The John Bowne High School Air Force JROTC performs the POW/MIA ceremony. Photos Courtesy Sarah Santiago
Thousands of people flocked to the Richmond Hill Block Association’s 40th annual Park Fair Saturday to celebrate a tight-knit community and a hard-working civic organization that has helped residents with countless issues over the decades.
Assemblyman Mike Miller, left, presents 102nd Precinct Community Affairs Officer Jose Severino with a plaque of appreciation.
The yearly event draws people from throughout Richmond Hill – as well as its neighboring communities and beyond – for the festivities that included musical entertainment, vendors, carnival food, children’s rides and a ceremony honoring civic leaders. The fair took place at Forest Park by Myrtle Avenue and Park Lane South.
“This is our one fundraiser every year for the Richmond Hill Block Association, and, 40 years later, it keeps getting bigger and bigger,” said RHBA President Wendy Bowne. “Most importantly, it’s about bringing a great day to the community.”
The RHBA recognized a number of people who members said “go above and beyond the call of duty to make Richmond Hill a better place for all of us,” including: 102nd Precinct Community Affairs Officer Jose Severino; Philip Sparacio, deputy chief of operations at the Queens Parks Department; Joseph Raskin, assistant director of community relations at New York City Transit; Ignazio Terranova, citywide community affairs officer at the city Sanitation Department; Scott Strober – an area businessman who gave exercise equipment to area police and fire officials; Caroline Eckert – who has taken it upon herself to sweep and clean Jamaica Avenue; John Sommese of Simonson Funeral Home; Louise Benes Dance Studio; Mark Durso of the Lefferts Boulevard Key Food; and Russell Alonzo of ADT Bike and Skate Shop.
People of all ages attended the Richmond Hill Block Association’s festivities on Saturday.
Bowne also stressed the importance of the event’s sponsors, which included Assemblyman Mike Miller (D-Woodhaven), Assemblyman Michael Simanowitz (D-Flushing), Assemblyman Andrew Hevesi (D-Forest Hills), Councilman Eric Ulrich (R-Ozone Park), Councilwoman Elizabeth Crowley (D-Middle Village), and a long list of area businesses.
RHBA members said they hope the event helped to make residents who had not known about the organization aware that the group is there to help.
“Our role is really to improve the community by helping the residents with their quality of life issues and also giving them the tools and information they need,” Bowne said.
The next meeting of the RHBA is Wednesday, Oct. 30 at 8 p.m. at 110-08 Jamaica Ave. All are welcome to attend.
By Anna Gustafson
