"Hit Me!!"

I know this will not be a revelation to anyone but Buddy liked to gamble. Actually I stand corrected.  Buddy LOVED to gamble. Probably contributory factor in all this.  

Having said that, there were other moments, significant memories, when we were all at a casino together that strengthened our bond and camaraderie.   Gamble, make some quick money and then a celebratory dinner at the Safari Steakhouse.

We used to love to go to the blackjack tables. We would wait for a table that was completely empty so we could commandeer all the seats. Then Buddy would proceed to make sure each one of us understood the rules. You might think you are playing independently but in reality he made all the decisions for the table. 

We wouldn't have wanted it any other way. 

As Buddy used to say, "Monkey it up!".

First Annual Harold P Newell Memorial Dinner

Game on Bitches. The First Annual Harold P Newell Memorial Dinner is finally scheduled after the nonsense has been put aside. All parties are expected to attend (you know who you are).  Absence will not be looked upon kindly.

The Palm Too.  Thursday November 20th.  7PM.

"Marrakesh It Up"

By the late 1980's Buddy had grown tired of Fire Island.  Since he dictated our entire social calendar it was then up to him where we would "summer".  Buddy decided we were going West.

West Hampton. 

He procured a house with four bedrooms, air conditioning, pool, tennis court and HOT TUB!.  I might remind everyone how rustic the conditions in Fire Island were.  The accoutrements were minimal to say the least. (We had no air conditioning and only one fan which was always comfortably positioned to maintain an even temperature on Glassman's delicately tanned skin.)

We were thrilled.  The house was amazing. Only one problem. It was a little more expensive than we had anticipated.  For Buddy this was not a problem but a challenge. He would absolutely make it work. 

For about one week Buddy began "selling".  He was likely the best salesman I had ever seen. 

In 7 days we had more women wanting to buy shares in our house than we could accommodate.

Nice problems to have. Beautiful house, all your close friends and more women than we knew what to do with. 

All because of the initiative of one man. Buddy Newell. He made sure we were all always taken care of.

CHEF DE VILLAGE

There were a period of years when Buddy spent a majority of his time at Club Med (I am not exaggerating).  He loved it. The "Chef de Village" was actually the person who is the general manager of the club responsible for the day to day operations and overall atmosphere.  The "Chef de Village" makes sure everyone is having a good time. 

Buddy had been at Club Med so often they actually gave him the honorary title.

Here's to the best "Chef de Village" in Club Med history.

(just as an aside you will notice one David Zitman having the most fun he has ever had.  Ever.)

David Zitman has some additional thoughts............

"I don't know where to begin. I will post anytime a 'buddyism' comes to mind, which is often. I met Buddy around 1981 through his HB friends[Wilk/Glassboy] at SUNY Albany. After a short time,I felt like I knew him my whole life. He was the MC at every occasion , making sure everyone was ok and having fun. This was true from AC to West 56th street. His "good looking out" tipping was his way of assuring it. I will miss him greatly. "Takes em easy" my friend........DZ

"My Old Man....."

You will notice that Kenny G has posted the photo on the left "Boy's Palm Dinner". Famous evening indeed.  Actually the event was organized by Buddy in memory of his father Norman who had recently passed away. It was a festive evening of remembrance as we all loved Normie. 

Who can forget him walking down stairs to the kitchen of Buddy's house in Howard Beach in the famous blue terry cloth sarong.

If I am not mistaken that iconic sarong is now comfortably nestled between Fonzie's jacket and Archie Bunker's chair at the Smithsonian. A fitting place for posterity.

"Play Ball!"

I guess we should start at the beginning. Ever since we were young Buddy excelled at certain sports.  An early action shot from Camp Delaware circa 1974 (don't hold me to closely to the years as you know how my memory is).

In this now famous photo, Buddy rips one into center field.  Those biceps where a mere fraction of what they would become, in time. 

Of course as a matter of trivia, the catcher is one Bruce Haberman, Howard Beach alumni.

"Go BIG or Go HOME"

One of Buddy's favorite lines. It used to crack me up every time I heard him utter it.  He did in fact live a BIG life and had an even bigger heart.  I hope he is now HOME, resting in peace.

We all have millions of memories of him. This site, started by Kenny G (I enjoy referring to him that way), will help save all the memories to inspire everyone.

Enjoy.

CLICK HERE then scroll down and post a comment: Buddy's gone but not forgotten

March 19, 1962 - September 30, 2008