Patricia Sziber and Lisa Jordan, Friends of Hopewell Valley Open Space
More than 100 guests celebrated one of the final days of summer on Baldpate Mountain on a perfectly beautiful afternoon at the “Wild About Edibles” celebration hosted by Friends of Hopewell Valley Open Space on Sept. 20.
Miles of Hopewell Valley landscape and beyond opened up under the cloudless blue sky for all to enjoy from the patio at Strawberry Hill.
The event featured unique hors d’oeuvres made with wild edible plants prepared by Will Mooney of Brothers Moon Restaurant in consultation with professional forager Tama Matsuoka Wong.
Magnolia Street String Band provided a perfect bluegrass music background, and ShopRite Liquors served the liquid refreshments as guests perused a wide assortment of silent auction items.
A highlight of the celebration was the presentation of volunteer recognition awards and the annual Jack Gleeson Environmental Award. Outgoing FoHVOS President John Jackson presented framed certificates to Jim Gambino, Jim Golis and Pat Witkowski, who have logged well over 100 hours each, generously contributing their time assisting with stewardship projects.
Recipients of the 2015 Jack Gleeson Environmental Award are attorney Katherine Dresdner and Michele Byers, executive director of New Jersey Conservation Foundation.
Both were recognized with engraved plaques for their unwavering commitment to the preservation of the more than 300-acre property on Carter Road now known as the Mount Rose Preserve.
We owe the success of “Wild About Edibles” to a host of supporters. Many thanks to the Mercer County Park Commission, Will Mooney, Tama Matsuoka Wong, ShopRite Liquors and Magnolia Street String Band for helping make this a festive occasion.
We are very grateful to our sponsors and advertisers: Bloomberg Philanthropies, Evann Gleeson, John and Carol Jackson, Ryan Kennedy and Mary Galioto, Carol Kleis and Rex Parker, Paul Kuehnert and Judith Graber, Vanessa Sandom and Carl Seiden, Hopewell Valley Community Bank, Charles and Sharyn Magee, PSE&G, Gravity Hill Farm, Capitol Copy Service, Mary Rabbitt Appraisal Services, Stevens & Lee, Hopewell Valley YMCA and MercerMe.
And a special thank you to our committee volunteers for their planning expertise and creative ideas: Mary Galioto (chairwoman), Jennifer Ghannam, Judith Graber, Ruth Jourjine, Carol Kleis and Laura Jane Valenza.
To learn more about FoHVOS events and activities, visit our website: www.fohvos.org.
executive director
Lisa Jordan
development director
Friends of Hopewell Valley Open Space
