Forest Hills Celebrates Parade Launch and Grand Marshals

MOHAMED FARGHALY

mfarghaly@queensledger.com

Community members, veterans, and local leaders gathered this week to celebrate the kickoff of the 2025 Forest Hills Memorial Day Parade with two events honoring this year’s Grand Marshals and recognizing sponsors who help keep the neighborhood tradition alive.

The first of the two gatherings took place on May 14, at the historic West Side Tennis Club, followed by a second event open to the public Friday at the American Legion Continental Post No. 1424. The events marked the official launch of parade season and the announcement of the 2025 Grand Marshals: community leader Ed Wong and U.S. Air Force veteran Bernadette Vermersch.

“We are working with some of those corporate sponsors to make sure the parade continues, because it’s still one of the few parades in Queens on or near Memorial Day,” said Daniel Olsen of the Forest Hills Kiwanis Club as he welcomed guests. He encouraged attendees to support the cause, noting, “So thank you all for being here and for your own way supporting the parade.”

The parade, now in its 60th year, remains privately funded and dependent on local contributions. Michael Arcati, commander of the American Legion Post — now in his final month in the role — emphasized the importance of sponsorship.

“This is why we have this event, to say thank you to the sponsors, because without your funding, it’d be very difficult to put on a good show,” he said. Arcati also teased a “special surprise” for this year’s parade and confirmed that U.S. Navy sailors and Marines will once again march.

Arcati introduced the Grand Marshals, who were each nominated by different branches of the organizing team — Wong by the Kiwanis Club and Vermersch by the American Legion.

Wong, a longtime civic figure and co-founder of the Forest Hills Asian Association, has been involved with Queens Community Board 6 and the Alliance for Flushing Meadows Corona Park. He said his selection reflected years of service to the community.

“Tonight, I’m lucky enough to be was nominated and accept the civilian Grand Marshal for the 2025 Memorial Day Parade here in Forest Hills,” Wong said. “I’ve always wanted to increase awareness for the parade, because so many people still do not know about the parade.”

Wong also spoke about the importance of honoring fallen service members, getting youth involved — including his own children — and continuing to bring diverse communities together.

“I wanted to make sure that I have an opportunity to contribute and honor those who made the ultimate sacrifice, those that you know in their families as well. I want to make sure that they are not forgotten,” he said.

Wong, a Queens native, has lived in Forest Hills since 2005. “Forest Hills, in terms of what I mean, its home, it’s home to me now. I mean, it’s a great neighborhood, it’s definitely a community that’s very diverse, very welcoming, it’s kind of kind of evident of me being honored, as well as the fact that they’re open to folks that you know are from different backgrounds.”

Vermersch, this year’s Veteran Grand Marshal, enlisted in the U.S. Air Force in 1973 during the Vietnam era. She became a procurement specialist and later applied those skills in her civilian business career. A Forest Hills resident since 1964, she returned to the neighborhood to care for her aging parents and remained.

“Michael wanted to nominate me because I served, there hasn’t been a woman grand marshal in some years,” she said. “I’m gonna be the first one in quite a while.”

She described her nomination as a deeply meaningful honor.

“Being grand marshal is a great honor, because you get nominated, and your comrades have to vote for you,” she said. “I was really thrilled that everyone endorsed my nomination.”

Vermersch reflected fondly on her decades in Forest Hills, calling it her second home after emigrating from Belgium, and recalled a favorite memory — organizing a trip to a Neil Diamond concert at Forest Hills Stadium for her fellow Air Force service members in the 1970s.

“Forest Hills, it’s got everything. Forest Hills, in a way, is home to me, because, of course, my first home was Belgium as a child, but then Forest Hills became my second home, and it’s interesting to watch it evolve over the years,” she said.

The 2025 Forest Hills Memorial Day Parade will take place on Sunday, May 25, along Metropolitan Avenue at 10 AM. Organizers are hoping for a strong turnout and continued support to ensure the event’s future.

USTA Announces $800 Million Modernization of US Open Facilities

The USTA has unveiled a sweeping $800 million modernization plan for the US Open, marking the largest single investment in the tournament’s history. The project, announced on May 19, will overhaul Arthur Ashe Stadium, build a cutting-edge Player Performance Center, and transform the fan and player experience without using any public funding. The three-phase renovation will be completed by the 2027 US Open and will not disrupt play or fan access during the 2025 and 2026 events. This new investment brings the USTA’s total commitment to nearly $2 billion over the last decade, reinforcing the US Open’s role as a major economic engine for New York City, generating more than $1.2 billion in annual impact.

