Recollections of Christmas Eve
Ben Vitale

I have fond memories, of Christmas Eve at Grandpa and Grandma’s house, 60 years ago. My Grandparents had a tradition of playing Poker, in between the courses of dinner; Today, three generations later, our Grand Children, who are adults, love to play Texas Holdem Poker, at family gatherings. The grandchildren are now teaching Grandpa how to play Texas Holdem Poker! Hummm… Is playing poker at family gatherings hereditary?  LOL

Many of our family traditions stem from my grandparents who came to America from Italy, in the 30s.  The Christmas Eve ritual at their house in Brooklyn, NY, was really interesting and choreographed with the precision of a Broadway musical production.  

On Christmas Eve, my grandparents served a seven course meal; each course was followed by a game of Poker. It was so funny! The table cloth was literally removed from the table after each course, and Poker was played on the Plate Glass Tabletop! Through practice, my family members had training, in the art of playing Poker that could be compared to the training that one would receive at a military Boot Camp. LOL. I firmly believe that if my family went to a Casino to play Poker, the Casino wouldn’t stand a chance! LOL.  After the last course, the family would play Poker for the rest of the night. With all of the above going on, some family members managed to go to Midnight Mass, which is a Catholic tradition!

Christmas Eve at my house takes the same effort and dedication that it did decades ago! Once again we are working hard in preparation for our Christmas Eve celebration, 2013. This year, our Christmas tree was just about the right size for the room; we didn't have to cut off any branches from the top of the tree.  21 people will be at our home this year on Christmas Eve. I have introduced another component into my family’s arsenal of traditions; Karaoke Sing Along, after dinner.

My wife and I can remember the Bubbly Lights that our grandparents always put on their Christmas, Tree 60 years ago. Marie and I carried on the tradition, and always had “Bubbly Lights” on our Christmas Trees. Our tradition has propagated itself through Three generations! My 21 year old granddaughter would never forgive us if we didn't have bubbly lights on our tree! Bubbly lights have become a multi-generational tradition in my family!

While writing this article I had an epiphany; I suddenly realized that Christmas Eve at my house has had a profound effect on our grandchildren. I wouldn’t be a bit surprised if our tradition survives for decades to come!

You might want to read another Christmas related story that I published a few years ago. I personally feel that “Christmas Stories” are timeless, and become relevant at Christmas time every year!
http://patchogue.patch.com/groups/ben-vitales-blog/p/bp--the-most-beautiful-christmas-tree-on-long-island

Have a Merry Christmas everybody! Have a happy Hanukah! Have a happy Quanza

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Christmas Tree Light Up Saint Francis De Sales December 8, 2013         
Philip Butler (Patchogue Knights of Columbus,Council #725)

The Patchogue Knights of Columbus,Council #725, with assistance from the Patchogue Fire Dept’s Union Hook & Ladder Co. #1, Matthew Coraro, Deputy Chief, put up the lights on Suffolk Counties’ largest Christmas Tree at Saint Francis de Sales Church this past Saturday, November 23rd.

“Tree Decoration Chairman” Paul Lauben did a great job, and thanks all for their help including Parish Roundtable coordinator Kevin Drawbridge, council Grand Knight Michael Boehm, Deputy Grand Knight Mike Hoesterey, Tom Berensten Philip Butler, Carmine Franzese, and John Terlecki. Pastor Father Tom invites the entire Patchogue community to the tree’s light up 4pm, this Sunday, December 8, 2013. Saint Francis De Sales is located on South Ocean Avenue and Amity St., Patchogue, NY.

Hot chocolate for all thanks to the Main Street Café.

Please forward this to your family and friends!

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Reduce the Calories in Your Favorite Beverage  by 75 Percent

Ben Vitale

This is not an advertisement!

I have been trying to “be good,” with regard to my diet. Yes, I know we need lots of water every day, but water is tasteless.

My wife introduced me to a simple trick that she uses, to make a tasty low calorie drink. Simply fill one quarter of a glass with Apple Cider; the remaining three quarters of the glass are filled with water. Hummm… This drink actually tastes very good. I tried this same trick using Orange Juice; this also tastes good. I then tried “Green Tea and Honey” beverage, mixed with water; this is my favorite!

As time went on I discovered that I preferred to drink the diluted beverages as opposed to filling the entire glass with the high calorie beverage. So a 400 calorie beverage turns into a 100 Calorie drink, when served with the water mixture. One part beverage and three parts water tastes great.

