The Mummers Parade: Can It Stay Alive?
CONGRESSMAN BOB BRADY announces names of contributors to “Save themummers” campaign at Mummers Museum press conference.
by Joe Shaheeli The Mummers Parade, which for more than a century has launched the New Year before generations of Philadelphians, is not so solid a tradition as we natives have been led to believe. The lack of a mere $50,000 could have snuffed out this, such a noble representative of our many traditions. There would not have been a parade up Broad Street to welcome in 2009 had not Congressman Bob Brady, across whose 1st Congressional Dist. live the majority of mummers, stepped in to guarantee he will make up the necessary shortfall if the mummers and their fans could not come up with the funding demanded by the City. Brady, teaming up with 1st Dist. Sen.-Elect Larry Farnese, reached out successfully to local businesses to leap past the needed $50,000. As of press time, their efforts, plus that of the Mummers, who were pleading with their
Vol. III No. 1 (Issue 65)
“Reporting South Philadelphia the way it deserves”
Steak Emporiums Give To Mummers The “save the mummers” fund received a couple of beefy donations this week. Frank Oliveri, of Pat’s Steaks, donated $20,000 to the fund. A day later his close rival, Joey Vento, from Geno’s Steaks, donated $40,000 to the cause. Asked if he was going to match Vento’s pledge, Oliveri shrugged and saying he doesn’t “get into that kind of PR thing.” (Cont. Page 2)
supporters to donate via the internet, have seen contributions reaching over $250,000. What to do with the money left over after the City gets the cut it has demanded remains to be decided. Whether it is to go to prize money, or to a treasury set up to pay City fees, will not be known for some time according to attorney George Badey, a mummer, who became the mummers’ point man through this crisis. But therein lies a new crossroads. For generations before the city got involved in the machinations of the annual tribute to King Momus, the lord of mirth and merriment, comic and fancy-dress brigades were strutting, strumming, and staggering merrily along Broad Street up to City Hall and beyond to Girard Avenue from deep down south at Hog Island. The City first sponsored the mummers, offering prize (Cont. Page 3)
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January 1, 2009
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Standish Helps Fix Those On The Mend by Al Boccella Nominated to be recognized as one of South Philadelphia’s “11” outstanding senior-citizen volunteers is candidate Josephine Standish. This worthy effort to honor our senior citizens is targeted at having a day named to commemorate them. On Jan. 29, 2009 an award ceremony will be conducted to recognize our most valuable seniors. Standish is a quiet, unassuming senior volunteer, who would rather work unobtrusively behind the scenes without any recognition. However, Diane Keele, one of the many persons that know of Standish’s accomplishments, felt obligated to send in to the South Philadelphia Public Record a nomination ballot depicting some of the many accomplishments of this worthy person. (Cont. Page 2)
Downtowners Spread Their Wings; Strut Into 50th Year by Rory G. McGlasson The Philadelphia Eagles won’t be the only birds winging their way into the New Year with the glimmer of hope of success in 2009. The Downtown Mummers will be presenting their 50th-anniversary theme: “Spirit of the Eagle” on New Year’s Day. Our Eagles football outfit will be readying themselves to conquer the Minnesota Vikings. The Downtowners on Snyder Avenue are ready to top the Fancy Brigade. They will kick off the year celebrating the native Indians before em (Cont. Page 4) ...Josephine Standish
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