A Very Special Christmas Eve

Written by David DiCrescenzo on . Posted in Florida News

About six months ago I started attending Family Church in downtown West Palm Beach on the intra-coastal.  I love the people, the message and the fellowship there so I made it my home church.  It’s a fairly big church with several campuses in the area.  I mention its size so you’ll understand that when you generally attend one particular service on Sunday mornings, you usually don’t get to know many of those who attend at other times.

So for Christmas Eve I decided for no particular reason on Monday that I would attend the 4:30 service the next day.  Tuesday, Christmas Eve day was like most Tuesdays; I had some work to do, went to the gym, did a few errands, and the like.  BTW, not that it matters on the scope of things, but I have been fighting a nasty cold for over a week and was only starting to feel better on Monday and Tuesday was marginally better.  Anyway, I got most of my mundane stuff done and was considering what I’d have for dinner after church.  I decided that a nice Caesar Salad with a blackened Salmon or Mahi sounded good, so I went to the freezer to defrost one: only to find that the only frozen fish I had on hand was Alaskan Cod, which is good but it does not “blacken” well. 

Therefore, I decided to run out real fast and get some appropriate fish.  The clock was ticking and the first store was already closed, (closing at 4:00 on Christmas Eve, how dare they when I need something).  So I had to go to another store because when I want something, I want it, and nothing anyone can say or do is stopping me, especially when it comes to my dinner.

So, I went to “Wally World” and I had to search for what I wanted; even if/when one finds an employee there, they usually either don’t know or cannot communicate in my spoken language.  Anyway, by the time I found my frozen prey and paid for it, it was impossible to make it to the 4:30 service.

I then did a few more small things and headed to the church with a lot of extra time.

When I arrived, I parked in what has become my usual spot because I’m a creature of habit and proceeded to walk over by the door.  It was not possible to miss the pony rides happening for the kids and I was wearing a smile from ear to ear as I entered the sanctuary. 

As I said earlier, this is a good sized church with a lot of members, and I don’t think I recognized anyone, but that doesn’t matter because we all gather for the same purpose.  So I just started chatting with this one and that one and was enjoying the decorations and atmosphere.

As the time approached for the service to start and the band, mini-orchestra really, started playing a few pieces, I couldn’t help but notice that the place was PACKED, even the usually closed balcony was occupied.

Then the pastors opened the event and we started with some beautiful music.  We were encouraged as always to greet a few people and introduce ourselves which is my favorite part of any service.  They played another song and suddenly pastor was on the stage again, there was a shift in the lighting and we all got the best Christmas gift we couldn’t imagine or consider asking for; suddenly from the left side of the stage, the President of the United States and his lovely wife entered the room. 

In the next second, we had all recovered from our initial “stun” and the entire church broke out in thunderous applause as they waved and walked over to their front pew seats.

In case you didn’t know it, the president can’t go anywhere without a gaggle of assigned reporters on his heels, and this was no different.  Except that pastor, always a gentleman, politely reminded them that this was a church service and asked them to please wait in the lobby; to which they complied.

So there I was, sitting about twenty-five feet behind the President and First Lady and all of the assembled media was asked to leave; which meant that I was, at least as far as I know, the ONLY member of the media in that room.

I didn’t have anything that I might normally have, certainly I didn’t have access to him, so I did the best I could do with what I had to work with.  I got a photo of the back of his head and I did a very fast post on FB to record the event.  Mind you, I am a very small fish in a very big world of journalists, however I believe that my post moments after he arrived was the first news report that he was there. 

At the time I was way too excited just to be at the same worship service as my president to even think about that. 

However, what I really want America to know about that special moment is this.  Whether you love this man or not; except that he is in fact the President of the United States, he really is just one of us, and for that hour, he was just a local neighbor of the church I regularly attend that came to a service with his wife, and I am so proud that our pastors allowed him the opportunity to be just that without a lot of fanfare.

