Taste of Chatham Dinner Approaches

To The Editor:

I have had the privilege of living in Chatham Borough since 2002, and it is now my honor to represent the Chatham Education Foundation as this year's President.  

I cordially invite you all to attend CEF's largest fundraising event of the year - the 11th annual Taste of Chatham - to be held on Monday, Oct. 24 from 6 to 9 p.m. at Brooklake Country Club in Florham Park.

Since its inception in 1997, the Chatham Education Foundation has been a leading provider of private funding to the School District of the Chathams. We support innovative and creative educational programs and special projects that are designed to enrich the mind and body of the approximately 3,980 K-12 students enrolled in the District’s six public schools.

Our success in distributing more than $500,000 to develop and support more than 250 educational programs and special projects since our founding, and more than $60,000 last year alone, has been due to the tremendous support of hundreds of area residents and local businesses.

If you've ever attended the Taste of Chatham before, then you know that this event encapsulates one of the greatest qualities of Chatham -- a true sense of community.  2011 will once again have the fun and excitement of the 50/50 cash raffle, wine pull, live musical performances by Chatham students, a VIP prize drawing, and the chance to network and make new business contacts.  

But especially meaningful this year, in addition to the long-standing support of many of the area's finest restaurants serving their tempting array of delectable cuisines, and the generous donations of items for the silent auction from individuals, local business owners and vendors, we are pleased to announce that many of the local businesses have stepped up to help underwrite nearly 100% of the costs of this event. I am especially grateful to Lead Underwriter, , and Underwriters:

• Smythe Volvo - Summit
• and Verizon Communications, Inc.

for making such generous contributions to the Taste of Chatham.

We thank as well as our other business sponsors:

• , Mary Weichert;
• Dr. Robert Rosen, DDS;
• – Chatham;
• ;
• ;
• , Francine Alcorn;
• Lois Schneider Realtor, Lois Schneider;
• – Chatham;
• Waverly TV – Madison;
• Hilltop Community Bank – Madison;
• – Chatham;
• , Jack & Linda Magley;
• Town & Country Realtors, Bobbie Veeder;
• Sudler Management Company, and
• , Cynthia Edgar.

We also want to thank the participating restaurants for sharing their fine cuisine that is the hallmark of the Taste of Chatham, including:

• ,
• Brooklake Country Club,
• ,
• ,
• ,
• ,
• ,
• ,
• ,
• ,
• ,
• ,
• ,
• ,
• ,
• ,
• ,
• and Whole Foods Market Rose City Madison.

You can register for the event at www.ChathamEdFoundation.org. Tickets begin at $70 per person in advance ($75 at the door). Seniors are $45 per person. Group tickets with special benefits are also available.

We look forward to seeing you on Oct. 24th!

Colleen Markley

President,

The Chatham Education Foundation