun FREE events scheduled for this summer, being announced here for the very first time - SAVE THE DATES.
Union Course Racetrack Walking Tour - On Saturday August 5th at 12 Noon, the Woodhaven Cultural & Historical Society will give as FREEwalking tour around the perimeter of the old Union Course Racetrack. Come walk in the streets of old Unionville as we show you the old hotels and other notable locations in and around the footprint of the old famous racetrack. Come see the last remaining traces of the old Union Course racetrack, still in existence today! Distance - 1.5 to 1.75 miles. The tour starts and ends at Neir's Tavern (87-48 78th St, Woodhaven, NY 11421) and will not only cover the history of the racetrack, but will cover other historic and notable locations from the 20th Century.
Woodhaven's Blue Hawaii Party - It was 40 years ago this month that we lost The King. To mark this occasion we are hosting a Woodhaven Blue Hawaii Party - Monday, August 28th - with classic Rock and Roll Music, Trivia, and a showing of the Elvis Classic on our BIG SCREEN. We'll have a snack bar with hot dogs and popcorn. Dress up in your finest Elvis or Hawaiian Shirts for a chance at the Best Dressed Prize! Leis will be given to everyone. This party will take place at the Beach on the 2nd Floor of Emanuel United Church of Christ at the corner of 91st Avenue and Woodhaven Boulevard. Doors open at 6 p.m., the movie starts around 7:30 p.m. Attendance is FREE.
Voices of Woodhaven
We are in the early stages of collecting and recording Oral Histories of Woodhaven residents past and present. The idea is that 100 years from now, future historians will be able to hear about the early days of our community in the voices of the people who lived it. We will be making these recordings publicly available - and also donating them to the Queens Library for permanent storage (as part of their Queens Memory project). If you are interested in participating (and we know you are), get in touch with us. And to help you get the memory juices flowing, we have created this worksheet. You don't have to put any answers in writing - this worksheet is just to help you think a bit about what you want to talk about before we meet. And interviews are conducted over the phone, so it's very easy and convenient!
A Sampling of Local Summer Events!
Free Concerts in the Park! Here is the schedule of free concerts/movies at the Seuffert Bandshell in Forest Park:
Thursday July 13th - Nikki Torres & Rhythm Machine Band (7:30 p.m.)
Thursday July 20th - That 70s Project (7:30 p.m.)
Thursday July 27th - Rock and Soul Tour (7:30 p.m.)
Monday July 31st - Movie Night: Ella Enchanted (7:30 p.m.)
Thursday August 3rd - Journey Tribute (7:30 p.m.)
Thursday August 10th - Salute to the Rat Pack (7:30 p.m.)
Monday August 14th - Movie Night: Zootopia (7:30 p.m.)
Monday August 28th - Movie Night: Jungle Book (7:30 p.m.)
And you can also visit the following free shows as part of the Juniper Valley Park Concert Series at Juniper Boulevard North and 80th Street in Middle Village. All shows start at 7 p.m. For these, you must bring your own lawn chair:
Tuesday July 18 - Totally 80's
Tuesday July 25 - Italian Heritage Night
Tuesday August 1 - Classic Rock Night
Tuesday August 8 - Tie Dye Tuesday
St. Thomas the Apostle Rummage Sale - The St. Thomas Rummage Sale will be open on Saturday and Sunday the next two weekends (July 15 and 16 and July 22 and 23) from 10 a.m. through 4 p.m.And if you would like to donate used items to the sale, you can drop them off Monday through Thursday (10 a.m. to 3 p.m. and 6 to 8 p.m.) They will not be taking any donations after July 20. Click here to read more about this annual event in Woodhaven.
Free Historical Documentary - The Forest Park Jewish Center is hosting a showing of Altalena, a documentary that examines the 1948 episode of the Altalena, a ship whose fate nearly incited civil war in the newly-established State of Israel. Sunday, July 16th, at 1:00PM at 90-45 Myrtle Avenue, Glendale (across from Victory Field).
Beauty and the Beast - Movie Night at Grover Cleveland Park in Ridgewood on Saturday, July 15th. The movie starts at 8:30 pm. The Play Mobile will also be at the park between 11 am and 5 pm. Click here for more information.
Meet the Animals of the Alley Pond Environmental Center- Saturday, July 15th 2 p.m. until 3:30. Join this free workshop and meet various animals from APEC. Learn about their habitats and how they live in nature - hands on activities! Located at Maple Grove Cemetery (127-15 Kew Gardens Road, Kew Gardens, NY 11415) by the Maple Grove Pond. In case of inclement weather the workshop will move inside the Center. Free parking and handicapped accessible. For more information please call (347) 878 6614.
