Independence Eve my wife and I enjoyed hanging out with some 250 of our closest friends, their spouses, (some of their) other family members, their friends and associates, and some clients.

  Televised by ESPN, the annual Nathan's hot dog eating contest was won once again by Joey Chestnut, 35, of San Jose, Calif. This was his 12th title consuming an unbelievable 71 hot dogs in 10 minutes, defeating 17 opponents. He finished 21 hot dogs ahead of Darron Breeden, who at only 50.  

Have you ever noticed that two people present at the same event oft times have different memories?I had that experience last week when I had dinner with a high school friend who, unbeknownst to me, is a reader of my Friday With Fred Blog.

As I walked away from the recycling bin in our community, I pondered the sign that had recently been placed on the nearby fence.

Recently I have been reading a book about Leadership by Doris Kearns Goodwin. Doris explains how she has a deep desire to understand what makes a good leader and I thought it timely for the Fourth of July. She starts with Abraham Lincoln and visits his life, struggles and rise to a leadership role. WOW! I’m crushing on him big time. Next in the line up is Theodore Roosevelt....I maintain my crush on old Abe, but impressed with his unique opportunities to shine. Each leader prepared our country for specific growth, sometimes reflective of the talents bestowed.

  . . . just one piece of networking advice, what would it be? Do you ever think about that question? I do.

 

Once a year, weather permitting friends primarily from high school gather for a BBQ in a courtyard outside a co-op in Bell Park Manor Terrace in Queens Village. Last summer, a wash out and some other circumstances made for a missed year. The year the rain threatened our gathering. A cancellation notice went out yesterday morning. Midday I receive a message about a smaller gathering inside with a later start. I enjoy catching up with everyone.