The Bay Ridge Digest Podcast - EP014: We Remember Bay Ridge

Haunted Bay Ridge Walking Tour — Saturday 6/6/2026 at 6:30PM

How do we define a ghost? What makes us gravitate towards spooky stories, and not just in October? What causes these supposed paranormal things to happen? Are they trapped spirits who are unable to move on? Inter-dimensional visitors? Energetic imprints from the past history of a house? Or is it something ancient? Something tied to the land itself.  I grew up in a house on Bay Parkway in Bensonhurst that had lots of strange activity. Don’t believe me? Just ask my mom. Want to take a ghost tour and see me in person? I’m leading Haunted Bay Ridge on Saturday June 6th at 6:30PM. Tickets can be found here — https://www.eventbrite.com/e/haunted-bay-ridge-revised-tickets-1987612124369, at the tours and events tab at BayRidgeDigest.com [http://bayridgedigest.com], or through the linktr.ee [http://linktr.ee] at @BayRidgeDigest or @TheWallBreakers on Instagram.

The Bay Ridge Digest Podcast - EP015: Wistful Thinking

In The Bay Ridge Digest Podcast episode 15, we speak with the owner of the Fort Hamilton Distillery, salute the importance of Memorial Day, and meet several small business owners.  Featured in this episode are these segments:  • The inspiration for Fort Hamilton Distillery (@fort.hamilton.distillery) in Industry City (@industrycity) with co-founder Alex Clark • Anna from Anna Bella Pizza Cafe (@annabellapizzacafe) with a big hello and their late Spring menu and hours • The history behind “In Flanders Fields” and how to donate to local Poppy funds through @forthamiltonfmwr and local VFWs • Jeff Samaha (@jeff_samaha) on working the Today Show, David Letterman, Nightly News with Tom Brokaw, how Ridge Chorale expanded in the 1970s and 1980s, and meeting his wife Mary Ann • Three Light-Hearted Jokes from Freddie Friday (@freddiefridaystoryfuntime) with a PSA for the Itty Bitty Kitty Bay Ridge Cat Rescue (@ittybittykittynybayridge) • Establishing the first Doula program at the New York Presbyterian Brooklyn Methodist Hospital and launching The Brooklyn Birth Shop (@brooklynbirthshop) with Kerri Evers • The history of the Memorial Day Weekend International Lifeboat Race in the Narrows • Mighty Functional Fitness (@mightyfunctionalfitness) offerings with Victoria Salerno • Selections from The Price of Their Toys with John P. Loonam (@jploonam) • Sew ‘N Fashion’s (@sew.n.fashion_bk) upcoming anniversary party and summer camp with Alyson Melhus • Launching and running the Fort Hamilton Distillery (@fort.hamilton.distillery) with Alex Clark  • The story behind the Flagg Court Pool Closure with Christine Walters (@finnmom) of Three Day Champion (@threedaychampion) Coming in Monday, June 29th, The Bay Ridge Digest weekly Monday morning roundup email. It’ll feature upcoming Bay Ridge events, local classifieds, restaurant recs, human interest, and other Bay Ridge happenings.  Want to sign up for this and find out more? Please do so at the completely revamped  BayRidgeDigest.com [http://bayridgedigest.com] For more info on how to submit a story lead, please go to BayRidgeDigest.com [http://bayridgedigest.com]. You can also get in touch by emailing BayRidgeDigest@gmail.com [BayRidgeDigest@gmail.com]. Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bayridgedigest/ [https://www.instagram.com/bayridgedigest/] Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/bayridgedigest [https://www.facebook.com/groups/bayridgedigest]

The Bay Ridge Digest Podcast - EP014: We Remember Bay Ridge

In The Bay Ridge Digest Podcast episode 14, we remember through the eyes of three Bay Ridge residents: A doula, a writer, and a musical director. In doing so, we’ll span several decades and maybe find out more about ourselves through the process.  Featured in this episode are these segments:  • With Jeff Samaha (@jeff_samaha) at St. Mary’s Antiochian Orthodox Church (@stmarysbrooklynya) and Hinch’s in the 1950s • Jess from The Bookmark Shoppe (@thebookmarkshoppe) with some Bay Ridge-centric reads  • Three Light-Hearted Jokes from Freddie Friday (@freddiefridaystoryfuntime) with a PSA for the Itty Bitty Kitty Bay Ridge Cat Rescue (@ittybittykittynybayridge) • Jeff Samaha on Forming Ridge Chorale and Becoming a stage manager at NBC in the 1960s • Growing Up on Long Island with John P. Loonam (@jploonam) • Tony Christiano of Nonno’s Pizza (@nonnospizza) on their most popular offerings and funny requests • Why I’m launching the upcoming Bay Ridge Digest weekly Monday morning email newsletter in June • Moving to Manhattan and then Bay Ridge, with John P. Loonam • Growing up in Bay Ridge and Becoming a Doula, with Kerri Evers of The Brooklyn Birth Shop (@brooklynbirthshop) • What defines a haunting with Christopher Wiecha and Aimee Pagano (@aimeenicolecollin) Coming in June, The Bay Ridge Digest weekly Monday morning roundup email. It’ll feature upcoming Bay Ridge events, local classifieds, restaurant recs, human interest, and other Bay Ridge happenings. Want to sign up for this and find out more? Please do so at the completely revamped BayRidgeDigest.com For more info on how to submit a story lead, please go to BayRidgeDigest.com [http://bayridgedigest.com]. You can also get in touch by emailing BayRidgeDigest@gmail.com [BayRidgeDigest@gmail.com]. Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bayridgedigest/ [https://www.instagram.com/bayridgedigest/] Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/bayridgedigest [https://www.facebook.com/groups/bayridgedigest]

