Hackensack Riverkeeper Celebrates 2006

 

By Darlene Kasten

On Thursday night, October 5, two hundred and seventy friends of the Hackensack River gathered for a sold-out Awards Celebration and Sustainable SeafoodFest at the Knickerbocker Country Club in Tenafly. They came together to celebrate the year's accomplishments and to present four very special awards.

 

The 2006 Arts and Media Award was presented to New Jersey Network Executive Director Elizabeth Christopherson and the production team of Bob Szuter, Janice Selinger and Lynn Kosek Walker for their outstanding documentary on urban wetlands, Turning The Tide.

 

Len Kaiser, Executive Director of the Bergen County Utilities Authority (BCUA), received an Excellence in Public Service Award in recognition of his and his agency's commitment to the restoration of the Hackensack River Watershed. A second Excellence in Public Service Award was presented to the Hudson County Division of Parks and Recreation for its stewardship of Laurel Hill County Park and contributions to Hackensack Riverkeeper's Paddling Center. Accepting the award were Hudson County Executive Tom DeGise, Director Mariano Vega, Jr., Parks Division Chief Thom McCann and Assistant Division Chief Ken Jennings.

 

The highlight of the evening was Captain Bill Sheehan's presentation of our first-ever Visionary Award to Jim Kirkos, president of the Meadowlands Regional Chamber of Commerce for his commitment to ecotourism and smart economic growth in the Meadowlands as well as his critical support of the 2004 Meadowlands Master Plan - support that made the Plan a reality.

 

Without question, a good time was had by all. The Knickerbocker Country Club was transformed into a tropical isle with a palm tree-studded tiki bar complete with grass skirt. Special island-inspired drinks were made with mixings from Stirrings and steel drum music was provided by Melvin Dean. Tropical attire was encouraged and many folks took advantage. As in the past, our sustainable seafood entrees, delicious hors d'oeuvres and selection of cheeses were provided by our friends at Whole Foods Market. Dinner was followed by an array of scrumptious desserts from Elegant Desserts in Lyndhurst, NJ.

 

Our biggest silent auction ever offered event-goers over ninety items to choose from and bid on. Among the many things available were entertainment and travel opportunities including golf outings to some of New Jerseys top golf clubs, tickets to sporting events and a kayak donated by Ramsey Outdoor Stores. There was an excellent selection of home décor items, objects d'art, jewelry and other luxury items such as a spa service from Fountain Day Spa. Our always-popular Gourmet Corner offered dining opportunities and gourmet baskets from top restaurants and gourmet food stores. New this year was a selection of unique one-of-a-kind opportunities such as a day on the job with NBC-TV reporter Brian Thompson.

 

Lucky winners went home with such diverse offerings as a week in a beach house in Brazil; a Broadway package consisting of house seats to Jersey Boys along with dinner at Carmine's in the Theatre District and limo service provided by Majestic Limousines; an ocean sail aboard a private sailboat leaving from Barnegat Bay; and dinner for two prepared in person by the chef at the world-renowned Waldorf Astoria in his private kitchen.

 

The evening was sponsored by the Bergen County Utilities Authority; EnCap Golf Holdings, LLC; Kearny Federal Savings; Joseph M. Ariyan, Esq., Public Advocate for Land Use; Inserra Supermarkets, Inc; Lerch, Vinci & Higgins, LLP; Malcolm Pirnie, Inc.; the Meadowlands Regional Chamber of Commerce; Panasonic Corporation of America; and River Terminal Development Corporation. Thanks to all of them and to everyone who helped make the evening such a complete success!

The Benefit Committee has already started planning what promises to be a most special event in 2007. Hackensack Riverkeeper will celebrate a major milestone next year - its Tenth Anniversary. We will honor new friends of Hackensack Riverkeeper and we will acknowledge those special people who have been instrumental in our victories during the first ten years of our mission. Plan to be there!