See this story at BrooklynDaily.com.
By Carmine Santa Maria
Brooklyn Daily
I’m madder than a suicide king with a missing sword over the fact that you never know what kind of creeps you’re going to encounter when you walk — or in my case, ride your scooter — down the street. And worse, even if you don’t meet any bad people, you’ll end up reading about them in the newspaper and nearly losing your lunch.
Look, you all know the ol’Screecher understands the value of a good meal, but I nearly threw up my beloved pickles and Seven-Up the other day when I read about that there giraffe being executed and fed to the lions for no other reason than having the wrong jeans.
Now, I don’t know what genius thought it was a great idea to give kids a biology lesson by butchering the poor beast on the floor of the Copenhagen Zoo, but I’m certainly glad that I personally grew out of jeans a few years back and now will only be caught wearing comfy sweatpants with a very elastic waistband. And I’m even gladder that I never met the guy who made this terrible choice, because if I did, I would have given him a piece of my mind — and I wouldn’t let him eat it!
Thank goodness my group, the Bensonhurst West End Community Council (BWECC!) honors the good and fine people that do walk through our community and we are proud of them and that is why they are honored.
Take, for instance, this year’s Carmine Award winner for “Parent of the Year,” Luisa DeSilvio, the PTA co-president of PS 177. She has been involved in the public school community since her son Domenick was first enrolled at PS 177. She is a dedicated parent and active partner in the education of her son. Luisa has served as a volunteer at PS 177 since 2009. She has been a member of the PS 177 school leadership team for the past four years and District 21 leadership team for the past two years. Luisa is also the recording secretary and a member of the president’s council for District 21.
She is always on call to serve the school in any capacity and can often be found working with students, parents, teachers, and administrators before, during, and after school, spending countless hours planning events and activities for the children.
The daughter of Onofrio and Lucy Gaudioso, Luisa grew up in Brooklyn with her two sisters, Mary Lou and Michele. When Luisa was younger, she aspired to become a teacher. Although she has not fulfilled that dream completely, Luisa teaches religious education to first graders at Saint Athanasius. She is an avid reader who enjoys movies and travel. Luisa resides in Brooklyn with her 8-year-old son Domenick, who is the joy of her life. Luisa’s greatest pleasure is spending time with her family in the United States and Europe.
Now’s the point in the column where I once again try to get in information that was cut out of last week’s column about BWECC!’s Carmine Award winner for Couple of the Year, Steven and Mary Placanica.
In 1975, Steven enlisted in the Army National Guard. In his 25 years in the military, he served in Panama, repairing trucks prior to the United States relinquishing control of the Panama Canal. He also served in Italy where he repaired Jeeps. In Germany, he rebuilt M60 tanks. Steven is a member of the Disabled American Veterans, as well as the Vietnam Veteran’s of America. Steven and Mary belong to the American Legion. Two Wednesdays every month, Steven assists the patients in playing bingo at the Brooklyn Veteran’s Hospital. Steven and Mary are past executive board members of the United Military Veterans of Kings County, Memorial Day Parade, now they serve on the general Committee. They helped with fund-raising for a parade that honors veterans who gave their time and some, their lives, to protect us and our freedom. Both Mary and Steven are active members of Saints Simon and Jude Parish, in Gravesend, since 1982. Mary is on the Sunday Hospitality Committee.
Join us in honoring Luisa DeSilvio, Mary and Steven, as well as the other most deserving honorees at the fabulous El Caribe in Mill Basin. And its no secret that I’ll be celebrating my 34th year as BWECC!’s President, so contact me ASAP at diegovega@aol.com to reserve tickets for the gala!
Screech at you next week!
