By Paddy McCarthy
The 40th Annual Friendship Ball was held last Friday and yes, I was there. I have been to a lot of different events in the last few months already and can tell you that all of them were excellent. But there is one that always sticks out and yes that is the Frances Pope Memorial Foundation’s 40th Annual Friendship Ball last Friday at the Lighthouse, Pier 61 in Chelsea Piers. The Guest of Honor was Jackie Morriss who was honored as the 2023 Woman of the Year and was so humbled to receive this award. We introduced Jackie in our last edition and I can tell that she well deserved the honor and everybody at the dinner was so happy for her too.
The woman who puts it all together is none other than Mary O’Dowd, who has been entertaining audiences with her beautiful voice for many, many years not only in New York but all around the world. You could not get a better host than Mary as she made it her business to welcome and to thank everyone for their support. Attending this great event is the crème de la crème, ‘the best of the best’, so don’t miss the next one. Visit www.francespopefoundation.org for more information on the Francis Pope Memorial Foundation.
Aer Lingus is moving to a new home in New York’s JFK Airport. From April 27, all their flights will depart from and arrive at Terminal 7. Just like always, they’re looking forward to welcoming you when you arrive and waving you off when it’s time to go. Terminal 7 is on the northside of JFK International Airport. It’s got 12 departure gates with lots of convenient facilities. Learn more about the move at www.aerlingus.com/about-us/aer-lingus-news/jfk-terminal-7. Please share the details above with your family, friends, members and followers.
Irish Comedian Katie Boyle headlines Littlefield NYC (635 Sackett Street, Brooklyn) on Sunday April 30, doors open at 7 pm and the show starting at 8 pm. Katie Boyle will perform an hour of comedy to celebrate her debut album, “I’ll Do It Myself!” This will be a new show based on her experiences in America, navigating a different culture and finally assimilating by going to therapy. She has asked her fellow immigrant friends to perform Atheer Yacoub (Comedy Central), Mohanad Elshieky (Conan) and mc’d by Cansu Karabiyik (BBC) to make it a fun night of comedy from a non-American perspective! Tickets are $15 and can be got from eventbrite.com/e/katie-boyle-friends-tickets-600745434767.
Here is someone that works so hard for one of the biggest agencies in New York City and that is Irish woman Margie Russell. So to tell you what she does as it well worth hearing from her and the best of all she never looks for any publicity as she just does her job. This is what Margie told me: “I am the executive director of the New York Association of Realty Managers (NYARM). I administer the New York Accredited Realty Manager Program, a Real Estate Management Certification conducted by NYARM. This is a program for building owners, managers and supervisors of maintenance personnel and is recognized by the New York State Division of Housing & Community Renewal and the New York City Department of Housing Preservation & Development.
“At NYARM I deliver a networking and education experience to building management in New York State. One main goal is to enhance the NYARM member’s ability to make sound decisions by developing good business judgment.
“At Building Service Workers Union SEIU Local 32BJ’s training school, I spent several years creating, teaching and spearheading the following topics: Building Budgets & Finance, Human Relations & Management Skills, and Ethics.
“With a real estate management career beginning in 1983, I was a Managing Agent, Portfolio Manager, Onsite Manager, Coop and Condo Listing Agent and Commercial Leasing Agent.
“I acquired a wealth of experience involving the coordination of large invasive rehab construction work while tenants were in residence, increased the market value of stagnant buildings through the implementation of innovative problem solving and project management and staff retraining.
“I was also a business development consultant for contractors serving the NYC property management industry, most recently, for three years for United Metro Energy Corp. At UMEC I was a key team leader instrumental in developing and securing the company’s customer base during the merging of the heating fuel oil customers for Metro Fuel and Hess Oil, when purchased by The Red Apple Group.
“Prior to my real estate career I was the Greater NY Sales Training Manager for Safeguard Business Systems, Inc. a financial service bureau and provider of accounting and bookkeeping systems.”
Now that’s what I like about my Out&About as you never know who you might get to meet and it was this lovely lady Margie Russell a proud Irish woman and it’s my honor to feature her in my column.
Here is a special announcement that the Galway Association of New York invites you to join them as they celebrate their friend and past Chaplain Msgr. Charlie Coen who recently marked his 90th birthday. The event will be held at Fairways at Dunwoodie (1 Wasylenko Lane in Yonkers) on Sunday, April 30. Mass will be held at 2 pm, followed by a buffet dinner and open bar, dessert, tea, coffee and entertainment from 3 pm. Music will be provided by Terry Feeley with Margie Mulvihill and traditional Irish musicians. There is a $75 contribution.
RSVP by April 26th to Cathy Hogan at galwayassocny.secretary@gmail.com or Teresa Larkin at tlarkin316@yahoo.com.
See you all again next week when I am Out&About again.