Category Archives: Merrick

“American Grit” Contestant Chris Edom has Backyard Viewing Party

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From LONG ISLAND – by Ann Parry  (ann-parry.com)
July 8, 2017

“American Grit” Season 2 contestant Chris Edom lives right here in North Merrick!

Merrick, New York, USA. 11th June 2017. In backyard of

Merrick, NY, USA. 11th June 2017. “American Grit” contestant Chris Edom (lower left) walks up to where the TV show’s logo appears on the large screen in his family’s backyard during their Viewing Party. (© 2017 Ann Parry/Ann-Parry.com)

Chris – who described himself on the Fox reality TV show as being bullied and picked last for teams when he was a kid – invited every adult neighbor on both sides of the block his family lives on to the Viewing Party he and his wife Joan hosted for the premiere of the new season.

Merrick, New York, USA. 11th June 2017.

Merrick, NY USA. 11th June 2017. “American Grit” reality television show contestant CHRIS EDOM and his wife JOAN EDOM host backyard Viewing Party for Season 2 premiere. (© 2017 Ann Parry/Ann-Parry.com)

The night of the party, when I parked my car, slung my camera across my chest, and walked across the dead end street, I thought back to the 1960s when it was actually a mostly-dead end (as Miracle Max from Princess Bride might put it).

Back then, its rounded end had a limited outlet that brought extra cars and pedestrians, including my best friend Judy and me walking to and from school each day.

Merrick, New York, USA. 11th June 2017. At bottom left, CHRIS EDOM,

Merrick, NY, USA. 11th June 2017. At bottom left, CHRIS EDOM, “American Grit” TV contestant, hosts backyard Viewing Party for Season 2 premiere. On screen are 3 of the 4 “Cadre” team leaders: (L-R) JOHN CENA, JOHN BURKE, and RIKI LONG. (© 2017 Ann Parry/Ann-Parry.com)

Eventually the outlet closed altogether, and now curbside basketball hoops bloom each summer, and it’s common to see families chatting, children playing….

But that Sunday night, the block felt – uncommon. The air itself seemed charged with some special energy that grew stronger when I joined the crowd at the Viewing Party.

Merrick, New York, USA. 11th June 2017.

Merrick, NY, USA. 11th June 2017. “American Grit” TV contestant CHRIS EDOM (at bottom right, wearing white GOT GRIT? T-shirt) sits with his wife, JOAN EDOM as they host backyard Viewing Party for Season 2 premiere. (Ann Parry/Ann Parry, ann-parry.com)

What a turnout! About 60 of Chris and his wife Joan’s family, neighbors and other friends filled the Edoms’ backyard to watch the first episode.

Before the episode started, Chris had the biggest smile as he told everyone how close the contestants have stayed, how many will be getting together to watch a future episode, and how they’re his American Grit family.

Then the words “American Grit” filled the huge inflatable screen borrowed from a neighbor. The show began. Guests cheered when Chris appeared on screen, held their breath when challenges got tough, and waited in suspense to find out: 

Will Chris be picked for one of the 4 teams — or will “the last kid picked for teams” be the first contestant “ringing out” of the competition and the chance to win the cash prize at end of “American Grit”?

Merrick, New York, USA. June 11, 2017. American Grit TV show contestant CHRIS EDOM (wearing white

Merrick, NY, USA. 11th June 2017. During “American Grit” Season 2 premiere Viewing Party at contestant Chris Edom’s backyard with large TV screen – Edom (center below) plunges into lake after pulling rip cord. (© 2017 Ann Parry/Ann-Parry.com)

  • UPDATE – July 16, 2017:  Chris made two important decisions during tonight’s episode, and still is a contestant on American Grit.
  • UPDATE – August 6, 2017:  Chris Edom did Merrick proud by coming in 5th Place during tonight’s Season 2 Finale!   —  At the Open House Viewing Party held at ‘Cadre’ Rikki Long’s gym in Copiague, fans joined ‘Cadre’ John Burke and some contestants, including Chris with his wife Joan. The two fans from my family who were there enjoyed cheering for Chris and meeting such friendly cast members.

“American Grit” Viewing Party:  PHOTO GALLERY

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Requiem for Booker T. Gibson

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From LONG ISLAND – by Ann Parry (ann-parry.com)
March 18, 2016

Instead of writing this right now, I’d be at Booker T. Gibson’s funeral at Union Baptist Church in Hempstead, if I’d learned about his March 10th death sooner, rather than a few minutes ago when I read his moving obituary by Herald reporter Scott Brinton.

Merrick, New York, USA. May 27, 2013. Veteran Booker T. Gibson at Annual Memorial Day Parade 2013, hosted by American Legion Merrick Post No. 1282, with ceremony at Merrick Veteran Memorial Park. (Ann Parry/Ann Parry, ann-parry.com)

Merrick, New York, USA. May 27, 2013. Veteran Booker T. Gibson at Annual Memorial Day Parade 2013, hosted by American Legion Merrick Post No. 1282. (© 2013 Ann Parry, Ann-Parry.com)

Booker was an active member of the American Legion Merrick Post 1282, and I’m a member of its Auxiliary. We first met on December 10, 2011, at the Northport VA Medical Center, where he played piano to accompany our AL Post members singing Christmas carols to patients. Which was more mesmerizing and expressive: Booker’s big bright eyes, his hands as they played, or his warm personality? I can’t decide.

