Two Mayors, Two Legislators & A Minister To Be Honored At Hispanic Resource Center Rum & Rhumba Fiesta

To Be Held November 17 At Orienta Beach Club

by Harold Wolfson

(October 26, 2005) The Hispanic Resource Center will be honoring five good “amigos” and four good “vecinos” at its annual gala, billed this year as a Rum and Rhumba Fiesta to be held from 7 to 10 pm, Thursday, November 17 at the Orienta Beach Club in Mamaroneck.

The awards recognize “friends” and “neighbors” for their contributions in assisting new immigrants to become productive and acculturated residents.

The Honorees

The honorees include two mayors, Timothy C. Idoni of New Rochelle, and former mayor of Ossining, John Perillo. Each was instrumental in setting up functioning, immigrant-friendly day laborer sites in his community.

Also honored will be State Senator Suzi Oppenheimer, County Legislator Judy Myers and Rev. Deborah Tammearu of St. Thomas Church. “Suzi has been a champion of many worthwhile causes,” said John Gitlitz, co-president of the Resource Center. “She’s been there when we’ve needed solid, practical advice and has helped fund day laborer and other activities.” As a leader of the Local Summit organization, Judy Myers helped the Resource Center get started and, as a freshman Westchester County legislator this year, she has provided continuing support and forcefully espoused the work of the center. Rev. Tammearu has been a visible Mamaroneck Village booster of the Resource Center and was responsible for St. Thomas making space available for the center’s classes and workshops.

A Vecino Award will go to Eric Newland, proprietor of the Designer One store in Larchmont, which was the first to exhibit art produced by area immigrants and is continuing to feature their work. (See: Jewelry by Immigrant Artisans at Designer One.) The artists get all the proceeds from the sale of their work at Designer One. Vecino Awards will also go to Ilana Colella and William P. Fedorchick, who have hosted immigrant art shows at their Larchmont Art gallery and frame store. (See: Three Artists Transplanted from Mexico to Mamaroneck). An additional award will go to Robert Varbaro, owner of the Sound Shore Liquor Pantry in Mamaroneck, which has contributed the wines and other libations for three Fiestas running.

The Fiesta

Mariana Boneo Lvoff, chairman of this year’s combination celebration-fundraiser, Run and Rhumba, said the fiesta will feature a variety of rum cocktails, such as mojito and Cuba libre, and wines from central and South America that will accompany Latin American dishes created by Chef Jonathan Langsam. A live band will play Latin American and other music, and there will be a live auction offering exotic vacation destinations, including an apartment in Buenos Aires, a house in Virgin Gorde and a condominium in St. Martins.

Last year approximately 300 friends and supporters of the Resource Center clapped and danced and enjoyed the food, drink and good company at its fall fiesta. “We are counting on at least an equal turnout this year,” said Elaine Chapnick, board member and funding chairman of the Resource Center. “We live in a generous community that recognizes that all of us come from immigrant stock, one or more generations back, and we want to help newcomers achieve the freedom and opportunity we enjoy.”

Need at ticket? Tickets for the fiesta are $85 per person. They can be purchased by mail: make checks payable to "Hispanic Resource Center" and send to the center at 200 West Boston Post Road, Mamaroneck, NY 10543. Tickets may also be purchased for the same $85 "at the door" at the Orienta Beach Club on November 17. For more information, phone the center's office: 835-1512.

Harold Woolfson volunteers with the the Hispanic Resource Center. Rhumba image courtesy of: laventure.net

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