The Woodhaven Blog

Since 1925, Schmidts Candy has operated their family-run candy shop on Jamaica Avenue with handcrafted chocolates, hard candies and everything in between. Started by “Grandpa Schmidt”, the business has remained in the family through decades and is currently ran by Margie Schmidt, who has operated the business for 34 years. Although various family members have operated Schmidts Candy before Margie took over, the coveted recipes and quality ingredients have remained the same.

With Easter approaching, Schmidts Candy has all the Easter treats you need. If you’re making an Easter basket for the kids, craving an infamous chocolate bunny for yourself or have friends and family to gift, Schmidts Candy can fufill your needs. Current Easter goodies include hollow chocolate bunnies, solid chocolate bunnies, creme eggs, jelly beans and more. Check out some of the products below.

If you find yourself around Woodhaven, or if you find yourself craving delicious candies worth the commute, head over the shop located at 94-15 Jamaica Ave. Go to https://schmidtscandy.com/ to shop online and find out more about Schmidts Candy.

If you want to know more about Margie, check out Ed Wendell’s article from 2014 on our website http://www.queensledger.com/view/full_story/25788025/article-WRBA-to-honor-sweets-purveyor-Margie-Schmidt.

Check out these ways to get out of your apartment and into your neighborhood! If you know of something happening in Woodhaven that is not included, let us know!

• Monday 3/18:
  • Yoga Classes at Woodhaven Library from 6 to 7 p.m.
• Tuesday 3/19:
  • DECE March Readiness Workshop at NYC Department of Education from 8:30 to 1 p.m.
  • Reading and Writing Help for 3rd and 4th Graders at Woodhaven Library from 3 to 4 p.m.
  • Basic Guitar Lessons at Woodhaven Library from 4 to 5:30 p.m.
  • Trivia Tuesday at Neir’s Tavern from 8 to 10 p.m.
• Wednesday 3/20:
  • Toddler Music at Woodhaven Library from 10:15 to 11 a.m.
  • Mommy or Daddy and Me at Woodhaven Library from 11:15 to 11:45 a.m.
  • Adult Book Discussion at Woodhaven Library from 2 to 3 p.m.
  • Picture Book Time at Woodhaven Library from 4 to 5 p.m.
• Thursday 3/21:
  • Adult Movie Matinee at Woodhaven Library from 2 to 4 p.m.
• Friday 3/22:
  • Bilingual Birdies Presents Speakin’ Spanish at Woodhaven Library from 10:15 to 11 a.m.
  • Game Day at Woodhaven Library 4 to 5 p.m.
  • Jay Valera Live at Pop’s Cocina at 8 p.m.

From trivia to CPR and first-aid workshops, there is something for everyone to get involved in this week. Do you know of an event happening in Woodhaven that’s not included? Let us know!

• Monday 3/11:
  • Sensory Storytime at Woodhaven Library from 1:15 to 2 p.m.
  • Picture Book Time at Woodhaven Library from 4 to 5 p.m.
  • Adult Craft at Woodhaven Library from 6 to 7 p.m.

• Tuesday 3/12:
  • Trivia Tuesday at Neir’s Tavern from 8 to 10 p.m.
  • Basic Guitar Lessons at Woodhaven Library from 4 to 5:30 p.m.
  • Community Board 9 Monthly Meeting at Queens Borough Hall at 7:45 p.m.

• Wednesday 3/13:
  • CPR and First Aid workshop at Bilingual Child Care Center from 6 to 9 a.m.
  • Toddler Music at Woodhaven Library from 10:15 to 11 a.m.
  • St. Patrick’s Day Craft at Woodhaven Library from 4 to 5 p.m.
  • Bar Bingo at Neir’s Tavern from 8 to 10 p.m.

• Thursday 3/14:
  • Multicultural Karaoke at Woodhaven Library from 1 to 3 p.m.
  • Inspiring Women in Science: My Next Great Big Invention! at Woodhaven Library from 4 to 5 p.m.
  • Shape Up NYC: Zumba for Adults at Woodhaven Library from 6 to 7 p.m.

• Friday 3/15:
  • Bilingual Birdies presents Speakin’ Spanish at Woodhaven Library from 10:15 to 11 a.m.

Nestled on the corner of 78th St. in Woodhaven is Neir’s Tavern, a bar that has a rich history spanning over 180 years. They pride themselves as “the most famous bar you have never heard of”, but we bet you have heard of the many films shot on location. As Neir’s Tavern starts to prepare for their 180th anniversary, check out these movie stills, all shot in New York City’s oldest bar.

Wanna know more about Neir’s Tavern? Check out Ed Wendell’s recent article about the iconic bar on our website.

Embrace the snow of early March by attending these events in Woodhaven:

• Friday 3/1:
  • 4 – 5 p.m. – Game Day for all ages to play board games together, Woodhaven Library, 85-41 Forest Pkwy.
  • 8 p.m. – Jay Valera Live, Pop’s Cocina & Bar, 8522 Jamaica Ave.

• Saturday 3/2:
  • 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. – Self-Serve craft for ages 6-12, Woodhaven Library, 85-41 Forest Pkwy.
  • 3 – 4 p.m. – Lego Hour, Woodhaven Library, 85-41 Forest Pkwy.
  • 9 p.m. – Salsa Night Saturdays with Victor Rosso, Pop’s Cocina & Bar, 8522 Jamaica Ave.

• Sunday 3/3:
  • 8 a.m. – 4 p.m. – Knife Instructor Level 1 certification course, Alpha Doce Pares Eskrima Academy, 84-33 Jamaica Ave.
  • 6 p.m. – Jazz Sundays with Cassandra Nunez, Pop’s Cocina & Bar, 8522 Jamaica Ave.

Weekend Weather:

Friday 3/1: Cloudy with a high of 38 degrees.

Saturday 3/2: Rain mixed with snow and a high of 39 degrees.

Sunday 3/3: Rain mixed with snow and a high of 42 degrees.

The Ozone Park Residents Block Association announced a memorial mass for the NYPD Detective that was killed following an attempted robbery in Richmond Hill a few weeks ago.

The Most Reverend James Massa, of the Brooklyn Diocese, will preside over the memorial mass for Det. Brian Simonsen, on Saturday March 2, at 11 a.m. at the Nativity of
the Blessed Virgin Mary Church (101-41 92 St Ozone Park).

He will be joined by Assistant Chief Chaplain Monsignor Robert J. Romano NYPD.

Pastors and priests from churches such as Holy Child, Our Lady of Grace, Our Lady of
Perpetual help, St. Benedict Joseph labre, St. Elizabeth’s, St Helen’s, St Mary Gate of heaven & St. Teresa-St. Antony and St. Thomas were invited to join Father Paul and the priest of Nativity.

The public of the surrounding communities of Kew Gardens, Ozone Park, Richmond Hill and Kew Gardens have also been invited.

“The communities of Kew Gardens, Ozone Park, Richmond Hill and Woodhaven, want to extend and show our support, gratitude, and appreciation for our NYPD while honoring the memory of Det. Simonsen,” the OZPKRBA said in a statement.

The Ozone Park Residents Block Association’s Call to Action summit on Friday pulled in a crowd full of elected officials, community activists and community board members. The meeting resulted in the formation of the 5 Boro Coalition with plans to come together to be proactive and find solutions to the ongoing homelessness crisis. Four of the five boroughs were represented, with Staten Island being the exception.

Here are some photos of some of the speakers from the summit:

5 Boro Coalition’s next meeting will be held on Feb. 23 with Brooklyn set as the next borough to host.

Stay tuned for the full article on what happened during the summit later this week on queensledger.com.