Run For the Roses Update

In a folllow up to Jackie Breen's story, just how did his son's horse do in the Wood Memorial. West Side Bernie came in second. The full story including video of the race can be found here. Congrats the Kelly and West Side Berniew on the great finish.

Shelli Sonstein Update

For those of you who missed the interview with Jack Redden and John Hatton that aired in the wee hours of the morning on Sunday, February 8, sit back, relax and enjoy.

Audio Provided by Jack Redden

Celebrating April Anniversaries

30 Years with the FSOS

Bobby Coyle

10 Years with the FSOS

Stephen Hamilton

5 Years with the FSOS

James Feaster
John Krug
Jeff Schuld

Past Anniversaries

Run For the Roses ... Maybe!

Kelly John Breen son of Jackie Breen is a trainer with not one but two horses racing at Aqueduct this Saturday. In the $750,000 Wood Memorial race he has West Side Bernie a horse who can already go to the Kentucky Derby but a good finish here will seal the trip. King Puma is racing in the $200,000 Bay Shore race. I'll be rootin' for both.

As far as the Shillelagh stable is concerned we'll be looking for two horses at the beginning of Monmouth meet.

Article by Jackie Breen

FSOS Enters NASCAR

Racing at NASCAR is not as far fetched as you might think. One of my hobbies is "Online Racing" using a computer simulator to create the look and feel of real life NASCAR racing. This simulator allows up to 43 drivers sitting at their own computer with a steering wheel and pedals to compete against each other from anywhere on the planet. I currently drive in a league called Sim Pro Racing. I drive the #10 FSOS Dodge (see photo). Bill Farmer (also a member of FSOS) competes in the same league as well. Contact me if you'd like to find out more.

Article and Photo by Jack O'Brien

Officers on Deck

The Annual FSOS Dinner Dance took place on Saturday March 8, much to the delight of all who attended. The entertainment began at 5:00pm when Backbeat, the first of two bands kicked off the evenings festivities at Yogi's All American Bar at the Crown Plaza. By 8:00pm Primitive Soul, the second band of the night had set up in the main ballroom and then the fun really started. Dance, dance, dance was the order of the day. And with all the officers on deck there were plenty of folks to give orders.

During the course of the evening the new officers were piped into the hall by the FSOS Pipes and Drums and then bestowed with sashes from the out going officers. Both Bill Gerdon and John Wagle were heard saying something to the effect of "Thanks be to God" as they almost sprinted to the bar afterwards. In fact as Bill commented, "How sweet it is..." John was saying,"Don't look back, don't look back". With that our new officers took on the roles that will be there's for the next year.

Walter Farrell was honored during the course of the evening as Irish Man of the Year. Walter was joined tonight by his lovely wife Joyce, his children and youngest grand child baby Ellis. Most of us aren't used to seeing a mushy side to Walter. He really doesn't do warm and fuzzy. We're used to the "Whaddya want?, I  don't have all day" Walter behind the bar.  Surround him with his family... he's almost normal. Put a microphone in his hand and he turns into Robin Williams. If you weren't there then you should ask him about the joke.... it was good and delivered with Walter's deadpan style. Joyce threatened to kill him if he told it but he just couldn't help himself.

Another man not to be missed was the ever so coooooool Dave Delaney. In fact their entire table looked like the cast from the movie, "Men in Black".

Lastly congrats to the right honorable Jeffrey Schuld who finally plucked up the courage to ask Mom for a dance... ahhhh schucks Schuld.... you're still Mama's little boy, hard to believe, I know.

In the end it was a stellar night made all the better by Bobby Quinn who made his own contriibution to the evening by producing a playlist for those members who remember what it was like to dance when music really was music. Turned out the music was so good there was almost no room on the dance floor for us youngsters. Those of you who saw it will no doubt agree with me... I never thought Bobby could move like that either. Before you ask, yes, he is available for Christenings and Bar-Mitzvahs though his rates may vary depending on demand.

Finally, a special thank you to the dinner dance committee. They work tirelessly all year to insure that the evening goes off without a hitch. Tonight was a most definitely a success. Can't wait for next year.

Photos from the evening.

Is That Snow?

It was a snowy start to this years Belmar Parade Day, definitely a day for thermals. While we gathered in FSOS Hall the temperature continued to drop. Then with families and friends assembled, we celebrated mass, St. Patrick, being Irish and remembered friends who had passed. Sashes were blessed and donned.

Afterwards as we filed from mass with thoughts of coffee. A handful of our older members went outside to the memorial. There they placed the mass flowers and stayed moment. Soon we were all enjoying a breakfast of muffins and coffee. There were of course a hardy few that decided on something a little stronger. Then there was the rest of us.

Meanwhile the Men in Black were polishing shillelaghs and putting on top hats. Alan Purcell, the quiet, shy lad from Dublin and this year's parade adjutant looked especially dapper sporting a top head with a pretty green ribbon. He was a picture! Before long we were all installed on the 5 buses and heading to Belmar. By 1:00pm we were all assembled in Lake Como. Snow lay on the ground and the sound of pipes filled the air.

There were aran sweaters, floats, 6 foot leprechauns, shamrock painted cars and the 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing Band. In dress blues and razor sharp they paid no attention to the occasional swirls of snow and played flawlessly. Then quielty their conductor turned to the FSOS flag bearers and requested they step forward for the National Anthem. As the flags raised the crowd fell silent, the band played and not a soul moved except to place hands over hearts or raise them in salute.

The crowds on Main Street would not be deterred by the winter blast. As the FSOS Pipes and Drums led the Sea Of Green up Main St. Belmar they were greeted by constant cheers. For the frozen onlookers the Rakes of Mallow, Amazing Grace and the Kelly Set all standards of the band reminded the parade goers of what St. Patrick's Day is all about. That, and the goading by the rather large gentleman with the big hat up front.

Photos From Mass, Breakfast & Parade

Photographs by Mike Callaghan, Alan Purcell, Bob Hobson

A special thanks to all those who worked behind the scenes on this day and the days preceding  to insure that all went off so well.

Clothing Drive Update

The clothing collected weighed in at 2,551 pounds which means $251.10 for the food bank. Thank you to all and I will have receipts at the next meeting night.

Tom Esser

Blood Drive Update

Do we care enough to give the gift of life? Yes, we care. We had 58 people sign in to donate. Of the 58, 51 were able to donate. Eight volunteers donated thru the ALYX machine which enables them to get a double red blood cell donation. These count as 2 pints. As such we got credit for 59 pints. Our goal was 60 so we were just short. Considering the low turnout for the elections and a few people showed up few minutes too late I am happy with the results. Thanks to all who donated. The blood collected saves the lives of young children, grandparents, injured police & firemen, neighbors, members of the FSOS and their families.

These are just some of the faces and stories of people we help.We will have more drives in the upcoming year. Please donate, you can make a difference.

Marty Cameron

Celebrating March Anniversaries

25 Years with the FSOS

John O'Callaghan

20 Years with the FSOS

James Hillier

10 Years with the FSOS

Timothy Duggan
John Lotti

5 Years with the FSOS

Brian Sommers

Past Anniversaries