The plans include a bold redesign of Arthur Ashe Stadium with a new Grand Entrance, expanded concourses, increased seating, new luxury suite levels, and modernized hospitality spaces. Simultaneously, a $250 million state-of-the-art Player Performance Center will be constructed adjacent to the practice courts, offering upgraded training areas, locker rooms, dining, and private lounges for athletes.

FEMA Cuts Jeopardize NY’s Flood Protection Projects

MOHAMED FARGHALY

mfarghaly@queensledger.com

The Trump administration’s decision to cut over $325 million in federal funding for the Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC) program has left critical infrastructure and community resilience projects across New York State at risk. In addition to the funding cuts for projects that had not yet begun construction, another $56 million in ongoing projects could now face delays or cancellation.

Governor Kathy Hochul condemned the federal action, stressing the severe consequences for public safety and disaster preparedness in New York.

 “In the last few years, New Yorkers have faced hurricanes, tornadoes, blizzards, wildfires and even an earthquake –– and FEMA assistance has been critical to help us rebuild. Cutting funding for communities across New York is short sighted and a massive risk to public safety. Without support for resilience projects now, our communities will be far more vulnerable when disaster strikes next,” Hochul said. “As I’ve said all along: no state in the nation can backfill the massive cuts being proposed in Washington, and it’s critical New Yorkers stand united to call out the damage this will cause.”

The BRIC program, which supports state, local, and tribal governments in building disaster resilience, was a key component in New York’s efforts to address the growing threat of extreme weather. As part of the federal program, New York had secured funding for flood mitigation and infrastructure improvements aimed at reducing storm risks and safeguarding vulnerable communities.

Jackie Bray, Commissioner of the New York State Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services, pointed out the long-term economic and safety implications of the cuts. “It is far more expensive to rebuild than it is to prevent damage before it happens. Mitigation is the best way to save taxpayer dollars and increase resiliency. These projects were created with the sole purpose of helping prevent further damage from the storms that continue to impact the residents of New York State,” Bray said.

Among the hardest-hit projects is the Central Harlem Cloudburst Flood Mitigation initiative, which was set to receive $50 million in funding to improve stormwater infrastructure and reduce flooding in low-income neighborhoods. Other impacted projects include flood mitigation efforts in East Elmhurst, the Kissena Corridor, and the Seaport area of Lower Manhattan.

The cancellation of funding extends beyond New York City. In Westchester County, the Upper Minkel Dam Decommissioning and Riparian Corridor Restoration project—funded with $731,000—now faces the loss of essential support for flood hazard reduction and environmental restoration.

The BRIC cuts have also drawn sharp criticism from local officials. In Queens, U.S. Representative Grace Meng urged the Department of Homeland Security to restore funding that had been previously allocated to local food pantries under FEMA’s Emergency Food and Shelter Program (EFSP). Meng called the withholding of these funds “unconscionable and unacceptable” and warned that without the federal support, food pantries across Queens would face operational cuts, limiting their ability to serve those in need.

“Our food pantry is a lifeline for the communities we serve, and this interruption in funding has made it incredibly difficult for us to help our fellow New Yorkers,” said Rev. Benjamin Ytac, Jr., Executive Director of Yeshua Worldwide Ministries in Middle Village. “We join together with our partner community organizations and call on the federal government to restore funding to the Emergency Food and Shelter Program and allow us to continue supporting our most vulnerable fellow New Yorkers and neighbors.”

New York’s leaders have also voiced strong opposition to the Trump administration’s stance on disaster resilience funding. Queens Borough President Donovan Richards Jr. sent a letter to FEMA, urging the agency to reverse its decision on the BRIC cuts. “Superstorms like Hurricane Ida in 2021 and Hurricane Sandy in 2012 impact people of all ideological persuasions. Floodwaters do not discriminate based on political affiliation — neither should our federal government,” Richards wrote, calling the cuts a “serious disconnect” between the federal administration and the communities that need help the most.

Launched in 2020, the BRIC program aimed to help communities reduce disaster risks through mitigation efforts and infrastructure projects. A 2018 analysis by the National Institute of Building Sciences showed that every $1 spent on mitigation saves the federal government $6 in future disaster recovery costs. Despite these proven savings, the Trump administration has justified its cuts by labeling the program as “wasteful” and “ineffective,” claims that have been met with strong rebuttals from disaster resilience experts and local officials.