I also use this same trick when I go to a fast food establishment; I mix their beverages with water. It is wonderful to be able to reduce my calorie input by using water, while not losing the flavor of the beverage. Many fast food establishments also provide water at their soda fountains.

You must experiment with different beverages and see which beverage/water combinations taste best to you. You might also want to experiment with different beverage/Water ratios; I sometimes use a 4 to one, water to beverage ratio. In this case, a 400 Calorie beverage is transformed into an 80 Calorie drink.

The water that comes out of my faucet does not taste very good; so I use a charcoal filter to improve the taste. The filtered water makes my mixtures taste even better.

Have you tried this trick? Have you discovered a secret combination that really tastes great?

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Beware: Phone Call from Microsoft

I just received a phone call from an “un-named” person who said that he was from Microsoft. This person said that my computer was having a serious problem, and he asked me to log onto his web site, so he could fix my problem. While still on the telephone, I received another phone call from another
“un-named” person, on my second telephone line. The person on my second telephone line also wanted me to log onto his Internet site so that he could fix my computer. This person said that he was from technical support!

A Google search of “Phone call from Microsoft,” revealed that this is a Scam.  

Do not follow verbal instructions if you receive a similar call; hang up!

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Del Satins to Perform at the Patchogue Theatre

Ben Vitale

 

The Patchogue council 725, of the Knights of Columbus, is sponsoring a special performance of the famous Del Satins, to benefit the New York State Veterans Home in Stony Brook. This performance is   special, because the lead singer Stan Zizka is your neighbor! Wow! He lives in Patchogue Village.

The Del Satins worked with Dion originally from Dion and the Bellmonts, to record “Runaround Sue,” and “ Donna the Prima Donna.” I have found that both the young and the old are in agreement; this is a show that “should not be missed.”

Date:   Sunday, October 27, 2013

Time:   3PM

Place:   Patchogue Theatre for the Performing Arts, 71 East Main St., Patchogue, NY, 11772

Tickets start at $18 dollars, and are available via telephone, Web, or at the Patchogue Theatre Box office.

Telephone #:   631 207 1313

Web:  www.patchoguetheatre.com

“Donna the Prima Donna:”  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X6OmZmoblSI

“The Wonderer”   http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CH3iz4o6G5E


The Del Satins are also going to have a “meet and greet,” photo opportunity session.

If you love 60s music, you really should attend this performance!

Buy your tickets as soon as possible; this show will sell out quickly.

 

Sandy Recovery Insurance Workshop for Homeowners

 

Many homeowners that were displaced by “Sandy,” are still trying to dig through the tangled mess of paperwork and insurance forms, so that they can finish repairs, and finally move back into their homes.

A special workshop is being given by Christina Galante,  to help the homeowner navigate through the Insurance process.

Date: Monday, September 23, 2013

Time: 7:00 PM through 10:00 PM

Place: Touro Law Center

            225 Eastview Drive

            Central Islip, NY, 11722

Registration: is through https://cindyzeis3.eventbrite.com.

Trouble Registering? Contact Marian Russo 475-4300 xt 126 

This message has been distributed in cooperation with COAD (Community Organizations Active in Disaster)

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To: Maple Avenue Neighborhood Watch members

 The Fifth Precinct is having a Community Meeting

 Date: Tuesday, September 3, 2013

 Time: 7 PM

 Place: Patchogue Medford Library, 54-60 East Main Street, Patchogue, NY

 You do not have to be a representative of any organization to attend this community meeting. If you are having any type of neighborhood issues that could be resolved by the Police Department; I would strongly urge you to attend this meeting. The current leadership of the Fifth Precinct is extremely responsive to community problems.

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Announcement from  Ella B. McLean
Grace A.M.E.Zion Church
Cleveland Street
Patchogue, NY

YOU ARE INVITED:

 

"FESTIVAL OF SALADS"

GRACE A. M. E. ZION CHURCH

SATURDAY, AUGUST 24, 2013 ~ 1:00 - 5:00 pm

Feast on the more than 20 salads
for the donation of

$10.00 for ADULTS $5.00 Under 12

 

Tickets are sold at the door,  however some estimate of attendees will help.  Our event is open to the public and we look forward to the Fellowship with our Friends; and Members of The Maple Avenue Neighborhood Watch Group.

 

Our mailing address is:

Grace A.M.E. Zion Church, PO Box 85, Patchogue, NY   11772. 

