48 North Shore Towers Courier n November 2016 TheBatonIsPassed Photos by Stephen Vrattos Ladies’ Golf Association closing dinner sees a changing of the guard by Stephen Vratos “It was an honor to serve you.” Thus were the words of outgoing Ladies’ Golf Association President Theresa Oropallo, as she took to the mike one final time before ceding her title to incoming President Judy Lev at the closing dinner on Tuesday, September 27. The dinner was once again held at Leonard’s of Great Neck, the second consecutive year at the prestigious catering palace on Northern Boulevard after a tradition of closing dinners at Towers on the Green. It was one of the many changes Oropallo instituted under her presidency. “I wanted to make the closing ceremony something truly special,” she explained. “It’s nice to get out for a change.” Any minor rumblings from members about taking the event off course, as it were, were quickly squelched upon arriving at the opulent room where the dinner took place, a dazzling room lined with mirrors and sparkling accents of gold and teal and illuminated by a spectacular chandelier. More than eighty members gathered for the season-end celebration of the year’s champions. And the unfamiliar surroundings served to keep the members mingling and kibitzing, as they enjoyed passed hors d’oeuvres and bellied up to the bar. “The closing dinner is one of the only opportunities for all of us to gather off the golf course,” Oropallo observed. “With events at Towers on the Green, people tend to take to their seats and never move the entire evening. I wanted to shake things up a little.” Oropallo accepted the position after the 2014 season from outgoing president, Pat Tulchin. Her two years at the helm were highlighted by the annual “Babes & Guys” charity events, each year setting records from the year prior of money raised for cancer research. The 2016 affair was so successful, Oropallo had to devise another way for vendors to contribute, when there was no room for them to attend the day-ending dinner. Thus was born the first annual “Shop ’til You Drop” night on Thursday, September 8. Besides being overwhelmingly enjoyed by NST residents and visitors, and participating merchants, the event raised an additional $2500-plus dollars for the American Cancer Society and American Heart Association. This past season, member and resident Marlene Zucker hit a rare hole-in-one on the par-three 8th Hole, Marilyn Agin was club champion for A division, Kathy Bitetti for B division and Roxanne Ferdschneider for C division. Throughout it all, she led with a smile and good humor, a positive and winning leadership attitude no doubt gleaned from her years as a high school principal in Northport. She leaves her post, however, in the capable hands of Judy Lev. No stranger to the leadership role, Lev is a successful career businesswoman, currently serving as a Financial Advisor for prominent Morgan Stanley. She chaired the “Babes & Guys” event Oropallo’s first year as president, setting records and creating a solid foundation for the event to continue growing in the future. The Ladies’ Golf Association president’s gavel is in good hands heading into 2017. (l. to r.) Sandy Reichard, Roxann Ferdschneider, Olivia Wener, Penny Matchton, President Oropallo, Blossom Greenberg, Marlene Zucker, Arline Cammeyer, Florence Stuzin and Kathy Bitetti Outgoing President Teri Oropallo passes the gavel to incoming President Judy Lev (l. to r.) Anita Meyers, Margery Krohn and Diane Lipman Getting into the spirits Runner Up Champ Oropallo with Golf Pro Bob Guido and Country Club Manager Mary Anne Langone (l. to r.) Marilyn Agin, Marilyn Salzman, Linda Savid, Carolee Schecter and Phyllis Levin
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