Comedy Event to Support Various Rotary Ventures
Laughing can be a way to support the Port Jervis Rotary Club in its various ventures, whether scholarships, sanitation or dictionaries for children, according to Jack Austin, who became club president in July. The club offers that opportunity on Saturday, Aug. 21, at 7:30, when three comedians skilled at laughing at themselves take the stage at the Port Jervis Elks Lodge Pavilion for a Rotary fundraiser, their fifth annual comedy event of “family humor,” Austin said.
Opening will be Tommy Gooch, from Staten Island, who says, “I just tell the truth about myself satirically, nothing political. I’m a 53-year-old guy with an eight-year-old son, while my friends have grandchildren.”
He finds humor in the passing frustrations. He has been doing comedy for 20 years, although his father urged him to go to college and into business.
“I love comedy. It gets you into the fire quick,” said Gooch.
The headliner for the evening will be Billy Garan, also adept at finding the mischief in his mind. Sitting in traffic, he conjures up buying the car in front of him to be able to move ahead just a little. Or in a store where no sales clerk is visible, he thinks of what he might do with price tags. And at a high school reunion, he thinks he knows what unspoken comparisons his ex-classmates make between themselves and others. He has opened for Jay Leno and Jerry Seinfeld.
Also featured will be Mike Gaffney who riffs on topics ranging from going to the doctor and being told not to eat candy to childhood gambling. Austin recommends arriving at the show a half hour early to check out donated items in the silent auction.
The fundraiser supports Rotary Club in its range of endeavors that have included providing dictionaries for third graders in Port Jervis and Eldred school districts as well as scholarships for graduating seniors.
“We annually give scholarships that total about $4000, usually for students at Port Jervis High School, who apply through the guidance office. They’re selected based on academics, community service and financial need,” Austin said. “We plan to provide donations to local environmental education programs and hope to include international projects for pure water and sanitation in poor countries.”
They have several events planned for the coming year, including, on Oct. 9, a walk to raise money for Alzheimer’s disease research and, in spring, participation in environmental efforts, such as clearing the D&H towpath trail for walking. On Nov. 13, they will again have the Flags for Heroes event that last year resulted in $50 apiece sponsorships for 140 flags implanted at Jersey and Fowler Streets, commemorating people’s personal heroes, whether veterans, teachers or a favorite grandmother, Austin said. For Mother’s Day they will sell roses.
Port Jervis Rotary Club's 5th Annual Comedy Night -Tickets: $25 in advance, $30 at the door;cash bar, snacks provided. Saturday, August 21, 7:30 p.m., doors open at 6:00pm. Raffle baskets, door prizes, silent auction.Tickets can be purchased in Port Jervis at Phil's Ford, Smith Kitchen and Bath, State Farm Insurance or by credit card by messaging the Rotary Facebook page.