The River Reporter, January 30, 1997

Local faithful celebrate inauguration

By TOM RUE

WASHINGTON, DC - Security in the nation's capital was tight on January 20, with sharpshooters lining the rooftops, but when it came time to dance and relax at the New York inaugural ball, political party-goers let out all the stops.
The Friedlands of Monticello and the Orsecks of Liberty, as well as Don and Julianne Allen of Roscoe; and Blanche and Michael Cohen of Woodridge, were among the Sullivan County residents who attended.
Tickets to the ball cost $150 each, while attending the parade ran $100 a head, to help defray costs.
Despite this, hundreds of thousands lined the avenues, hoping to catch a glimpse of the action. Millions more around the planet watched the event on television and on the Internet.
When President Bill Clinton addressed the New York ball, "he certainly brought the house down," commented Betty Friedland, who chairs the Town of Thompson Democratic Committee.
"A lot of people there had worked very hard and wanted to reap the rewards of seeing him inaugurated," she said.


[Photo caption: (Left to right). Gerry and Ginger Orseck, and Bob and Betty Friedland, at the recent Presidential inaugural ball.]


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