Category Archives: Philosophy, Religion and Philanthropy
Times Gone By — Tribute to a New Year’s Baby of 1931
The year 2015 will arrive in about 6 hours–my first year without a Dad. Martin Frank Rattay was a New Year’s baby, so the traditional singing of Auld Lang Syne (or “Times Gone By”) will forever make me think of … Continue reading
A Year Later–and Yes, We’re Still Here
More than a year after nature’s damaging blow to the peninsula, I continue my peripatetic existence, traveling back and forth between New York’s upstate and downstate counties. Peripatetic is really the right word, hearkening back to the wandering teachers … Continue reading
Finding Fannie Holland
I’ve received the good news that Images of America: Rockaway Beach will be published on June 4, 2012. I’m planning two upcoming slide show events in Belle Harbor to preview some photos from the book, one which will feature coffee and pastry on a Sunday … Continue reading
Is Independence a Fiction in Bloombergville?
Independence Day is one of those American holidays celebrated with disparate emotions among the populace. Are you part of the investor class or a wage earner? Wage earners live for the weekends, particularly the three-day ones. Those of us who … Continue reading
Got Activism? Clearwater Festival 2011 Breaks Records
They say that rot is rampant in the social fabric, and all the heroes have died. A decade ago, columnist Russell Baker commented aptly that the few American heroes left in sports, politics and business all “came down with terminal … Continue reading
“The Long Gray Weather Has Ended…”
God our creator and redeemer, we marvel at the beauty that surrounds us. The long gray weather has ended. The sky is blue now, the sand is golden and the ocean is a sparkling green. The faces here today are … Continue reading
Sinners and Saints–Your Choice This Week!
In case you’re not a fan of beer drinking, here’s a novel way to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day—by reading a great book about the history of Ireland. “How The Irish Saved Civilization,” the first title in Thomas Cahill’s “Hinges of … Continue reading
Oy Vey, U.S.A.!
Let’s face it–this Wisconsin controversy is pretty important, and something called “The American Dream Rally” sounded intriguing to me. It was set for Saturday, February 26 in City Hall Park, near my favorite old stomping grounds in Lower Manhattan. So … Continue reading
Pioneers of Faith Celebrate 125 Years in Rockaway Beach
OK, so I’ve heard that it’s considered “not cool” to blog or tweet about religion. This post isn’t really about religion, as in–convert to mine! But it is a fascinating snippet about the founding of the oldest church in Rockaway Beach, and the surrounding community. In April, 1858, … Continue reading
11th Plunge into Surf Racks Up Big Bucks for CF
It was cold. It was wet. Perfect weather for plunging. Hundreds joined on the shore at Beach 99th to “Take the Plunge for Cystic Fibrosis” on Saturday, Feb. 5 at 2 p.m. The charity fundraiser was started eleven years ago by locals John … Continue reading
Oy Vey Rockaway 