The Merillon Little League held a very festive 50th Anniversary Dinner Dance last Friday night at the New Hyde Park Inn. But without a doubt the highlight of the event was the fact that the league honored Tony Camilleri for 25 years of devoted dedication.

Merillon President Doug Gerowski in his opening remarks duly noted, "The league itself is 50 years old and to have someone who has been a volunteer for 25 of those years is absolutely amazing."

The most fun of the evening is the fact that Camilleri, almost right up until the program started, was totally unaware that he was the honoree. That is until all his children filed into the room and then he pretty much suspected that he was the focus of "something."

But his wife Anne, who didn't know either, was shocked when she was presented with the most magnificent plant of 25 roses for the number of years that she has worked side-by-side with Tony. As Doug Gerowski pointed out, "Anne is the 'watchdog' that often catches the small errors on flier announcements and always manages to save the organization from embarrassment."

Gerowski said that often in the middle of tough meetings of the board Camilleri will say, "The heck with it all let's just escape to the Cayman Islands."

"But," Gerowski continued as he turned to Camilleri, "Because you have always taught the president and the board to be 'fiscally responsible' we can't give you a trip to the Cayman Islands, as much as we would like to. However, we can give you a luxurious trip to Manhattan. A limo will pick you and Ann up, whenever you like, and whisk you to a marvelous hotel in New York. You will have a sumptuous dinner and tickets to the Broadway show of your choice. The next day the limo will arrive and whisk you back to your home in New Hyde Park."

Camilleri was visibly moved at that announcement, but was further stunned when Gerowski announced that the Merillon League has named him the "Volunteer of the Year" and they have also, by submitting the mounds of paperwork necessary, nominated him as the National Volunteer of the Year." The winner of the prestigious award will be announced during the Williamsport Championship later this year.

Camilleri's children, plus his 4-year-old granddaughter Vanessa, were all on hand to present him with their own awards. His daughter Lora Balsamo said, "While growing up the family's activities were pretty much centered around Merillon. Everyone worked either on a team or for the league. But recently when mom and dad were babysitting I came home and found Vanessa folding fliers and helping stuff envelopes. So the tradition continues."

His children then presented him with a certificate for enrollment in the "Wine of the Month Club" because after his stress with all of the Merillon business he likes to "kick back with a glass of red."

The dignitaries on hand including: New York State Senator Michael Balboni; Nassau County Legislator Richard Nicolello; North Hempstead Town Supervisor May Newburger and councilmen Anthony D'Urso and Angelo Ferrara presented him with proclamations, certificates and the Town of North Hempstead declared that May 19 would be "Tony Camilleri Day" throughout the town. Each award declared what devotion Camilleri has displayed to the league, but first and foremost the impact he has made on the lives of hundreds of Merillon children, during his 25 years by his decisions and his endless lobbying for those children...for their own field, for uniforms and most of all for funds to run the league.

In the 25 years that Camilleri has been associated with the league there has not only been an increase in the number of children enrolled in the program but an increase in the involvement of the parents who are managers and coaches, making it possible to form additional teams and Camilleri is directly responsible for those increases.

Camilleri finally took the mike and he said, "If I had any idea....I am absolutely flabbergasted that you pulled this off without me knowing....I am very surprised...and thank you one and all."

After the brief ceremony the band, Risky Business came front and center and started playing their lilting music for the more than 135 members and guests headed for the dance floor only to be interrupted when the delicious dinner was served.