Arverne, Queens

Arverne is a neighborhood in the New York City borough of Queens, on the Rockaway Peninsula. It was initially developed by Remington Vernam, whose signature "R. Vernam" inspired the name of the neighborhood.[1] Arverne extends from Beach 56th Street to Beach 79th Street, along its main thoroughfare Beach Channel Drive, alternatively known as Rev. Joseph H. May Drive. The neighborhood is part of Queens Community Board 14.[2]

Vernam's original plan was to name the neighborhood Arverne-by-the-Sea, and one grandiose plan, influenced by his wife, Florence, included a canal running through the neighborhood, reminiscent of the Amstel canal in Amsterdam, the Netherlands. When this plan fell through, the canal right-of-way was converted into a thoroughfare, Amstel Boulevard, which, except for a stub west of Beach 71st Street, was later incorporated into Beach Channel Drive.

While Arverne became well-known as a beachfront community with inexpensive summer bungalows, and hotels of varying levels of expense and luxury as well as amusements and boardwalk concessions, it also attracted year-round residents. On January 3, 1914, a violent storm devastated the peninsula's neighborhoods, and swept the 1,200-seat Arverne Pier Theater out to sea.[3] On June 15, 1922, a fire leveled a large part of Arverne, leaving about 10,000 people homeless, although the neighborhood was quick to rebuild.[4]

Maryknoll

Maryknoll is a name shared by three organizations (one society of apostolic life, one religious institute and one lay ministry) that are part of the Roman Catholic Church: Maryknoll Fathers and Brothers (Catholic Foreign Mission Society of America; Maryknoll Society), Maryknoll Sisters (Maryknoll Sisters of St. Dominic), and Maryknoll Lay Missioners. The organizations are independent entities with shared history that work closely together in the joint focus of the overseas mission activity of the Catholic Church particularly in East Asia, China, Japan, Korea, Latin America and Africa.[2] The organizations officially began in 1911, founded by Thomas Frederick Price, James Anthony Walsh, and Mary Joseph Rogers. The name Maryknoll comes from the hill outside the Village of Ossining, Westchester County, New York, which houses the headquarters of all three.[3] Members of the societies are usually called Maryknollers.[4]

Maryknollers are sometimes known as the "Marines of the Catholic Church" for their reputation of moving into rough areas, living side-by-side with the indigenous peoples and learning the language.[2][5] Maryknollers focus on "combating poverty, providing healthcare, building communities and advancing peace and social justice" in the countries they serve and have built numerous orphanages, primary schools and secondary schools.[6] Because of the way in which Maryknollers have especially engaged in social justice, Maryknoll is also sometimes seen as a movement that represents missionary service concerned with positive action for indigenous people.[7][8][9] In the mid-20th century, this movement came to be associated with liberation theology.[2]The Christophers and The Maryknoll Affiliates[10] are both associated with the Maryknoll Movement. Maryknoll is also the current name of the semi-monthly magazine which the Maryknoll Fathers & Brothers publish.[11]

Prior to 1906, the United States was on a roster of Catholic mission territories compiled by the Vatican. It was part of an era of heavy migrations of European Catholics to the United States and there was a cultural hostility to Roman Catholicism. The establishment of Maryknoll for foreign missions came at a time when the Catholic church was focussing its energies on that anti-Catholic bias within the United States.[12] "Out of the 17,000 Americans serving as Catholic priests at the time, for example, the number serving in foreign missions was 14."[13]

East Concord, New York

East Concord is a small hamlet in the town of Concord in southern Erie County, New York, United States.[1] It is located at the intersection of New York State Route 240 with Genesse Road.[2]

Coordinates: 42°33′07″N 78°38′25″W / 42.55194°N 78.64028°W / 42.55194; -78.64028

Dormansville, New York

Dormansville is a hamlet in Albany County, New York, United States. The community is located along New York State Route 143 16 miles (26 km) southwest of Albany. Dormansville has a post office with ZIP code 12055.[2][3]

Ravena, New York

Ravena is a village in Albany County, New York, United States. United States. The population was 3,268 at the 2010 census.[3] The village is in the southeast part of the town of Coeymans.

The village of Ravena incorporated in 1914. Prior to its incorporation, it was known as "Coeymans Junction," but the name was changed to "Ravena" to avoid confusion with another hamlet in the town, "Coeymans Landing."[1]

In 1894, a post office was established in Coeymans Junction bearing the name Ravena. The name source of the post office (and ultimately the village) is unclear. Some believe that the village's proximity to cliffs on its western boundary lent to the area being referred to as the ravine. Others feel that a brand of flour, Raven, was the inspiration behind the name.[1]