Some might think this is a trick question, and, in a way, it is: In which state does the Pennsylvania Society hold its annual big bash? You would think that any organization with “Pennsylvania” in its name would spend its money supporting Pennsylvania hotels, restaurants and other businesses. But just like so many other strange happenings in politics, things don’t follow a logical script.

Many A-list Pennsylvanian politicians, lobbyists and others, who want a piece of the political action, have just returned from a swanky weekend in New York City. Despite their avowed pledge to help businesses and employment in the Keystone State, they dropped millions of dollars in the Big Apple rather than in other perfectly acceptable convention centers in Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Scranton-Wilkes-Barre, Allentown, even the Poconos.

They gathered in prolific numbers to plan, attend private parties and fundraisers and get to know each other better and to possibly bank political capital for a rainy day. Among the hosts for private get-togethers of the official events were U.S. Sen. Bob Casey, the Democrat from Scranton, and former U.S. Rep. Charlie Dent, a Lehigh County Republican. Attendees included Pennsylvania Attorney General Josh Shapiro, the Democrat who will become our next governor when he is sworn in on Jan. 17.

Among the featured speakers was U.S. Sen. Pat Toomey, the Lehigh County Republican who is retiring from Congress this year.

This jaunt to the big city is nothing new. Advocates point with pride to the 123-year-old tradition that started in 1899 when native Pennsylvanian industrialist James Barr Ferree, who was living in New York City at the time, invited 55 other fellow bigwig Pennsylvanians living in New York to join him for dinner at the Waldorf-Astoria.

“While feasting on oysters and Delmonico steaks, they decided to form a group originally known as the Pennsylvania Society of New York,” according to the Society’s historical records. In 1903, the group shortened its name to “The Pennsylvania Society.”

The lavish menu offerings at New York’s famed hotel continued until the Waldorf closed in 2017 to undergo extensive renovations. Now, the event is held at the much less posh New York Hilton Midtown. There was one event at the Waldorf Towers this year, which sold out quickly - a luncheon which also gave attendees the opportunity to get a sneak peek at what the refurbished landmark will look like when it reopens next year.

The honoree at this year’s $600-a-plate affair was the Broadhurst family, owners of the Pittsburgh-headquartered Eat ’n’ Park Hospitality Group in Pittsburgh.

The only time that the event was canceled was in 2020 because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Even so, attendance was down last year as concerns about large gatherings were still a big factor in deciding whether to attend such events. This year, however, attendance made a comeback.

Although Shapiro attended, U.S. Sen.-elect John Fetterman and Gov. Tom Wolf did not. Several attendees, who didn’t want their names used because members are encouraged not to bad-mouth the Society, said the event is not nearly as glitzy and elaborate as it was in its glory days. Some politicians don’t want to be openly criticized for spending hundreds of dollars on filet mignon and Champagne.

Among the defenders of the Society’s annual foray into New York City is Elizabeth Preate Havey, daughter of former Democratic Pennsylvania Attorney General Ernie Preate. “The real beauty of PA Society weekend is that civil and respectful conversation isn’t just commonplace - it is expected,’’ Preate Havey wrote in a Nov. 22 op-ed piece. “It is the one time where those with opposing political points of view - oftentimes diametrically opposed - can find a common purpose and appreciate the things we all have in common rather than highlight our differences,” she added.

Becoming a member of The Pennsylvania Society is relatively easy. One needs be a native-born Pennsylvanian, a descendant of a native-born Pennsylvanian, a former Pennsylvania resident who has been back for seven consecutive years or a graduate of a Pennsylvania college or university. New members pay a one-time entry fee of $300. Dues are $100 a year. An optional life membership is $2,500, regardless of a member’s age.

The issue of holding the Society’s annual dinner in the Big Apple comes up periodically. Some politicians have even talked about bucking tradition and trying to move the event to Pennsylvania. In the past, State Rep. Doyle Heffley, R-Carbon, told me that he would love to host the event in Jim Thorpe with the Opera House as the focal point for activities.

We can only imagine what the thousands of minimum-wage workers and unemployed Pennsylvanians, who are getting by on meager meals and trying to cut corners to save a buck, are thinking about the events at the Society’s weekend as their elected politicians were off to another state enjoying prime rib, fine wines and top entertainment. At the very least, couldn’t this small fortune be spent in Pennsylvania to help our residents?

By Bruce Frassinelli | tneditor@tnonline.com