Generally Speaking: New postal stamp heralds Verrazano Bridge’s 50th birthday!

The U.S. Postal Service has issued a commemorative postage stamp marking the 50th anniversary of the opening of the Verrazano Narrows Bridge.

When the Verrazano Bridge opened on November 21, 1964, it was the longest suspension bridge in the world. The majestic bridge that joins Brooklyn and Staten Island across the Narrows is now Bay Ridge’s largest gateway and most notable landmark.

It was the Italian Historical Society of America founded by the late John LaCorte with the able assistance of the society’s late executive secretary, Bay Ridgeite Theresa RosenHowever, this stamp which was issued in Brooklyn and nationwide on March 4, is not your typical first class stamp which today sellsfor 49 cents apiece.The new Verrazano Bridge stamp, at $5.60 a pop, is used for priority mail flat-rate envelopes and is NOT a forever stamp

Stamp collectors that would like to get a Brooklyn first day cancellation should call the US Postal Service at 800-stamp-24.According to a USPS customer service representative, there are two types of first day cancellations available.They are: #116316 First Day Cover for $6.04 and #116321, a more elaborate color cancellation for $6.75.Orders via the 800 number will be processed via credit cards.

Since the USPS has issued this commemorative stamp, we were wondering what MTA Bridges and Tunnels, which operates the VN Bridge, has planned for the 50th anniversary celebration this year.

They advised they are are still working on plans for a celebration and hope to release details in the near future.We recall when the bridge held its 25th anniversary, traffic was halted on the upper roadway,and my wife Janet and our children joined thousands of pedestrians that were able to walk across the Bridge on the historic, memorable day.

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Our hearty congratulations to Doreen DalyThe award was established back in the 1940s when the PTA was referred to as the Mothers’ Club.Among past recipients of the award were State Senators Christopher Mega and Bill ConklinVincent Gentile and Sal AlbaneseDr. Denis MooreJames McHugh, Fort Hamilton Army Commander Jim Bigelow and Education Council leader Laurie Windsor.

The 2014 award to Daly was presented by PTA Treasurer Janine Faustner with PTA President Donna Pereira-Jahn and P.S. 104 Principal Marie DiBella looking on approvingly.

P.S. 104 traces its roots back to the old village of Fort Hamilton, when the first school, then known as the District 4 schoolhouse, was located on Church Street (now 97th Street) near Stewart Avenue (now Fifth Avenue).

Fort Hamilton village — which was part of the Town of New Utrecht — was annexed by the City of Brooklyn in 1894, with Brooklyn then in turn becoming one of the five boroughs of the City of New York, in 1898. A new school was constructed on Gelston Avenue in 1907, with the building extended to Fifth Avenue in 1927.The old District 4 schoolhouse was acquired by St. Patrick’s Church and was physically moved from 97th Street to behind the rectory in the parish garden.The building is still there!

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Throwing on our Bay Ridge AARP hat as its community service director and as a member of the Bay Ridge Interagency Council on Aging, we represented both groups at a monthly meeting of the Brooklyn-wide Interagency Council on the Aging at Borough Hall.

The forum was emceed by Maria Alvarez who is the executive director of the BWICA and the New York State-wide Senior Action Council. Guest speaker was Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams. Alvarez served as co-chair of AdamsÂ’ pillar group on senior citizens along with Vicki Ellner, who was also in attendance.

Adams introduced a new key aide Calvin Alexander, who will be working on senior issues for the beep. Adams encouraged and asked the various care giving agencies and community groups present to spread the word about his program to get more people to volunteer and to help one another.

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