Santa Visits Broadway

Santa Claus strides into the Most Precious Blood parking lot to assume his seasonal duties.

Santa Claus made a special appearance at Broadway and 36th Street, Wednesday, November 29 at 4 p.m. when the B r o a d w a y - A s t o r i a Merchants and Professionals Association (BAMPA), in conjunction with Most Precious Blood Roman Catholic Church, hosted the dedication of the Broadway Christmas Tree and Nativity display.

The Rev. Father Marcello Latona, pastor of Most Precious Blood, welcomed the crowd to the festivities, noting that this event was an annual partnership

with the Broadway Merchants & Professionals Association and a great example of community cooperation. George Kitsios, BAMPA president, and Tony Siano, BAMPA vice president, also greeted the crowd, as did Michael Sais, representing Assemblymember Michael Gianaris. Siano noted that the unadorned evergreen tree recently planted in the parking lot was dedicated to the memory of the late Monsignor Raymond Stafford, pastor of Most Precious Blood until his death. The memorial tree was the brainchild of Father Latona and was provided courtesy of North Fork Bank at 31-17 Broadway, Astoria, represented by Elijah Dowling, vice president and branch manager, and Nelson Duran, business specialist, at the event.

Santa Claus arrives at Broadway and 36th Street on a truck from the New York City Fire Department's Ladder Company 116.

The Most Precious Blood School Choir performed

traditional Christmas carols as the crowd awaited Santa. Santa arrived on a New York City Fire Department ladder truck to the accompaniment of blaring sirens as children cheered. Santa greeted the crowd with a wave and proceeded to the stage where he wowed the audience with a song. The children in the crowd counted down the minutes and then the seconds until the tree was lighted. The little ones then lined up to tell their Christmas wishes, have their pictures taken with Santa and receive candy canes.

The Most Precious Blood Parochial School chorus performed Christmas carols before Santa arrived. Peter Bantz ponders what to ask--and tell--Santa. (L. to r.): Michael Sais, BAMPA Vice President Tony Siano, BAMPA President George Kitsios, Elijah Dowling, North Fork Bank vice president and branch manager, Rev. Father Marcello Latrona, pastor of Most Precious Blood, and Nelson Duran, North Fork Bank business specialist. Between and behind Siano and Kitsios is the evergreen tree recently planted in the Most Precious Blood Roman Catholic Church parking lot in memory of the late Monsignor Raymond Stafford, onetime pastor of Most Precious Blood.