I want to thank everyone who contributed to the incredible, unprecedented success of our annual Family Day. The wonderful families that make TWU Local 100 such an amazing institution were on full display. The sun was shining (for the most part), and the aroma of grilled meat and fish was floating all over Coney Island. Our Family Day has now developed its own unique style of awesome divisional tailgating, with all kinds of great food and "interesting" beverages.
A member gave me a cup of Trinidadian vegetable soup yesterday. I'd never had it before (not too much Trinidadian soup on the stove growing up with an Irish mother), and it was unbelievably delicious. Our softball team dominated. We retained the TWU tournament trophy once again. Thank you to all our Local 100 soft ball players. I'm thankful to our sister Locals who graciously made their way to Coney Island and contributed to the success of our day. Local 252 president Debra Hagan spent the day with us, and fielded a softball in the tournament, as did Pat Flannery with Local 2001 and Angelo Cucuzza with Local 501. Steve Hamm of Local 299 brought his squad. Thanks for fielding your teams and spending the day with us! And president Mike Conigliaro and the Local 101 membership once again proved themselves to be an incredible 'solidarity" partner with Local 100.
Hopefully, as we go forward with future family day events, more and more sister TWU locals will participate and enjoy the day with us. The International also participated. Transit Director Jerome LaFragola spent the day with us, as well as the International TWUs' new Legislative Director Brendan Danaher and members of the International's political/cope team including Gwen York, Terry Daniels, and Heather Laverty – as well as Curtis Tate, who has played such a pivotal role in creating and growing our Coney Island Family Day.
Thanks again to everyone who did things big and small, whether it be working tirelessly at the grills, entertaining the hundreds of Local 100 children, or working behind the scenes to pull it all together. Thank you, Shannon and Bernadette for all your hard work. What an absolutely incredible time was had by all! I'm already looking forward to Family Day 2016. – John Samuelsen, President, TWU Local 100
