hard deadlines

Valley Inn host Joe Occhi draws winning ticket as Len Katzman and Rich Gottlieb look on.

The Portsmouth Democratic Town Committee hosted their annual holiday party — and their first-ever 50/50 raffle — last night at the Valley Inn, and both were a big success.

"This was our first attempt to do a 50/50 raffle, said Town Committee chair Len Katzman, "And our final total was $1,264 dollars." The Valley Inn host, Joe Occhi, drew the winner, and George Levesque had the lucky ticket.

Katzman thanked the organizing team of Richard Gottlieb and Marge Levesque, and acknowledged the work of the folks who had run the event in prior years.

"For years now, this has been a Portsmouth Democratic Womens' club annual holiday event, and they always invited the Town Committee," said Katzman. "This year, it's a Town Committee event, and we invited lots of folks from the Women's club and I'm very happy to see several could make it." To general applause, he concluded, "We look forward to long and prosperous relationship."

Attendees enjoy Valley Inn hospitality.

Then the more than 30 guests enjoyed a wonderful Valley Inn dinner. The traditional stuffies were awesome, and there was an hearty kale soup with big chunks of chorizo. The family-style main course included outstanding beef and shrimp entrees.

The evening was both a fundraising success and a lot of fun. Karen and I had a blast at a table two other couples talking politics and comparing notes on our most recent trips to Disneyworld. But mostly, yeah, talking about politics. After all, it is an election year coming up.

"2010 is going to be a great year," said Katzman. "We will soon be kicking off the effort to put together our slates, and we look forward to that."

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Full disclosure: I am a member of the Portsmouth Democratic Town Committee.