Approved for Release 05/15/2016
APPROVED FOR RELEASE
05/15/2016
LAUGHTER WORKS TO IMPROVE PORTSMOUTH COMMUNITY
Article by: Palmer Pinckney II
PORTSMOUTH, R.I. – (May 13, 2016) --- A capacity crowd packed into Common Fence Point (CFP) Community Hall on Friday night, May 13, to enjoy comedy courtesy of three local comedians that left no funny bone untouched during a 90-minute tickle on the “humerus”. The event was sponsored by Common Fence Point Improvement Association (CFPIA) to raise funds for continued revitalization of the centerpiece community hall.
Host comedian Brad Pierce warmed up the adults-only audience with his comedy that resonated with all in attendance. Co-headliner John Morris and headliner Ace Aceto kept the volume of laughter on high as they each unloaded humorous material on the crowd of locals that ranged from the Rhode Islanders’ five-mile daily driving limit, Catholic calisthenics, and dysfunctional French-Italian family life. These topics were only a sampling of the amusement ride these skilled comedians conducted.
The comedy night was brought together by the CFPIA board of directors and trustees. Ms. Conley Wake Zani, a seven-year resident of Common Fence Point and hall manager for the CFP community hall explained that the hardest part of planning the evening was selecting a date.
“I’d call that a great problem to have. The hall is so busy these days with activities that we were lucky to squeeze a huge event like this into the spring calendar,” Zani explained.“ Once we selected a date and confirmed with our amazing comedians Ace Aceto, John Morris and Brad Pierce, it was all about getting the word out.”
More than 120 advance tickets were sold to the event and several were sold at the community hall door. One hour before host comedian Brad Pierce took the stage more than 140 people packed the 158-person capacity hall. The BYOB event shined as an example of what can happen when a community unites together as a combined family in support of a common cause.
CFPIA is a non-profit organization whose mission is to serve both community and neighboring communities. CFPIA provides a venue for a broad range of programs open to all, including a vibrant after-school program, fitness classes for all ages, adaptive physical activity programming, ballroom dancing lessons, two well-attended AA meetings per week, and the widely-known Common Fence Music concerts featuring nationally known performers.
The center of the revitalization in the community is the CFP community hall, which has an iconic status in Common Fence Point. The hall was originally built in 1922 and rebuilt by the men of the neighborhood after a fire in the 1960s. Three years ago the hall fell into disrepair due to lack of investment, but a resurgence of energy and interest due in large part to a Zumba fitness program that launched in 2013 shifted the momentum in a new direction. Now, as the CFPIA work to breathe new life into the hall, gaining local support from several contractors who grew up in the community and now give generously of their time and talents so the next generation will have a gathering place at the heart of their community. These contractors and an army of other volunteer neighbors have worked together to renovate the hall and make it accessible to everyone.
The fundraising for the community hall continues as the CFPIA works to bring our hall into the next century. Last year the CFPIA launched “Engraved Brick Walkway,” a $50,000 campaign. To date more than 50 percent of the goal has been reached.
Most recently accessibility is the focus of the revitalization project so arts and wellness programming can be introduced to the community. Last year the Champlin Foundations’ (one of the oldest philanthropic organization groups in Rhode Island) generous gift enabled refurbishing of the hall’s bathroom facilities. Now the facility is in full compliance with the requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
The push for increased accessibility continues outside of the community hall. Future plans for the parking lot and main entrance door include paving the 9,000-square-foot parking lot with ADA compliant handicap parking spots at the base of the entrance ramp, and installation of an ADA compliant front door. CFPIA partners in the wider community fully support these efforts. The Portsmouth Youth Basketball Association recently offered to help to fund installation of basketball hoops. Also a paved parking lot would give children in the hall’s Newport County YMCA sponsored after-school program added space for outdoor play programs.
“The Comedy Night was a wild success,” said Zani. “We had an opportunity to celebrate our passionate community spirit and the transformation of our [community] hall. The turnout was as big as any event the CFPIA has hosted, and I think that is a sign of support for the direction we are headed.”
"This neighborhood is becoming a large, extended family. Events like ‘Comedy Night’ bring our family together… To share conversion and laughs,” said Ms. Kary Miksis a long-time resident of CFP. “Neighborhoods like this, in my opinion, are not found every day. I do believe that this one is growing and taking on a life of its own. This community is willing to drop everything for someone in need. You cannot get more special than that. Common Fence Point is truly... Uncommon!"
To learn more about CFP and the CFPIA visit them on the web at: or by searching social media: Common Fence Point. The board of directors and trustees can also be contacted via phone or email at: (401) 484-3972 or .
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LAUGHTER WORKS TO IMPROVE PORTSMOUTH COMMUNITY
Photo by: Palmer Pinckney II
160513-C-RQ622-004
PORTSMOUTH, R.I. – (May 13, 2016) --- Professional comedian Brad Pierce, host of the Common Fence Point Comedy Show, warms up the capacity crowd at the newly renovated Common Fence Point Community Hall. Co-headliner John Morris and headliner Ace Aceto also entertained the crowd with humor that left no funny bone untouched. The event was sponsored by Common Fence Point Improvement Association to raise funds for continued improvements to the centerpiece community hall. More than 140 people packed the 158-person capacity hall. The BYOB event shined as an example of what can happen when a community unites together as a combined family in support of a common cause.
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