Outdoor Movie Nights at All Saint's Woodhaven - All Saint's Church (96th Street and 86th Avenue) has a nice schedule of outdoor movies for the summer. Please note that these movies are rain or shine - if the weather is bad, the movie will be moved into the Parish Hall. Food and refreshments are served at these film events. The schedule is as follows: July 25th - Moana, August 1st - The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian, August 15th - Finding Dory, August 29th - High School Musical. All films begin at approximately 8 pm (as soon as it is dark enough to see the film). Call (718) 849-2352 for more information.
Annual Blood Drive at Emanuel United - The 11th Annual Warren Ackermann Memorial Blood Drive will be held on Saturday, July 22nd from 9 a.m. until 2:45 p.m. at Emanuel (91st Avenue and Woodhaven Boulevard). To make an appointment, please contact Dolores Rosato at 718-847-1694.
Richmond Hill Book Sale - The Church of the Resurrection (85-09 118th Street) will be hosting a book sale (plus DVDs, VCR Tapes and more) on Saturday July 29th from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Call 718-847-2649 for more information.
Free Queens Symphony Outdoor Concert - The 19th Annual Great Lawn Summer Concert (A Midsummer’s Enchanted Evening) featuring the Queens Symphony Orchestra, will take place Wednesday, August 2, at 7 p.m. St. John’s University, Great Lawn FREE Admission and Parking. Enjoy an evening of enchanting arias and songs plus the lush and romantic Symphony No. 5 by Tchaikovsky. For more information, please contact the Office of Community Relations at 718-990-5892 or [email protected].
Maple Grove Film Debut - The Friends of Maple Grove Cemetery are premiering a documentary by Utsab Giri, (Life, Death & Maple Grove) on Saturday, August 5 at the Kew Gardens Cinema. It is in the time slot from 1 to 3 PM (Block 1, Shorts featuring Kew Gardens and NYC). Click here for more info. Join the Friends of Maple Grove Cemetery at the Festival on opening night at Austin Ale House!
Women's Self-Defense Class - There is a self-defense class for women scheduled for Saturday, August 26th from Noon until 3 p.m. sponsored by Grace Baptist Church. The class will take place in the upstairs hall at Emanuel (91st Avenue and Woodhaven Boulevard). Call (646) 208-1651 if you have questions.
The Woodhaven History Library Corner:
Feel like reading up on some Woodhaven History? Here are 2 articles of Woodhaven History:
Woodhaven's Deadly Storm - 122 Years Ago Today - Click here to read about the destructive storm that hit Woodhaven on July 13th, 1895, destroying property, demolishing a school and killing 2 residents.
Remembering Anniversary Day- One of the more fondly remembered annual traditions in Woodhaven. Click here to read more about it.
Keep an eye on this spot as our Library Grows! Here are our past entries:
That's it for now - but we will leave you with one last thought.... we are currently working on The Museum of Woodhaven History *and* a brand new Woodhaven History Book. If you have any interesting photos squirreled away that you think would be of interest to either project, please get in touch with us! In the meantime, click here for a little teaser video we produced about the Museum!
Greetings, and welcome the Woodhaven History Digest for June 2017. Click here if you are having trouble viewing this email! We're going to start with a reminder that we're having our BIG PARTY AT THE FOREST PARK CAROUSEL at the end of this month - Friday, June 23rd, from 6 to 8 p.m. This is a great event for people of all ages, but especially those with children! Tickets are $10 and for that you get unlimited rides on the rides, including the Forest Park Carousel and the Woodhaven Express! There will also be a fun Magic Show and a lot of great raffle prizes - and lots of them are for kids!! All of the proceeds go to the Woodhaven Cultural & Historical Society so please help us spread the word! Special thanks to the Forest Park Carousel for their generosity! They are now open 7-days a week for the summer - click here for more information!
What's Your Woodhaven Story? Our next meeting of the Woodhaven Historians takes place at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, June 6th at the Avenue Diner (91-06 Jamaica Avenue). At this meeting we'll be looking at some old pictures but mostly we want people to have the opportunity to share and listen to their memories of Woodhaven. Click here to read all about it! What was your favorite store? What school did you go to? What was your favorite teacher? Your favorite playground? Come out and tell us your Woodhaven story!
