Unsung Bay Ridge: Community giants remembered

Larry Morrish submitted this column to us just days before his untimely death.

COMMUNITY NEWS

I was delighted to attend a recent Community Board 10 meeting, and witness the overwhelming approval of two street namings for friends who have passed on, but their footprints were so big that our community representatives were very enthusiastic in their approval to honor their memory permanently. The renamings for Maureen Stramka and Sal D’Amato were approved in the first stages of the process, which was carried with much enthusiasm.

The first stages were announced also for a street naming for the late, great Howie Dunn. I sat there reflecting on my experiences with these Bay Ridge activists. What a privilege it was to share some memories with their children who were in attendance to witness the significant event. These are some of the people who have helped to make Bay Ridge a wonderful community in which to live.

TRIVIA CORNER

Until the “pooper-scooper” law was passed in 1978, the 500,000 dogs in New York City deposited 175 tons of fecal matter onto our streets each day. The law now states that owners of dogs should clean up after their dogs or be fined. The streets are now much cleaner due to the owners who comply.

A female pigeon cannot lay eggs if she is alone. The functioning of her ovaries depends on her ability to see another pigeon. If there is no other pigeon available, a mirror is placed before her so that she can see her own reflection and be fooled into thinking it is another pigeon.

The ancient Vikings navigated by depending on the instincts of birds. They took on board a number of ravens, and released them one by one as they sailed to the west. If the raven flew back along the course from which it had come, the Vikings continued due west. However, if the ravens flew in a different direction, the ship would change course and follow the direction of the raven.

UNSUNG FOLK REMEDIES

Tension Headaches: Peppermint oil is a folk remedy for tension headaches, said Donna Lewis, a speech pathologist at the William Beaumont Army Medical Center in Texas. Ms. Beaumont has followed the old folk remedy of applying peppermint oil to the forehead when a tension headache strikes. She has given up pain killers because she found the oil to be so effective.

Kidney Health: Parsley is one of the best cleansers for the kidney. Place a bunch of parsley that is cleansed and cut into small pieces into a pot of water and boil for 10 minutes. Allow it to cool, filter and pour into a bottle. Refrigerate and drink one glass daily for one week.

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