Despite the warm weather and a smaller than usual crowd size, several hundred youngsters who made up a number of marching bands from local Bronx schools participated in the 45th Annual Bronx Columbus Day Parade in Morris Park on Sunday, Oct. 9.

 

Sponsored by the Morris Park Community Association, this year’s parade featured Grand Marshal, retired New York Supreme Court Justice Nick Lacovetta, and honorary Deputy Grand Marshal, Ray Vitiello, the archdiocesan regional superintendent of Northeast / East Bronx Catholic Schools.

 

Among the elected officials marching in this year’s parade were Assemblyman Michael Benedetto (A.D. 82), Bronx District Attorney Darcel Clark, Assemblywoman Nathalia Fernandez (A.D. 80), Bronx Borough President Vanessa Gibson, and District 13 Councilwoman Marjorie Velazquez

 

Also marching was Queens Republican / Conservative candidate in the New York State Assembly, Samantha Zherka (A.D. 34), while joining officials at the reviewing stand on Williamsbridge Road was Republican congressman, Lee Zeldin, who represents two-thirds of Suffolk County and who is the current Republican candidate for governor.

 

Seventy-eight-year Morris Park resident, Antoinette Penta, was busy applauding marchers as they passed her by on Morris Park Avenue, while she sat in a lounge chair. Penta said she has never missed a parade, but this year gave a thumbs down to local officials.

 

The senior adult fumed as she was asked about her local elected officials, saying, “They destroyed our community, all of them! They’re all crooks, the mayor, everybody!” When asked about Fernandez, who represents Morris Park, Penta told Norwood News, “I told her to go away, I told her to go home.”

 

Penta then took a swing at Velazquez also, adding, “Forget about it! We haven’t seen her in two-years.” Velázquez assumed her position as councilwoman on Jan. 1, 2022. Penta continued, “They only come around for elections, and they destroyed everything around us; it’s destroyed!”

 

Asked given she is no longer happy in the neighborhood, if she considered moving, Penta smiled and replied, “I’m a Morris Park girl!”

 

Watching over the crowd and getting an occasional pat on the head was NYPD Transit Officer “Argus” of the K-9 Unit. Argus was named in honor of fallen NYPD police officer, Joseph Piagentini, who was shot and killed with his partner in a public housing complex near the Harlem River Drive in Manhattan on May 21, 1971.

🇮🇹I was happy to join friends, neighbors and colleagues to host our Italian-Heritage Celebration! Thank you to the Bronx Zoo for hosting us.

🇮🇹This years honorees exemplify what it means to lead with grace and give back to your community. pic.twitter.com/L7qFvoCFBP

— Bronx Borough President Vanessa L. Gibson (@bronxbp) October 14, 2022

A separate Italian-American celebration was recently held at the Bronx Zoo in conjunction with Mike’s Deli. Bronx Borough President Vanessa Gibson said of the occasion, “I was happy to join friends, neighbors and colleagues to host our Italian-Heritage Celebration! Thank you to the Bronx Zoo for hosting us. This years honorees exemplify what it means to lead with grace and give back to your community.”

 

This year’s Columbus Day parade went off, once again, without incident, unlike during some recent years, as reported.

 

Meanwhile, Indigenous People’s Day was celebrated on Oct. 11 by many in the community with several elected officials acknowledging both the Columbus Day and Indigenous People’s Day celebrations either in person or via social media. On Oct. 8, 2021, U.S. President Joe Biden formally proclaimed Oct. 11 as Indigenous Peoples’ Day, as reported.

 

In Pelham Bay Park, as reported, a lively and colorful Native American Festival was held last month on Sept. 25 and was apparently enjoyed by all in attendance.