The United Community Civic Association (UCCA) Lit Up The Night on Monday, December 1st at McManus Memorial Park on 81st Street and the Grand Central Parkway Service Road. Santa and Mrs. Claus were there as part of the festivities, and Frank Sinatra School of the Arts provided their ‘Brass Band.’ Many past, present, and future elected officials were also there. RoseMarie Poveromo, the UCCA President and MC, thanked everyone for this most special evening.
On Monday night, December 1, the annual United Community Civic Association (UCCA) “Light Up The Night” Tree Lighting Ceremony took place at McManus Memorial Park, 81st Street and the Grand Central Service Road.
“Happy Christmas and welcome everyone to the United Community Civic Association Annual magical ceremony to ‘Light Up the Night in Celebration of Life and the Loving Spirit of Christmas.’ My name is RoseMarie Poveromo. I am the President of UCCA joined by my co-President Florence Koulouris and co-host and partner in many of our community events, Tony Vero, General Manager of LaGuardia Airport.”
There were words of welcome from Rabbi Jonathan Pearl of Ashreynu Synagogue and Father Vito Jumao-as of Our Lady of Mount Carmel.
President Poveromo continued, “We’ve a number of ‘honorables’ here deserving of recognition, so, taking a moment…welcome please, just a hello short and sweet to:
“State Senator Michael Gianaris; Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz who by the way, doesn’t play, she puts them away!!; Former Assemblyman Jeffrion Aubry; State Assemblywoman Larinda Hooks; State Assemblywoman Jessica Gonzalez-Rojas; City Councilwoman-elect Shanel Thomas- Henry; Supreme Court Justice Carmen Velasquez; Hersh Parekh, Port Authority’s Director of Government and Community Relations; Former Assemblyman Michael DenDekker; Sharon DeVivo, President, Vaughn College; and Patty Ornst, Delta Airlines. And tonights’s very important raffle chair, Maureen Santora!
“And now, a warm welcome to those talented and handsome young men from the Frank Sinatra School of the Arts ‘Brass Band,’ led by Waldron Ricks…with jazzy Christmas Holiday Songs! Hit it guys, break a leg!!”
This was followed by the raffle: “Maureen, it’s ‘Raffle Time,’ so it’s all yours!!!!”
“And now DA Melinda will honor us, begin the countdown, and push that very important red button! 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1… .. A very Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, and Happy Kwanzaa!!
“Our heartfelt thanks to the Frank Sinatra School of the Arts ‘Brass Band’ –– Trumpets: Owen Grace and Noah Vasquez; Horn: Christen Florez; Trombone: Tyler Polk; and Euphonist Roberto Artega with his nine-foot sweet voiced yoo-foh-nee-um and Waldron Ricks, the leader of the band!
“Our Joe DiPietro (always loyal) ‘Community Music Man.’
“Patty Dellaportas of Bel Aire Diner for the always delicious hot chocolate and cookies and George Kalergios, both of whom are UCCA board members, and lastly, but most important, the merry Port Authority “Elves” who each year put this ceremony together for all of us to enjoy, and of course, my UCCA team who never disappoint me.
“Thank you all!! We hope you had a fun-filled celebratory evening of good cheer, music, and enjoyed the company of friends and neighbors.
“Good Night. God Bless! Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, and Happy Kwanzaa!”
