By Dee Richard
This was another busy, fun week. I can’t believe Labor Day is just a week away and summer will be over. Then again, we still have the beautiful Indian summer days to look forward to.
Our first Monday night event was a fund-raiser for state Assemblyman David Weprin at the Carlton Hotel on Madison Avenue in Manhattan. Many notables attended including Bill Thompson, Freddie Ferrer, Henry Stern, U.S. Rep. Carolyn Maloney, city Comptroller John Liu and the Weprin family. The place was packed.
Next it was over to the University Club on 54th Street and Fifth Avenue, which was a posh place for a fund-raiser for the GOP’s Dino La Verghetta, who is running for the 14th Congressional District against incumbent Maloney. State Republican Chairman Ed Cox took the time to stay for the cocktail party.
On Wednesday evening, the Queensboro Hill Neighborhood Association, after its monthly business meeting, held a Meet the Candidates night for the 16th Senate District. The candidates were incumbent Toby Stavisky and fellow Democratic challengers Isaac Sasson and John Messer. They will all compete against each other in the Sept. 14 primary. Bob Schwartz, a Republican running on the Conservative line, was not present. It was an interesting and informative evening.
Thursday there was a fabulous luncheon at the Sheraton La Guardia East. It was a special meeting about the Kissena Corridor Park Conservancy and its proposed meditation garden. Everyone present seemed to be in favor of it. If successful, and it looks like it will be, it will be a lovely place, according to the plans and presentation of landscape architect Dwight Andrews.
The guest list was a who’s who of Queens. Present were former Borough President Claire Shulman, Sen. Frank Padavan, Stavisky, City Councilman Peter Koo, Joanne De Martino, Myra Baird-Herce, Chuck Wade, Gene Kelty, Marilyn Bitterman, Messer, Sasson, Bob Turner and Carl Paladino, who is running in the primary against fellow Republican Rick Lazio.
The winner of that primary will run against Democratic state Attorney General Andrew Cuomo. I sat next to Paladino and found him to be fascinating. I could see the wheels in his brain running on overdrive as he spoke.
On Thursday evening, Bart Haggerty held a cocktail party fund-raiser for Republican Alex Powietrzynski, who is running for the 28th Assembly District. There were many interesting guests at this party: Bart Haggerty, Keith and Matt Hunter, Anthony Como, Bob Turner, Eddie Carroll, Janet Malone and keynote speaker and Fox News commentator K.T. McFarland. The party was held in a beautiful apartment with a fantastic wrap-around terrace on Austin Street in Forest Hills.
On Friday evening, there was a fund-raiser for Democratic Sen. Shirley Huntley at Thomasina’s. She had the room full of enthusiastic supporters, including one of my favorite southeast Queens VIPs, Archie Spigner, who was there to show his support for Huntley and celebrate his birthday. Archie, you didn’t tell us how old you are, so I guess we will have to say you are a gentleman of a certain age and let it go at that. Happy birthday, Archie!
On Saturday morning at the Bayside Marina was one of everyone’s favorite summer events. It was the Bayside Snapper Derby. The event was organized and presented by the Bayside Anglers Group. It was the 10th anniversary of the event. It was a fun day in the sun and the children just loved it and are looking forward to next year.
The anglers group provided them with fishing poles, bait and whatever else they needed. There were give-aways for each child and trophies for the three top winners. This year, first place went to Jon Llaurato, second place went to Kate Cheung and third place went to Edwin Kuwong. Glen Oberwiler and Peter Pabon ran an enjoyable program for the children. No couch potatoes there. How do you wind up a perfect day? With lots of free pizza!
Good luck to all the candidates mentioned in this article.
Condolences to Marge Ferrigno on the death of her husband Nicholas, who had been the Bowne Park Civic Association president for many years and an active member in a number of civic organizations. Rest in peace.
That’s it for this week.
I look forward to hearing from you with information on people, parties and politics or gossip.
I like receiving your voice mails at 718-767-6484, faxes at 718-746-0066 and e-mails at deerrichard@aol.com.
Don’t forget to check out the Focus on Queens page.
Till next week, Dee.
