Civic News:
-- Golf outing at the Leewood Golf Club was fantastic, as promised by Mike Volpe and Pete Potoki. Phil ("Beat the Pro'') Colicchio almost made history by feathering a tee shot to within 6 feet 10 inches of a par-3 cup and almost winning a new car (Mercedes?). By doing so, Phil was later entered into a $50,000 Jet Blue shootout. He didn't win, but then he also didn't need the money. John ("Shooter'') Coughlin was extravagant in his praise of the day's activiities, particularly the dinner festivities.
-- Ed Maher, Dinner Dance Chairman, has announced that Joe Lifrieri is the Pelham Civic Association's 2010 Man of the Year. He will be honored at our Oct. 29 gala.
Joe Benefico, President of the Civics, said, "If you've had any contact with Pelham youth sports over the last 25 years, you know and admire Joe Lifrieri and his commitment to our kids. He's also a 20-year member of the Pelham Civics and a guiding force of our organization. I can't think of a more deserving choice to be our 2010 Man of the Year.''
Lifrieri has served on our Board of Directors and has been a key member of many committees, including the Finance Committee and the Dinner Dance Committee. He has been a major influence on the organization with his knowledgeable and common-sense approach to financial matters and other ongoing issues, and he is responsible for the very successful model that has been in place for more than 15 years.
In the words of Dr. Anthony Galiani, "Joe has a true feel for what the Pelham Civic Association stands for, and has a clear vision of our goals. He encourages us to be generous with our talents, while always watchful of our financial responsibilities.''
-- Joe Schirone began our annual raffle sales at the Summer Olympics. He confirms that the scheduled table-sales days are September 18-19, October 2-3, October 16 (Pumpkin Sale) and October 29 (Train Station).
-- Five outstanding Pelham High School students have been honored with prestigious community awards from the Pelham Civics.
The Vincent J. Lopardi Community Service Award was presented to Carlos Moreno. Mr. Lopardi (1904-1994) was one of the founding fathers of the Pelham Civic Association, serving two separate terms as president.
The Camillo J. D'Urso Charitable Support Award was presented to Kayla Cartelli. Mr. D'Urso (1929-1986) was a Pelham Civic Association member for almost 20 years, donating countless hours and financial help to charitable causes.
The Honorable Richard J. Daronco Civic Leadership Award was presented to Maura Tracy. Judge Daronco was an active member of our organization for almost 30 years and was honored as the Pelham Civics Man of the Year in 1974.
The Joseph L. Nunziata Award for Creativity and Service, named for a current member who has been cited locally and nationally for his creative achievements, was presented to Cara Dooley.
The Philip J. Colicchio Award for Leadership, also named for a current member and which is presented to the incoming president of the Student Association, was presented to Omar Gouda.
-- The Pelham Summer Olympics, under the guidance of Tom Imperato, were once again a huge success as hundreds of kids, parents and Civics members got together for a great morning of FUN, chronicled in an impressive photo spread in the Pelham Weekly.
-- The Memorial Day Parade was bigger and better than ever, with Civics member Ron Giustino as Grand Marshal and Civics member Joe Hall in total command of activities, Memorable sight: WWII vet, Civics member (and former Grand Marshal) Lt. Col. Bill Ioris handing out American flags to kids in front of Town Hall.
-- Joe Hall reminds us that the Memorial Day Parade May 31 will call for the usual uniform -- grey slacks, blue sportcoat (borsalino optional) etc. The General will conduct an inspection and will be taking names.
-- Summer Olympics Chairman Tom Imperato has good news for Pelham kids Grades K through 5 who like to win prizes by running, jumping, kicking and throwing -- and generally having a good time. The 25th annual Pelham Summer Olympics will be held at Glover Field on Saturday morning, June 5.
-- The Civics resumed its popular program of free Tai Chi classes on Thursday, April 22, at the Daronco Town House. The classes will run for eight weeks, every Thursday from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. The sessions will once again be conducted by Norma Castle, a popular instructor at the Tai Chi School of Westchester. For more info, contact Michael Mondrone, Pelham Civics Senior Citizens Chairman, at 718-792-7777.
-- The Civics' annual Benefit Golf Outing is on Tuesday, June 29 at the Leewood Golf Club in Eastchester. The primary beneficiary of this charity event is our Good Neighbor Program, which provides year-round assistance to less fortunate individuals, families and children in our community.
It's a full day of golf, fun, food and beverages and cap it off with cocktails, dinner and an exciting awards ceremony. Plus, the Jet Blue Challenge will take our putting contests and closest-to-the-pin competitions to a new level of fabulous prizes.
The cost per player is only $300.
To register to play, or inquire about sponsorship programs, e-mail Mike Volpe at mjvolpe@venable.com or Pete Potocki at petep102649@aol.com.
-- The Civics held its 20th Annual Sophomore Career Awareness Day on April 19. The award-winning program featured breakout sessions in which some 200 students met with more than 55 professionals representing 11 different career tracks, including business, law, the arts, education, health services, law enforcement and technology.
Joe Nunziata, Chairman of the Pelham Civics Career Day Committee, noted, “This year we asked the Career Speakers to focus on the following major issues:
-- the importance of technology in every career;
-- keeping an open mind to a variety of colleges – particularly in Liberal Arts;
-- in considering a career path, always have a “Plan B”;
-- constantly demonstrate a strong work ethic,
-- and understand the value of volunteerism -- something these 55 people were demonstrating that very morning.”
