Unsung Bay Ridge: A fond salute

NEIGHBORS WHO MAKE A DIFFERENCE:  Our unsung heroes

This week’s spotlight is on Lieutenant Lee Andersen, a retired U.S. Army colonel who came to the Fort Hamilton Army Base in 1988.

Upon retirement, he accepted command of the Junior ROTC program at Fort Hamilton High School. Lee taught the cadets leadership skills and community service as he led them every weekend in the cleaning of our parks. This was on his own time, and he helped restore the parks with the hundreds of hours of service.

Colonel Andersen retired from the school in 2014, after 21 years of service. He currently devotes his time with the Rolling Thunder Motorcycle Veterans, who care for the Wounded Warriors, and also volunteers at the Veterans Administration hospital.

He did all this while raising his children, Katherine, Steven, Peter and Nicole. He was busy as usual helping at the National Night Against Crime. Bay Ridge is proud to have Colonel Andersen.

COMMUNITY NEWS

Happy Birthday greetings to the popular Supreme Court Judge Matthew D’Emic. He is a favorite son of Bay Ridge, being a life-long resident. He is an avid musician in his spare time and is happily married to his beautiful wife, Rosemary.

A special greeting goes out to one of my favorite former pastors, Monsignor Fursey O’Toole, of St. Patrick’s, who is visiting from his home in Florida. It is always a pleasure to have him during the summer, and we are praying for his continued health as he does the Lord’s work.

UNSUNG FOLK REMEDIES: Raisins and Gin for Arthritis

This remedy has been recommended by many people on the Earth Clinic website: “Buy a box of golden raisins (the raisins must be golden; the regular brown raisins don’t work) and lay them flat in a container. I put them in a stock pot. Cover the raisins with gin. You just have to use enough gin to cover the raisins. Let the raisins soak up the alcohol for about two weeks (do not cover the raisin container). When all the alcohol is soaked up by the raisins, you can then put the raisins in a smaller covered jar. It is recommended that you eat nine raisins a day. The raisins may soak up the alcohol sooner than two weeks. Let the raisins sit two weeks before you try them. It doesn’t seem to work if you try the raisins too soon.”

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