On behalf of the West Milford Education Foundation, I would like to extend our sincerest thanks to all those who made our 10 annual “A Taste of the Highlands” banquet fundraiser a success.
I must begin by thanking our lead sponsor for the event, Lakeland Bank, whose donation of $2,000 will be utilized as part of the annual WMEF Grant Program to provide grants to West Milford’s students and teachers for technology upgrades and innovative educational initiatives. Our appreciation goes out to Rehab Elmoslemany, Karen Sabyan, and Eftychia Gizas from Lakeland Bank who not only presented the donation, but worked at the event as well.
Also, for the first time, our host for this event was Casa Bianca in Oak Ridge. Special thanks go out to Sam Seji and his staff for welcoming “A Taste of the Highlands” and all of their work to create a warm and inviting atmosphere for our guests.
Many local restaurants, pizzerias, and delicatessens made generous contributions of their signature dishes. Our thanks go out to Bagel Town Café, Casa Bianca, Dairy Queen of West Milford, Frank’s Pizza of Oak Ridge, Frank’s Pizza of West Milford, The Huntsman Restaurant, Joey’s Vito and Michael’s, Khun Thon Thai Restaurant, Latitude 41, Macopin Pizza, Momento Restaurant, Newfoundland Deli, Oasis Diner, Outback Steakhouse, Passport Café, Pioneer Bar and Grill, Piccolo’s Restaurant, Portofino Family Restaurant, Prime 15 Steakhouse, Ruby Rose, Sonny’s on the Lake, Texas Smoke BBQ, TJ’s Pizzeria Café, Town Tavern, and The Tuscany Brewhouse for donating their culinary masterpieces.
A number of other businesses from our community provided generous prize donations this year for our tricky tray, as well as businesses who have been continued supporters of WMEF for many years. Our thanks go out to Adventure Aquarium, Amy Murphy’s Salon and Spa, Country Roads Deli, Dave and Buster’s, Eastern Propane, Excel College Consulting, Greenwood Lake Animal Hospital, Heino’s Ski and Cycle, Highlights Magazine, The Huntsman Restaurant, Medieval Times, New Egypt Speedway, New Jersey Jackals, Prime 15 Steakhouse, Sam Ash Music Store, The Shakespeare Theater, Somerset Patriots, Sonny’s on the Lake, Spa 23, Sterling Mine and Museum, Stress Factory, T-Bowl, Very Gentle Dental Care, and Wild West City for their contributions.
Thanks are also in order for our advertising sponsors, whose contributions will also help fund the WMEF Grant Program: Anthony Crisafulli of ATRA Janitorial Supply Co; Dr. Peter Brusco, DMD; Columbia Bank of West Milford; Coppola Services, Inc.; Delta Dental of New Jersey; Ferraioli, Wielkotz, Cerullo, and Cuva, PA; Fredericks Fuel, Mark Gray of Gray and Daughter Enterprises; Inserra Supermarkets; North Jersey Eye Care; and A. James Romer, Jr. of Hunziker, Jones, and Sweeney, PA.
I would be remiss if I did not recognize our West Milford High School students in the art, photography, and woodworking classes who contributed prizes for the event, as well as our cooking students who provided dessert donations. Also, I extend WMEF’s gratitude to the WMHS choral music students who performed for us at the event. These are some of our finest students and their work is impeccable. Thanks go out to our WMHS teachers and administrators whose efforts helped to guide our students: Steve Beattie, John Boronow, Cathy Cosgrove, Cindy Gallaugher, Doug Heyburn, Steve Miller, Jennifer Monego, Peter Shaver, Jan Sivertsen, Lenny Van Wingerden, Rona Weissman, and Bob Wiedmann.
Special thanks go out to all of the attendees whose presence at the event made the night such an enjoyable and memorable experience.
I would also like to recognize my fellow WMEF trustees whose dedicated efforts made this event possible: President Mark Fredericks, Vice President Lisa Peck, Treasurer Jack Koeppe, Secretary Jody Sullivan, Superintendent of West Milford Schools Dr. James McLaughlin, Lakeland Bank representative Rehab Elmoslemany, board of education liaison Inga Koeppe, and trustees Heidi Godau, Debbie O’Brien, and Marilyn Schultz. Without the work of these selfless volunteers, “A Taste of the Highlands” would not be possible.
WMEF would be nothing without the support of our local residents, businesses, parents, school administrators, teachers, school staff members, and sponsors. Once again, our community has come together to raise funds to benefit the students and teachers of West Milford.
Again, on behalf of the West Milford Education Foundation, I thank you all from the bottom of my heart and look forward to continuing to work with you in the future. We share the common goal of giving our West Milford students every possible opportunity for success, and I am excited to see what the future holds for our organization and local students.
For more information about the West Milford Education Foundation, please visit our Web site at www.wmefnj.org.
Matthew Conlon, chairman
A Taste of the Highlands