 

You may contact me -  Ella McLean @ 475.1916

or Jeannette Rivera @ 696.6682.

  

Thank you for your support.

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How to Order an Egg Sandwich
Ben Vitale
 

I always dread ordering an Egg Sandwich at one of the local delicatessens. The cook needs to be spoken to in a language that is relevant to her; however the customer is forced to deal with this proprietary language of the trade, when he picks up his sandwiches. The more sandwiches that you order the more potential trouble the customer can get into.

OK… You’re in a crowded Deli and you place your order with the person behind the counter. “I need two Egg Sandwiches; the first sandwich is with no seeds, ham, turkey and cheese, on egg whites, with salt, pepper and ketchup. The second sandwich is with seeds, easy over, with ham, cheese, salt, pepper, and ketchup.”

The clerk delivers a sheet of paper with the ingredients that you want on your sandwiches, to the cook. When the order is complete, the sandwiches are given back to the clerk with the same piece of paper that lists the ingredients.

So… with 15 people in this store; “to whom do these sandwiches belong to?” The clerk is now holding two sandwiches and an ingredient list. In a crowded store, the only way to determine the owner is to recite the ingredient list! Now here is the part that makes my heart beat faster! The clerk starts his narration: “Salt, Pepper, Ketchup, scrambled, turkey, ham, no seeds, with seeds, swiss!” OMG! I thought it was my order but I did not order the swiss! My heart is now beating at 120 beats per minute; I wouldn’t want anyone to know how stupid I am! My brain simply can’t  process anything that fast! LOL

OK… The clerk once again appears, and starts his ritual; scrambled, no seeds, cheese, ham, turkey, salt, pepper, ketchup, egg whites, ham, cheese, with seeds, salt, ketchup, pepper. OMG it sounds like my order! “Yesss…” with the grace of God I was able to identify my sandwich without looking stupid! LOL

Last Sunday I went to the Deli with a Plan! “Yesss a plan!” I walked up to the clerk and said, “this order is for Ben.” The clerk looked at me with a facial expression, as if to say “why is this guy giving me his name?”

OK! When the order was complete the clerk recited his ritual but this time only said the word, “Ben;” I lit up like a Christmas tree! I smiled, the clerk smiled as if to say, “Wow asking for a name might just work better than reciting an ingredients list!” LOL. I smiled for three days! LOL Let’s see if the clerk asks me for my name next Sunday, when I order my egg sandwiches! LOL

Epilogue: I went back to the same deli because their Sandwiches are the best on the planet! While waiting for my order I paid attention to what other people were ordering. One person ordered scrambled and bacon times 3; another ordered ham and cheese times 2. Hum… I guess I was not too smart after all; everyone else around me figured out a way to beat the system! LOL. Oh yes… They did not ask me for my name when I placed my order! LOL. “Great fun” at the “deli!” LOL

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Anniversary of the Flight 800 Disaster

Ben Vitale

July 17, 2013 is the 17^Th Anniversary of the flight 800 disaster. The family and friends of the Flight 800 victims, gathered at the Smiths Point Park in Shirley, Long Island, NY, to attend a ceremony in honor of their departed loved ones. The ceremony took place at the Flight 800 Monument.

Photo Credit: Ben Vitale

After the ceremony, everyone that attended the ceremony was given a white Carnation. The attendees walked slowly beneath the international Flag display, on route to the water. The flags were all flown at half mast, to honor the loved ones that were lost in the Flight 800 disaster. The attendees then walked slowly along a 300 foot path, and then down the staircase that led to the water.

The Music that would normally be playing at the Beach Hut, was stopped, in honor of the Flight 800 ceremony.

Photo Credit: Ben Vitale

The family members all gathered along the surf, and dropped the flowers into the water. The entire ceremony was absolutely beautiful. As the family members walked by I could sense their feelings of love and closure.

Coincidentally a Documentary was aired on Channel 13, indicating that the plane was really taken down by a missile. The NTSB blames the disaster on a fuel tank explosion; the documentary says that the plane was taken down by a missile. Who do we believe? I was personally at Smiths Point the night of the disaster, serving in my official capacity as an Auxiliary Police Officer. I was told by some unknown person that the plane may have been taken down by a missile, possibly from our own Navy, during a military exercise; but this is hearsay!

After the families departed from the surf, the band started to play for  the huge crowd of people that came to enjoy their music.  “Life goes on!”

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