Unsung Bay Ridge: Dyker dynamo

NEIGHBORS WHO MAKE A DIFFERENCE:  Our unsung heroes

My person of the week is Penny Santo, an energetic mother of four who dedicates much of her spare time to community projects.

She recently hosted a house party where her son Dominick raised over $2,000 for the Sansone Foundation; a charity that helps underprivileged children. She also responded to my call for toys for military children, and organized a group of friends who purchased dozens of toys for the children of Fort Hamilton.

Penny is active at St. Ephrem’s, and was the past PTA president at Dyker Junior High School, IS 201, where she is leading the way to name the school in honor of Madeline Brennan, who was principal for 50 years. She and her husband Robert are proud parents of Elizabeth, Alexandra and Dominique as well as Dominick. Our community is a better place because of neighbors such as Penny Santo.

COMMUNITY NEWS

The kickoff of the Christian Festival of Lights will take place on the grounds of the Visitation Monastery, on Sunday, December 7, at 7 p.m.  This is where the ceremony began, and I look forward to it every year. The Monastery is at 90^th Street and Ridge Boulevard. The sisters, and Principal of Visitation School, Arlene Figaro, invite the community to witness the lighting of the trees.

You are invited to join my friends at the New Utrecht Reformed Church for the famous outdoor living nativity, on Saturday, December 20, from 2:30-5:30 p.m. It is located at 18^th Avenue between 83^rd and 84^th Streets. Please call 718-236-0678 for further information.

UNSUNG FOLK REMEDIES:   Cranberries

Make a cranberry chutney to add a tasty condiment to your holiday turkey, or use it to hit a knockout punch to urinary tract infections.

The cranberry chutney is made by rinsing a pack of fresh cranberries, covering it with a layer of brown sugar, and placing the pot over low heat until it begins to bubble. Add one diced apple and one diced pear. Cloves and two cinnamon sticks are added for flavor. Stir and let and let it stand when the cranberries have burst their skins.

This delicious cranberry sauce is also a preventive folk remedy for cancer of the prostate, breast, lung and colon.

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