Merry Christmas America, and Merry Christmas Mr. President and First Lady Melania.  That was a Christmas Eve I’ll never forget. 

And I got to experience it all because I was out of fish…

Addedum: I forgot that I did in fact get a short video of the entrance of POTUS and FLOTUS...!

Fourth of July in October...

Written by David DiCrescenzo on . Posted in Florida News

The State of Florida Convention of States is hosting a day of patriotism, and there will be food and fun for the whole family on Saturday, October 20, 2018 from 10:00 – 6:00 at the Port St. Lucie Civic Center.

For starters, they are having a Chili and BBQ Cook Off and there is still room to enter for that contest.  There will be a DJ on hand to keep your feet moving, face painting for kids of all ages, games, and so much more.  And oh yeah, don’t let me forget to mention the Car Show.  You’ll be able to step back in time and view muscle cars from the fifties on up and maybe even some much older.

While you’re having a good time, you can learn about The Convention of States and what that means to you and your family.

It doesn’t matter who speaks or not, this is an event you don’t want to miss as we get closer and closer to Election Day.  For more information on the Convention of States organization, click here:

To learn more about this event, visit this Facebook Link…
 

South Florida Fair, A Slice Of American Pie...

Written by David DiCrescenzo on . Posted in Florida News

Whether your thing is the agriculture area with the “Moo” ternity ward where you just might get a chance to witness a cow give birth, walk across the road and check out the magnificent horses in the equine arena, or maybe just say hello to the chickens, roosters, and rabbits, the South Florida Fair is a great way to spend some quality time with family and friends on a week night or all day on a weekend.

If you’re the daring type, there are rides guaranteed to mix up your last couple of meals, and there are tamer rides like the Ferris Wheels, one of which is the largest travelling Ferris Wheel in the Country, or the Gondola; on which one can take some great aerial photos of the entire Fair.

And the food…!  There are endless choices from classic Corn Dogs and BBQ to the more exotic varieties such as the Frogs Legs, and I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention the outrageously tasty gastronomic delight that the bacon cheese burger served on a glazed donut.  To those who might say “yuck,” I say “try it.”  While it might not be exactly what the doctor ordered, it is certainly a once a year treat that shouldn’t be missed.

Then of course there is the shopping in the pavilions.  There are a plethora of vendors offering custom buckles and belts, hats, pots and pans, vacations, survival gear, and a lot more.

This is a truly all American Fair and the very best of the best for this reporter was the 500 immigrants from 65 different nations who on Tuesday, January 23rd assembled and stood as their home country was called out so that they could embrace their new home by swearing an Oath of Allegiance and officially becoming Citizens of these United States of America.  On hand to witness the event were family and friends numbering at least two thousand.  As an ardent supporter legal immigration, I have to admit that I had to choke down a few tears of joy for them.

There is so much more to see and enjoy at this always great fair which runs the rest of week until the final bell on Sunday evening the 28th.  If you have never been to the South Florida Fair or you’ve been there a dozen times, it remains one of the most fun annual attractions in Palm Beach County. 

Heck, even the traffic is worth it, so come on down…!

Mary Tulko Meets The President

Written by David DiCrescenzo on . Posted in Florida News

I bet you know a Mary Tulko..!  Whether you live in a major city in America or out in the sticks of Fertile, Alabama, or even somewhere in the Ozark Mountains, you probably know someone like Mary Tulko.  She’s that patriot woman who is always there; whether it’s greeting a returning soldier home at an airport, standing on the corner waving a sign for the President, or maybe just being that lone voice mixing it up with people who don’t agree with her.  You might not know her name, but you see Mary Tulko everywhere.

This story is about the Mary Tulko that I know.  As it turns out, I’ve known Mary for many years and we’ve stood shoulder to shoulder at many Tea Party type events, political rallies, and lots of other events.  We’ve cheered together when our candidates or issues we support succeed, and we’ve kept each other’s spirits up when we haven’t won the day.  Only a handful of weeks ago, we met up near Mar a Lago on the night the Red Cross Ball was taking place.  

