Michelene Assad, president, Lambertville Area Education Foundation
The Lambertville Area Education Foundation eighth annual Auction and Benefit Party, held on March 21 at the Eagle Fire Company Banquet Hall, New Hope, was another great success, especially notable in this economy.
The event, which honored the late gallery owner Grace Croteau, was attended by about 150 people. Virtually 100 percent of the proceeds will support innovative teacher-initiated programs in the Lambertville Public School, Stockton School, West Amwell School and South Hunterdon Regional High School.
The event’s success was the direct result of generous support from many people. Auction donors included: Ed Adams, Alba Home, Amwell Automotive, Jeffrey Apoian, Sal Asaro, Michelene Assad, Bach Ballet, Betty Baer, Robert Beck, Bell’s Tavern, Tom Birkner, Bliss Jewelry & Accessories, Joanne Bruno, William C. Buchanan, Esq., Bucks County Herald, Bucks County River Country, Franco and Michela Carnevale, Jim Casio, Cifelli Sunoco, Coryell Gallery, Chris Cosner, Nancy Daggett, John Danaher, Elaine Daniels, Dresswell’s, Timothy Duggan and Jon Michel Dumas.
Donors also included Meg Eichman, Elite Linens, Events in Style, Fancee Plants, Farley’s Bookshop, James Feehan, Fiddleheads, Sue Flynn, Barbara Fordyce and Bob Dahl, The Frame Shop, Audrey Frankowski, Fred’s Breakfast Club, Roy Freedle, Sylvia Getsler, Giant Supermarket, Girl Scout Troop 400, Robert Goodwin, Haas Gallery, Katherine Hackl, Jim Hamilton, Sandy Hanna, HARAtherapeutics, Havana, Ty Hodanish, Hunterdon Healthcare System, Inventis, Joy of Hair, Lambertville Chamber of Commerce, Tony LaSalle, Mary Jane Legere, Lewis Island Fishery, Karen Lewis, Nora Lewis, Jan Lipes, Living Earth and Mark Ludak.
Other contributors were Janine MacGregor, Melissa Mantz, Jim Mastrich, Holly McAndrew, ME Salon & Spa, John Molenari, Chris and Tracy Morgan, Joanne Nestor, New Hope Fitness, Janet Nocar, Nowali, Old English Pine, Phillips’ Fine Wines, Russ Poles, Procerus MedSpa, Reinboth, River Graphics, Riverrun Gallery, Riverside Symphonia, Susan Roseman, Seventh Heaven Moderne, Collette Sexton, ShopRite, South Hunterdon Regional High School Floriculture Program, Solebury School, Stark & Stark, Stockton Food Store, Stockton Hair Design, Stockton Inn, Strawberry Jam, Swan Creek Rowing Club, Swan Street Studio, Sherry Tinsman, Tortuga Restaurant, Union Fire Company, Unionville Vineyards, Anneleis Von Dommelen, Walker’s Liquor Store, Peter Wallace, LTD, John Weber, Linda and Carl Weber, Andrew Wilkinson, Dot Willner and Steve Wolock.
Also key to the evening’s success were the wonderful efforts of food preparers and servers from Anatolian Delights, Cafe Galleria, The Chocolate Box, City Market, Duck Soup Cafe, Ennis Market, Full Moon, Giuseppe’s, Homestead Farm Market, Lambertville Girl Scout Troop 400, Lambertville Station, Lambertville Trading Company, Meils, The Sneaky Caterer, South Hunterdon Regional High School Culinary Arts Program, Superfresh, Triumph Brewery and Village Deli.
Volunteers who helped staff the event included parents Debbie and Ed Closson, Lois and Walt Johnson, Melissa Mantz, Deborah and Greg Mercer-Pontier and Wendy Whitaker; students Jasmine Assad, Nick Bolles, Cory Breidt, Josh Cullen, Katya Kurtbek, Peter Mercer-Pontier, Nathaniel Tettemer, Zach Tettemer and Adam Warwinsky; and South Hunterdon staff members Pam Baker, Christine Deiley, Barbara Faherty, Ruth Mazujian, Amy Randazzo and Karen Scheetz.
We also extend thanks to past LAEF Board members Bob Dahl, Janine MacGregor and Jim Mastrich, who “returned to duty” to help plan and implement the event and to our ticket sales outlets – Dresswell’s, Lambertville Trading Company, The Medicine Shoppe and Walker’s Liquor Store.
Finally, we thank New Hope Mayor Larry Keller, who again served as our very effective auctioneer, and all the spirited and generous bidders who helped us raise thousands of dollars for the benefit of Lambertville area students.

