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Neighbor to Neighbor: Fred Kress surprises columnist with award

By Barbara Morris

Just within one week, I was aware of parties given by the Federated Blocks of Laurelton; the Jamaica Post Office (including the Jamaica Postal Advisory Council); North Bellerose Civic Association; Bellerose Commonwealth Civic Association; the Weprin family (City Council member David Weprin, state Assembly member Mark Weprin and their gracious mother); the Queens Farm Museum; and the Queens Coalition for Parks and Green Spaces, sponsored by New Yorkers for Parks.Each group works very hard all year to improve things in our part of the world. No rewards are expected or required, but sometimes, somehow, someone has the idea that the time has come for friends and associates to “break bread together,” relax, maybe “whistle (or sing) a happy tune” or “shake our bones” a bit.Working as closely as I do on many projects Fred Kress heads, I watched the seed of his fourth Queens Coalition for Parks and Green Spaces Emerald Awards grow into the interesting event it was. The location (Holy Trinity Lutheran Church) was chosen because they are always welcoming and supportive of other events held there and provide adequate space and a well-equipped kitchen. Their friendly custodian, Randy, is always patient and helpful as well.Fred wanted green cloth table covers, china dishes, non-plastic utensils, and a catered choice of hot dinners: roast beef, chicken, or salmon – all delicious, from Skalberg Caterers.He wanted live music, two musicians who are retired police officers: the Vic Vincent Group with Bill. Terrific!He wanted to make it not only a party to recognize individuals and groups and special guests such as state Sen. Frank Padavan and City Councilmember Leroy Comrie, but our country. Bunting decorated the walls, the flag was displayed, the Pledge of Allegiance was said before “America the Beautiful” was sung, and we were off to a great start.Most of my jobs – setting up raffle prizes and awards for Clare Doyle of ARROW; Luck and Bruno DeFranceschi of North Bellerose Civic Association; Noah Kaufman of LIC Roots; Sandra Robishaw of ARROW; Mark A. Christie of Friends of Gantry Neighborhood Parks; and Carsten Glaeser, Ph.D., of the Kissena Park Civic Association – had been done before dinner was served. I was delighted that there were so many very pleasant, good conversationalists at my table even though seating had not been pre-arranged. I was, in fact, delighted to have an opportunity to chat with both Sen. Padavan and Councilmember Comrie, among others.Suddenly, Fred Kress came over and said, “We're running a bit late. I need you and Jean Silva to sell chances for the prizes while I give out the awards.”Jean and I took strips of coupons and began our jobs. Handling coupons and making sure to give correct change kept me concentrating only on what I was doing.I was not listening to what else was happening until I heard my name called. I turned to see what Fred wanted me to do – or what he wanted me to stop doing. He was standing, grinning, holding an award É for me. I was flustered! I had no idea! And incredibly, I didn't know what to say except, “Thank you. I didn't finish selling chances. Let me get back to my job!” I didn't find out until after the party that one of the announcements Fred had made was that Councilmember Comrie had made handsome City Council citations available for each Emerald Award recipients, including me.I am grateful to Councilmember Comrie and certainly apologize for not thanking him while we were all together. I am also grateful to my good friend Fred, who not only presented me with the beautiful Emerald Award, but has helped me in so many other ways over the years. I am grateful, too, to the special friends Fred invited specifically to watch me become speechless when I found out he had kept my award such a successful secret.One last thank you – from Lucy DeFranceschi and me to Sen. Padavan, who took both of us on for a mean twist!I apologize to the other recipients for not hearing about all your good work, but I know your congratulations are well deserved, as are Fred's for a super party.