Dads' Night '03: You talking to me?
Chairman's letter
Dads' Night: 59 Years of Childhood Memories, One Laugh at a Time.
On behalf of all the Dads in this year's show, we want to extend a warm welcome to all of you who join us in supporting the children of Somerville and Hawes. We hope that by sitting back and enjoying a few hours of music and comedy, our families and friends who fill the auditorium will find comfort and laughter in a time when both are in short supply.
How ironic, that this little show, started in 1944 to raise a few dollars while bringing a night of fun and laughter to families during World War II, serves exactly the same purpose 59 years later. Our world, like the world of 1944, has changed dramatically over the past few years. The safety and security of our families has been challenged in a very real way for the first time in our lives. But like the dads of 1944, we feel the best way to restore the comfort, support and laughter that has been threatened by world events is through family, community and laughter. That is our Dad's Night mission.
Like piping hot chicken soup, fresh baked cookies, big hugs and unconditional love from mom and dad, our hope is that Dads' Night brings comfort, joy and laughter to the hearts of those we love. Life has changed, but life does goes on. And Dads' Night is here again to play a small but important part in creating happy childhood memories that will last a lifetime.
If the famous words that "Children Learn What They Live" are true, it is our hope that in a world of uncertainty, fear and hate, our children will see a different and better example. An example of charity, that will teach them to give. An example of humor, that will teach them to laugh. An example of kindness that will teach them to be compassionate. And an example that no matter what happens around them, love conquers all.
We want to take this opportunity to publicly thank all those who have made our show possible. We thank Dr. Joseph Cappello and Russ Titus of the Ridgewood Board of Education, and school principals Kathi Rodger-Sachs, Dr. Monica Browne and Tony Bencivenga. We also thank the unsung custodial staffs of both Somerville and B.F.
A big thank you goes out to the individuals and businesses that purchased ads in this program. Please patronize them whenever possible. We thank the previous Dads' Night Chairmen, for without their guidance and support this show would not have been possible.
We thank all the Dads who participated this year, both onstage and off, who made our year successful and fun. And we thank the families and friends of every dad in our show, because it is only through your kind words, encouragement and support that Dads' Night continues to touch the hearts and lives of the children we love.
So sit back, relax and enjoy our show . . . and thanks for coming!
Joe Antonacci and Kevin McAteer
Dads' Night 2003 Co-Chairmen