|
This Day
in History
Read
about historical events that took place today
The Inquirer Forum
A place to post
your opinions & suggestions!
New!
Free Online
Classifieds
Calendar of Events
Neighborhood View
You
never know who will be featured - it could be your kids,
your pets, or even you!
QUICK
LINKS
     
|
|
|
01-18-09
Mt. Vernon Democrats celebrate Obama's inauguration and
honor their own party legends
Although the American economy is in
tatters, that
did not deter nearly two-hundred Mount Vernon Democrats
and others from spending $150.00 each to attend the 2009
Presidential Inaugural Celebration Saturday night,
January 17, at the Greentree Country Club in New
Rochelle. The event was sponsored by the Mount Vernon
Democratic City Committee.
As the guests streamed into the luxurious
facility on the Long Island Sound, the majority of men
were observed wearing the standard business suit and
tie, some wore tuxedos, while the female guests showed
up dressed impressively in
elegant
evening dresses.
But what was
most conspicuous about each guest was the fact they all
displayed a bright smile on their faces, and were
individually armed with a sense of excitement and pride,
knowing they were making history by participating in
Mount
Vernon's own
2009 Presidential Inaugural Celebration.
As the
cocktail room filled, and a live band played
inspirational music, the mixed crowd of different
nationalities mingled in harmony. Most conversations
revolved around the pending Barak Obama inauguration and
how they were all about to witness history in the making
on Tuesday, January 20.
Besides Chicago, nowhere
else is the excitement about
Obama becoming President
more palpable than in Mount
Vernon, where pride runs
deep among people of all
races, faiths and ages.
Numerous Mount Vernon
officials will be trekking
to Washington, DC to
participate in the
inauguration, including
Mayor Clinton I. Young.
"Everything stops," predicted one guest when asked what
will happen during the
inauguration in the middle
of the cocktail hour.
The Master of Ceremonies for the historic celebration
was Mayor Young, who does
not lack a sense of humor
and made all in the main
ballroom feel relaxed and
high spirited.
The mayor kicked off the ceremonial part of the evening
by introducing Bernetta
Urquhart, a Registered
Nurse, who created a unique
poem about President-Elect Barack Obama with
a picture of him in the
background. Urquhart
recited the entire poem to the
delight of the guests.
Promising the guests he would make it a short ceremony,
the mayor quickly announced that several legendary
Mount Vernonites were being
honored for their longtime
dedication and contributions
to the Mount Vernon
Democratic Party.
The following individuals were introduced by the mayor
and received special tribute:
-
David A. Alpert
-
Ron Brown (Posthumously)
-
Serapher Conn
-
David A. Ford, Sr.
-
Reginald LaFayette
-
Carol J. Morris
Ford received a standing ovation when introduced by the
mayor, since he is somewhat of a Mount Vernon pioneer
for the Democratic Party. He first became involved with
the party in 1952. "When I first started with the party
we did not have a single Democrat in any position in
Mount Vernon. The city was strictly Republican back
then. But as you can see, things changed dramatically
throughout the years. Now you don't have Republicans in
any position here in Mount Vernon," said Ford.
At the end
of the special tributes, the guests were treated to a
sumptuous buffet. After eating, many of the guests
worked their way to the dance floor and danced to the
splendid music being provided by the live band until
near midnight.
Mt.Vernon
Democratic City Committee Chairman Deveraux L.
Cannick
(l to r) Mayor Young and Lisa Copeland honoring Serapher Conn
City Councilman Yuhanna Edwards (l) honoring
Carol Morris
City Councilwoman, Loretta Hottinger (r)
honoring
David A. Alpert
City Councilman Steven Horton (l) honoring
Reginald LaFayette
Deveraux L.Cannick (r) honoring David A. Ford,
Sr.
Westchester County District Attorney Janet
DiFiori
The band members entertaining the guests
Bernetta Urquhart (l)
standing by a special poem she created about Barack Obama. To her right is
Will
DuBose. |
|
|
|
