MLK celebration a moving experience for many

Last Updated on Monday, 30 January 2012 11:33 Written by Cathy Finnegan Tuesday, 31 January 2012 00:00

Mrs. Johnson and Greg Johnson chat with Effie, Richard and Richard Russell Jr. at the Martin Luther King Jr. Day soul food dinner. A celebration of the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was held in the Hughes Performing Arts Center at the Ocean City High School. Winnie Piriano greeted me when I arrived and gave me a program, then I joined Linda Gronert to enjoy the ceremony as Mark Soifer made the introductions. The Levites opened with “Lift Every Voice and Sing” and other inspirational selections and Morgan Noble sang “Black Bird.”

Jay Gillian was joined by Jeff Van Drew and Nelson Albano to present proclamations to this year’s honorees: Patricia Jackson, Ernestine Bell, Cora Wright and Scott Halliday Jr., for their volunteer work with the youth of Ocean City. Scott stands at 6”6’ so Jeff Van Drew didn’t want his picture taken with him. Greg Johnson turned the tables on the mayor when he called Jay Gillian up as another Martin Luther King Jr. Day honoree, as he is always just a phone call away whenever something needs to be done. When Greg presented Jay with a new sports jacket the mayor immediately tried it on and the fit was perfect. Mark Soifer commented it was a unique gift and thought he was at the Masters. Greg Johnson closed the program with his famous rendition of King’s “I Have a Dream” speech, which he performs each year, followed by everyone holding hands and singing “We Shall Overcome.”

Honorees and dignitaries formed a receiving line and shook hands with guests as they headed for the cafeteria for the soul food dinner. Brenda Moiso opened the doors to the cafeteria as guests lined up at the buffet. Curt Gronert arrived in time to join his wife and Marge and Bob Roth for dinner. Leslie Skibo was glad to be out and about after having surgery on her foot in the beginning of December. Still sporting a soft cast on her right foot, Leslie can’t drive so she has become good friends with Duke Kulowitch, owner of Apple Cab. I stopped to chat with Betty Brady, Mary Walsh, Mary Pike and Shirley Baker while they enjoyed dinner, as they were among the first in line. Betty wanted to know if I was still a junk food eater as she recalled when my son, John and I devoured gallons of Breyer’s mint chocolate ice cream when he was in high school. John Quinn promised to save Effie and Richard Russell’s place in line when I pulled them out for a picture. Bernie Morris thought it was pretty funny when someone ran in front of me while I was taking a picture. When I admired Joan Robertson’s gold, bronze and silver coin necklace and earrings, she told they were a gift from her granddaughter. It took Johnnie White a few minutes to recall he knew me from St. Peter’s. I spotted Marie Dugan circulating around the room catching up with all her friends. Genoria Gerald was delighted to get her annual picture taken with this columnist along with her 7-month-old grandson, David Khyrie Gerald. Sallie Eachus told Greg Johnson his speech brought tears to her eyes again this year, but was glad when I said her mascara didn’t run. I was surprised to learn that Marty Quinn was a nun, having become one at the age of 12. While a nun, Marty attended classes at Villanova.

I finally caught up with the kitchen crew: Portia Thompson, Mary Miles, Keith Hartzell, Winnie Piriano and Keith B. Parrish, when they finished serving almost 200 dinners. Portia told me she and Mary started preparing the dinner on Friday with Portia making the potato salad and Mary baking the corn bread. Matt Jamison joined Scott Halliday Jr. and his family at their table where Ruth Halliday was holding her 2-month-old great-granddaughter, Charlotte Ruth, while her great-grandsons, Scott and Michael, ran around the cafeteria. John Kemenosh, Roy Wagner and Tony Wilson enjoyed catching up with their constituents at the dinner. Edwina Wagner looked very French in a black beret. Lucy Wilent told me she went back to work when her husband, Bill, retired from the Police Department. Lucy recalled when I taught her daughter to swim in the Brady’s pool over 20 years ago. Anthony Wilent and Reed Baker wore their Scout uniforms to the ceremony. Sallie and Al Eachus told me they were headed for Mass at 40^th Street as we walked to our cars, so I told them to look for my husband.

