The Croatian New Yorker Club ( A Community Alliance of Business People) held it’s 20th annual picnic on July 6th, 2008 at Elwood Park, in Elwood, Huntington Township, Long Island. Despite various obstacles including park authorities switching permits, having to change locations at the last minute, and three days of rain, a goodly number of people came out and enjoyed themselves.

As usual, great food was a major part of the story: Great South Bay Little Neck clams, corn on the cob, sauerkraut and kobasi, blitva and potatoes, fresh salad greens from the Marjanovic garden, grilled chicken, pork, ribs, lamb, potato salad, hamburgers, hot dogs and Croatian pastries. If anyone went home hungry it was their own fault!

Dr. Bartol Matanic orchestrated the BarBQue cooking, and did it so very well! Lillian Raspolic Carrara and her husband Lou , who just recently celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary, took charge of salad making and cooking the corn, with help from Rita Karcic, Helen Budesa, Ana Latkovic and Maria Roderka. Chris Budesa and Mike Angelich trucked all the supplies into and out of the picnic grounds, and coordinated the set up, a much appreciated task. Hvala!

Master accordionist/ harmonicar Dominic Karcic entertained the picnickers with his fine music. … and some people even got to hear the playing of a Kvarner sopile!

Grant Karcich’s new book: “The History & Families of Unije: A Compiled History and Family Genealogies for the Island of Unije, Croatia, “ a long awaited book, was passed around and was certainly of interest to many, especially those with roots on the island.

Some people played buce, others enjoyed the company of long time friends, and others met new people for the first time. A good time was had by all, and we look forward to next year, and retrurning to Centerport Beach.

Anton Angelich
Croatian New Yorker Club Trustee