By Dee Richard
It was Thursday, July 8, the end of a dreadfully slow week and also the day my column for next Thursday, July 15, was to be written. As I sat there gazing at blank pages wondering what I could possibly write about, the phone rang. Who was on the other end? Why, none other than former Queens Alternative Publisher Joyce Shepard.
But before we get to her, a quick roundup of what’s been happening around Queens so far. The TimesLedger Newspa pers celebrated their 15th anniversary with a party at 39 East, Dominick Bruccoleri’s fabulous new restaurant in Bayside.
Editor and publisher Steve Blank took over the entire second floor for his party at 39 East. There must have been close to 100 people there. Everyone had lots of fun reminiscing with Steve about all the accomplishments the last 15 years have brought.
New York City Councilman Tony Avella brought a proclamation for Steve and the paper from the New York City Council. U.S. Rep. Gary Ackerman was stuck in Washington but his Chief of Staff Jordan Goldes brought a proclamation and a flag that was flown over the Capitol in Washington.
The Northeast Queens Republican Club has been practicing their baseball skills at MacNeill Park in College Point in preparation for the big game on July 17 at Cunningham Park between them and John Frank’s Jefferson Democratic Club. Be sure you come on down to join in the fun. A good time will be had by all. Be sure you bring some food for the picnic immediately afterwards.
Peter Boudouvas had a Sunday afternoon fundraiser in the garden of the Oasis Café. If you have never been there, it is a very charming place to wile away an hour or so while you sip your coffee and enjoy a Greek pastry.
And now back to the juice of this week’s column, my conversation with Joyce. The sum total of the conversation was: How could I have written about her shirt-flipping incident? Didn’t I realize that her husband and her son would be embarrassed? When I asked her if what I had written was untrue, she said it was all true. It did happen. But I didn’t have to write about it.
Now, come on Joyce. When you have lunch with a reporter or a columnist, unless you have established the parameters beforehand by saying, “Whatever we say or do it is off the record,” and if the newsperson agrees verbally, you have a right to complain.
But since no such conversation existed between us there was no deal. You, as a former publisher and a columnist, are much more aware of those facts that any ordinary person without your background would be.
Joyce my dear, as I tried to explain to you before you hung up on me, everything in life is the result of cause and effect. If you had not flipped your shirt up in a public place I would not have written about it.
So if anyone caused your family embarrassment look in the mirror. You’ll find the culprit looking back at you. You could have asked me to accompany you to the ladies room so you could show me in a private viewing the great job your plastic surgeon did.
I seriously doubt if your family found your behavior embarrassing. In fact, in all probability, they found your unpredictable, outrageous actions part of your charm. As everyone says, there is never a dull moment when you are around. But consider yourself lucky as I always have a small digital camera in my pocket. I did refrain from taking a shot.
Let’s get down to brass tacks. That column was printed three or four weeks ago. Who at this late date cranked up your engine to get you all fired up? The obvious time to complain was the date of publication, not a month later. This is reminiscent of the obese people of the world blaming McDonald’s or Dunkin Donuts because they eat too much and therefore it’s the fast food companies’ fault.
It was interesting to note that you never mentioned all the ink I gave you in saying how great you looked, and I sincerely mean that. You really do look terrific.
Be rest assured. Your speculation that Queens Courier publisher Victoria Schneps and myself conspired against you to have a good laugh at your expense is — as I had suggested at the time — a rather paranoid thought. Believe me when I tell you that Victoria is too busy running to the bank to make rather large deposits and doesn’t have the time or the inclination to give either of us a second thought.
Tell me Joyce, does all this mean that we will not be ladies that lunch anymore? Too bad, as I do hate to eat alone. If there is anyone out there that feels like having lunch, call me.
Thank you for the phone call, it came at just the right time to help produce this column. As for your implied threat to decimate me in your column, please do whatever makes you feel better. As they say in show business, as long as you spell my name right.
Before we end this saga and your complaint about why I didn’t take into consideration how your family would feel, one more thing.
As I asked you at the time, did you ever think about the families of all the people whose socks you blasted off in your “Politics Like it Is” bimonthly column and how they felt when you raked their family members over the coals? Or are you the only person who has special dispensation to say whatever you think and the rest of us, for some unknown reason, must get your permission to do the same?
You know, I have to give you credit. You have once again managed to hog almost my entire column. Hope you regain your sense of humor and get over being mad at me because I truly think you are a fun person to be around.
No harm was intended. It was just repeating an amusing incident that happened on an otherwise hot, uneventful day. Enjoy the rest of your vacation. Life is too short to be taken so seriously over such trivial matters.
That’s all folks. As usual we have run out of time and space. Be sure you check the Focus on Queens page.
Call me at 718-767-6484 or fax me at 718-746-0066 or e-mail me at deerrichard@aol.com.
Till next week,
Dee
