Generally Speaking: Ragamuffins to frolic along Third Avenue
Brian Merlis and Lee Rosenzweig, coauthors of several photo books on Brooklyn neighborhoods at the recent Brooklyn Book Festival. Both are also life members of the Society of Old Brooklynites.
This coming Saturday afternoon (September 27), Third Avenue from 76th to 92nd Street transforms into a boulevard of fun and excitement as thousands of youngsters from toddlers to pre-teens will be joining marching bands, antique autos, dance groups, floats and twirlers for the 48th annual Children’s Ragamuffin Parade.
If your child hasn’t received a parade registration form at his or her school, not to worry. Eleventh hour registration will be taking place on the day of the parade from11 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. in the schoolyard at the OLA/Holy Angels Catholic Academy on 74th Street just off Third Avenue.
Registration is free and each child that marches or is pulled or pushed in a stroller, baby carriage or wagon and completes the whole line of march in costume receives a gift and may be eligible to win a free bike. Judges will be looking for the best and/or most creative costumes. However, every participating child must be accompanied by an adult. The parade, which kicks off at 1 p.m., has become the largest annual youth event in Southwest Brooklyn!
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It’s been a busy week, so here are a few quick takes so that we can add more photos. Charlie DeLeo who worked for the National Park Service for over 30 years as the Statue of Liberty’s official keeper of the mighty lady’s flame, was at the Bay Ridge Historical Society projecting pictures and taking about some of the daunting and unusual tasks associated with the job. For starters, he said, you can’t be afraid of heights or be claustrophobic.
We left the Ragamuffin Parade luncheon at the Bay Ridge Manor early, to stop down at Borough Hall for the gigantic annual Book Festival. This major event is presented by Brooklyn Book Festival, Inc. and the Brooklyn Book Festival Literary Council.
The Bay Ridge Center (for older adults) at Ovington and Fourth Avenues held its 20th annual fund-raising Walkathon. Helping to provide some musical fanfare for the cash collectors was the drum line from Xaverian High School.
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Say welcome aboard to the Big Apple and Fort Hamilton High School to U.S. Army Major Sang Lee as the new top gun at the Shore Road school’s Junior ROTC. He replaces Lieutenant Colonel Lee Anderson who retired this past June as the School’s Senior JROTC Instructor. Anderson also formerly served as deputy commander of the Army garrison at the Fort Hamilton Army Base.
U.S. Army Major Sang Lee, the new Senior JROTC Instructor at Fort Hamilton High School.Charlie DeLeo, the keeper of the Statue of Liberty’s Flame, presents a copy of his book to Bay Ridge Historical Society President Andrew Gounardes.
SUNSET PARK — “As a resident of Marine Park, one of the great surprises I found biking around Industry City and visiting Japan Village was to discover Bush Terminal Park. I continue to be amazed at the serene hideaways that the city offers in some of the busiest places — and, still, with an iconic view.”
BROOKLYN HEIGHTS — ‘A miracle that no one was killed …’ That’s what neighbors are saying about the collapse of the Hotel St. George marquee. Shown in this photograph are workmen beginning the removal and repair of the historic, old neon sign at the corner, referencing a relic of Brooklyn Heights’ past: the St. George Hotel.
ATLANTIC AVENUE — Exhausted shopper with cluster of bags and goods from mall at Boerum Place stops to look at huge construction site across the street. “Is that REALLY going to be a jail??” Her male companion is reassuring, “Nothing like Rikers … this is 21st Century.”
BROOKLYN HEIGHTS — Overheard in line at one of most popular pastry outlets on Montague Street: “Hope I can get them into a camp …” A mother with two pre-schoolers in tow was showing a friend the Dodge Y flyer for Healthy Kids Day on Saturday, April 18.
