LMC-TV Honors Assemblyman George Latimer

"George is on his way from Albany," said Erik Lewis, executive director of LMC-TV,  as he kept watch on the door at the Emelin Theatre in Mamaroneck last night.

Occasionally Lewis was pulled onto the red carpet and the pre-show spotlight, where Sunny Yeddis Goldberg, advisory board chairperson, and Amy Schachtel, producer, conducted interviews à la Academy Awards for the station's twentieth annual awards show.

It was a local celebrity night for the station, with a presentation mildly reminiscent of when Billy Crystal ran the big show.

Larchmont Mayor Josh Mandell and Town of Mamaroneck Supervisor Valerie O'Keeffe  smiled for reporters, along with LMC-TV board members and supporters.

When word went out that "George" was in the house, the show was on, with multiple cameras filming every angle.

Jokes that killed

Hosting was Vincent Graziano, owner of Coxe & Graziano Funeral Home in Mamaroneck and author of the new novel "Die Laughing."

Graziano kicked off his duties by sharing with a crowd of about 120 that he'd just attended a half Jewish, half Catholic funeral. "And at the church they played 'Oy Vay Maria.'" After a pause, the drummer in the rhythm and blues band The Kezners hit the drums for the badda-bang punch line, but Graziano chided, "You're a little late," setting the pace for solid vaudevillian MC-and-drummer patter through the night, which the crowd loved.

Saluting Latimer

The highlight of the night was the video montage that ran before Latimer took stage. Playing off the long-windedness of politicians, one gag had clips of Latimer saying, "You thought you heard me say in conclusion" and "And in conclusion." Another had him serving slices of cake to long tables of senior citizens who had no problem informing him, "No, that's not mine," with Latimer good-naturedly saying, "Oh, I'm sorry," and trying again. One senior said, "George is always there for us," and several people in the audience nodded. 

And then LMC-TV's board member Michael Charles and president Leonard Verrastro spoke about Latimer. Latimer was receiving the Mary Anne Sullivan Award for Overall Achievement in Community Television. Since 1999, Latimer has hosted or participated in over 167 shows on LMC-TV, including "Assembly Update," "Poetry Moments," and "Community Connections."

Receiving the award, Latimer said he's had "nineteen years getting to know Larchmont and Mamaroneck. It's my great honor to have that opportunity." Noting that "Law & Order" was just cancelled in its twentieth season, Latimer remarked about the timeline, "I hope that won't work against me."

Making a left off Palmer Avenue

Latimer's biggest laugh came when, illustrating his connection to the community, he described the experience of often "being at the intersection of Palmer and Weaver, and trying to make a left turn, and sitting through six cycles of lights" while trying to get to the diner.

About his affection for the community, Latimer referenced Louis Armstrong's song: "I think to myself, 'What a Wonderful World.' You've blessed me by making me part of these communities. Thank you."

At 8:50 p.m., Josh Mandell told Latimer that, "On behalf of the Village of Larchmont, May 17th is proclaimed George Latimer Day until 9 p.m. And with that you get a fifty percent discount at all the stores. So get out there quickly." Valerie O'Keeffe seconded George Latimer Day for Mamaroneck.

More award winners

Also receiving awards were: Andrew Rio, The Joseph P. Fraioli Volunteer of the Year; Shari's Art Class, Best New Series; Fran Snedeker's "Future Choices," Best Series; Asher Collins, Val Estabrook Award for Outstanding Work in School Video; Pet Rescue of Larchmont, Best Single Program Award; Town of Mamaroneck Fire Department, Best Public Service Announcement.

Badda-boom

Graziano closed the show by saying, "If you're ever up in my neck of the woods, stop by for a cold one." The protagonist of his novel is a third-generation undertaker who dreams of being a stand-up comic.

The band finished with "Twist and Shout," but it was an earlier song that caused heads to tilt in concentration, with lyrics that said, "that's why my love is spilling out like oil, all over you."

The Mary Anne Sullivan Award is named for an LMC-TV founding member. Previous recipients have included The League of Women Voters in 2008, Senator Suzi Oppenheimer in 2007 and The Hispanic Resource Center in 2006.