By Connor Adams Sheets
The 109th Precinct Community Council and state Assemblywoman Grace Meng (D-Flushing) brought cheer to Flushing last week with a pair of holiday parties a block away from one another.
Held Dec. 8, the events started 30 minutes apart, but both of them were open to residents and celebrated the holiday spirit and community.
The community council gave back to its members and the police it assists by throwing a holiday gala at the Lexington Marco LaGuardia Hotel at 137-07 Northern Blvd. in Flushing.
Chrissy Voskerichian, the council’s president, said the event was a great chance to put work aside and enjoy each other’s company for once.
“I just wanted to say how happy we are to be celebrating the holiday together,” Voskerichian said. “Tonight we’re here to celebrate, we’re here to enjoy and we’re here to be with one another as part of our wonderful community.”
For the first time the 109th’s event offered a full buffet in the hotel’s Magna Ristorante. The fete is usually held in a room at the precinct, but the council decided to move to a larger space this year. The council’s attendance at meetings has grown and its leaders believed they needed a larger space.
Deputy Inspector Brian Maguire spoke at the event before everyone dug into the sumptuous spread of Italian delights. As the new deputy inspector at the 109th, it was his first precinct council holiday party in Flushing.
“Happy holidays, everyone. As usual, there’s a great turnout, and that’s largely due to the efforts of the community council,” he said.
Meng held a classy first party, free and open to all at the spacious Flushing Town Hall at 137-35 Northern Blvd. in Flushing, featuring Santa Claus, an extensive buffet and holiday cheer. The gala event was designed to bring something extra-special to her constituents, she said.
“A lot of the motivation behind what I do in Flushing doesn’t really get its fair share,” Meng said. “This is the first of its kind in our Assembly district, so hopefully it will be an annual thing.”
Marion Chin and her husband Gordon, both Flushing residents, said they heard about the party when Meng spoke at a Waldheim Neighborhood Association meeting they attended and that they had looked forward to attending.
“It’s a way to let people know what’s going on and to meet your elected and community people,” Marion Chin said. Her husband added that “it’s nice, it’s festive, everybody gets together to celebrate the holidays.”
The event drew a number of elected officials and representatives of others, who each called on the community to come together and enjoy the holiday season and expect good things for the future of Flushing and took a moment to thank Meng for her contributions and dedication.
Reach reporter Connor Adams Sheets by e-mail at csheets@cnglocal.com or by phone at 718-260-4538.
