By Dee Richard
We hope everyone fortunate enough to still have their mothers enjoyed the day by celebrating in some way with their mom. For those among us who are not that fortunate, we hope you took some time out to say a little prayer and reminisce about the good times you had with your mother while she was with us.
They say you never really die until there is no one left who remembers you. A happy Mother’s Day to all the mothers out there and to all their children who love them.
Congratulations to TimesLedger Newspapers account executive Victor Clavie. Victor won the Community Service Award at the VISIONS 28th annual luncheon at Terrace on the Park May 6. It was a lovely luncheon with a large number of honorees, including four Holy Cross High School boys — Charles D’Oria, Evan Munoz, Salvatore Graci and Spyros Panagiotopoulos — as well one of their instructors, Michael Genovese.
The boys were honored for their dedication to helping those less fortunate. Their services were dedicated to the blind. Longtime friend Joel Miele was also an honoree. Friends Daniel Leone, of QPTV, and Linda Marr, of New York Community Bank, served on the luncheon committee.
On May 9, the Rockaway Development and Revitalization Corp. held its 26th annual tribute and gala dinner at Russo’s on the Bay. One of our favorite buddies, Jack Friedman, executive director of the Queens Chamber of Commerce, was singled out to receive the 2012 Joseph W. Stehn Community Builders Award. Of course, all the QCC’s employees made the trip to Howard Beach to show their support. There were also two other honorees: Julia Blair and Rhonda Bair.
The RDRC would like interested folks to adopt senior high school students, as some have hardships trying to pay graduation expenses. If you would like to help, call Renee McWilliams for additional information at 718-327-5300. Any help, however small, will be appreciated. Please help if you can, as education is the key to these children’s future.
Last Thursday, the Jefferson Democratic Club held its May meeting at the Clearview Golf Club. The guest speaker was Ruben Diaz Jr., the Bronx borough president. He became the borough president in 2009 after serving 12 years in the state Assembly.
I had never met Diaz before but was impressed by how intelligent and well-versed he was. He also had a great sense of humor. There was no doubt he was devoted to helping his constituents and serving the needs of his community. He wants the Bronx to be the best it can possibly be. I’m sure we’ll hear a lot more about that young man in the future.
Some bits and pieces of information:
• The American Cancer Society will once again be holding its Relay for Life” at Fort Totten June 2 and 3. That’s another event you might consider contributing to. Try and attend the Luminaria Ceremony, as it is most impressive.
• Mary Conaty tells us there is a free camp for children ages 6-18 with cancer and their siblings. They will all get a free week at a sleep-away camp on Shelter Island, L.I. Parents do not have to worry as there is 24-hour medical service at the camp. The American Cancer Society number is 718-261-1092.
That’s it for this week.
I look forward to your voice mails at 718-767-6484, faxes at 718-746-0066 and e-mails at deerrichard@aol.com.
Till next week, Dee.
