They seemingly shut down half of Westchester for the Empire State Games' Opening Ceremonies on Wednesday night. The entire Newsday staff had to shuttle in to Kensico Dam Plaza on a school bus. Talk about bringing back the memories!

Listening to one politician after another wax philosphical about the value of sports reminded me of another memory: who was missing from this all-star lineup. Cold Spring Harbor's own Bernadette Castro is no longer state Parks Commissioner and no longer presides over the ESGs. Why did this matter?

Because while Gov. Eliot Spitzer cited Roger Bannister's work ethic and keynote speaker Jeremy Schaap felt the need to relive the 1980 Olympics, Castro famously spoke of her son's attempt to try out for the Empire State Games in boys lacrosse.

"He didn't make the cut,'' she said in 2005. "You made the cut. That's important. You are all winners.''

Thanks for the relevent soundbite on a night of overblown pomp and circumstance, Bernadette. We miss you already.

Posted by Jason Molinet at 6:02 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

OK, Empire State Games fans. It's that time of the year again.

The Games kick off Wednesday with Opening Ceremonies in Westchester. That right, just across the Throgs Neck Bridge.

Athletes can rejoyce at the bus ride -- the shortest ever. And family and fans can take solace in the fact that competition is just a day trip away.

So get into the spirit and enjoy the show.

Posted by Jason Molinet at 2:59 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)