GOP dinner dance honorees

Queens Republicans held their annual dinner dance recently, honoring several of the borough’s top GOP members with past president’s awards as well as community activists for their work.
Business owner John Catsimatidis received the county’s Abraham Lincoln Award, entrepreneur Michael Ricatto Sr. received the Ronald Reagan Award, and State Party Chairman Joseph Mondello received the Theodore Roosevelt Award at the dinner dance which was held on Thursday, March 29.
Before the awards presentation, Ricatto’s son - Michael Jr., who recently returned home from Iraq - recited the Pledge of Allegiance for the packed crowd at Reception House, located 167-17 Northern Boulevard.
Following the pledge, newly elected Chair Phil Ragusa told diners his vision for the future of the Queens County Republican Party, including his plans to reinvigorate its grassroots infrastructure and modernize its operations. To demonstrate new tactics to be used by the county party, Ragusa highlighted the county’s new website - www.queensgop.com
Grassroots Leadership Awards were given to Joan Vogt, Leonore Haslbauer, and Harvey and Mary Moder. In addition, City Councilmember Dennis Gallagher paid tribute to Marguerite Adams, who was given a Lifetime Achievement Award but was ill and unable to attend. Adams is the Executive Vice Chair of the Queens County Republican Party.