Montauk Pioneer - March 20, 2009 - Grand Marshal Frances Ecker and Friends

This year's Corned Beef Dinner, to launch the festivities that will culminate into the 47th annual Friends of Erin parade was held at the Montauket on March 8, from 6 to 9 p.m. According to Joe Bloecker, president of the Friends of Erin, it was the most successful. The actual parade is scheduled for Sunday, March 22, starting at 10 a.m. With John Behan and other former Grand Marshals present, Fran Ecker (this years Grand Marshal) went around and received her first wave of what will be many congratulatory greetings from her local community. Behan said, "Honoring Fran was long over due."

This dinner is one of the many events that makes Montauk such a unique community. Penny Pokafiore, a visitor from Pennsylvania just happened to be in town to attend the Corned Beef Dinner and loved the friendliness of everyone. She said, "Montauk rocks. This is just so cool." Maureen Keller, president of the Ladies Auxiliary of the Friends of Erin, was working diligently at the cash box collecting the receipts to those who attended. Inside, Friends of Erin officers; vice president Steve Turbek, Secretary Rich Edelstein, Treasurer Marc Remmes, as well as Richie Weis, were all over working, the room. Laughs, smiles, toasts and neighbors buying neighbors drinks, was occurring all over the spacious Montaukett. After the dinner, music was performed by the local band The Three B's. These three musicians truly deliver a vibrant crisp sound of a tight band, with plenty of experience playing live.

There was some hardy dancing while the band cranked out some rowdy tunes. Cathy McGuire, Laraine Creegan, Carl Darenberg, Karen German, Kathleen Beckmann, and a young mother of three, Alissa Mulligan, seemed to be the nerve center of the gyrations. Kim Esperian was there, and yes she was wearing her green, "It's all about Lola button."

The scene was pure Americana, which is what Montauk always seems to encompass. Darenberg was telling of his collection of photos from so many of the parades, which he started going to when he was around 8 years old. He vows to again be with the Montauk Chamber of Commerce, under the executive director, Creegan, manning the soup cups that are used to taste the many donated soups that is part of the parade tradition. In fact, Creegan has a collection of the cups in her office at the chamber.

Afterwards Joe Bloecker gave some tips about this year's parade. First, it will be the largest one ever. New this year will be a fly over of Air Force Jets doing the missing man formation in memory of deceased past Grand Marshals. Joe believes the fly over will occur sometime between 12:45 and 1:15 p.m. Also doing a fly over, as it did last year, will be a United States Coast Guard helicopter. Bloecker was very complimentary on the great job East Hampton Police Chief Todd H. Sarris did, monitoring the train stations to prevent any sort of problems from occurring. Again the police will be active in keeping the parade family oriented. It is expected that all people attending will behave and act responsibly, knowing that children and elderly will be attending the parade and need to feel and be safe. Last year Captain Kevin Sarlo stressed the fact that there would be a larger police presence and was effective at curbing an increase in disturbances at the parade.

This year Captain Ed Ecker, the son of Grand Marshal Fran Ecker, will have that responsibility. Joe also mentioned the Montauk Friends of Erin's, "Pot of Gold Raffle," with the first prize being a cool $10,000. Second prize is $1,000. With a third and forth prize of $500. He stressed that only 2,000 tickets were being sold for $25 each or five for $100. The drawing is to be held at the Annual Cocktail Party at Gurney's on Saturday, March 21.

Joe said donations and fundraising was down so far this year and anyone interested in making a donation could call 631-668-2911 or call Laraine Creegan at the Montauk Chamber of Commerce 631-668 2428. He also wanted to assure everyone that the cash prizes will remain the same amount no matter what. So with the Corn Beef Dinner the launching of the 2009 Montauk Friends of Erin build-up to what should be in the words of Joe Bloeker, "The biggest parade ever," all eyes await to the March 22, parade which every year officially starts the Montauk season. Not too far behind is Memorial Day and all the fun and craziness that it brings. Many predict this is going to be the best season ever, perhaps because of the economic downturn, which experts say makes Montauk more of a deal, being so affordable and family friendly.