The Bay Ridge Digest Podcast - EP013: A Very Special Community

In The Bay Ridge Digest Podcast episode 13, we head to Fort Hamilton High School, find out what goes into a career in media, eat some artisanal cookies, ride the Iguazu river, and head back to 1986.  Highlights: • Chernobyl, AIDS, Mafia Wars — April 1986 in NYC at the Marboro Theater on Bay Parkway • Chelsea Ciccone and Ciccone’s Artisan Bakehouse • Scenes from the Fort Hamilton High School Hall of Fame Wall Unveiling with Joe Estrella • Your weeknight food needs with Michelle Perricone of Anthony’s Butcher & Deli • Dan Rathers and the CBS Evening News on Chernobyl • A life in Media and Communications with Christine Walters • Farm Jokes with Freddie Friday • The Iguazu Grand Opening with Rafaela Negrao • A Latte Da Cafe Promo with Ron Kavral • At the Brighton Bazaar in April 1986 • Hassan Haidar and Moory Elshemy on their friendship and establishing a culture and community space at The Healing Bean Cafe • What makes Bay Ridge such a special place with Catherine O’Rourke, Karen Tadross, Connie Gibilaro Malone, Aimee Pagano, Katie Coughlin, Dr. Marla Loughran, Erica Stavrou, Emily Pagano, Michelle Perricone, Shaki Usarova, Jan Rideout, John Calascione, Reina Anderson, Erik Gislason, Kayla Santosuosso, Samia Aljahmi, James Vavas, Laurie Savino, Sal Forte, and Daymein Forte The reading material used in today’s episode included articles from: • The New York Daily News • The New York Times • Newsday • PastDaily.com [http://pastdaily.com] Coming later this Spring, the next step in The Bay Ridge Digest: A weekly Monday morning roundup email, delivered straight to your inbox, featuring important upcoming Bay Ridge events, local classifieds, restaurant recs, human interest, and other important Bay Ridge happenings.  If you’re a business owner reading this, I’ll be releasing the email wireframe and media kit in the coming weeks. It’ll show affordable sponsorship opportunity placements within this email. I’ll also be explaining how people can purchase classified ads within the newsletter. All other stories covered within will be free of charge.  Want to receive this? Sign up for this email in the form at BayRidgeDigest.com [http://bayridgedigest.com]. Want to submit a story or important event you already know that will be happening in say, June or July? Do so with that same form or email me at BayRidgeDigest@gmail.com [BayRidgeDigest@gmail.com]. For more info on how to submit a story lead, please go to BayRidgeDigest.com [http://bayridgedigest.com]. You can also get in touch by emailing BayRidgeDigest@gmail.com [BayRidgeDigest@gmail.com]. Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bayridgedigest/ [https://www.instagram.com/bayridgedigest/] Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/bayridgedigest [https://www.facebook.com/groups/bayridgedigest]

The Bay Ridge Digest Podcast - EP012: Right Where You Left Me

In The Bay Ridge Digest Podcast episode 12 we recap Tastes of Third, hang out by Flagg Court, commune with the president of Fort Hamilton’s Alumni Association, find out what’s happening on 5th Avenue, and gear up for Pizza Wars.  Highlights: • Scenes from Jackie Robinson’s first game in 1947 • Growing Up in Analog Brooklyn with Joe Estrella • Some Tastes of Third Avenue Highlights with Saravá Bistro, Anthony’s Butcher & Deli, Latte Da, and Brooklyn Dipped • Bay Ridge 5th Avenue BID News with Executive Director Elizabeth Lovejoy • Growing up in Flagg Court with Christine Walters • An Upcoming Pizza Wars Promo with The Merchants of Third Avenue’s Chrisie Canny • The Fort Hamilton High School’s Upcoming Hall of Fame Ceremony with Alumni Association President Joe Estrella • April and Tax Day Jokes with Freddie Friday • Three Day Champion with Christine Walters The reading material used in today’s episode included articles from: • BayRidgeFlagCourt.com • The Bay Ridge Home Reporter • The Brooklyn Daily Eagle • Brownstoner.com [http://brownstoner.com] • PastDaily.com [http://pastdaily.com] Coming later this Spring, the next step in The Bay Ridge Digest: A weekly Monday morning roundup email, delivered straight to your inbox, featuring important upcoming Bay Ridge events, local classifieds, restaurant recs, human interest, and other important Bay Ridge happenings.  If you’re a business owner listening to this, I’ll be releasing the email wireframe and media kit in the coming weeks. It’ll show affordable sponsorship opportunity placements within this email. I’ll also be explaining how people can purchase classified ads within the newsletter. All other stories covered within will be free of charge.  Want to receive this? Sign up for this email in the form at BayRidgeDigest.com [http://bayridgedigest.com]. Want to submit a story or important event you already know that will be happening in say, June or July? Do so with that same form or email me at BayRidgeDigest@gmail.com [BayRidgeDigest@gmail.com]. For more info on how to submit a story lead, please go to BayRidgeDigest.com [http://bayridgedigest.com]. You can also get in touch by emailing BayRidgeDigest@gmail.com [BayRidgeDigest@gmail.com]. Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bayridgedigest/ [https://www.instagram.com/bayridgedigest/] Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/bayridgedigest [https://www.facebook.com/groups/bayridgedigest]