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BY HILLARY VIDERS
SPECIAL TO NORTHERN VALLEY PRESS
ENGLEWOOD, N.J.—On Oct. 14, The Woman’s Club of Englewood kicked off its Capital Campaign and opened up its historic Carriage House on Brinkerhoff Court to the community.
The indoor and outdoor festival that took place from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. featured over 25 local vendors, as well as music provided by a DJ, food, face painting, pumpkin decorating, henna tattoos, art exhibits, a silent auction, raffles, jewelry design, and much more.
A large crowd of attendees and snack-loving kids had several food stations to choose from. Inside the Carriage House, volunteers served grilled franks and chips. Outside, Club President Susan Eastham, Marion Weis, and Lucille Leon sold a variety of homemade baked goods, and youngsters devoured huge cones of blue cotton candy, as they frolicked around the courtyard with turquoise-colored lips.
Besides vendors, there were exhibits by the Englewood Chamber of Commerce, the bergenPAC and the Girl Scouts of Northern New Jersey. A group of cadets from the Englewood chapter came with their troop leader, Crystal Jeffrey.
There was also a table where Alan Dweck, owner of Support-A-Circle, and his assistant, Takira West, gave books filled with discount coupons to anyone who made a donation to The Woman’s Club of Englewood.
Inside the Carriage House where chairs had been set up, everyone was welcomed by Mary Ann Washington-Diaz, The Woman’s Club’s second vice president and membership chair. She gave a brief overview of the club’s history and mission, explaining how the club was founded in 1895 by a group of women interested in intellectual and cultural advancement who sought to develop the community and promote its well-being through a philanthropy program. Over the years, the club’s mission has remained charitable and educational.
The historic Englewood Carriage House, the club’s headquarters, was once home to the horse-drawn carriages of the first mayor of Englewood, Elbert Adrain Brinckerhoff, Sr. (Nov. 29, 1838–March 23, 1913), and part of his massive estate. The building was constructed in the 1850s, and The Woman’s Club has been at the site since 1920. Today, it is an intimate, elegant and private destination for receptions, dinners, galas, and general meetings.
Washington-Diaz then described some of the club’s present-day philanthropic activities, such as the 11 annual scholarships that they award to deserving young women. She also spoke about the cultural programs that the club offers, such as classical music concerts and presentations by esteemed lecturers.
In addition to the overall fundraising mission to renovate and maintain the Carriage House, the club hopes to strengthen relationships with members of the community and educate them on all of the club’s philanthropic initiatives.
Washington-Diaz explained that the money raised from the Fall Harvest Festival will be used to make important renovations in the Carriage House and she encouraged everyone to make a donation and/or apply for membership.
After this introduction, students from roberta mathes’ Beyond Dance Program at the bergenPAC performed three dance numbers, beginning with a tribute to 9/11 from their hit show, “New York, New York.”
The bergenPAC ballerinas were followed by a spirited group of second-graders from the Dr. John Grieco Elementary School in Englewood, who gave a snazzy jazz dance performance.
The Woman’s Club of Englewood’s Harvest Festival, attended by hundreds of people, was a wonderful event for both longtime and new Englewood residents.
Photos by Hillary Viders