By Dee Richard
Is everyone overwhelmed by the fact the one week from today is Christmas? Have you taken care of all the millions of details it requires to produce this year’s most memorable holiday? Or are you like me, when every year you swear you will start early, but at the last minute run around trying to get everything together?
The best−laid plans of mice and men! Thank heaven it all seems to work itself out. Of course, next year we will really start early — that is a promise.
It has been a week of wall−to−wall holiday parties. Don’t you just love this time of year? Everyone is in such a happy mood and even strangers smile as they exchange greetings.
If you have not seen it, drive by the house on the corner of 166th Street and 23rd Avenue. Every year the owner adds more lights and stuff. It is incredible. Out of curiosity, I asked him how much his electric bill is. He said he would show it to me, but only if I would agree to pay half of it. At that point, I decided I was not that curious after all. All I can say is it must be a huge one. The house is a few blocks off of Francis Lewis Boulevard in Whitestone.
On Monday, we attended the Queens County Democratic Organization’s annual holiday party at Antun’s in Queens Village. Kudos to Mary Lou and Jamie Plunkett for getting one of the season’s nicest parties together. County Democratic Chairman U.S. Rep. Joe Crowley entertained the gathering by singing Christmas carols.
It was so much fun that when he passed the microphone around to the guests, each one sang a line of a song, which added to the holiday spirit and feeling of camaraderie. Joe King’s son is getting to be quite the artist with his hand−made ice sculptures.
The Queens County Conservative Party had its holiday party at the American Legion Hall on Metropolitan Avenue in Forest Hills. State Chairman Mike Long and Queens County Chairman Tom Long hosted. Grant Lally and state Sen. Frank Padavan were among the notables in attendance. The club had a nice turnout.
On Wednesday, the Frank Kenna Republican Club held its party at the Mandarin Buffet in Astoria. It was well−attended by all the locals and Queens County Republican Chairman Phil Ragusa and Vincent Tabone.
Thursday evening was also one of the outstanding holiday parties. It was hosted by Peter Vallone Sr. and combined his annual Christmas party with his birthday party. Happy birthday, Peter. We enjoyed your party and you look great — 39 again, I presume?
His sons, Perry, Peter Jr. and Paul, were there. Peter Sr. and his wife, Tina, are lucky to have produced such outstanding young men. Obviously, they also put a lot of work and effort into their upbringing.
On Friday, the Greater Whitestone Taxpayers Association turned out for its holiday party at Il Nocello in Whitestone. It is a fairly new restaurant and was the first time I have been there. I would go again because the food is good and it has a nice private party room upstairs.
On Saturday, we stopped by the Guy Brewer Democratic Club to help its members celebrate. They had one of their largest turnouts. It was good seeing old friends Archie Spigner, Dora Young, Henry McCoy, Chet Szarjko, Martha and Bob Taylor and Corey Bearack. The club is on Linden Boulevard in Cambria Heights. It was a fun party.
That’s it for this week.
I always look forward to hearing from you with information on people, parties or politics or gossip.
I also like receiving your voice mail at 718−767−6484, faxes at 718−746−0066 and e−mails at deerrichard@aol.com.
Till next week, Dee.
