Between the Bridges in Broad Channel - "Hats and Horses Day!"

Between The Bridges: Hats & Horses

Posted on April 30, 2015 by Peter Mahon in Between the Bridges, Columns // 0 Comments

Don’t forget, come on down and make the Broad Channel VFW your “Old Kentucky Home for a Day,” this Saturday afternoon, May 2 as they host “Hats and Horses Day” to celebrate the 141st running of the Kentucky Derby.

The Kentucky Derby’s official beverage, the mint julep, which has been promoted in association with this annual race since 1938, is a delight definitely worth expounding upon.  A traditional mint julep contains mint leaf, bourbon, sugar and water with the mint used as a garnish to introduce flavor and aroma through the nose. While this recipe is accepted as standard, a popular variation exists where the mint is “muddled” or crushed then mixed into the drink itself to enhance flavoring.

Churchill Downs actually offers (or at least used to offer) an extra premium, custom-made, mint julep at a cost of $1,000 with all proceeds going to charities that support retired thoroughbred racers. This “grand” libation is served in a gold-plated goblet and features Woodford Reserve bourbon, imported Irish mint, spring water ice cubes from the Bavarian Alps, Australian sugar and a sterling silver straw.

This Saturday, in keeping with the grand tradition of the Derby, the Broad Channel VFW will be celebrating “Hats and Horses Day” and offering it’s very own “extra premium custom made” mint julep served in a plastic cup with Jim Beam bourbon, mint imported from the produce section of the Rockaway Waldbaum’s, New York City tap water ice cubes, Domino sugar and a plastic straw!  The cost will be substantially less than the $1.000 being charged at Churchill Downs but all proceeds will go to fund the VFW’s services for our disabled vets.

Danny Ruscillo wants to remind all of us that “Our Police Officers put their lives on the line every day” so both he and all the members of the 100th Precinct Community Council are asking all those who can to join with them in commemorating National Police Week with a short candle light (or flashlight) vigil in front of the 100th Precinct on Wednesday evening, May 13, from 8:30 pm to 9:00 pm.

It is with a heavy heart that we extend our sincere sympathy to our neighbor Gloria Tubridy on the recent loss of a long time friend…her dog, Taxi. Someone once said that the one absolutely unselfish friend that anyone can have in this selfish world, the one friend that will never desert them, the one friend that never proves ungrateful or treacherous, is their dog. Truer words were never spoken.

Before I go I would like to take this opportunity to wish my two “Irish Twins,” Amy and Victoria very happy birthdays!  Vicky turned 19 on April 23 and Amy turned 20 the following day, April 24.  The day my second daughter (Vicky) was born, 364 days to the day after her older sister, I asked my mother who was in her late 70’s at the time if she had any advice for me.  Her simple response to me was “You’re not the sharpest knife in the drawer but you obviously have a grand sense of humor, you’ll be fine!”  She was right!

Broad Channel, why would anyone want to live anywhere else?

Contact Information: Email – rtbetweenthebridges@gmail.com