Dear Editor:
Can’t let the summer go by without offering thanks to the people who made the Western BBQ, sponsored by the Jersey City Free Public Library Foundation, Inc., such a success this past June 18.
A hearty ‘thank you’ goes to the Trustees of the Library Foundation, and now serving as the new Library Foundation Chairman is Michael Ryan, with Morris Winograd as vice chairman, Treasurer Joseph Panepinto Jr. and Recording Secretary Elizabeth Spinelli. Members of the Board are: Joseph A. Turula, Samantha Newman-Webster, Kathleen Hartye, Robert Burke, Sandra J. Webster, and Nicholas Cavaluzzi, with Priscilla Gardner as executive director of the Library Foundation.
We held the fundraiser at the same place, but it’s under new ownership, and O’Hara’s owner, Mike Sims, deserves commendation for providing all beverages and food for the Western BBQ, especially for the variety of burgers. And it was Mike Ryan’s staff from his new establishment that prepared the food and served the hungry BBQ-ers, so many thanks to Michael Anthony’s chef and wait staff. And everyone was protected from the potential downpours because Mike funded the tent.
The Eamonn Ryan Band is such a versatile cover band, having begun with old cowboy tunes and country-rock, then ending with upbeat music for the night’s dancing. We offer much gratitude for this generous volunteer effort each year.
The Western BBQ would not have run as well as it did if not for the many Library employees that worked the event so all attendees could enjoy themselves fully. So, many thanks to Library staff!
Last, but certainly not least, on behalf of the Library Board of Trustees and Library Director Priscilla Gardner, we thank the Provident Bank Foundation for donating $15,000 to the Library Foundation, which signifies and continually solidifies the long history between the Provident Bank and the Jersey City Free Public Library.
Sincerely,
James K. Morley
President, Board of Trustees, Jersey City Free Public Library
P.S. We invite everyone to the upcoming Library Foundation fundraiser, Casino Night, on Thursday evening, September 17, at Michael Anthony’s!