Dear Friends, the "Slow Horse" leading the cart is finally starting to move again.
Yesterday, Friday August 15th, I took a ride to the Boro of Queens. From the Bronx, I crossed the Throggs Neck Bridge, paid that damn $7.50 toll one way and then got off on Northern Blvd. Turned left and went down a few blocks to check out the Anchor Hotel at 215-34 Northern Blvd., Bayside, Queens, N.Y. 11361.
I asked a gentleman by the name of Daniel, what kind of price I could get for the nights of Wed, Thurs, and Friday, October 8, 9, and 10th. I told him that I expect more rooms to be booked up as we are having a group Get Together. I told him what we planned to do and of course he was very receptive. Basically here's what it came out to be.
1 person/room - total, pays $466/three nights
2 people/room - total, each guy pays $233/three nights
3 people/room - total, each guy pays $155/three nights, which would include a sofa bed made up.
Our savings for each room is about $14.00/night times three is about $52.00. The hotel has underground parking as well as a few parking places in the rear. It is close to everything. Includes a continental breakfast if you wish. And inside, from what I saw appeared to be a well maintained and clean area.
If you wish to stay there, in order to get that discount, you need to send an Email directly to the hotel, attention; "Daniel". The Email address is: info@anchorinn.com . You need to mention my name, William Dennis, and advise Daniel you are a part of our group. The phone number is; (718) 428-8000.
Later that day I meet with site member, retired FDNY B/C Jack K., "68jk09" at a place called Maggie Mays. There I had one "MY-T-FINE" Burger. Part of what was called "The Burger Platter", with fries, pickle etc. Micky Ds Big Macs could be in a lot of trouble if more people knew about this. It was really great, and thanks Chief JK for the chow. Maggie Mays is located not far from the Anchor Hotel at #214-22 41st Ave in Bayside. I believe the owner is a retired FDNY member. There is a metered parking lot almost next door and some metered parking places on the street. Their web site is
www.maggiemaysbayside.com .
I asked Chief J.K. if he would be able to join us on one of the nights and he said maybe Thursday night. He also said maybe one or two guys from the FDNY would also join us, all members of this site. If we can get about 20 people total, we might be able to get an area in the back that would be ideal for a social event like this. So I hope we can do that. As it stands, "Thursday evening October 9, at Maggie Mays, is part of our plan".
Chief J.K also stated that he would be willing to work on our planned Get Together for Friday October 10th tours. That would consist of a tour of Squad 288/Haz Mat 1 and another tour of Rescue 4, which currently shares quarters with Engine 316, and one of two, citywide Hose Wagon Units that respond to the airports.
As it turns out, Wednesday October 8th starting at 10:00 AM is the yearly FDNY Memorial Service for the LODDs within the FDNY. It takes place in Manhattan at Riverside Dr. and West 100th St. It has been suggested that if some members of our group were interested in attending this service, there is a bus leaving one of the firehouses that may be able to take a few of our members. That would be limited of course to the number of seats available at the time. Or, as in my case, I think I will travel to that location on my own. Parking could be a problem, so I'll plan to park elsewhere and use mass transit. I invite anyone coming from the Bronx or north, who wishes to attend, to travel with me.
In addition to these events, members are working on setting up Thursday October 9 tours and Saturday October 11th tours.
It has been suggested that Thursday Oct 9th, would be the FDNY Fire Academy and The FDNY Shops. On Saturday October 11th, would be an option day. Maybe your choice of a tour of the Fire Museum and/or The World Trade Center Museum. I believe information will be provided for those that need it.
It is also my hope that other members will join us. There's a lot of very good people out there.
