Generally Speaking: Houlihan named permanent Fort Hamilton HS Principal

Christmas came early for interim acting principal Kaye Houlihan. Just before the Christmas school break, theBrooklyn and Staten Island Superintendent of Schools Aimee Horowitzannounced that Houlihan has been appointed permanent Principal at Fort Hamilton High School.

Houlihan, who had been acting principal for more than a year, succeeds JoAnne Chester whose tenure at Fort Hamilton spanned 13 years.The new school chief becomes the 11th principal and the third female to hold the post since the founding of the school in 1941.

With a student population of over 4,000, Fort Hamilton is among one of the largest public high schools in the city school system. Some of its more prominent graduates include current Councilmember Vinnie GentileSara Gonzalez, Public Advocate Tish JamesChristopher Mega, and the proposed new Federal Reserve Chair Janet Yellen.

The Shore Road school overlooks the Narrows, and was once the site of the historic Crescent Athletic Club, known far and wide as the country club of the rich and famous.

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The Brooklyn Cathedral Club, of which Bishop Nicholas Di Marzio is the spiritual director,held its annual Christmas party atMama Rao Restaurant in Dyker Heights.Among the happy celebrants were club President Marty CottinghamTom McCarthyBill GuarinelloJoe BovaFrank KeatingGeorge PreziosoJames McHughRobert JohnsonJohn GilhoolyJohn HeyerMichael PerretteMichael LongMarty GoldenVincent Del Giudice, John Ingram and Matt D’Emic, and Maureen McHugh.

Others we saw and chatted with were Mike Connors, Vincent and Mary Bocchino, and Frank Lombardi. Sharing the Yuletide merriment with us were Mike Longand his sonand Maryellen Perrette. Cabaret singer Sal LoCasciosang a steady patter of songs made famous by Frank Sinatra, Tony BennettDean Martin and Bobby Darin.

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Frankly, there ought to be a tougher law!Property owners who don’t clear, sand or salt icy patches on their sidewalks should be fined by the Sanitation Department.Walking on sidewalks after a snowstorm is almost like walking through a minefield.One can easily slip, and break a hip or leg.

Far too many pedestrians are taking to the streets to bypass sidewalks that homeowners have failed to clear. Thismakes it even more treacherous for senior citizens who can be clipped or killed by a passing vehicle!

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For the holidays, the Reverend Peter Purpura flew in from Rome, where he is studying at the Vatican.He helped celebrate the Midnight mass at Bay Ridge’s St. Patrick’s Church and then on Christmas Daycelebrated massat St. Finbar’s in Bensonhurst.The popular padre is a gifted and talented orator and while he was back in Rome, helped distribute Holy Communion at the installation mass of Pope Francis.

Purpura is the son of Peter and Cathy Purpura, former residents of Bay Ridge.Many Bay Ridgeites, I’m sure,recall the elder Purpura who ran the highly successful Bay Ridge Travel agency several years ago, at the corner of Fourth Avenue and 86th Street. He is also a past president of the Bay Ridge Community Council.

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We managed to squeeze in an absolutely entertaining USO show at the Fort Hamilton Post Theatre.It was the close of their annual holiday tour by the eight-person ensemble.

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Our best wishes to everyone for a bright, healthy and prosperous New Year.