More than forty years ago, I married my husband and moved to Woodhaven, Queens into the house that he had been born in. Prior to moving here, I wanted to find out some information about the community. At that time, I secured this information by finding the most read Woodhaven Newspaper, which was the Leader Observer. I subscribed and learned from this publication all about the interests, concerns, challenges and personalities that were part of my new home. I immediately loved Woodhaven, with its beautiful Forest Park, which we enjoyed during every season of the year. I also found the shopping on Woodhaven’s Jamaica Avenue where you could find everything! Especially at “Lewis’ of Woodhaven,” where Julie (God Bless his Soul) helped us furnish our apartment!

Then there was Jason’s Toy Store with the lovely Mrs. Jason and her two beautiful lamb-like white dogs. At that time, the Leader Observer office was located on Jamaica Avenue and the owner was Norman Cohen. I learned from my dear mother-in-law (God rest her soul) how to shop at Scaturro’s, bank at Columbia Savings and Loan (now Queens County Savings Bank) and get our insurance policy and taxes prepared at Ohlert Ruggiere. Little did I know then that I would become so involved and active in this my adopted community of Woodhaven. These are some fond, good memories of Woodhaven where our daughter was born and attended St. Thomas the Apostle School, where her father, aunt and uncles attended before her. After many years, Norman Cohen of the Leader Observer retired and Walter H. Sanchez became the new Editor and Publisher. Through the years now and then I would write for the newspaper. Now I regularly write a weekly column. It is really interesting that the newspaper I subscribed to so that I could learn about my new home town, Woodhaven, is the very same paper that I now write a column for. I hope that from reading my columns, some potential resident and homeowner is learning about Woodhaven. A beautiful Patriotic Community with a World War II Memorial and American Flags flying, with an award winning Woodhaven Business Improvement District on our Jamaica Avenue, with Victorian and smaller homes with backyards. Of course, the biggest backyard is our Forest Park, with an award winning dog run. All a short trip away from Manhattan. It’s such a great place to live and raise a family. Thank you Leader Observer for 100 years of being Woodhaven’s “Hometown Newspaper!” Congratulations!

Maria A. Thomson

Executive Director

Greater Woodhaven Development Corp.