Opa!
The Greek Orthodox Shrine Church of St. Nicholas, 196-10 Northern Boulevard in Flushing, pioneered the Greek Festival 38 years ago. Since then, it’s become a major fundraiser/fun experience in Queens.
From Thursday, October 8 through Sunday, October 11, you’ll be transported to an Athenian Café or a Grecian island. You can sample foods of Greece and Cyprus – and satisfy your sweet tooth with Baklava, loukoumades and other Greek pastries.
Tour the inside of the Church with its breathtaking iconography on the walls and domed ceiling, its award-winning architecture and reliquary containing remains of the real St. Nicholas, the inspiration for “Santa Claus.”
Hours are Friday, 6 p.m. to midnight; Saturday, noon to midnight and Sunday, noon to 8 p.m. Admission is free.
Halloween Essay Contest
Assemblymember Ann-Margaret Carrozza is once again sponsoring a Halloween Essay Contest for students from grades 1 through 5 in her district.
District-wide prizes will be awarded to the winner in each grade. New York State Certificates of Merit will be awarded to all students that participate.
The essay should have a Halloween theme, can be a creative writing piece or an account of your favorite trick-or-treat experience.
If you are interested in participating, print your name, grade, class and school on your entry and submit your essay by Wednesday, November 4, to Carrozza’s district office, 213-33 39th Avenue, Suite 238, Bayside, NY 11361
For more information, call the office at 718-357-3588.
Serving up family health
More than a dozen health care providers, city agencies and concerned groups are getting together for a Family Health and Community Services Fair in College Point, thanks to Assemblymember Nettie Mayersohn.
The fair will take place from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Poppenhusen Institute located at 114-04 14th Road.
Among the providers scheduled to attend are: New York Hospital Center of Queens, the Social Security Administration; the city’s Health, Finance and Fire Departments; the state’s EPIC Program and Comptroller’s Office, and groups like I’m Too Young For This!; Flushing House and the College Point Ambulance Corp.
In addition to providing valuable information, vendors will conduct free screenings including: blood pressure, cholesterol and glucose. Sign-ups for various health insurance programs will also be available.
“This forum will offer residents important information and the opportunity for free screenings.” said Assemblymember Nettie Mayersohn, who sponsored the event. Call Mayersohn’s district office at 718-969-1508 for more information.
Autumn in New York
The Douglaston and Little Neck Historical Society (DLNHS) is conducting a fall Hudson River trip on Saturday, October 17, to enjoy the autumn foliage and visit estates of historic significance.
There will be costume-guided tours of Sunnyside, the homestead of Washington Irving, and the Rockefeller Estate and gardens at Kykuit.
Lunch can be purchased at either location or a box lunch pre-ordered for $7.
The bus leaves the Zion Church parking lot (behind the church at Northern Boulevard and 243rd Street in Douglaston) promptly at 8:30 a.m. Members pay $90; non-members, $100. Membership dues are $25 annually.
Visit www.DLNHS.org for details.
Tap for tip-top health
Queens Library will host “Entertainment for your Health,” featuring senior-citizen dance troupe Rockaway Revue. The event will combine an outstanding live musical review with a wealth of health information and on-site free health screenings.
The event is on Saturday, October 3, at 2 p.m. at Queens Central Library, 89-11 Merrick Boulevard in Jamaica.
Dr. James Satterfield of New York Hospital Queens will be presenting and will answer general health-related questions. Healthcare professionals will conduct free on-site screenings, such as blood pressure. Care is available for those who are underinsured, and no one is asked about immigration status, “So there is no excuse – not a single one! –to avoid seeking medical and preventive care,” organizers say.
“Entertainment for your Health” is a collaboration of the Central Library and Pomonok Cancer Action Councils, which are part of Queens Library HealthLink. The Cancer Action Councils are comprised of volunteers working within the community, to raise awareness and help refer people to free and low-cost medical services.
