Well, it's been a while since I wrote one of these and we've done a lot of things, but today I want to focus on the future. Next week I'll write a summary of all the things we've done since January. For now, let's look at all the stuff we've got to look forward to (sorry for the dangling preposition all you grammarians out there)

Right off the bat, we've got a taxing situation. Actually it's a taxing unwinding. It's our annual auction and it's next Thursday, April 15th. Michelle Masone and her gang have put together a whiz bang show of baskets, tickets, gift certificates, electronics and all sorts of stuff. And did I mention food and drinks? If you haven't sent in your tickets yet, better get on the stick. We're going to have a ball. Think of all the dreadful jokes you're going to hear! Think of all the money you're going to spend. Think of all the wine and or beer you're going to drink. Think of all the pasta you're going to eat. All this thinking makes me dizzy. Come on out and may the highest bidder win.

Thursdays are fun days for the Maspeth Kiwanis. We're obviously tired of fillet of sole because for the second week in a row we'll be eating away from O'Neill's. This time we're sponsoring the monthly party at the Senior Self Help Center on Grand Avenue. So after you've placed your bets at OTB, come next door to the Self Help Center and join us for lunch. Senior Senior citizen Bob Kane is being honored that day as part of the party so come on out and lift a cup of coffee to the man. Oh, and there will plenty of seniors to dance with after lunch.

But the fun is just beginning. On May 2nd we're having our spring flea market. Maryanna Zero has put together another fun filled day of selling stuff right there in our own Maspeth Federal Bank parking lot. The bank's even supplying the pottie! Maryanna needs people to help her set up early in the morning (7:) and to man the table during the day. Please come out and buy some water from the scouts and help Maryanna. If you've got junk you think will sell, bring it on. One man's junk is another man's treasure (or woman's). Hey you never know.

Continuing May madness, on Friday May 14th, we're having Law Day at IS 73. 8: through 12. Past Governor Ed McGowan has been hosting this event for us for over 30 years now. It's great for the kids and great for those of us who present to them. Come on out, get a free bagel and coffee and explain to the youngsters why community service is so important. We always have fun.

But wait, we're not done yet. Because May is also our month for great food and drink and roasting. Yes, Nunzio your roast is toast. On May 20th at that unspellable Italian Ristorante, Joe Abbracciamento's Restaurant (thank you internet), we will gather to feast, drink, roast, dance and other wise debacle ourselves at our annual dinner. Can you use debacle as a verb? You've already paid for it if you've paid your dues so come on out and have some fun. And, of course, the culmination of the dinner is the pulling of our annual raffle winners.

You have sent in your raffle tickets already haven't you? Our Raffle chairman assumes me that we are right now at exactly the break even point (you do the math) in tickets sold. That means we need to sell another 130 tickets to maximize our profit, so let's get out there and make those sales. Wouldn't it be nice to come to the dinner without having to go into sales mode? Anyway, PP Ken Rudzewick is leading the pack and if somebody doesn't step up to the plate, he's going to run away with this year's prize for the most sales -- A BRAND NEW YACHT (no yaks this year) or something equivalent to a BRAND NEW YACHT. So come on folks, let's light a fire.

Lest you think we're through with May, think again. What would May be without the Memorial Day Parade? I'm told that this parade is going to be so big that the after parade lunch has been moved to the Elks Lodge. Yowsa. Of course, even better you won't have to walk so far because our great emperor, er, mayor has decreed that all parades must be shorter. Anyway, come on out. President elect Lou Bekios promises a great float courtesy of Grand Florist, and, of course, we've got a lot of flags to give out.

 You'd think that President Nunzio would give us a break, but not yet. We're going to have a picnic, Yogi. On June 5th at 1 PM the Maspeth Kiwanis, the Elks Lodge, and the Ridgewood Knights of Columbus are joining together for a lovely picanic at the Onderdonk House on Flushing Avenue. Bring your kiddies, bring your wife -- sorry that's the Mets song, bring your entire family and let's have some fun. Tickets are $15 per adult and $7.50 for a child. That's a 50% discount off the face value of the ticket. How can you beat that? Maybe I'll bring a croquet set. You bring the flamingos.

Then, just before some of our officers jet off to LasVegas for the international convention, there's our annual street fair. We need workers for that now, more than ever. Please join us at 8 Am on Sunday, June 13th (holy cow, friday the 13th comes on a Sunday this June) in front of Maspeth Press and the American Legion Hall. Lots of great things go on at the street fair. Don't forget to come see the new president of the Maspeth Chamber of Commerce get sworn in (kicking and screaming) and watch the old (and I mean ancient) president gleefully dance off into the sunset. I hear he's been down working on his steps with the Song and a Dance crew, who will also be performing that day. So come on out.

Finally a couple of public service announcements.

Ben Herbrich tells me that one of his students is an Eagle Scout candidate and needs our help. He's collecting old baseball bats, gloves and equipment to ship to needy kids in Central and South America. If you have any materials that you'd like to get rid of bring them down to Martin Luther High School or bring them to a meeting.

Also another scout from our own Maspeth Town Hall Troop 45, Chris Roche, has an Eagle project and he's asking for money to help pay for supplies and fees. If you'd like to make a donation, bring cash to one of our meetings or send a check to Pack 45, Care of Fred Coltrinari, 53-36 72nd Street, Maspeth. Chris' project is to take a Girl Scout troop out to Camp Pouch on Staten Island for a day trip and have boys from the troop teach them basic outdoor skills like how to pitch a tent, build a fire and cook outdoors.

Finally, we are still collecting eye glasses for a girl scout troop to donate to the lions. If you have any spare spectacles around, bring them to a meeting and we'll get them donated.

That's all for now folks. See you soon.

Michael Terry