On Father’s Day, it seemed fitting that the song “You Lift Me Up” came over the speakers. All I could think about is how the marvelous men in my life have lifted me up. 

“They’ve put me on their shoulders and helped me climb mountains.”

My father had an unbelievable work ethic, working six days a week and on the seventh, like God, he rested, reading his New York Times and New York Post. 

My husband Murray was my perfect partner as we fought the “Willowbrook Wars” on behalf of my daughter Lara’s special needs. He helped me climb mountains. 

Then there was my almost-second husband, who taught me everything I know about business, being a successful businessman himself with 28 Fabric Bonanza stores. He put me on his shoulders.

Then there was my husband Stu, who showed me the world, experiencing extraordinary sites around the globe. He lifted me up.

Then there are my children: Josh, a superb father and role model; and my son-in-law Spencer, who’s created a wonderful world for his children. They lift my spirits.

They all pass the torch of a great legacy of kindness, caring and adventure! 

The song reminded me that I have the strength to climb any mountain.

Happy Father’s Day to all the great dads out there!

Earlier in the week, I met the magnificently talented Wynton Marsalis, one of the greatest trumpet players of the 21st century, who was being honored at Queens College’s Louis Armstrong Gala.

Wynton Marsalis, AM Rebecca Seawright and Jean Shafroff.
Wynton with CUNY Chancellor Félix V. Matos Rodríguez and wife Dr. Liliana M. Arabía.

Marsalis saluted Louis Armstrong, the greatest artist of the 20th century, for being a wonderful American ambassador who spread love, joy and music around the world.

Caroline and Catherine Loevner with Frederico Azevedo.
Icema Gibbs.
The Delaneys.
With Michelle Stoddard.
Jean Shafiroff, AM Rebecca Seawright, Donna Rubin and Catherine Loevner.

It was a night for the memory books!

Enjoy the poem that Queens College’s Jay Hershenson wrote as he introduced Wynton to receive his recognition. It says it all! 

“Winning With Wynton”

What can one say about Wynton Learson Marsalis that has not already been said; It’s a challenge indeed, but let’s not get too far ahead.

So we start with your name, the proud family of Marsalis;

A constellation of musical stars, shining more brightly than the Aurora Borealis!

Now some say your brilliance is derived from family genes; But others credit that you grew up in New Orleans!

A poem like this will have to be overt;

So some will say it started with the trumpet your father gave to you from Al Hirt.

Now is it a challenge to come up with a rhyme for Wynton? That’s easy for a man so often celebrated by President Bill Clinton.

And Learson is simply a distinguished middle name; It fits perfectly with your well-earned fame.

Nine Grammys, a Pulitzer, National Arts Medals, recognition resolutions filled with lengthy whereas; You’ve defined music in so many ways; and given the world the very best of jazz.

Toured in over 70 countries and nearly 850 cities we can count; Millions of record albums that continue to mount!

And tonight, we celebrate your connectivity to Pops; Because you’ve always made sure that Pops is Tops.

As we honor you tonight, his spirit is filling the room; His music is with us, his flowers will bloom.

Wynton, yours is a grand legacy with Louis you proudly share; I can hear him right now, saying two words,

Oh yeah!

What a night it was!

Flipping back to Long Island, I was so appreciative of CaringKind’s Alzheimer’s Foundation honoring me at their Walkathon in Massapequa! My Schneps Media staff and family added to the joy with their presence! I was so grateful seeing them!

News 12’s Antoinette Biordi (right) with families helping the cause.
Our Schneps Media staff at the Alzheimer’s Walkathon.

My grandchildren joined me after the walk to visit Life’s WORC’s Lara Rebecca Schneps Group Home, which opened in 1990 in recognition of Lara’s inspiration and the needs of the people with multiple handicaps. 

My grandchildren visited the Lara Rebecca Schneps Home in Massapequa with me and met the staff and one of the women who lives there.

The house, nestled on a beautiful block in Massapequa, is now home to seven individuals with multiple disabilities and autism. 

I got great joy out of seeing my father’s painting hanging proudly in the LRS Home and tears rolled down my cheeks as I saw the caring involvement of the staff with the people who live in the home, and are receiving the tender, loving care that they need. 

I was so happy to hear that each one of them — some in wheelchairs, some barely able to walk — every day go out to programs enhancing their lives. 
My grandchildren surrounding the painting created by my father.

They are truly living my dream that every child, no matter what their disabilities are, has a right to live a life of dignity. That’s what Life’s WORC is all about!

Coming up July 29 is the annual Geraldo Rivera Golf Classic at the Pine Hollow Country Club. And reserve July 19 for Geraldo Rivera and Bill O’Reilly’s party raising money for Life’s WORC in the Hamptons. 

For reservations information, visit lifesworc.org.

It wouldn’t be a weekend without a birthday celebration, and I was so happy to be invited to Fritz Brugere-Trelat and Mitch Draizin’s party at their stunning home in Sag Harbor.

It was a celebration of Fritz and Mitch’s 50 years together and what a celebration it was.
AM Rebecca Seawright presented a proclamation to Mitch and Fritz.
Dave and Kate Calone and Robert Zimmerman.

Mitch had just been given an honorary degree at the LaGuardia Community College commencement for his lifetime commitment to bring justice for the LGBTQ community and the founding of the American LGBTQ+ Museum inside the New York Historical Society. His legacy will live on forever. Congratulations!

What a week it was!

 

See more photos on QNS.com, DansPapers.com and LongIslandPress.com.