Unsung Bay Ridge: A hidden treasure

NEIGHBORS WHO MAKE A DIFFERENCE:  Our unsung heroes

Our unsung hero of the week is someone I see as our hidden treasure. Frank Byrd can often be seen on Fifth Avenue, giving out mass bulletins and encouraging us to attend mass and be part of the active parish family.

He serves as a Eucharistic minister at Our Lady of Angels, six days per week. He is also busy at the Bay Ridge Center for Older Adults, and is a great neighbor who is always ready to run an errand for those who need help.

Frank’s warm smile and sincere manner is just what is needed as people rush up and down Fifth Avenue. He is retired from The Daily News, and stays busy in the neighborhood, doing good wherever he is needed. His son Stephen and daughter Margaret support his good work. We are blessed to have Frank as a good neighbor.

COMMUNITY NEWS

Maimonides Medical Center will celebrate the 20^th anniversary of sponsoring the Christmas “Festival of Lights” celebration. I can hardly believe that it has been 20 years since State Senator Marty Golden and yours truly got together with the Visitation sisters and began what has blossomed into 33 locations of dressing church grounds with displays of lights for the holidays. Contractors Long and DeLosa played a critical role from the beginning, in volunteering their staff to set up lights and other displays every year.

The kickoff  luncheon will be held on November 19 from 11 a.m. on the Maimonides Hospital premises.

A very special “Happy Birthday” to my good friend, J. Peter Clavin, president of the Clavin Funeral Home. Peter is our official master of ceremonies for the Bay Ridge St. Patrick’s Day Parade, and is always ready to contribute whenever the need arises. We join his wife Mary and his children, in wishing him many more happy and healthy ones.

UNSUNG FOLK REMEDIES:   Clean Your Kidneys

Your kidneys play an important role in filtering your blood by removing excess salt and other unwanted matter from entering your bloodstream. A folk remedy for helping to clean the kidneys is to take a bunch of parsley, wash and cut into small pieces. Place in a pot of water and boil for 10 minutes. Cool and drink a four-ounce glass daily for a week or two.

Please consult your doctor if you have any health concerns,  or on any medication.