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A grand night at the Nevele Grande

Your faithful TOAD reporter here, with yet another escapade to share…

I knew this was going to be a strange trip my flight from the Islands was canceled on Wednesday due to a mechanical problem and I didn't make it to the Mainland until the next day. The second leg of the journey was delayed--not for mechanical reasons this time--the plane had to turn around and head back to the terminal right before we took off because a passenger had on board an illegal animal! Gee I'm glad I wasn't sitting next to him! Flying can be such an interesting way to travel…

Jo and I had quite an adventure last night, which lasted into the wee wee hours--last time I glanced at the clock it was 4:30 a.m. I had a trusty co-pilot on the journey into the Catskills--two plus hours north of Long Island. Thanks Jo, I couldn't have made it alone. Now I wish I did listen to that news story last week about how the on line computer generated directions are not always correct… What the heck is a 9 West N anyway? Sounds like a shoe store with only narrow shoes! I think we ended up on every throughway/parkway/tollway and all the rest of the "ways" in the State of New York. There's a Florida, New York, a New England, New York, and my absolute favorite was Goshen--as in land-o-goshen!!!!

Only one shot at pitching the coins in the basket this time. I was so disappointed--I had practiced. It was quite a journey with two sets of directions (sorry David, yours weren't right), but between both of them (and a few kind souls) we were able to make it there before the 10:30 show. We were way way out in the Countryside now--it was a beautiful clear night with a sky full of stars. The show was for resort guests only, but having the right connections makes that little rule disappear instantly--right Jo? Once we found Ellenville and pulled into the resort, it seemed that we had re-entered civilization. Everyone at the resort had us on their "list" and knew we were coming--from Charlie, the guard at the gate, Gabriel with that fabulous Ricardo Montalban voice, to Joe in the showroom. They were all very friendly and welcoming. Even before the show started, we knew it was going to be a wild one. The audience was in a rowdy mood and this one had a ringleader too--Stewie. Who knew an accountant could move like that?!!! And when Tony asked the audience "Would you trust this man with your taxes?" everyone yelled yes!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Tony came out and was in rare form--right Jo?!! The audience went nuts. Standard show with a few twists---literally. He had us all standing up at the end and dancing the twist in the aisles. A real New York crowd who weren't too thrilled with the country music in general--but on the Led Zepplin number they went nuts and out came the lighters--reminded me of the old days at the Fillmore. Made me sorry that I quit smoking years ago because I didn't have matches or a lighter to join in. Boo hoo hoo. The audiences started chanting "Bruce"--and wouldn't you know that Tracey Cole came up with Pink Cadillac--then everyone was up on their feet. Tony was in hysterics on the stage and kept turning around to the guys saying--"See guys, see what I mean? Look at them!" He came down into the audience for Gypsy Rose singing and shaking hands along the way and gave us both a big ole hug and kiss--(mental note--bring towel to Westbury). He also gave us some news. On September 10th, he will be co-hosting a Pay Per View event with Gladys Knight. It is a tribute to music of Leiber & Stoller and all of the stars who appeared in Smokey Joe's Café will participate. More details to come…

Following the show we were invited to join the caravan from the resort in Ellenville back down to their hotel near Westbury. Bill taking the lead--and despite his warnings of his "need for speed"--it never happened. Guess he's never driven in California where you get passed when you're going 80 on Interstate 5. LOL!!! Only one McDonalds stop (sorry no Burger King) along the way--the boys were hungry after the show! Most running as fast as they could inside to place their order--run, run like the wind! Both Jo and I passed on it. We were separated from the caravan at the TriBoro Bridge--guess Bill really didn't understand the caravan concept. But by this time we were in Jo's back yard and she took over the navigation. We delivered our special passenger intact and safely to the hotel (although he was totally talked out by that point).

Now after a couple hours rest it's time for a dip in the pool and then off to Westbury this evening! We have great seats and Sue will be joining us there. Look back for our reports.

Pat

Gee Pat:

I don't know what to say, except - Thanks for taking me with you! LOL!!! Your reviews are so detailed it's like we all experienced it right along with you. Those of us who didn't make it appreciate the fact that you share your experience with us. Well it sounds like another great NY trip. One of these days I'm gonna have to get there and join in on the fun for real. I'm glad you all had fun!!!

P.S. I loved your mental note. LOL!!!!