And now, some news about the big historical event from last month:
Forest Park Memorial Drive - As requested by the Woodhaven Cultural & Historical Society (WCHS) and American Legion Post 118, and thanks to a bill submitted by CM Elizabeth Crowley (which passed unanimously), Forest Park Drive was rededicated as Forest Park Memorial Drive in a ceremony at Oak Ridge. It was almost 98 years ago to the very day that these young men were honored by our community at this very spot -- and it turned out to be a very nice ceremony - click here to see some pictures and lots of video. Bonus: We were very happy to see this get nice coverage in the local papers - here are some links: The Leader-Observer, The Queens Chronicle, The Queens Tribune, and QNS.
Special Announcement!
Voices of Woodhaven - We are in the early stages of collecting and recording Oral Histories of Woodhaven residents past and present. The idea is that 100 years from now, future historians will be able to hear about the early days of our community in the voices of the people who lived it. We will be making these recordings publicly available - and also donating them to the Queens Library for permanent storage (as part of their Queens Memory project). If you are interested in participating (and we know you are), get in touch with us. And to help you get the memory juices flowing, we have created this worksheet. You don't have to put any answers in writing - this worksheet is just to help you think a bit about what you want to talk about before we meet. And interviews are conducted over the phone, so it's very easy and convenient!
News and Events!
An Artist Pays Tribute to Woodhaven Landmark - Artist Madeline Lovallo is well known around our community for her painting of Lewis' of Woodhaven. She has also painted local landmarks such as the Carousel, Oak Ridge, and the FDNY Dispatch Building on Park Lane South and Woodhaven Blvd. And now she has added a new Woodhaven painting to her collection - a beautiful painting of Emanuel United Church of Christ, which recently celebrated its' 140th Anniversary! We were fortunate to be able to watch the development of this painting and we documented it for your enjoyment! Click here to see pictures and video of the painting while Madeline painted it on a busy Woodhaven Boulevard!
Please note that Madeline's work will be on display at an exhibit at The Center at Maple Grove in Kew Gardens from June 3rd through June 30th. And tomorrow, June 3rd, there will be a Wine & Cheese Reception for the opening of the exhibit starting at 3:30 p.m. followed by a FREE Concert featuring Mariel Pacific.
Come Visit Woodhaven's Historic Cemetery - Since 2014, the Woodhaven Cultural & Historical Society has been hosting monthly cleanups at the Wyckoff-Snedicker Family Cemetery on 96th Street and 86th Avenue, behind All Saints Episcopal Church. It's been a lot of work, but it's currently looking really nice and we'd like to start seeing more visitors! Our next Open House will be on Saturday, June 10th from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. We will be doing light work that day and would love some volunteers - but we're also open for tours of this historic burial ground - please visit and take a walk around! Please note that we spent a lot of time working on the back corner of the cemetery, which used to be very hard to navigate - but you should see it now! Check out this video detailing the restoration of one corner of our cemetery!
Revolutionary War Hero Topic of Historical Lecture - On Wednesday May 31st, a packed meeting of the Woodhaven Cultural & Historical Society was graced with a presentation by one of its more beloved and long-standing members, June McCowan. This month's presentation was about Marinus Willett, a hero of the Revolutionary War, and June McCowan's 3rd Cousin (5 times removed, or number of generations between people). This was a must-see presentation for fans of history, especially the Revolutionary War - but if you missed it, you can click here to enjoy it!
Annual Woodhaven Penny Social - On Wednesday June 28th the Woodhaven Cultural & Historical Society will host its annual Penny Social - a Raffle Prize Party that's a lot of fun! Come out to bid on a wide variety of different items, donated by our membership. The event starts at 1 p.m. and will be held at Emanuel United Church of Christ at 91st Avenue and Woodhaven Boulevard. Here's how it works: when you arrive, there will be several long tables with a lot of different items, everything from books to knick-knacks to decorations and more. There are always lots of interesting items up for grabs. Then you can buy tickets and go around and place bids on the different items. Donations will be happily accepted to auction off - bring them on the day of the event (or call us at 718-805-2002 to arrange pickup).
Other Interesting News
Neir's Tavern on CNN - Did you see that our historic Neir's Tavern was profiled on CNN's Parts Unknown hosted by Anthony Bourdain? Click here to see the Neir's segment from the program! (Early on in the report, it states that the 7 Train runs down Jamaica Avenue - apparently CNN also gets us confused with Woodside! CNN made one other historical error in the piece - did you spot it? Email us if you have the answer and we'll post your name in the next Digest!)
