JACKSON – The Veterans Club of Westlake Golf and Country Club held another successful Summer Spectacular recently. The event was a fundraiser for veterans who are down on their luck.
Westlake Golf and Country Club is a 55 plus community that recently celebrated its 25th Anniversary. Club member Alan Tannenhaus was a member of the event committee for this year’s event and noted that it supported another organization and a great cause.
Susan Kohn was among those who attended the third annual Summer Spectacular. “It was a wonderful evening. The club outdid themselves despite unforeseen water damage to the Westlake Ballroom, over 500 guests were still able to attend this charitable event at an 11th-hour venue change, in Jackson Liberty High School.”
“The show must go on and it did,” she added. “It was bigger and better than ever before! We are extremely grateful to the Jackson Township Board of Education for making this happen. All proceeds from this fundraiser will be used to furnish the kitchen at Larry’s Home, a transitional housing facility, located in Little Egg Harbor, whose mission is to help homeless veterans who are struggling with addictions.”
The musical trio “America’s Sweethearts” made their Westlake debut as the opening act. “Their performance simply blew it out of the ballpark. They wore red 1940s dresses and black hats and entertained us with a variety of wartime favorites,” Kohn said.
She added, “the ladies paid tribute to ‘sister’ groups such as The Andrew Sisters. Songs on their playlist included “Boogie, Woogie, Bugle Boy,” “Don’t Sit Under the Apple Tree,” and “Bei Mir Bist Du Schön.”
The Sweethearts performed a meaningful military medley while veterans stood up in honor. They also performed “America the Beautiful” and “The Battle Hymn of the Republic.”
“The Chicklettes then took to the stage, donned in sparkly green outfits, and entertained the audience accompanied by the Coda Band,” Kohn said. “They began their portion of the show with the powerful number, ‘I’m Every Woman.’ The ladies took us on a journey through the decades and paid tribute to such divas as the Pointer Sisters, Dionne Warwick, Aretha Franklin, Dusty Springfield, and Donna Summer, just to name a few.”
“Their version of Tina Turner’s iconic hit, ‘Proud Mary’ was a definite crowd pleaser and show stopper of the night. Saxophone player Mary Beth Ryan was ‘simply the best’ when performing several solos,” Kohn added.
Then, it was time for the main event. The “Pride of Staten Island,” School Administrator at Port Richmond High School, radio personality, and exceptional singer, Vinnie Medugno was brought back by popular demand.
Kohn described the performance saying, “every time I’ve seen this talented professional, I ask myself how can he possibly get any better. All I can say is wow! Vinnie’s energy level is not to be believed! He honored both Gene Pitney and Jay Black and opened his segment with “This Magic Moment.” Vinnie also spent time schmoozing with the audience.”
Medugno did a duo with Janet Costanza, and invited attendee Eileen Fecht to come up wearing her “I Love Vinnie” T-shirt. Kohn said, “his versions of “Sugar, Sugar,” “Runaround Sue,” and “Silhouettes on the Shade” were positively outstanding.”
She added, “If you haven’t heard Vinnie sing “Cara Mia,” you are missing out on the “Ninth Wonder of the World.” Additionally, he had “Sounds of the Street” including Westlake’s own, Lou Orrichio as backup vocalists.”
Kohn who is a big supporter of the Veterans Club remarked that “it takes a village to put a spectacular event like this together under normal circumstances. I still can’t fathom how well everything turned out after enduring many roadblocks. A general thank you to everyone who came out to support the veterans, whoever helped behind the scenes, or pitched in at the last minute when there was doubt the event would even take place without a known venue.”
She once again thanked the Jackson Township Board of Education for making the new venue available. “We cannot thank them enough for saving our show. Bobbie Rivere and Alan Tannenhous, along with Dave Whelan, were instrumental in securing the venue and making this happen.”
Kohn also provided an extra-special thank you to the committee – “Chairperson Carmine Cipoletti and his wife Angela, Tommy and Carol Ammirata, Alan Tannenhaus who also served as our Master of Ceremonies extraordinaire, and Carol Axelrod who was responsible for the event flyer and beautiful playbill.”
“Veterans Club President Stephen Bianco – your words about Larry’s Home were touching. We appreciate how much you give of yourself to help the veterans. All attendees and those who were unable to be there in person, but generously donated, feel proud knowing that each and every one of you contributed to help save a veteran’s life,” Kohn said.
Bianco noted that the club was founded in May of 2020 just as the pandemic began. He told The Jackson Times, “Despite the challenges of that time, we’ve grown into a vibrant organization made up of over 200 veterans and supporters from all branches and eras of service here in Westlake Golf and Country Club.”
“Our mission is to honor, support, and advocate for veterans both within our Westlake community and beyond. We’ve organized a number of impactful initiatives, including annual Memorial Day and Veterans Day commemorations, fundraising events such as an annual golf tournament and summer spectacular show,” he added
The group also supports local veteran-focused nonprofits such as Just Believe Inc., Vetworks and the Lieutenant Dennis W. Zilinski II Memorial Fund. They have sponsored two service dogs for wounded warriors and they provide direct aid to veterans in need, including those facing homelessness, PTSD, or reintegration challenges.
Along with Bianco, the club’s leadership team includes: Vice President Frank Fissler, Treasurer Marvin Miller, Secretary Alan Hott, Corresponding Secretary and Public Information Officer Nick Pappas, and Sergeant-at-Arms Tony Rubino.
