Jeff Gottlieb addresses the WCHS (left).  At right, Joseph Addabbo, Jr.

Mr. Gottlieb discussed what Sen. Addabbo has been up to, the committees he is currently serving on, as well as his opposition to proposed cutbacks to local transportation, such as the J Train and the Q56 bus, which runs along Jamaica Avenue.  Mr. Gottlieb made the point that there is no alternative to the Q56, no parallel line that residents could utilize.  Here is a bit of Mr. Gottlieb's speech to the group:

This is an important issue effecting Woodhaven, its' residents and businesses, and we'll be keeping a close watch on it.  After the meeting was over, another topic of discussion amongst members was Mr. Addabbo himself.  Here is a picture of our State Senator way back in High School (top left):

Joe, the members are "iffy" on your moustache.  Just giving you a head's up -- Mr. Gottlieb said that you would be dropping by the WHCS sometime soon and we wanted you to be prepared :-) 

Next up was Author and Journalist Nancy Rubin Stuart, who gave an interesting presentation on the life of Maggie Fox, who she wrote about in her book "The Reluctant Spiritualist: The Life of Maggie Fox."  In the mid-1800's, a 15-year old girl and her sister played a prank on their parents, and that prank snowballed to the point where young Maggie was a hugely famous and successful medium.  Tens of thousands of others followed in her footsteps and an entire industry was born.

Rather than present a dry recitation of the facts, Ms. Rubin's easy manner kept her audience engaged.  We learned about how the spiritualist movement was driven by the machinations of a formidable older sister, who guided her younger siblings into successful careers apparently based on lies and deception.  Here is a sample of Ms. Rubin's presentation -- be on the lookout for what may have been a telephone call from beyond . . . 

Maggie Fox met with some of the more important and influential members of 18th century society, had an ill-fated romance with an Arctic explorer, and struggled with the cloak of deception, a cloak that she dramatically threw off in front of thousands of people in a very public confession.  An interesting story, and a terrific presentation.  Afterward, Ms. Rubin signed copies of her book and generously hung around to answer questions and talk to members.  Click here to access Ms. Rubin's site and see what else she's written about.

Coffee and cake was available, and the members were all very warm and welcoming.  Afterward we spent about half an hour showing some of the members many of the pictures of 1941 Jamaica Avenue that we've been collecting.  They had plenty of memories and additional information to share and I look forward to working with them all in the future.   

The Woodhaven Cultural and Historical Society meets on the last Wednesday of every month with the exception of July and August at 1 PM in Emmanuel United Church of Christ Meeting Room located at 91st Avenue and Woodhaven Blvd (across from where St. Anthony's used to be).  Membership dues are a mere $10 per year, click here if you are interested in supporting this good cause, or joining.

Amongst their many accomplishments, the WCHS is responsible for the landmark signs you see around Woodhaven.  As Society President Leonora Lavan wrote in an Op-Ed for the Leader-Observer:  

With legislative grant monies sponsored by Senator Serphin Maltese and the NY State Parks Dept for Recreation and Historic Preservation we were able to mark our interesting and historic sites including the Betty Smith House, Woodhaven PO, Carnegie Library, Lalance and Grosjean Factory Clocktower, the supermarket built by Fred Trump father of the Donald, St Anthony Hospital, Cardinal Bevilacqua family home, St Matthews Episcopal Church and the Wyckoff Snedicker Cemetery, Niers (Union Course ) Bar, and the house Mae West lived in, and Dexter Park site.

This is a wonderful group that deserves our support.  We hope this taste of what goes on at a WCHS meeting has piqued your interest and that you'll find time to attend a meeting.  We will strive to attend as many meetings as we can, and file a report on the proceedings.