| Senator VINCE FUMO held his own celebration party for MIKE STACK on the occasion of his election to the Senate last November. It was held at LaVeranda, which was the site of the strategy meetings, which led to STACK'S victory.
LaVeranda is one of the best, if not the best waterfront restaurants in Philadelphia. The service is quick and experienced and the food is uniformly good and well prepared. The menu for the celebration included preliminary courses of prosciutto and melon, mozzarella and tomatoes, pickled eggplant, and peppers, hard cheese from Parma and shrimp and calamari. The pasta course offered three different kinds of pasta. The main course gave a choice of grouper (filleted at the table), tuna steak, filet mignon, and veal chops. Dessert consisted of a nice variety of petit fours and bowls of fresh fruit. There was a open bar, an interesting commentary on the changing drinking habits in political circles was that very little whiskey was ordered, some wine but for the most part the favored drink was water, sin gas and without gas. Among those in attendance was Congressman BOB BRADY, who is also chairman of the Democratic Party. Sitting next to him throughout the evening was candidate for re-election, District Attorney LYNNE ABRAHAM, FRANK CONAWAY the ward leader of the 57th ward, closed mouth and taciturn GERRY KOSINSKI of the 45th ward, charming and vivacious LISA SABATINA who leads the 56th ward. She was accompanied by her shy and retiring husband, JOHN SABATINA. Representing the 64th ward was long time democrat, JONAS SHORE. Ward leader MARTY BEDNARIK could not attend because of school district duties.
From the 66th ward, MIKE MCALEER and his son, GENE, Councilman-at-Large, JIM KENNEY, whose name is frequently mentioned for mayor, and Turnpike Commissioner MITCHELL RUBIN were in attendance.
Dynamic ward leader from the 41st ward, MIKE MCGEEHAN, stopped by early to pay his respects before attending the Civic Association meeting in his community. JOAN KRAJEWSKI was represented by two charming ladies from her ward. Of course, Senator MIKE STACK and Senator VINCE FUMO were in attendance. Sen. FUMO reminded the ward leaders of the forthcoming Primary Election and of his personal interest in Municipal Court Judge WENDY PEW (her deceased father was a long time friend of Sen. FUMO) and HAROLD KANE who is a candidate for Common Pleas Court. Both of them are endorsed by the Democratic City Committee. Both candidates made short speeches, as did LYNNE ABRAHAM. However FUMO lost PEW in the AFL-CIO endorsement race. Could be because HOWARD KANE, VINCE'S political consultant was away on vacation. HOWARD is also one of the AFL-CIO COPE's consultant's.
The senator must have been aware of the decision before the announcement, but made no mention of it, continuing to urge support for both PEW and KANE. The dinner was held in a small dining room overlooking the marina. The surroundings were quite pleasant and the view provided of the Ben Franklin Bridge and the marina was breathtaking. CHARLIE O'CONNOR, the former Jury Commissioner continues his valiant fight to regain his health. The family is optimistic even though he has returned to the hospital. Speaking of the Jury Commission,former Commissioner MIKE MCALLISTER is taking a short breather in Fort Lauderdale. He reports weather in the low 80's and lots of green grass and sunshine. NORBERT MCGETTIGAN, well-known mogul in the travel industry recovering nicely following stomach surgery. He is due back at work shortly. The Clover Club held its annual black tie get-together. President CHARLES PERUTO acted as toastmaster and introduced the guest of honor, Attorney General MIKE FISHER. Among those present were JIM CAVANAUGH, DOREEN MCGETTIGAN, TOM DARCY, and MIKE MEEHAN and VITO CANUSO. It was an enjoyable night featuring the traditional leg of lamb main course. Absent was long time member and former president THATCHER LONGSTRETH. He is recovering from broken hip surgery. Reports are he is in good spirits. JOHN REILLY, Secretary of the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board and the mayor of Pottsville is proceeding with plans to have his annual golf outing benefiting St. Joseph's University. Both candidates for District Attorney ALEX TALMADGE and LYNNE ABRAHAM continue to campaign vigorously. The TALMADGE staff reports that he is out every night of the week, ABRAHAM'S staff also reports their candidate is busy all the time. MIKE MCGEEHAN the leader of the Northeast Ward leaders has called a meeting of the group for April 19th at the well-known Northeast Philadelphia watering spot, Callahan's. Congratulations to RON DONATUCCI and his lovely wife STEPHANIE on the arrival of the couple's first new baby. She came aboard March 27, at 10:22 pm at Pennsylvania Hospital, weighing in at 7 lbs. 7 oz. Her name is AVA MARIE DONATUCCI. MICHAEL AND RONNIE, JR., are enjoying their new roles as big brothers. Sen. HENRY BUDDY CIANFRANI, chairman of the South East Philadelphia Political Organization, is inviting all to an "old fashioned" rally at JNA, Broad and Federal Street, May 9, starting at 7:30 p.m. Have a good Easter and a peaceful Passover. |
