46 The Courier SUN • NOVEMber 13, 2014 for breaking news visit www.couriersun.com VICTORIA SCHNEPS-YUNIS vschneps@gmail.com My childhood friend hit the jackpot and is now known as Judge Judy to the world. Our friendship has lasted the test of time and I relish her every success. This season, she came up with the idea of a show featuring three judges on the bench hearing individual cases. And so it got produced and is now the #1 new rookie syndicated show, “Hot Bench.” As an extra bonus for us New Yorkers, one of the judges is our own Brooklyn-born Patricia DiMango. She is from Dyker Heights (contiguous to Bay Ridge for Queensites), and we recently honored her mom Masalda as a Top Woman in Business in Brooklyn! Judge DiMango was chosen when Judy called Dennis Quirk, the head of the New York State Court Officers Association, and asked him, “Do you know of anyone like me in New York?” He quickly responded by saying, “I have the perfect person. They call her ‘Judge Judy’ at the State Supreme Court.” And so she was flown out to LA and instantly meshed with the other two judges. It didn’t hurt that she brought her Brooklyn accent with her. Judy loved her and the spin-off from her own enormously successful show began taping. It’s off to a hot start and I caught up with the cast as they were about to appear on “The Wendy Williams Show.” As I sat in the green room waiting for their live TV performance, I met all the “judges.” Tanya Acker, an attorney and civil litigator who is rail thin and gorgeous, was wearing the highest heels I’ve ever seen. She was there with Patricia, who almost outdid her in the shoe department with her redsoled, four-inch Louboutin heels. The third benchmate, Larry Bakman, who is from Los Angeles, has had decades of experience as a defense attorney. He’s “having the time of his life on the ‘Hot Bench,’” he shared. The women admitted that being on the show has been life changing. Judge DiMango has moved to Beverly Hills and is now bi-coastal. Acker said, “We have rhythm together. We’ve learned each other’s approach to cases.” All three nodded their heads in agreement when Larry said, “It is fun and challenging sharing cases. We are having a blast — nothing is better.” When they came off the show — oh yes, Wendy is thinner and much taller in person — we all agreed their performance was a home run! It’s because the synergy between them is red hot. They enjoy and appreciate each other, which comes through on their show and in person. Tune in on WLNY (Channel 10 or 55 in New York) at noon and enjoy half-hour episodes back to back. You will love it as much as you all have “Judge Judy.” It’s a home run! victoria’s secrets tweet me @vschneps Saying goodbye to Dolly Dynamic $1000 off Lumineers $500 off Invisalign DENTAL WORK Free Whitening included the inViSiBle WAy to Some excluSionS Apply StrAighten teeth third generation dentist 175-15 Jamaica avenue, Jamaica 718-297-4100 • 718-297-4106 ‘Hot Bench’ stars on ‘The Wendy Williams Show’ My heart ached as we said our final farewells to dear friend and angel, Dolly DeThomas. I was so moved to hear the pastor of St. Mel’s Roman Catholic Church say, “I can hear God saying, ‘Hello, Dolly. Welcome!’” Father Gerard Saurer compared her to a doll, believing her name was so appropriate, “because a doll is both beautiful and offers companionship and endless love — just like Dolly did her whole life.” Before her passing at 85, Dolly, a tireless public relations director and community volunteer, was known as someone who found the good in everyone and made you feel loved and appreciated. Her son spoke eloquently of her kindness and our friend Carol Conslato, the director of public affairs at ConEdison, emailed me a pic of an angeliclooking cloud she took the day of the funeral. “I have read you can sometimes see angels in the sky and we all would agree Dolly was an angel,” Carol wrote. “So as I was driving today I saw this in the sky and knew she is looking over all of us — very eerie!” Then, I received a note from a woman who Dolly befriended 40 years ago when she was working at the Holiday Inn LaGuardia. Dolly was both the matron of honor at her wedding and sent her anniversary cards every year after. She said, “Dolly was my GOOMAH — I have a broken heart. She was a second mother to me who started me and my husband in the hospitality industry. It’s where I met him and I am forever grateful for her love and friendship.” That says it all! Tanya Acker, Patricia DiMango, Wendy Williams and Larry Bakman Dolly is watching over us
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