CLUB CELEBRATES 59 YEARS OF SERVICE AT ITS
8TH ANNUAL VICTOR V. ALLEGRETTI
DINNER DANCE
The club's Annual Dinner Dance on October 6th at the luxurious El Caribe Country Club was a huge success and the final act for out-going President Willie Basso who sang the night away with the live band. However, it was the general consensus of the over 200 people present that Willie should restrict his singing prowess to his bathroom during his daily shower, . . . preferably with the water running and the door closed so that his wife Anne is not overly subjected to the unusual singing sounds.
Club member and Immediate Past President Phil Kelly, Jr. and his great staff at the El Caribe Country Club pulled out all of the stops when it came to food and beverages. As is Phil's custom, the cocktail hour was so large, enticing and delicious that everyone had great difficulty trying to eat any of the eight entrees offered during the actual dinner.
Distinguished Past President Frank Naccarato performed in his traditional role as the evening's Master of Ceremonies with his customary charm and eloquent voice. Frank was magnificent as he adjusted "on the fly" to the changing situations which affected his well-planned sequence of events. GREAT JOB FRANK !!!!!!
( Frank Naccarato works his "Master of Ceremonies Magic")
Several club members were recognized for their community service and service to the club during the 2010-2011 Kiwanis Year with various Kiwanis Fellowships and Awards. Those recognized during the presentations made by Distinguished Past President
Jerry Bertuna included: Lou Faicco, who received a "Charter" "William Zeller Fellowship" from the Kiwanis International Foundation; President Willie Basso, who was presented with the "George F. Hixson Fellowship" from the Kiwanis International Foundation; Mike Calabrese, Sal Calabrese, Brian Long and Ty Yorio, who were each presented with the "Diamond" "Anton J. Kaiser Fellowship" from the New York District Foundation; John Abi-Habib, Frank Cassara, and Joe (TV Joe) D'Arrigo, who were each awarded with the "Anton J. Kaiser Fellowship" by the New York District Foundation; Brian Baslin, who received the Kiwanis Pediatric Trauma Center Foundation's Fellowship; President -Elect Pete Riso, who was presented with the Kiwanis Pediatric Lyme Disease Foundation's "Brittany Fellowship"; and Joe Mure, Jr., Esq. who was inducted into the Kiwanis International Foundation's "Kiwanis Leadership Society".
(from left to right: KPTC Foundation President Joe Corace looks on as Awards Chairman Jerry Bertuna announces NY District Foundation Awards presented by the Foundation's President Sal Anelli to Joe "TV Joe" D'Arrigo, Sal Calabrese, Ty Yorio, Mike Calabrese and Brian Long with District Governor William Risbrook also looking on between "TV Joe" and Sal Calabrese)
On hand for the event was Miss New York State 2011, the lovely Kaitlin Monte, and the former Miss Massachusetts 2009, the charming Alison Cronin who was the guest of club member Sal Strazzullo, Esq. Also on hand were State Senator Marty Golden, City Councilman Vincent Gentile, and the Chief of Staff for Borough President Marty Markowitz, Carlo Scissura, all of which presented Proclamations and Citations to outgoing President Willie.
Some fifty club members and their guests were joined by great supporters of our club's Foundation, the esteemed Mr. & Mrs. Anthony Clemenza who were presented with a special recognition award by President Willie and President-Elect Pete Riso. Also presented with special club recognition awards were Mr. & Mrs Sam Baretta, our corporate sponsor for this year's Golf Outing Fundraiser, and Mr. & Mrs. Joel Weiss who have been so generous to our club's foundation.
The club was honored to have the very charming and lovely Kaitlin Monte, Miss New York State 2011 attended the event. Check-out her blog site for the very lauditory comments she wrote regarding our affair at: http://missnewyork2011.blogspot.com/2011/10/ben-bay-kiwanis-dinner-gala.html.
(Bill Boshell "hams it up" with the lovely Kaitlin Monte, Miss New York State 2011)
A very nostalgic moment was experienced when all of the attending Past Club Presidents pose with out-going President Willie Basso to commemorate his outstanding 2010-2011 term of office during the presentation of Willie's "Immediate Past President" plaque.
(front row left to right: Distinguished Past Presidents Tom Colasanto, Larry Inconiglios, "Charter" member (1952) and Distinguished Past President Carl Tavolacci, Esq., Distinguished Past Presidents Joseph Rotante,and Jerry Bertuna. Top row left to right: Dr. Enrico Ferdico, Sal Anelli, Governor Bill Risbrook, Willie Basso, Frank Naccarato, Sal Calabrese, John Milone, Tony Dolce, Ty Yorio, and Phil Kelly, Jr.)
Truly, a grand night was had by all.
