Picnic at Tibbits Park

The picnic this year was, as in the past, in part a success and in part a disaster. There were too many absentees. Food was abundant, the sun shone all day long, and it was just beautiful. Fourteen people showed up from a possible forty odd. That is about a forth (9/40) of recently active members − which is good, sort of −, but a thirtieth of all our members − which is bad. As usual none came together. We had about a crowd of five at any one time, and this was very discouraging to those of us who took the time to prepare the event. No students showed up. Some residents from the Bronx-Lebanon came this time, but none came from St. Joseph’s.

We were lucky to have Joseph Halbach, Abraham Hamaoui, Eileen Fong, M. Nau, Mery Gomez, Frantz Fortune and Tricia C. Elliott. Michael Obiefune brought his son Chineme Obiefune and Gerard and Lilibeth Germain brought along their three beautiful daughters, Monique, Therese and Sauphia. The kids who came enjoyed themselves.

It is hard to admit a flop, but only in denial can we not see that no mingling occurred, no students showed up and no family physicians of the area cared to come. Joe and Abraham were the only stoic ones. True, James could not make it this time. But we would need to reconsider what event is appropriate for bringing students, residents and family physicians together. It could also be a problem of timing or marketing.

We have to find ways to go about to get a huge gathering. Our next picnic is tentatively scheduled for Sunday, September 10^th, a week after Labor Day. For those of us who were there this time, it ended up being a very enjoyable day indeed. We walked to the lake and explored the park. The weather was beautiful and the catering team was excellent.