WEEKEND EVENTS ON STATEN ISLAND (9/24– 9/29/15)

The Grand Opening and Ribbon Cutting Ceremony of the Staten Island Museum took place on Saturday. The Museum, situated in Building A, is grand with plenty of room to meander throughout the exhibits. The Mastodon exhibit was a hit as well as the fossils on the first floor! I loved the art, science and history exhibits. The Autumn Moon Festival was entertaining with music performances, martial arts demos, dragons in the midst of the audience and a fashion show by the New York Chinese Qipao Association.

Over 200 people attended the POW-MIA Recognition Day Ceremony at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Park on Sunday. The Thomas J. Tori Chapter 421 hosted the event with membership and Honor Guard remembering POW-MIA’s from all our nation’s wars. The very touching, emotional “Table Set for One” was explained--It symbolizes the frailty of one prisoner, alone against his or her suppressors. The tablecloth is white, symbolic of the purity of their intentions to respond to their country's call to arms. The single red rose in the vase signifies the blood they may have shed in sacrifice to ensure the freedom of our beloved United States of America. The rose also reminds us of the family and friends of our missing comrades who keep the faith, while awaiting their return. (Below the "Table Set for One" and Diane Hesterhagen, principal of St. Adalbert School with students supporting our Veterans.)

Tonight, Thursday, 9/24 at 8, participate in the Sundog Theatre Fall Reading Series at Galerie St. George, 11 Phelps Pl. for a FREE reading of an original play “The Caruso Sisters” by Claudia Haas. For more info, visit galeriestgeorge.com or call 718-816-5454.

A FREE public reception will take place on Friday, 9/25 from 6-9 at the Noble Maritime Museum at Snug Harbor, Building D, 1000 Richmond Terr. exhibiting “Robbins Reef Lighthouse: A Home in the Harbor”. If you have never been to the Noble Maritime Museum, do visit soon. As a native North Shore Staten Islander, Snug Harbor has been a part of my life since childhood. Dad got us kids out of Mom’s hair plenty of times to hang out with the Snugs, hear their stories, watch the “wild” animals in the wooded area grazing and simply enjoy the grounds, which I always sensed were sacred (in my childlike mind). Riding the ferry, watching the tankers, the ships, the tugs from shore, going to high school at the waterfront St. Peters on Richmond Terr., experiencing life on the water and the activity happening around our Island, I feel I’m a part of maritime life. Does anyone else on Staten Island feel this? I’d love to hear your stories and thoughts. For further info, visit http://www.noblemaritime.org
Join Staten Island OutLOUD for a FREE reading of F. Scott Fitzgerald’s “The Great Gatsby”, Chapters 5 and 6, on Friday at 6:30 under the spacious gazebo at the Ocean Breeze Fishing Pier (Capadanno Blvd. near Seaview Ave.). The Read-a-thon continues on Sunday at 2 with Chapter 7 at the National Lighthouse Museum in St. George. Check out StatenIslandOutLOUD.org

How often do you dine out? Once, twice a week/month or maybe more? How often to you donate to charity? Once or twice a year? I recently discovered the “Hospitality 10 Card” which provides a 10% discount on an entire check, including alcohol, at a number of Island (and off Island) participating restaurants. AND, unlike other discount cards, you can use that same discount over and over again at the same restaurants. 10% of the total proceeds are then donated to The Kids Against Cancer--The Pediatric Oncology Center at Staten Island University Hospital. One innovative type of membership is for businesses that are referral based, such as Real Estate Brokers or anyone in sales. You can brand your business name on a card and give to your customers and clients. You win, they win and the Pediatric Oncology Center wins! Check it out at www.hospitality10card.com. I purchased my card and can’t wait to start WINNING!

On Saturday, 9/26, from 12-5, at the Children’s Museum, Snug Harbor, 1000 Richmond Terr., join NYC Emergency Management for a day of emergency preparedness, tours of emergency vehicles, a chance to experience the NYC Parks PlayMobile and more. There will be crafts, games and raffles and FREE admission to the museum all day!

Enjoy Holy Child’s Family Fun Fair, including inflatable rides, raffles, carnival games, DJ and entertainment, food and super 50/50’s on Saturday from 10-5 at 4747 Amboy Rd. FREE entry for all.

Don’t miss Customer Appreciation Day at Pastosa Ravioli, 764 Forest Ave. on Saturday from 11-4 which will include a Boar’s Head Hot Dog Stand, live music, plenty of food and give-aways. If you clip the ad from the Staten Island Advance, you will receive a FREE bag of Pastosa Ricotta Cavatelli.

Take advantage of this beautiful autumn weather—not too hot or too cold, for a walk and talk at Crooke’s Point at Great Kills Beach with naturalist Paul Lederer Sunday, 9/27 at 1. Meet at the Beach Center parking lot at Gateway National Recreation Area at Great Kills Park, Hylan Blvd. at Buffalo St.

Join birder Anthony Ciancimino for a guided nature walk through Resurrection Cemetery on Sunday from 8-10 a.m. Meet at the entrance to the cemetery at 361 Sharrott Ave., closest to Hylan Blvd. For more info, visit sibirdwatcher@yahoo.com

The Grammy Award-winning St. Luke’s Chamber Ensemble comes to Snug Harbor on Sunday at 2 for a FREE hour-long concert. As part of the Subway Series stop, you will enjoy an octet of St. Luke’s virtuoso musicians play music for winds and strings by Beethoven, Strauss, and Nielsen. Seating is first come, first served.

If you would like to share photos starring YOU at events on Staten Island, I will post them in next week's blog. You can call me at 646-258-9696 or leave a comment below or e-mail me at joan.coogan@gmail.com

Posted by Joan Coogan on September 24th, 2015

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They really messed up Snug Harbor with #1- that ridiculous Chinese Garden, which is so incongruous with its surroundings, and #2- that idiotic castle which must be falling apart since the upper level is never open.

Posted by Ann Marie on Friday, September 25th, 2015 at 2:27pm

Ann Marie: Thank you for your comments. I have heard that many visitors enjoy the Chinese Garden, although I have not been inside the garden myself. The castle seems in disrepair but the hedge maze in the rear of the castle is a favorite with my grandson. Well, I guess you can't please everyone! Have a great day that thank you again for your comments.

Posted by Joan Coogan on Saturday, September 26th, 2015 at 11:40am

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