Babes Aborning
Babes & Guys Committee meets to strategize the 2018 annual summer event
STORY AND PHOTO
BY STEPHEN
VRATTOS
Babes & Guys Committee
Chair Judy
Lev had a mission
going into the 2017 annual
charity event, which raises
money for the American
Cancer Society’s fight
against breast and prostate
cancer. She was determined
to best the 2016 mark of
$38,000. That impressive
sum had bested the year
before and vaulted North
Shore Towers into the upper
echelons of the thirty
area clubs which participate
with their own Babes &
Guys events.
But to Lev it wasn’t
enough. The successful
career businesswoman,
who’s proudly called NST
home for a few decades, believed
the co-op could and should be
among the club elite, so she set out
to not only surpass the 2016 total,
but lay it to waste by exceeding it by
more than $10,000 and surmount
the 50-grand plateau. Her success
last year catapulted NST into the
Top Ten, gaining pronounced recognition
not only from the American
Cancer Society, but also from New
York City and the country.
Heading into 2018, Lev has the
difficult challenge of outdoing herself
again, a challenge she is prepared to
face. “How we’re able to do this—It’s
a huge undertaking—Is we divide
up the duties,” she told a group of
Babes & Guys committee members,
assembled in the Coleridge Lounge
Monday night, April 23. The statement
was made matter-of-factly, not
a tincture of hyperbole or gravitas,
almost as if Lev were reciting a
recipe, the results of which would
be perfect it one simply followed
the instructions. No hint of the tremendous
goal, which needed to be
reached, could be discerned. Lev’s
was a cool resolve, which instilled
confidence and showed why she’s
been a successful business leader
throughout her career.
This get-together was the first of
several such meetings leading up to
the 2018 Babes, in which strategies
are planned, responsibilities are
divvied and progress is discussed.
According to Lev, more than 20
NST residents who work toward
making Babes a success, though
on this evening there were little
more than a dozen, as some are
enjoying their remaining days in
Florida before they undertake the
perennial return home.
As with previous years, the 2018
affair will offer many ways in which
to participate, regardless of one’s
financial situation. The popular
“Tree of Life” which stands outside
the Country Club entrance continues
to gain popularity, resulting in
its growth over the years. With as
little as $10, a person can sponsor
a leaf, personalizing it with their
own name or that of a loved one.
And there’s no limit to the number
of leaves you can sponsor.
Of course, golf is the signature
event. After all, the day is named
after legendary player Babe
Zaharias. Men’s, women’s and
mixed rounds of play, and such
specialty contests as “Closest to the
Pin” and “Longest Drive,” make for
an exciting golf day for players of all
capacities. Foursomes, duos, even
individuals, who love the links,
are welcome. Golf Pro Bob Guido
will do his usual masterful job of
forming competitive teams, so no
one feels overwhelmed or left out.
If kibbutzing over cards is more
your cup ’o tea, you can join the
more than 100 compatriot players
who fill the large room by the
downstairs cinema entrance. The
card room has become an event
within the event, with refreshments
and its own raffle.
Whether course or cards, lunch
is included. BUT you don’t have
to partake of either to participate
in the luncheon and enjoy its delicious
repast, fun and camaraderie,
arguably the highlight of the day’s
festivities. Overseen by Country
Club Manager Mary Anne with help
from a select band of Committee
Members, Towers on the Green is
transformed into a palace of pink.
Buffy provides a yummy buffet,
which in 2017 included, pink
lemonade (of course), eggplant
rollatini, egg salad and bread pudding.
During the dining, awards
are given and raffles are drawn.
More than five thousand
dollars’ worth of
prizes—gift certificates
for restaurants, retailers,
salons, services; bottles
of wine, jewelry and
more—were awarded
last year. There’s also a
50/50 draw, the winner
of which in 2017 won
more than $250 for her
ten-dollar donation.
Participants can
sponsor a hole to honor
a loved one lost or
affected by cancer. Each
hole delineated as such,
receives a custom-made
sign with the honored
person’s name. You
can also Sponsor a Free
Lift. And of course, one
always has the option
of simply donating
whatever they wish to
the cause.
It’s important to remember, the
event is called “Babes & Guys.”
This is a celebration to be shared
by everyone, not just the female of
the species. Cancer is a scourge,
which touches everybody’s life in
some way, and it’s one which will
need a concerted continual effort
by both sexes to overcome. As
important to remember is, though
taking part at North Shore Towers
and organized and managed by its
community, Babes & Guys is open
to anyone, not just NST residents;
family, friends, acquaintances,
strangers—no matter. Spread the
word and get as many people
involved as possible.
2017 Babes & Guys luncheon
SAVE THE DATES!
• Babes & Guys, Thursday,
July 12, 2018
• Shop ’til You Drop Vendors
Night, Thursday, September
6, 2018
• Inaugural Herb Greenberg
Memorial Golf Tournament,
Sunday, September 16, 2018
10 NORTH SHORE TOWERS COURIER ¢ May 2018