"The Center Of Attention"

She’s only in her early 40’s!  You probably thought she was older.  I mean, for most of us she has been there for as long as we can remember.  Whenever we needed her, she was there

She’s lived an incredibly hard life; been used and abused by pretty much everyone.  All things considered, she still looks pretty damn good.  That’s because so many good people have looked after her, cared for her.  She’s also had more work done than the entire 90210 zip code which helps.
In case you haven’t figured it out yet, I’m talking about St. Sebastian Parish Center.  For as far back as I can remember the Center has been an important part of my life.  So many great memories come back to the Center.

My earliest memories of bonding with my dad are from the Parish Center.  Going with him to work the Golden Gloves when they hosted them in the gym.  He worked a little stand they setup between the stands when they were extended, or “pulled out” as those in the know say.  That was my time with dad.  It’s probably why I’m one of the few boxing fans left, and why boxing makes me think of my dad and those days in the Center.  Shortly after my dad died Mike Haggerty & Schmeds took me to some boxing at Christ The King.  Man how the memories came back.

As kids, on a daily basis, Bernie O and I would head there to meet our friends.  Every day the drill was the same.  Lay a towel out, lay a bathing suit in the towel, fold it over, and then roll it up!  Put the towel under your arm and head to the center.  On your way in you would show Josie your pass; don’t forget it expires on June 15th!  Back in the day you had to wait to swim!  It was ok though.  Whatever season it was, that’s what sport we played to kill time.  The handball walls in the gym were our own green monster for wiffle ball!  The bleachers were our sideline for football!  We even played roller hockey in the parking lot!

It’s where we met for brigade and teen club.  Good thing too because we needed a place to find Mr. Luberto to fix our baseball gloves!  We turned meeting rooms into a place to play steal the old mans bacon!

If you got suspended from the center (and we all did) you weren’t upset because you were going to get in trouble, you were upset because for the next 2 weeks your friends were there and you weren’t!

I’ve probably worked just about every job there ever was at the center.  I’ve cleaned up, I’ve life guarded, I’ve worked the front desk and I’ve even climbed scaffolding to change the gym lights.  I’ve walked the tunnel to inspect the pool.  Hell, I’ve emptied the pool and filled the pool.  A bunch of us have played wiffel ball in the emptied pool……now that is fun!

Despite all the use and abuse, she’s always survived because people have cared, because they worked hard to make sure she survived.  Some of us are lucky enough to volunteer and help out once in a while.  Others, like my brother, are more dedicated to her and are the reason she is still in such great shape.

Since the beginning, some people have put in more than their share of time and effort to making the Center the heart of St Sebastian, and of Woodside.  On October 25th we’ll celebrate the 40th anniversary of the Center and in doing so we will honor those people who have made the building the special place it has always been, and continues to be!

Being honored are Joe Keenan, Monsignor Dunn, Bob & Margaret Haggerty, Joan Plante and Kay Finnegan.  If we were to have a Parish Center hall of fame, these would be the first inductees!

The event is taking place at the ICC Center in Douglaston.  The Cunningham Brothers will be performing.  The cost for a ticket is $100 and covers the 5 hours (7pm-midnight) of open bar, cocktail hour and dinner.  In addition, for $10 per person you can book round trip bus transportation from Woodside!

Tickets are available by calling Harry at the Center (718 672 8989 and if you don’t know that shame on you)!  We have seats reserved for Eternal Sounds (many of which have booked already), and if you would like to sit with us please call me.  We need to nail this down soon.

She’s always been there for us.  And in fairness, you’ve always been there for her.  But remember, she’ll continue to be there for you.  Reserve your spot now.

As always, until next time, stay safe!

later,
dan

"My karma tells me, You've been screwed again! If you let them do it to ya, you've got yourself to blame! It's you who feels the pain! It's you who takes the shame!"