On that night, there were a few hundred patriots showing support for President Trump just a few hundred yards to the west, and there were also several thousand individuals making their way down Flagler Blvd. to protest the President and the event.  The Patriots Press was doing some real time reporting and videoing right in the thick of it, and while Mary and I were watching each other’s backs, there were a few times that we got separated.  During one of those times, Mary had taken it upon herself to walk down to an area just outside of the President’s home where the protestors had been allowed to gather and started talking to some of them and attempted reasoning.  She actually did have some success finding common ground and managed to make it through the ordeal unscathed.

By the time we reconnected, the crowds had largely dispersed and we decided to get out of there and grab a snack.

Fast forward to President Trump’s last visit on the weekend of March 18.  Mary was yet again out on the island causeway just waving a sign welcoming him home when suddenly a vehicle pulled up and she and several that she was standing with were invited at the President’s behest, by Secret Service Agents to visit him in Mar a Lago.

At first they all thought it was a crazy joke of some sort, but just like that, Mary Tulko, the “nameless” woman who is always everywhere, was waiting in the Ball Room of Mar a Lago to meet the President of the United States.  

The sequence of events included them going through two security check points and then they were brought into the massive ball room where they waited about twenty minutes for the most powerful man in the world to enter the room.  While they were waiting, they were served drinks and suddenly they saw the red MAGA Cap and heard President Trump ask if the room was big enough for them, immediately putting them all at ease.

When Mary chatted with him, he asked if he was doing a good job and if Mary was pleased so far.  He stayed for about an hour and listened to each of them individually and as a group before taking photos.

Talk about a Cinderella moment…!  Mary shared with me that she had a gown she bought and was supposed to wear to the Inauguration, but she never got a chance to go and will never wear that gown, but this once in a lifetime chance was way better than attending the Inaugural.  

Instead of getting all dressed up and going to a party where she would probably never have had the chance to meet or even get near the President, this now not so “nameless” face in the crowd, this “Mary Tulko,” my friend, now has a memory that few will ever share.

Congratulations Mary Tulko.  I can’t think of anyone I know who is more deserving of such an honor.  

Hold your head high and keep plugging Patriot. 

Have Yourself A Very "Ready" Christmas...

Written by David DiCrescenzo on . Posted in Florida News

By a show of hands, how many are finished with their Christmas shopping...?  There’s a few out there.  Now by another show of hands, how many thought we hadn’t passed Labor Day yet, let alone get started with Christmas shopping…?  

That’s what I thought; lots of hands all over America just went up.

Many of you have joined the millions who now shop almost exclusively on line, and like many, you may be unsure what to get for some or most of the people on your list.  

A lot of people have been talking about being ready and getting ready for “what if.” In reality, it isn’t a matter of what or if, it is a matter of “when.”  And not just when there is a need to be prepared, but also when you might want to take the family and some friends to enjoy the great outdoors together and maybe learn how to build a fire, pitch a tent, and a lot of the other things one might have to or desire to do outside.

Enter the Ready Network for all of your “prepper” and camping needs.  The Ready Network has everything from a portable Solar Charger for use with cell phones, computers, and other small appliances to water filtration, several fire starters, single person tents and sleeping bags, first aid kits, rechargeable lanterns, and too many other items to list here.  All can be purchased individually or you may opt for an entire fitted out bag that has everything.

The prices range from less than half of the least expensive alternative to well over three times our price by places like Cabela’s.

So if you know a "prepper" or want to become one, or if you simply want to spend more time camping with family and friends, please visit us at  and shop our secure website.  Everything is drop shipped right from our warehouse in Jupiter, FL and all will arrive in plenty of time for Christmas.

We are also looking for business minded Independent Distributors around the country, and you can learn more about that at the website as well, or contact me at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

Happy shopping and have yourself a very “Ready” Christmas.