American Diner owner Mike Tassone is not one to keep his opinions to himself.
His diner’s menu spices its fare with quips and comments decrying the evils of too much government.
Last week, a red-lettered sign went up outside the building’s west wall facing the railroad tracks where they cross Old Liverpool Road:
“Repeal NYS S.A.F.E. Act
“Honor the Second Amendment.
“scopeNY.org.”
S.A.F.E. too stringent?
The New York Secure Ammunition and Firearms Enforcement Act of 2013, better known as the New York State S.A.F.E. Act, was passed by the state legislature on Jan. 15 and signed into law the same day by Gov. Andrew Cuomo. The law, which bans possession of high-capacity magazines and establishes other stringent regulations of firearm dealers and owners, is characterized by the governor as the “toughest” gun-control law in the nation.
The New York State Sheriffs’ Association publicly criticized several aspects of the legislation.
“The new definition of assault weapons is too broad,” the Association stated, “and [it] prevents the possession of many weapons that are legitimately used for hunting, target shooting and self-defense.”
You’ve got to give Tassone credit. American Diner not only provides tasty sustenance, it also serves timely civics lessons!
Immaculate thefts
How low can you go? A crook or crooks apparently robbed money from weekend church collections several times between April and June at Immaculate Heart of Mary Roman Catholic Church on Beechwood Drive in Galeville.
The church’s pastor, the Rev. Dan O’Hara, announced the discovery of the thefts from the pulpit at Mass late last month.
Congregants had complained that checks they’d contributed hadn’t been cashed. Noticeably lacking fear of God, the crook or crooks likely snagged contribution envelopes, tossed the checks they found and kept the cash.
A couple years ago, similar thefts occurred at a church in the village. Liverpool police identified suspects but found too little evidence to arrest anyone. That case remains inactive unless new information comes to light.
Loaves ’n Fishes
Over at St. Joseph the Worker Roman Catholic Church at Sixth and Tulip streets in the village, the Loaves ’n Fishes Food Pantry accepts donation of fresh fruit and vegetables on the second Thursday of each month (i.e. Sept. 12).
Meanwhile, the pantry’s always in need of cereal, fruit juice and canned spaghetti and ravioli. Hours at noon to 3 p.m. Monday, 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. Tuesday, 3 to 5 p.m. Wednesday and noon to 2 p.m. Thursdays; 453-7970.
Feeding the multitudes
Loaves ’n Fishes is a perfect name for St. Joe’s food pantry.
It’s derived from New Testament accounts of miracles performed by Jesus of Nazareth. The gospels twice describe him feeding the multitudes which just a few hunks of bread and a couple small fish. Well, here in the 21st century, the multitudes are still hungry, and so the pantry keeps making miracles.
St. Joe’s parishioner Tom Negus suggested the name Loaves ’n Fishes when Terry Cardinal established the pantry several years ago. A retired dentist, Tom lives in Liverpool, and, as you can see, he has a way with words.
Bring food to concert
The annual John Denver Memorial Food Drive concert will benefit the Loaves ’n Fishes Food Pantry at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 21, when Alan Taylor sings folk tunes along with the duo, Two Feet Short, at Johnson Park. Two feet Short features multi-instrumentalists Jimmy Flynn and Don Meixner.
Concertgoers are asked to bring a non-perishable food item to Johnson Park on Aug. 21. The Liverpool Is The Place Committee, which hosts the twice-weekly free summer concerts, will collect the donations and deliver them to the pantry; 457-3895.
More free concerts
The Liverpool Is The Place Committee is co-sponsoring the Liverpool Public Library’s 2013 Fall Concert Series starting at 2 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 15, with a performance of pop tunes and light classics by the Symphoria String Quartet.
Subsequent shows are set with the Tom Bronzetti Band playing jazz on Oct. 20, and the Joe Whiting Band playing rhythm’n’blues on Nov. 17; lpl.org; 457-0310.