Close-up of Booker T Gibson's hands as he plays piano at Northport VA medical Center, on Dec. 19, 2011. Light vignette. (Ann Parry/Ann Parry, Ann-Parry.com)

Northport, New York, USA. December 19, 2011. Close-up of Booker T Gibson’s hands as he plays piano at Northport VA medical Center to accompany American Legion Merrick Post 1282 singers. (© 2011 Ann Parry/Ann-Parry.com)

Years ago, filmmaker André Joseph contacted me to license editorial photos for EPYX Productions’ 2013 documentary film on Booker T. Gibson. When we spoke, Joseph’s deep respect for Gibson was clear, as it was later in his 2013 documentary:

AJ EPYX Documentary film:  Book T. Gibson: A Teacher’s Journey

Writing this visual requiem, I feel both sad (quite sad) and profoundly grateful to have known and photographed fellow Merrokean, fellow teacher, fellow lover of music, Booker T. Gibson.

American Legionnaires, Booker T. Gibson at right, riding in classic car in Merrick Memorial Day Parade on May 28, 2012, on Long Island, New York, USA. America's war heroes are honored on this National Holiday. (Ann Parry/Ann Parry, ann-parry.com)

Merrick, New York, USA. May 28, 2012. American Legionnaires, Booker T. Gibson at right, riding in classic car in Merrick Memorial Day Parade. (© 2012 Ann Parry/Ann-Parry.com)

Booker T. Gibson playing piano:  GALLERY

Scott Brinton/Herald Life:  Booker T Gibson Obituary

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Winter Storm of 2016 Hits Long Island

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From LONG ISLAND – by Ann Parry (ann-parry.com)
January 26, 2016

Travel was strictly for the birds last weekend, when Winter Storm Jonas brought so much gusting snow that Governor Cuomo declared a State of Emergency and later banned travel.

Merrick, New York, USA. January 23, 2016. Travel is strictly for the birds, when Blizzard Jonas brings dangerous snow and gusting winds to Long Island, and Governor Cuomo bans travel, shutting down L.I.'s roads and railroads, due to hazardous conditions. A red male cardinal and several wrens eat seeds from a variety of hanging bird feeders in a suburban backyard, as the winter Storm of 2016 already dropped over a foot of snow on the south shore town of Merrick, with much more snow expected throughout Saturday and early Sunday. (Ann Parry/Ann Parry, ann-parry.com)

Merrick, New York, USA. January 23, 2016. As Winter Storm Jonas brings dangerous snow and winds to Long Island, a  red male cardinal and several wrens eat seeds from bird feeders. (© 2016 Ann Parry/Ann-Parry.com)

As the storm was at its strongest mid-Saturday, I captured photos of wrens, robin red crests, cardinals, and pigeons at our bird feeders. Since I was aiming my Nikon through our open dining room window, I first put our two cats safely behind a shut door of another room.

Merrick, New York, USA. 24rd January 2016. Two Town of Hempstead snowplows, a small one plowing out a cul de sac, dead end side street, and a large plow on the bigger road leading to it, are clearing roads while Blizzard Jonas continues to bring dangerous snow and gusting winds to Long Island. Governor Cuomo banned travel, shutting down L.I.'s roads and railroads, due to hazardous conditions, and the winter Storm of 2016 has already dropped about two feet of snow on the south shore town. (Ann Parry/Ann Parry, ann-parry.com)

Merrick, New York, USA. 24rd January 2016. Two Town of Hempstead snowplows are clearing roads early Sunday morning, while Blizzard Jonas continues to bring dangerous snow and gusting winds to Long Island.  (© 2016 Ann Parry/Ann-Parry.com)

Town of Hempstead Highway Department crews were working around the clock that weekend, and their long hard work showed. In fact, I saw a cul de sac near Park Avenue School cleared of snow before breakfast time Sunday.

Merrick, New York, USA. January 24, 2016. After Nor'easter drops more than two feet of snow on south shore of Nassau County, Long Island, many Town of Hempstead Highway Department employees work long hours operating snow ploys to plows to remove about 25 inches of snow blanketing downtown streets and public parking lots. (Ann Parry/Ann Parry, ann-parry.com)

Merrick, New York, USA. January 24, 2016. Town of Hempstead Highway Dept. employees work long hours plowing 25 inches of snow blanketing downtown streets and parking lots. (© 2016 Ann Parry/Ann-Parry.com)

Sunday afternoon, I took my all-wheel drive for a quick visit to downtown Merrick, where Town of Hempstead crews were plowing over two-feet of snow from the parking lots for the Merrick Long Island Rail Road Station and Merrick United States Post Office.

And I was absolutely thrilled I charged extra batteries and picked up extra bottles of water on Friday for nothing, since we didn’t lose electricity.

Winter Storm 2016:  GALLERY

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