Jeff Lewis on Voices of Woodhaven - As noted above, we are collecting oral histories from Woodhaven residents and we were happy to hear from Jeff Lewis, who wanted to share stories from his early days in Woodhaven. Jeff went to the old wooden PS 60 and grew up in the Wyckoff and has a lot of good stories to tell. Click here to hear Jeff Lewis. Want to share your memories with us? Email us and let's talk!!
Jamaica Avenue EL Turns 100! - At 7:17 a.m. on Sunday, May 28th the elevated train that runs through Woodhaven turned 100 years old! Click here to read about the controversial process that led to the construction of the elevated train through our community. Opponents predicted destruction and the city promised a train that was "practically noiseless." 100 years later, neither side's predictions held up very well. (BTW, that's Forest Parkway in the image above. If it looks like a different building instead of Chase Bank, that's because it is! That's the Bank of Long Island which was torn down in the early 1920s).
Woodhaven Loses a WW2 Veteran - We were sorry to lean of the passing of Al Matukonis, a 99-year old Woodhaven resident and World War 2 veteran. Click here to read about Hot Dog Al.
Memorial Day at the American Legion- We were honored to attend the annual Memorial Day Observance at American Legion Post 118. Happy to report that there was a nice crowd and that the traditional Garden of Remembrance looked beautiful. Click here for some pictures and video.
Forest Hills Festival of the Arts - Click here to read about this event in Forest Hills - sounds like a lot of fun! Sunday June 11th on Austin Street (between 69th Road and 72nd Road) from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Kew Gardens- Kids Art in the Park - On the same day as the Forest Hills event (above) - the best attended children's event in Kew Gardens! Sunday, June 11th, 11:30am-3:30pm, Kew Gardens Cinemas Park (on Austin Street, off of Lefferts Blvd). Mural painting, arts and crafts, face painting, story time - activities all day for kids of all ages! Sponsored by the Kew Gardens Council for Recreation & the Arts.
Civil War Living Historians Presentation - The Friends of Maple Grove Cemetery present a Civil War Living Historians Presentation by Company K, 67th Long Island NY Historical Association complete with Civil War Re-enactors and Living Historians. Saturday, June 17th from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. outside at the Maple Grove Victorian Administration Building, Lefferts Blvd. and Kew Gardens Road Entrance. Lectures on the Life of a Civil War Soldier, Military Drills, Diet, Medical Treatment, etc. FREE to the Public – Donations accepted for the Preservation of Civil War Battlefields. For further information call (347) 878 6614.
Etched Glass Jewelry Workshop - This enjoyable class on the art of making fused glass jewelry will be held at the Victorian Admin. Building at Maple Grove Cemetery (83-15 Kew Gardens Rd., at Lefferts Blvd., Kew Gardens, NY) on Sunday, June 25, 2017 from 1:30 p.m. to 4 p.m. Free parking in the cemetery. Enter at Kew Gardens Rd. & Lefferts Blvd. Fee: $25/$20 for Members, fee includes all materials - glass pieces and wire. Light refreshments will be included. RSVP to [email protected].
Brian Hyland - Woodhaven History Fan Jimmy Beck sends along news that he and his wife attended a six act oldies concert in Westbury at the end of May. One of the featured acts was Brian Hyland, who attended St. Thomas Apostle and Franklin K. Lane while living just a stone's throw from Neirs, around 78-16 87 Rd. He sent along a few pictures of the Woodhaven native who hit it big with such hits as "Sealed With A Kiss" and "Itsy Bitsy Teenie Weenie Yellow Polka Dot Bikini." We'd love for Brian to participate in our Oral History Project - so if anyone knows how to get in touch with him, help us out!
The Woodhaven History Library Corner:
Feel like reading up on some Woodhaven History? Here are 2 articles of Woodhaven History we enjoyed writing:
A Woodhaven Story Through and Through - Click here to read about Walter Steffens, Woodhaven resident, former Leader delivery boy, and resident of the same block for 77 years. In fact, this article serves as a follow-up to a front page article from the Leader almost 70 years ago!
That's it for now - but we will leave you with one last thought.... we are currently working on The Museum of Woodhaven History *and* a brand new Woodhaven History Book. If you have any interesting photos squirreled away that you think would be of interest to either project, please get in touch with us! In the meantime, click here for a little teaser video we produced about the Museum!
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