EXPLORING WEST AMWELL’S FARMLAND
By Betty Jane Hunt, Special Writer
Just as we came together as country this past weekend to remember what we stand for and why we are a great country, West Amwell came together Friday night.
We showcased what makes us a township to be proud of and how small communities like ours weave together to make us proud to be Americans. Just as we as Americans have needed healing from the 9/11 attacks, West Amwell needed healing from attacks in recent years against many who worked for generations to make this a wonderful place to live.
The event was a dinner at the West Amwell Firehouse. The occasion was a celebration of West Amwell’s Agriculture.
We persisted through the rain and flooding that ruined many of our gardens. That was a small loss compared to the damage experienced to the homes of many of our neighbors. We were thankful for what we were able to harvest. Ours was little persistence compared to that of our firemen and other emergency volunteer personnel who worked hour after hour saving lives from floodwaters and pumping out flooded basements.
Even though we had to go outside of the township to supplement some of our produce, it was all raised locally. The dinner included a huge spread of vegetables from local gardens made into zucchini fritters, fresh vegetables with dip, roasted potatoes, stuffed peppers, chilled melon soup, bruchettas, tomatoes with mozzarella, mini-Reubens, deviled eggs, roast beef with fresh horseradish sauce, chicken roasted with vegetables and fresh herbs, green beans, squash, barbecued ribs, fresh mint iced tea, and four different kinds of fresh fruit cobblers, topped with homemade vanilla ice cream.
Our volunteer chefs were residents Cindy Fulper, Sal Gandolfo, Bill Gill, Bernie Meader, Angelo Peluso, Greg Sappington and John Sneddon.
Rounding out our group of volunteer chefs, were country fair committee members Karen Baldino, Irma Fuhr, Breanna Fulper, Ruth Hall, Jim Hurly, Rich Maurer, Bernie Meader, Susan Molnar, Tom Molnar, Hal Shute, Heidi Tomenchok, Rob Tomenchok, Cathy Urbanski and yours truly.
Karen, Ruth, and Cathy made centerpieces with vegetables and candles that were admired by all.
Along with other members of the fair committee, they set up, served, and cleaned up. The dinner was enjoyed by approximately 70 guests who all had plenty to eat.
Breanna Fulper put together a silent auction with items donated by Steve and Jennifer Bergenfeld, Wayne Boan, Fulper Farms, Breanna Fulper, Sal and Veronica Gandolfo, Phil and Chantal Meldrun of Pleasant Run Farm, Tomenchok Farms, Tammy and Richard Maurer of Meadowgate Farms and this writer.
The items highlighted our agriculture with an unusual painting of the Mona Lisa advertising Juicy Fruit Gum.
Fun was had by all bidding over each other for the items which made $875 toward next year’s Country Fair. Besides supporting the 2012 fair, a donation will be given to the West Amwell Fire Company Auxiliary. Two prints of local barns, painted by township artist, Irma Fuhr, were the most sought-after items.
The evening gave us a renewed sense of community, while highlighting our volunteerism and agriculture. It was a time of healing and working together. For all, who volunteered, and all who came to enjoy the meal, it was a good time, with good food and good fellowship.
Betty Jane Hunt is a member of the West Amwell Township Agriculture Advisory Committee.