December 2001

By Barry Jones

‘Tis the season…With the holidays upon us and the upcoming party season beginning what a great way to start the month of December with the fabulous Winter Ball. The Winter Ball is not really a party although it seems like one but a fundraiser for the Long Island Pride Parade. As usual Executive Director, Jim Pizzo and his entire board of directors and volunteers staged a great event. Most people do not realize what it takes to stage an event of this magnitude. Having done dock the past few years I certainly do. I am the event becomes your life for almost a year with planning, negotiating, etc. It is also great to know all money raised goes directly toward the parade. There are no salaries or overhead. It’s an all-volunteer organization.

The event began with a great cocktail hour or was it 2 hours? Then you were led into the main ballroom where Mr. Pizzo announced you. I did sneak in the side entrance, but he caught me. You can never outwit Jim. The supporters were a who’s who of Long Island’s gay and lesbian community, starting with Jon and Rob Cooper, Maxine Postal, David Kilmnick and Robert Vitelli of LIGALY, Walter Jackson, Jim Coppola, Veronica Philips-Moreno, Bill Borman, Pat Perry of GALFOLI, Al Lawrence, Tom Leahy, Helen of 608, all the guys of Auntie M’s, Kevin Halloran of Blanches, my Forevergreen ladies, and of course Larry, Michael and Eugene of The Bunkhouse fame.

Also seen were Tom Maligno, board chair of LIGALY, Michael Wade and Bob LePorte of the former AFOLI board, Warren Perrine who supports every organization, Ron and Chris of LIPP, Bill Heftner of PM Plus Entertainment magazine, Louis Trapani passing out lollipops to launch his new licktheweb.com an online Long Island GLBT publication, Jed Ryan and Ken Shanahan. Brenda Shanks, Joe Pirone and Yvonne also from LIGALY were among others. It was good to see a lot of new faces, first time attendees who I’m sure will be regulars at this event. It’s nice to have a fundraiser where we all get to dress formally. I would like to thank the executive board consisting of Jim Pizzo, Eva Sanchez, William Hayward and the rest of the board Pete Scibilia, Sandy Faison, and Justine Schachter for all of their hard work and hospitality at this and their other events.

Speaking of Louis Trapani lick the web.com is up and running with news, reviews and previews event listings, travel, forums, and regular columns such as “Brief Shots” by Rick Cullen, “Long Island Dish” with Priscilla, “La Vue“ with Lady Ashley Brooke and Ivana Adulation, with great articles from writers and contributors such as Jed Ryan, Bill Borman, Dyanne Leight, Jim Pizzo and others. Go to www.licktheweb.com. Also, I highly recommend visiting www.thelongislandlesbian.com, the online resource for all Long Island gay women. Its editor and publisher is Ms. Veronica Philips-Moreno, a powerhouse in our community.

A very warm get-well wish goes out to Greg Gibson. Greg a community supporter and leader underwent serious surgery recently and is home in Florida recovering. I have always valued our friendship and his past advice. It was Greg who named this column and encouraged me to start it a few years back.

I received an email a few issues back about the article I wrote about Close to Home Restaurant and how I went back to it after Dennis sold it. The person who wrote me said that I should try another restaurant that they went to. It was a restaurant that Dennis Mannarino, who formerly owned Close to Home, did consultation with the owners. The name of this establishment is Station and Park. We went one night with friends. This person was right. It was pure Dennis. The atmosphere was elegant and the food and service outstanding. It seems to be very gay friendly and worth checking out. Station and Park by the Wantagh train station is superb!

I believe the first major fundraiser of the winter new year season will be “Mardi Gras 2002” Celebrating Our Community’s Future. “Mardi Gras” is sure to be an annual event for LIGALY (Long Island Gay and Lesbian Youth) that people will be excited to attend. It will be held on Saturday February 16, (2002) at the Island Hills Golf and Country Club in Sayville. Tickets are $50.00 per person and Visa, MasterCard and Amex are also accepted. For further information please call LIGALY at 631 665-2300. Congratulations to the Gay and Lesbian Switchboard on their permanent home. They also need our help if you can volunteer your time in the evening and be a phone volunteer. Please call their new number 631 665-3700.

Please email me at SocialSpeaking@licktheweb.com, if you have any comments about this column, questions about any of the people or organizations mentioned or would like an event covered.

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Photos by Louis Trapani © 2001