Congratulations to all Tildenites – members, family and friends – on winning the Club of The Year award (aka The Demmy)! During the beautiful awards ceremony held at the American Airlines Theater on 42nd Street, guests were entertained by internationally acclaimed musicians, dancers, and comedians (although maybe that guy really was President Bill Clinton?), speeches were made and awards were presented.

Hosted by County Committee Leader and Assemblymember Keith L.T. Wright, the event featured Special Guest Speaker Governor Andrew Cuomo, who delivered an inspirational and rousing address, including a beautiful tribute to his father, the late Governor Mario Cuomo. Former Governor David Patterson and Speaker Carl Heastie joined Governor Cuomo on stage. A  constellation of other electeds, including former Mayor David Dinkins, Borough President Gale Brewer, Public Advocate Tish James, our own Councilmember Rosie Mendez (who also received an award – congratulations Rosie!), State Comptroller Tom DiNapoli, Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. (who spoke to Tilden a few months ago and greeted us warmly), and Assemblymember Dan Quart, to name just a few, were present and cheering for Tilden.

The highlight of the evening was the finale presentation of the BIG Demmy – the Herman D. Farrell Jr. “Club of the Year” award. There were multiple other great clubs up for the award, but in recognition of Tilden’s many activities, growth and impact we were deemed Club of the Year. The actual award will be making a guest appearance at our next Club meeting in September, so be sure to attend and see it in person!

Several dozen Tildenites held an ‘after party’ – a Tilden tradition  of combining hard work with fun – at the beautiful Cafe Un Deux Trois where a festive dinner and lots of celebrating took place. We toasted our members and their contributions to our Democratic Party, our City and our State, and made special toasts to our own Genevieve Cervera and Richard Tsai.

On a personal note, I would like to thank all the members of Tilden for the hard work done to receive this recognition. What you have accomplished is brilliant and inspirational, and is a shining example of what we can do when we come together in the name of Democracy. Let’s keep on doing what we do so well! I am proud and honored to serve as your President.

Sincerely,

Mark P. Thompson

President, Samuel J. Tilden Democratic Club

Club of the Year

On Monday evening more than thirty Tildenites braved the beautiful weather to gather and celebrate at Patrizia’s on Second Avenue. But why? Because they had all successfully gathered at least two green sheets of signatures that will help our candidates get onto this Fall’s ballot. Congratulations to everyone who helped with this Herculean effort! Louise Dankberg, our District Leader, is now in the process of binding the petitions and delivering them. (A special thanks to Louise since this is no easy task.) When all was done, Tilden gathered more than 1,500 signatures!

As you have heard, the internationally broadcast (well, maybe just on our smart phones …) Demmy Awards will be held at the American Airlines Theater on Monday July 13. Tilden is a finalist for the Club of The Year Award. While voting has closed, you can – and should – send in your late vote anyway. Send an email to Thedemmys@gmail.com and write “Tilden  Club of the Year” in the subject line. In the text, just write something like “I vote for Tilden as Club of the Year.” Every vote will help push us over the top. Ask all your friends and relatives to do it via a massive email. Let’s win this year! We deserve it!

Warmest Regards,

Mark P. Thompson

President, Samuel J. Tilden Democratic Club

Yes, the Petition Wrap Party at Patrizio’s will be July 6 … not July 22 – so you need to hustle yer bustle to get those two green pages of signatures. Be sure to doublecheck your calendar and bring in piles of names! Remember the top five petitioners get that super-duper prize!

Almost as important (some woulld dare to say even more important) is the voting for the Democratic Club of The Year. Tilden has a good shot at it since we are awesome .. but to win we need to have the most votes. So vote for Tilden and ask all your friends to do so. But how do you vote? It’s easy as betting on even more Republicans running for President. Simply write to Thedemmys@gmail.com and write ‘Club of the Year’ in the subject line. In the email state that you are voting for Tilden.

We have learned that this year’s Demmy’s will include a performance by Grammy Award winning violinist Miri Ben-Ari. Miri has performed with many superstars, including Kanye West, Donna Summer and Patti LaBelle.

We would like to send a big shout-out to Tildenite Richard Tsai, who is recuperating from very serious surgery. Richard is doing well and we send him best wishes and look forward to seeing him at The Demmys and The Petition Wrap Party!

Regards,

Mark P. Thompson

President

Samuel J. Tilden Democratic Club

Yes, Tildenites …

Those rumors you’ve been hearing on the streets, in the backrooms of political clubhouses and on buses to Albany are true! All of your hard work gathering signatures on those beloved green petition sheets could get more than just great candidates elected to office. It could get you a free ticket to The Demmy’s! The top five Tildenite signature-getters will receive a ticket to The Demmys (July 13). Can you imagine the excitement this is causing?

So hit the streets, corner your neighbors, and get as many Democrats signed up as possible. Bring those signed petitions to the Petition Wrap Party at Patrizio’s on July 22 (details to follow shortly). Two full petition sheets give you a free dinner! And more than that could get you an evening of Democratic Glamor! Golly gosh, can it get better than this?

Sincerely,

Mark P. Thompson

President

Samuel J. Tilden Democratic Club

Don’t forget tonight’s meeting! The agenda has been revised to include a discussion of next year’s annual dinner and a decision on the date and location. We will be meeting at Seafarer’s Institute (123 East 15th Street at Irving Place) starting at 7:30. The meeting will be followed by festive munchies and libations courtesy of the Hospitality Committee. Department of Consumer Affairs Commissioner Julie Menin is our guest speaker and will be there to kick off the meeting.

Petitioning! Please bring any completed petitions to the meeting. You’ll be able to hand in your other petitions later, but bring any that you have so that we can start binding them. And do not forget that Time-Tested Tllden Tradition … the member who brings the most signatures wins a free ticket to the Annual Dinner!

If you need signatures, we’ll be petitioning today (Thursday) at Morton Williams (23rd Street near 2nd Avenue) starting at 4:30.

We will also be petitioning at the following times/locations:

Monday June 22 – 5 pm Hane (20th and First)

Friday June 26 – 5 pm Stuy Town (16th at First)

Monday June 29 – 5 pm Stuy Town (16th at First)

Remember the hysteria at last year’s Demmy’s when our own Louise Dankberg took control of the stage at the Apollo? Well, it could happen again! The Demmy’s – the intergalactically-acclaimed New York County Democratic Committee annual wing-ding and award show – is back on Monday July 13. If you are interested in attending please speak with Louise Dankberg at the meeting or contact her ASAP via email at LDankberg@nyc.rr.com 

Perhaps the most important item in this eblast is this: Nominate Tilden as the “Club of the Year” at the demmys@gmail.com. Wuith enough votes we can win! We were close last year and your vote will push us to the top!

Warmest Regards,

Mark P. Thompson

President

Samuel J. Tilden Democratic Club