Saturday, March 7, 2015

Another great night with the Friends


The Friends wrapped up another dinner last Saturday and for the 38th year in a row a good time was had by all.
Just to recap, the Friends of 112th Street packed the St. Augustine’s gymnasium, had plenty to eat and drink, reminisced about the old days , honored a few of their own and then had some group laughs thanks to the speakers and the annual skit.
It all started when half dozen guys got together on a whim in 1976 and had such a good time decided to meet again the following year. They’ve been doing it ever since and over the years started drawing others into the mix. This year, some 350 showed up with some walking a couple blocks and others flying in from different states to see old friends and give something back to the community -- all proceeds are donated to non-profit groups and civic organizations.
I can’t go into what was said Saturday night because what happens on the last Saturday of February at St. Augustine’s stays at St. Augustine’s, thankfully.  Actually, for a variety of reasons, I missed the speakers and the skit (no, former U.S. Rep. John Sweeney, my ankle bracelet didn’t go off … I figured out how to disable it … I’ll show you sometime) but I heard everyone was a scream.
(As an aside, I will say that Jimmy Lance was partly correct except he has a bigger chest and less facial hair.)
Joining speakers Sweeney, who I heard was hysterical, and Lance, who is always hysterical, was Dave Kissick, who I heard was equally hysterical.
And as in year’s past, some Friends were lucky enough to get – or worked hard enough to earn– recognition from the group. This year’s award winners were:
-Sports Awards: Nick Davy, Mike Corrigan, David Piscitella and Mayor Lou Rosamilia.
-Veterans Awards: Al O’Brien and Bruce Jensen       -Humanitarian of the Year: Chuck Fentakes               
-Special Award: Bob Swanick
-Man of the Year: Ed Manny
I have to thank the committee – Mick Cahrenger, Kevin Vandenburgh, Jim Duff, Eric Gower, Mike McDonald, Gene Blair, Uncle Tucker Hulihan, Scott Ryan and Ron Bounds – for inviting me again this year.
To close, as with most old adages, “imitation is the sincerest form of flattery” does ring true. Also last Saturday, some 100 women gathered at Franklin Terrace for the eighth time. Some 100 women attended the event, affectionately known as the “Bitches Brunch,” to raise money for Hope 7. As per tradition, women aren’t allowed at the Friends dinner so some decided to start their own same type of event.
If my opinion matters at all, I highly recommend all men attend the Friends of 112th Street Dinner on the last Saturday in February. I also recommend all men avoid, at all costs, Franklin Terrace on that same day.     
 
 

25 comments:

  1. The racism ruined it.

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    1. racism my mick ass

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    2. racism my ass. Here's a tip --don't buy a ticket next year. We're still waiting for Rodney to pay for his btw.

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    3. Racism sucks!

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  2. We all know the Mayor, at this time, is not in the running for Humanitarian of the year after this debacle. Lou who?

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  3. Remember the days harry and Dan would snowplow the city streets volunteering their time? Yup. True and genuine leaders

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  4. Stop. Lou says he snowblows half of balina street. What he really means is infront of his mailbox folks

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  5. Noticeably absent from the friend dinner...Pete ryan. Why.....hungover from mimosas at the bitched brunch

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  6. Thank God for Vito, he keeps the crazies away and the delusional table gets smaller and smaller. Thanks V.

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    1. Because he goes crying to court to get restraining orders like a little girl. Waa waa waa

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    2. It works. No Zba and no council or no friends dinner bobby

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  7. Each year Troy waits with bated breath wondering if Jim Gordon will be honored as Woman of the Year at the Bitches Brunch.

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    1. He has such soft alabaster skin.

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  8. Friends lost its credibility when it gave Harry T. the man of the year award a few years back. Everyone knows Harry did nothing for the Burgh. The Burgh i grew up in never respected a suck up, and would never become one. Enjoy your party boys, keep patting yourselves on your backs telling yourselves how wonderful you are. While your at it, take a look at your Burgh - maybe you should be focusing on other things than a feel good sausage party, In a church hall no less. How nice.

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    1. Thanks Ed. But, people who actually get it done, get the awards. Some of us don't rest on the laurels of their brother, some of us actually do the work in the community.

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  9. The hell with all this. When do we get more beach pictures of Rod posing like a wanna be bodybuilder with his shirt off?

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  10. Heard Carmella was on a roll at the Brunch and after.

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  11. Quit the sensitivity, political correct BS. People from the same location and different walks of life got together, cracked jokes, had a few drinks, and had fun. I don't hear any negativity on Donny and Warren Fane donating $5 grand to the community? It's a great cause and a great time.

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    1. Why would the Fanes donating money to the Burg they love have any thought of negativity. They are successful and have been more philitropic than any one else in Burg history. This isn't something new. Nor is it something for someone to start bs about. They got it and now the Burg is benefiting!

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    2. Good point about the Fanes not forgetting where they came from. Shame the city doesn't use them much anymore. But why do they use contractors that aren't even Troy taxpayers? Is it the frozen pipes engineer that has a bone to pick? Or someone else?

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    3. 5:26, I was actually referring to the donation as a positive, but individuals are discussing the supposed "negative" aspects of the evening.

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