New biz support for Swinging Sixties Senior Bus
Some may have chosen to spend May 19th inside eating a full English, wearing frilly fascinators to virtually follow the Royal Wedding. However a band of neighborhood heroes made their way to Swinging Sixties Senior Center’s (211 Ainslie Street) downstairs bocce court to play in the 2nd annual bocce tournament to raise money to support the Swinging Sixties Senior Bus. Seven local businesses (Bitesize Pediatric Dentistry, Variety Coffee Roasters, The Meat Hook, Best Pizza, Two Trees: Domino Park, Barano, and Crest Hardware) each sponsored a team and St. Nicks Alliance sponsored their own team named Rompipalle (you’ll have to get your nonno to translate). Many other businesses sponsored the event via banners that hung around the bocce court.
Full English or not, the players didn’t starve. Breakfast was donated: donuts from Peter Pan, bagels and spreads from Bagelsmith, and coffee from Variety. During the break before the finals lunch came via Da Francesco, thanks to a price break.
Conselyea Block Association President and local bocce aficionado, Phil Caponegro refereed the matches. Often a time he brought out his pointy stick for measuring purposes. There was a mix of experience levels in the players of this tournament which added to the fun in how each team put their spin on this ancient bowling game. St. Nicks Alliance’s Rompipalle were a team of bocce newbies and made some nice shots, but as luck would have it they were up against The Meat Hook, a veteran team from last year. The Meat Hook went on to win the 2018 trophy, beating last year’s champs, Crest Hardware. All the teams had shining moments, for instance, Best Pizza’s expressive reactions were a joy to watch. By the by, Domino Park (at the Domino Refinery Site S 3rd and Kent Ave.) opening on June 10th, just happens to have two outdoor bocce courts.
“We are so grateful to have so many local businesses involved this year. We more than doubled the number of teams from last year and had a blast for a good cause. Thanks to Joe Franquinha of Crest Hardware and Brent Young of The Meat Hook for helping to bring so many new teams to the tournament. We look forward to an even bigger event next year,” said Mary Ciorciari, St. Nicks Alliance Dir. of Elder Care
The fundraiser brought in over $7K for the Swinging Sixties Senior Bus. This vehicle began shuttling seniors to and from the Swinging Sixties Senior Center on January 26th. For more information about the bus’s schedule call Roseann Tuohy (718) 963-3793.
The Greenline 