The loss of BRIC funding, which has already dispersed over $5 billion nationwide, is seen as a dangerous step backward in New York’s efforts to combat the growing threats of climate change and extreme weather. With multiple projects now at risk, officials are urging the federal government to restore the funding, warning that delaying or canceling these initiatives will put more New Yorkers in harm’s way.

Award Winning Jazz Artist Brandee Younger Performs at Flushing Hall

Sierra Ryan

Sryan@queensledger.com

Harpist Brandee Younger performed at Flushing Town Hall on May 3, Younger has redefined the harp with her unique fusion of funk, jazz, and soul. In 2022 Younger made history as the first black woman nominated for a grammy for best instrumental composition. In that same year she was nominated for a NAACP Image award and later won the NAACP award for outstanding Jazz album for Brand New Life. In her latest album Brand New Life Younger cements the harp as a piece of pop culture as well as delivering a rich body of work.

Growing up listening to hip hop and R&B Younger wanted to combine her authentic love for these genres with her instrument. Younger’s inspirations are Detroit natives and harpists Dorthy Ashby and Alice Coltrane.  At a young age Younger took up the harp and learned from a woman at her fathers job. “I started playing the harp probably around age eleven. There was a woman at my dads job who played as a hobbyist and my parents said oh our daughter’s musical should we bring her to your house. She mentioned to my parents if I get good I could probably get a scholarship” Younger says. Younger wasn’t sure she would be a musician until she graduated from college “I didn’t know I was gonna become a musician for real until after college. I thought I would end up in the music business like behind the scenes that was really my idea but yea I guess the cliche answer is I love music” Younger said.

Younger has worked with many recording artists including Pharoah Sanders, Christian Mcbride, Lauryn Hill, and John Legend. Younger has been selected to perform her original music for Quincy Jones and Steve McQueens’ soundtrack “America.”

Her original composition “Hortense” was featured in the Netflix concert-documentary “Beyonce: Homecoming” in 2019. As for future artist Younger would like to work with “If I had to pick someone alive now that I really want to work with that I have not been able to work with it would likely be Patti LaBelle” she said.

In addition to being a musician, Younger is also on the faculty at the New School, New York University and Steinhardt school. Teaching is rewarding to Younger as she can see the results each semester and year. As for balancing between being a musician and an artist it can be challenging at times “It is a lot to juggle my touring schedule with my teaching schedule but as long as I plan ahead it ends up working out but I have to plan ahead.”

As for new projects, Younger recently announced her new album called Gadabout season which explores the range of human emotions while having Joy prevail through.“This one is all instrumental and it’s actually a really super personal album. It really covers the whole gambit of emotion but I’m focusing on the happy parts. It covers all the emotions but it’s really sort of about joy along life’s journey. Sometimes life can take a dip but there is still some joy in those not so great moments” Younger said.

As for the concert itself it had a mix of Younger’s old content as well as new stuff  from her new album Gadabout season as a sneak peak for fans. Gadabout season is out now and streaming on all platforms.

Candlelight Vigil Honors Veterans

Hosted by United Veterans Fraternal Organizations of Maspeth, Maspeth Memorial Square

In commemoration of Memorial Day, the Maspeth community came together to honor service men and women who have perished in service to our country. On Monday evening, in Maspeth Memorial Square, the United Veterans Fraternal Organizations of Maspeth held a candlelight vigil. Maspeth Lions, The Kowalinski Post #4, Kowalinski Post Ladies’ Auxiliary, Maspeth Kiwanis, Maspeth Town Hall, Ridgewood Moose Club, East Coast Car Association, Transfiguration St. Stanislaus Kostka Parish and St. Stanislaus Kostka Catholic Academy as well as members of FDNY Squad 288 were all on hand, along with members of the community to pay tribute to the fallen.

A highlight of the event was the presentation of awards to students who won an essay contest based on the theme of this year’s Memorial Day parade, Let Freedom Ring.

Alissa Sanmartin, PS 58

Paul Milewski, PS 58

Caitlin Wagner, St. Stan’s

Melody Fujiao Tang, Martin Luther School

Ronan O’Connell, St. Stan’s

Sophia Grace Chen, PS 58

Sienna De Salvo

Raymond Coyle, St. Stan’s

Scarlet Salmon, PS 58

Lombardo Cruz, PS 58

Kyara Figueroa, St. Stan’s

Jonathen Jarzynka, St. Stan’s

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