If you weren’t there this past weekend, you missed a wonderful Gotham Event, the Annual Picnic / Softball sponsored by Gotham Queens Member Matt Nowak from Ehrlich Pest Control.

We left our house at 3:45 am to catch a 6:00Am flight from Orlando to JFK, to get to our first stop on time. This is one of those feel-good events were Corey sets up and coordinates the Alley Pond Park gathering. Sadie and family did a wonderful job with a delicious catered BBQ of Beef, Turkey and Veggie Burgers and good old fashioned hot dogs (all cooked on Charcoal, the best) with all the sides and chips. Jose Villa brought some delicious Philly Pretzels, and no one left hungry. The weather was beautiful, and the grass was green. What could be better?

After eating, Fred gathered all that wanted to participate for some fun hitting in the field. I have not put a glove on for almost three years and didn’t think I would attempt it, but with my 17-year son and wife present, I could not at least attempt to try. The first several balls that eventually came to me, where long fly balls that I unexpectantly caught with cheers from the infield. I thought to myself, wow, I still got it. That was somewhat short lived when my son Joe soon came to bat. His smirk on his face indicated this may get interesting. He hit a long shot right to me and I tired to catch it with one hand in the glove and lined it up, until the ball popped out and I got the typical “two hands” just like I used to yell to my son in little league years ago. The next one that he it hit my way, I completely misjudged and as it soared over me, I gave it my best with an outstretched arm and leap, only to watch it sail over my glove. I was brought down to earth, knowing youth prevails in this game. Later, I did get some at bats and made contact with several balls and felt good about it. The last shot was a line drive, right to my son, of course he caught it and gave me that little smirk that said it all. It was fun father and son moments and glad we were able to share that.

After we left the field with many hugs and handshakes from fellow Gothamite’s I haven’t seen (and their families) for quite some time, we headed to our old neighborhood of Lynbrook where my in-las still live and spent some time with them. I took Joe to get a much-needed haircut at his old barber Boris who cut his hair since we was two and who we haven’t seen in five years since the pandemic and then moving down south. His son was there (same age as Joe) and they insisted we get photos taken after his haircut for old times’ sake. We later made it up to Gardener, NY where we spent the night at a quiet motel. The next morning, we got up to another beautiful crisp day and went to our favorite Orchard, Wright’s Farm where apple picking is the main event this time of year. They also have a wonderful farmers market with backed good, fresh veggies, live potted plants and various other preserves, pies fillings and the best hot apple cider donuts. We spent the next couple of hours climbing the hills where we know some of the best trees are located for our favorite Honey Crisp apples (family tradition for 24 years now). My wife is a good climber and ignored the signs not to, and got up on several trees, well beyond my capabilities. We picked about 50 lbs. of apples and packed them up carefully in foam containers we brought with us in our carry-ons to take back to FL where you cannot get this quality of apples. On the ride Back to the city, we ended the with an early dinner at our Favorite Italian restaurant, Don Peppe in Ozone Park (best linguini in white clam sauce, fresh homemade cannoli). We made to the airport with time to spare and had a smooth flight back, getting home at 11:30PM. It was quite a two trip , with flying, driving, and lots of walking. It’s great to able to do these kinds of weekends and now look forward to fresh crisp and juicy apples, apple pies, and anything else my wife decides to try out with our cherished goods. What a weekend.