Local Hudson County Restauants and Wine Suppliers participate in Fundraising Event for Weehawken Free Public Library

By Sally Deering

 Book lovers, Kindle and Nook lovers and those who just adore the Weehawken Public Library for the stellar services it provides are invited to step out on Tuesday, April 26^th for an evening of delicious food and wine at “A Taste of Weehawken” at the Lincoln Harbor Food Court (next door to Houlihan’s) on the Weehawken Waterfront. All proceeds from this fundraising event go to the library’s special programming.

 This marks the 11^th year for “A Taste of Weehawken” and Weehawken Mayor Richard Turner visited the library on a rainy Tuesday morning to announce the upcoming event with members of the library’s board of directors, librarians and restaurateurs who will be donating their time, culinary specialties and services at Tuesday night’s fundraiser.

 “We raise $20,000 and it goes to all the odds and ends that we can’t provide in the budget,” Mayor Turner said. “The $20,000 goal really makes a difference in the services the library provides.”

Leona Nersesian, who has been president of the library’s Board of Trustees for the past five years and a member for 28 years, says this year’s event promises to be bigger and better. There are more restaurants participating and wine tastings will be set up throughout the food court. There’s also a raffle of prizes like dinners for two and tickets to shows worth way more than the price of the raffle. It takes a lot of work to pull the event together, but to Nersesian it’s a labor of love for a childhood retreat.

 “This library is like home to me,” Nersesian says. “I’ve been coming here 45 years. Our director started here as a teenager. The librarians and the staff here are all great people and we have programs for everyone from 18-months to seniors.”

 “A Taste of Weehawken” typically attracts 400-450 visitors and last year, the money raised paid for new computers and programs like “Books for Bingo” and computer classes for seniors; Circle Time and Story Time for the little ones and a math tutoring programs for kids of all ages. In the past, “A Taste of Weehawken” helped underwrite library activities like the NJ Aquarium program, poetry, music, author readings and signings and Family Passes to the American Museum of Natural History in New York City.

 Participants in this year’s “A Taste of Weehawken” include Allied Beverage Group, Amanda’s, Antonia’s by the Park, Ben & Jerry’s, Bertolotti Desserts, Carlo’s Bakery, Charrito’s, Chart House, The Clinton Social, Flaming Burrito, G.P.’s, Houlihan’s on the Waterfront, Lepore’s Home Made Chocolates, Lorraine’s Table, the Madison Bar & Grill, Paula’s Restaurant, Porto Leggero, Rita’s Italian Ice-Hoboken, Robongi on the Water, Rosa de Saron Florist, Ruth’s Chris Steak House, Son Cubano Restaurant and Bar, Starbucks, Tomaso’s, Touch of Spice, and the Weehawken High School Culinary arts Program. The evening will feature a special wine tasting by Giannone Wine and Liquor Company.

 And best of all, guests are invited to meet and talk with the chefs preparing the dishes – an exciting plus for “foodies” who can’t get enough of cooking shows like “Top Chef” and Hoboken’s own “Cake Boss.”

G.P.’s, an Italian restaurant located on Boulevard East in Weehawken from 1968-1976 was founded by George Politis, who was born and raised in Weehawken. At the event his son, also named George Politis will be serving the restaurant’s home-style meatballs in gravy and Greek salads. The restaurant has been a part of “A Taste of Weehawken” since it began 11 years ago and even though G.P.’s is now in Guttenberg, the Politis family continues their commitment to George Politis’ hometown.

 “As a participant, ‘A Taste of Weehawken’ is a fantastic event,” Politis says. “You get to eat wonderful food at a low price. If I wasn’t participating, I would still come.”

 Tues, April 26^th, 6:30-9:30 pm

A Taste of Weehawken

Food Court at Lincoln Harbor

1200 Harbor Boulevard

Weehawken, NJ

$55 per person (6:30-9:30 pm)

$30 per person (7:30-9:30 pm)

For information/tickets call the library at 201-863-7823