Superintendents serve dinner at firehouse

By Linda Seida, Staff Writer
   WEST AMWELL — Two South Hunterdon Regional High School superintendents donated their time Saturday night as servers at the annual fundraising dinner to benefit the West Amwell Fire Company and its Ladies Auxiliary.
   Superintendent Nancy Gartenberg and her predecessor, Lisa Brady, served a roast pork dinner with all the trimmings to guests of all ages at the Mount Airy firehouse.
   ”We gather help where we can get it, and the help is appreciated,” said Deputy Chief and President Randy Hoagland.
   Ms. Gartenberg and Ms. Brady said they were glad to do it.
   Ms. Brady, who is now the superintendent of Hunterdon Central Regional High School, estimated she has been volunteering at the firehouse dinner for four or five years. A friend, Brenda Reasoner, coordinates the servers.
   ”There is nothing I would not do if Brenda asks,” she said.
   And diners needn’t have worried about an inexperienced waitress spilling food and drink in their laps. Ms. Brady actually has lots of experience waiting tables.
   While employed early in her career as a teacher at Trenton High School, she supplemented her income by waiting tables in New Hope for 11 years.
   The West Amwell dinner gave her a welcome chance to mingle with the community.
   ”I get to see a lot of people, especially now, that I don’t see all the time so that’s one of the things I really love about it,” Ms. Brady said. “Also, I am always and will be eternally grateful for the support the community gave to South Hunterdon. Such a big piece of my heart will always be at South Hunterdon.”
   Ms. Brady’s involvement led to Ms. Gartenberg’s participation.
   Both superintendents attended the high school’s dedication in September, and Ms. Reasoner was there, too.
   She approached the superintendents and said to Ms. Gartenberg, “Just so you know, you’re being recruited, too,” Ms. Gartenberg recalled.
   Ms. Gartenberg laughed at the irony she is not a frequent cook or meal server at home.
   ”And she probably cooks less than I do,” she said of Ms. Brady.
   Ms. Gartenberg agreed with Ms. Brady it’s important to spend time in the community, especially as a newcomer herself. She became superintendent when Ms. Brady resigned in 2007.