Julie

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Hi! Pat, I can assure you that you covered every aspect of our wonderful time together, reading your posts just brought back to mind every precious moment of this absolutely fantastic weekend. I am so very, very thankful and fortunate for your friendship and your loyalty to Tony; not many would fly clear across the country as you did to not only share a fabulous weekend but to see two of Tony's shows that though were in the same state were miles and miles and miles apart! I am so glad that we finally made it to the Catskills (we never found those cats showing off their skills, nor any bears hiding out in Bear Mountain. Happy to have had the "right connections" come through for us, we were ushered right through the gate and welcomed by all at the hotel. The crowd at the show was fully prepared to have a grand old time and the amazed, but thankful look we received from Tony as he spotted us in the audience was absolutely breathtaking!! Right, Pat? Immediately following the show we formed a caravan and were "escorted" back to Long Island until we were separated at an EZ Pass on a bridge, but thanks to cell phones and a little (very little) knowledge of the right highway to take (LOL, are there any right ones?) and after a little ribbing from our special passenger on my limited knowledge of N.Y. Parkways, all were safely back on Long Island, though very much talked out and in desperate need of sleep. Thank you Pat for handling our roads like a champ! I knew with your driving expertise, we'd have no problem at all!!

The next afternoon was spent in the hotel's pool and jacuzzi. Both my daughters were so anxious to finally meet the woman behind the beach cam of Hawaii that they've both been waving to for so long! Thanks, Pat for having us as your guests at the hotel, a great time was had by all.

Before leaving for Pat's hotel though, a very special phone call was made to my house by our friend, Sue from NJ that trekked over a few thousand miles herself!! It was wonderful to be with Pat and Sue again, though last time was only last April, it seems so long ago. Now, as Pat said, Sue was staying at another hotel that with David's assistance was thought to be so easy to find. We'd go pick Sue up at her hotel, enjoy a nice dinner together and then drive to the show.. yeah, right, sure. Not with these crazy roads on Long Island and all the divided highways, we were lucky to get to the show on time! (Though it was a nice scenic snow removal route and was that Susan Lucci walking her dogs??)

At first, I wasn't too anxious to have to sit through Debbie Reynold's show, eagerly awaiting Tony. But Debbie was so very entertaining! She had us all in tears from laughing so hard and all the tributes she did to some great singers of past and present were stupendous! Her impersonations were perfect and was a real treat.

A real great opening act!!

Tony came out on stage (looking alot more rested than we were) and thoroughly enjoying our back up singing. "Shoop, shoop, shoop", and "He don't Love You", sounded almost perfect, didn't we Pat and Sue? A man close to the age of 80 danced and bopped his way down the aisle to his seat and immediately, Tony brought him up on stage to do Roll Out the Barrel. Tony couldn't get over the fact that the man was actually accompanied by both his wife and his "girlfriend"! Tony was too funny with that and his very comical side came shining through for the entire show. It was great to see Theresa, Del and Serina there and after the show, we all waited for Tony out back and shared some more good laughs with Jon and Joe and Billy.

Karen was nice enough to send the wedding pictures we asked her about with Billy. A very handsome couple who looks extremely happy. We all continue to wish you both the best, with a lifetime of happiness and joy.

It was so wonderful to have Tony express the joy and amazement he felt at seeing both Pat and I up at the Catskills. Even with miles of distance between the shows, how could we possibly resist? As Pat says, it's just another road trip! Still, it's so nice to hear his appreciation, makes it all the more special.

Hey, I managed to take several photos without being reminded by Tony that I was an enrollee in his course, Photography 101. Guess I've made it through? Not really. Still, I managed to mess up on Pat's photo with Tony. It didn't turn out at all, I'm sorry Pat, guess a refresher course is in order.

That is of course, after my completion of my new courses, Navigation 101 and Gasoline Pumping 102.

I really felt lousy about not being able to get Pat and Sue to the hotel party after the show. I have spent entirely too much time on Long Island in the passenger seat, not paying attention to the very complicated roads. That's where the navigation course will come in handy, especially with those snow removal routes and divided highways, right Pat? Anyway, I'm sure their party was cut short by their early flight schedule and we did get some added entertainment at the "Diner", didn't we? A charming maitre'd, who I believe we woke up and a waiter straight from the set of Saturday Night Live, "cheeseburger, cheeseburger" (only Pat ordered the turkey burger!) "Coke, no Pepsi", only it was iced teas and decaf coffee. Sheesh!

Our following day was a saddened day in that Sue headed back to Jersey and Pat up to Connecticut.

But, what a weekend it was... Pat, Sue, you are the best for making your long journeys, it was great to see another Tony Show with you both.

Wish we could all be together out in California to see Joyce and Pam do their play, I'm sure that will be quite a show. Have a great time, Pat and Julie!!!

Thanks for allowing me to share my story. Looking forward to Tony's co-hosting of the PayperView event on Smokey Joe's and of course, a long awaited return to Atlantic City in the Fall!

JO