austere patriarch
Tuesday
– photo by Mitch Waxman
On October 29th, my friends at the John J Harvey Fireboat (1931Fireboat.org) made good on an offer to take me and about 50 friends out for one last Newtown Creek tour. I drove into the City, and boarded the Harvey there. There was a scary moment where one of the electrical systems onboard was malfunctioning, and we almost had to turn back to dock, but the onboard engineers managed to fix it and we arrived at our second passenger pickup point in Long Island City’s Blissville section only a half hour late.
This was my last, and final, time on the waters of Newtown Creek.
– photo by Mitch Waxman
I had to arrange with the NYC DOT to open the Greenpoint Avenue Bridge for us, which is always kind of thrilling.
There was a fun and congenial atmosphere onboard. I wasn’t doing a narration for this trip, instead, I was drifting around from group to group and saying my goodbyes. Some people got advice, others were chided, and still others were patted on the back.
– photo by Mitch Waxman
We headed eastwards on the Fireboat. I tried my level best not to be hiding behind the camera during the event, and to be “present.” I wanted to drink it all in, one last time.
…my beloved creek…
“follow” me on Twitter- @newtownpentacle
Buy a book!
“In the Shadows at Newtown Creek,” an 88 page softcover 8.5×11 magazine format photo book by Mitch Waxman, is now on sale at blurb.com for $30.
The Newtown Pentacle 
Sweet/Bitter. The final days of Mitch/Creek is upon us. Sweet: Wont have his acerbic view of the Creek-politics to contend with (or maybe that is in fact bitter).
Sayonara but maybe not forever.
louiskl
November 29, 2022 at 1:29 pm
As you get ready to make your big move, I’d like to thank you for the years of fascinating tales of Queens and environs. I grew up in Rego Park and have many fond memories of riding my bike around the borough, many to places you’ve written about.
Good luck in your new home. Pittsburgh is a great city and I spent some enjoyable time there. Vaya con Dios and Godspeed.
Sent from my iPhone
Joseph McCluskey
November 29, 2022 at 3:33 pm