Nunziata also acknowledged the volunteer efforts of his fellow Pelham Civic Committee members: Phil Colicchio, Tim Fisher, Glenn Whitmore, Michael Clain and Jim Arden.
-- Sad legacy of THE STONE continues. Pete Potocki was ``awarded'' the mystical rock at the March membership meeting in the annual secret St. Patrick's Day rite. As in the past, the luck of the Irish was not included in the transfer. What quickly followed were stories of ice-skating accidents, fish-pond tragedies and toppled trees resulting in fallen power lines. Potocki is said to have done something with THE STONE but it's not clear what he did or to whom he did it.
-- Civics President Joe Benefico was profiled in the March 7 issue of The Journal News. The article, which was accompanied by a three-column photo, was headlined ``Benefico keeps civic association in genes.'' See the article here.
-- Notes from the February membership meeting:
Phil Carfora, speaking for event chair Ed Maher, said the date for the annual dinner dance is set for Friday, October 29. This year the event will be held at the Lake Isle Country Club in Eastchester.
Community Awards Chairman John Pacia welcomed Peter Hoffmann and Steve Davies to his committee. John has spoken with the principal and guidance department of PMHS to get the word out. The applications will be available in different locations and on the Pelham Civic web site. The deadline to hand in applications is April 30. The interviews will take place in May.
Richard Davidian reported that his Good Neighbors/Needy Cases committee has met to discuss the areas in which they can improve the programs. Last year the Pelham Civics was involved in assisting with seventeen different cases. This does not include the food baskets and distribution of Christmas gifts. The referrals came from schools, churches and the membership.
Joe Schirone is already planning to make another successful raffle drive. He urged the membership to participate. The dates are 9/18 and 9/19, 10/2 and 10/3, 10/16 pumpkin sale, and 10/29 at the train station. He is also thinking of setting up a raffle table at the Pelham Summer Olympics.
Jim Arden reported the planning is on schedule for Sophomore Career Awareness Day. The date is set for April 19 at PMHS.
John Catalano reported the Pelham Music Festival was a big success. There were more than 170 individual performers as well as 70 more in groups. The performers also gave a free concert at the Schaffer Home for the Aged. The Pelham Civics was a sponsor of the event.
President Benefico informed the membership of the passing of Tony DiDonato, a past president of the Pelham Civics. His passing was a loss to the Civics and the entire community.
President Benefico read a letter of request from the Pelham Children’s Center. They requested $500 to buy shelves to help organize the children’s toys and books. Pat Szymanski made a motion to donate $500 to the Center to purchase the shelves. The motion was seconded by Ken Shirreffs and passed unanimously.
-- The Civics welcomed a new, third-generation President, Joseph R. Benefico, at its general membership meeting at the Daronco Town House on January 13. He is the son of Leonard Benefico, who served as President in 1963 and 1964, and the grandson of the late Vincent Lopardi, a founder of the Civics who served as President from 1944 through 1946.
Joe succeeds Bob Tracy, who served as President for the last two years. Bob was hailed at the Civics Christmas party in December and received a plaque in appreciation for his outstanding service to the organization. Bob will assume the role of Chairman of the organization's Board of Directors.
Joe Benefico is the Police Chief of Pelham and President of the Police Chiefs of Westchester Association.
-- More than 90 Pelham senior citizens enjoyed a high-energy Christmas luncheon at the Daronco Town House on Dec. 29, sponsored by the Civics. After a buffet lunch catered by DeCicco Marketplace, the partygoers settled in to a lively afternoon of singing and dancing. The affair was organized by Michael Mondrone, Chairman of the Civics' Senior Citizens Committee, along with committee representatives Ed Grimaldi, Frank Mondrone Jr., Chris Laurentani, C.J. Laurentani and Jordan Salmeron.
-- Ed Grimaldi and Frank Mondrone Jr. brought some Civics-sponsored pre-Christmas cheer to the Mount Vernon Soup Kitchen on December 18. The 250 attendees received food and gifts -- including 80 pizzas provided by Eric Salmeron.
-- The Civics Christmas party/membership meeting at the Pelham Country Club on December 18 was a huge success, engineered by Vince Cartelli and Harry Wasilchak. More than 100 attendees enjoyed a night of dining, dancing and a performance by the Pelham Memorial High School choir.
-- Our annual gift-wrapping event for needy neighbors was held December 12 at the Daronco Town House. Dozens of Civics members and their families (including children and grandchildren) affixed bows, ribbons and colorful Christmas wrap to more than 500 gifts for distribution to 110 needy children and families throughout Pelham. Rich Davidian, Chairman of the Good Neighbor Committee noted that "We are also delivering 250 Christmas meals to Pelham families -- the same number we delivered at Thanksgiving."
-- Civics member Joe Nunziata and his talented sons, Will and Anthony, were presented with the prestigious Ambasciatore Award by the Italian-American Museum of New York. The ceremony took place November 8 at the V.I.P. Country Club in New Rochelle.
-- Civics member John DeCicco was honored by the Calabria Society on October 30 at the Surf Club in New Rochelle.
-- Our annual dinner dance October 30 honoring Cathy Draper and Michael Clain was ``an elegant and enjoyable event,'' according to the Pelham Weekly. ``The dining room (at the Fountainhead) was filled, the music upbeat and moving, and a good time was had by all.'' Phil Carfora masterminded the gala and Joe Schirone delivered big numbers with the fund-raising raffle sales.
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