Somber, But Hopeful New Year's In Sandy-Ravaged Broad Channel
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- New Yorkers still struggling to recover from Superstorm Sandy were trying to find a reason to cheer this New Year's Eve.
As CBS 2's Steve Langford reported, the quaint lanes of Broad Channel, Queens, made the area a slice of heaven on the waterfront. But now with the neighborhood still ravaged by the storm, one might ask whether anyone there will shout, "Happy New Year!"
"This is the season to rejoice, but when you walk around you see so much devastation going on, how do you rejoice?" said Broad Channel resident Tony Scimeca.
Indeed, there may be precious few silly hats and noisemakers in Broad Channel this New Year's Eve, and probably few great resolutions either. There was just a somber celebration of survival.
"Celebrate? I would say yes," said Chris McCarthy.
McCarthy was celebrating the extraordinary compassion of volunteers who came all the way from North Carolina this New Year's to help fix hi storm-ravaged roof.
"You know, we wanted to help some people who needed some help," said Raleigh, N.C., volunteer N.C. volunteer Dave Ridley.
At the Grassy Point Bar and Grill down the street, there will be a toast to endurance.
"Being thankful that you know what damage they got; we're all coming back from it," said bartender Tim Macklin.
And at the local hair salon, there was a sign that business was coming back in time for New Year's to be spent close to home.
"We want to be with our families tonight," said Pamela Maracina of Belle Harbor Restaurant. "We want to be close to our families, because it was a very trying time."
But Broad Channel is a community that will never give up.
As recovery continues in Broad Channel, most of the stores on Cross Bay Boulevard remain closed.
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