24 DECEMBER 24, 2020 RIDGEWOOD TIMES WWW.QNS.COM
Lions Club hosts annual tree lighting ceremony
BY CARLOTTA MOHAMED
CMOHAMED@SCHNEPSMEDIA.COM
@QNS
Local elected officials joined the
Richmond Hill-South Ozone
Park Lions Club (RHSOP) for the
group’s second annual tree lighting
ceremony on Sunday, Dec. 6, officially
launching the beginning of the
holiday season in the community.
As one of the hardest-hit communities
this year amid the COVID-19 pandemic,
the Lions erected a 20-foot-tall
pine tree, even larger than last year,
decorated with multicolored lights
to symbolize the resilience and
strength of the community.
The tree will remain in place at
the entrance of the bustling Little
Guyana shopping district at 133rd
Street and Liberty Avenue until Jan.
6 and will be lit from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m.
The Lions thanked the NYPD’s 106th
Precinct and Six Stars Auto Sales for
providing electrical power for the
duration of the lighting.
“We’re blessed to call this neighborhood
home. With this tree, we
are showing that our businesses,
working families and organizations
are our strength and we are proving
that we can stand up to any diversity
by sticking together,” said Romeo
Hitlall, president of the Lions Club.
“Merry Christmas and stay safe.”
Dozens of families attended the
socially distanced event that began
with a prayer invocation by Pastor
Beeram of the Community Wesleyan
Church, followed by DJ Speedy’s
Photos by Geeta Mohan Cheddie
musical selection of popular
Christmas songs from the U.S. and
Caribbean.
District Leader Richard David,
who is also a member of the Lions
Club, said the community has much
to celebrate, even as they reflect and
cope with the losses they have faced
this year.
“This is a community that celebrates
diversity. Just a few weeks
ago, at this same spot, we celebrated
Diwali and here we are celebrating
Christmas,” David said. “This year,
our community completed the Census,
we voted in massive numbers
and provided food and clothing
during the height of COVID. We’re a
resilient community, Merry Christmas,
everyone.”
Local elected officials such as
Councilwoman Adrienne Adams,
Assemblyman Khaleel Anderson
and Kenichi Wilson, chair of Queens
Community Board 9, joined the
celebration.
President of RHSOP Romeo Hitlall,
Councilwoman Adrienne Adams and
Assemblyman Khaleel Anderson at
the Lions Club’s second annual tree
lighting ceremony.
Adams called for continued support
of neighbors and expressed
gratitude to the Lions Club, while
in tears, noting the passing of her
father during the pandemic.
Christmas Market comes to the Shops at Atlas Park
BY ANGÉLICA ACEVEDO
AACEVEDO@SCHNEPSMEDIA.COM
@QNS
A small Christmas market will
set up shop on the lawn at the
Shops at Atlas Park starting
this week, in order to highlight some
of the small businesses in the area.
Two heated tents will showcase local
artists and vendors from Friday,
Dec. 18, to Wednesday, Dec. 23, from
10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Staff will dress up as
Santa’s elves to help customers find
exactly what they’re looking for.
Dorothy Stepnowska, owner of
Flower Power Coffee House and
president of the Glendale Chamber
of Commerce, said the goal of the
market is not only to keep holiday
cheer alive, but also help some local
artists through this unprecedented
time.
“Local artists and vendors are
struggling to cover the cost of the
table but would love to participate
in this community event,” said Stepnowska.
“COVID-19 has really taken a
toll on all of us and continues to do so.
Kids have nothing to look forward
to because all group activities have
been suspended indefinitely.”
To support the event, Stepnowska
set up a GoFundMe, with a goal to
raise $1,5oo.
“Every day, we’re giving one vendor
a free table, because we understand
how hard it has been,” said Stepnowska.
“We’ve already received
a lot of help from small businesses
who have donated gift certificates.”
Social distancing will be encouraged
by allowing up to 10 people
into each tent at a time, conducting
temperature checks before entrance,
requiring face masks and distancing
each table six feet apart.
Some of the vendors include Face
the Reality Radio, Coloria Nail Salon
and Daniel Salon & Spa.
The event is sponsored by the
Glendale Chamber of Commerce and
Flower Power Coffee House.
“We are strong as a community
,we are strong as a city. We’re going
to get through this and we’re
going to help each other out,” said
Stepnowska. “Let this Christmas be
be memorable. Even though we live
in such a hard times right now, we
stay strong.”
File photo
HOLIDAYS
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