Ever since the Miss America Pageant moved to Las Vegas, Maribeth Neall, Ocean City’s guru of local pageants, has been flying to Sin City in January to attend the weeklong festivities. When Maribeth opted to stay home this year, she invited her girlfriends to a Miss America Party at her townhouse at Ocean Reef. Decorations consisted of a Miss America motif, right down to the plates and napkins, featuring rhinestone tiaras; and everyone enjoyed the delicious hors d’oeuvres and buffet. Our hostess even sported a tiara with flashing lights. We watched the playoff game before the pageant and most were surprised to learn Maribeth’s daughter, Leslie Jamison, played on the all boy’s Skyhawks football team when she was in eighth grade. Leslie and her daughter, Ashley, had to leave shortly after the start of the pageant because Ashley had a gymnastic tournament at Convention Hall in Atlantic City early Sunday. Joanne Budnick told us about her recent trip to New York City where she attended the taping of the Martha Stewart television show. Carol Heenan served as our official photographer and the girls were happy with the contestants they drew in the pool, all but our hostess who didn’t have one of the finalists in the pageant and we heard about it all night. Maryann Jones and Linda Gronert had a couple of finalists, but it was Joanne Budnick who had first runner-up and the new Miss America in the pool. While Miss Wisconsin walked the runway, Maribeth placed a crown and sash on Joanne and presented her with a bouquet of roses to symbolize her win.

Marie Hayes, who was the first woman detective in the Cape May County Prosecutor’s Office and moved up to lieutenant and then captain before her retirement, was guest speaker at Colony Club’s January meeting. Marie highlighted numerous events in her career telling about spending three weeks walking the streets of Cape May when a rapist was on the loose. Marie loved working in the public sector, but found, as captain, she spent much of her time behind a desk. After 29 years in the prosecutor’s office, Marie retired, but still teaches several classes at the community college. Mary Rodgers wrote a New Year’s resolution skit that was performed by Elaine Novello, Betty Ermillio, Nadine Otto, Sandy Crescenzo and Barbara Weber. I enjoyed chatting with prospective new members, Pat Roach, Mary Ann Hascher, Cheryl Cox, Mary Anne D’Angelo and Judi Roseland. Everyone wished Verna Govoni the best in her upcoming marriage to Rick Garrish. Eileen Adams reported on the upcoming game night, Carolyn Lothian told the ladies to mark their calendars for a river cruise around Philadelphia in April and this columnist reported on Colony Club’s annual luncheon and fashion show to be held May 19 at Greate Bay Country Club.

Johnnie White, Joan Robertson, Mike Dattilo, Vivian Diaz and Leroy Robertson get together at the Martin Luther King Jr. Day soul food dinner. Martin Luther King Jr. Day honoree Scott Halliday Jr. poses for a picture with his grandparents, Al and Ruth Halliday; wife Regina, mom Janie and children Scott, Michael and Charlotte Ruth. Winnie Piriano, Portia Thompson, Keith B. Parrish, Mary Miles and Keith Hartzell relax after serving 200 at the Martin Luther King Jr. Day soul food dinner. Sarah Skeels; Anthony, Lucy and Bill Wilent, and Peggy and Reed Baker enjoy the Martin Luther King Jr. Day soul food dinner. Ashley Jamison, Maribeth Neall, Leslie Jamison and Maryann Jones, seated, are joined by Linda Gronert, Cathy Finnegan and Joanne Budnick at a Miss America party. Colony Club guest speaker Marie Hayes, center, stands with Hazel Kavle, Mary Garrett, Mary Ann Hascher and Judi Roseland. Barbara Weber, Nadine Otto, Pat Roach, Billie Lewis, Elaine Novello and Mary Rodgers line up for a picture at the Colony Club meeting.