The Alternative Press

HACKETTSTOWN, NJ – About 700 people packed into the Centenary College David and Carol Lackland Center tonight to celebrate Newton Medical Center Foundation’s annual “An Evening of Wine & Roses, A Wine and Gourmet Cuisine Tasting” benefit.

“It’s just such a great event, we love having it here at Centenary,” said Mark Avondoglio, Committee Chairman, and Chairman of the Board of the Newton Medical Center Foundation.

Avondoglio said nearly close to 75 different wine vendors, with 800 to 1,000 various wines, beers, and spirits were available for sampling and sipping. Additionally, 28 restaurants brought their fare onsite to be paired with the beverages.

Celebrity Chef Michael Colameco was on hand signing books, and, CBS 2 produce expert Tony Tantillo mingled with the guests in the VIP room. New York Jets Cheerleaders socialized with guests and signed autographs.

Food vendors were: All In The Icing, Andre’s Restuaruant & Wine Boutique, Barone’s, Bell’s Mansion, Black Forest Inn, Boblink Dairy, Café Pierrot, The Chocolate Goat Gift Shoppe, Cliffs Ice cream, Cold Stone Creamery/Rock Mt. Chocolate, The Dining Room, Dove Chocolate Discoveries, Innova Cuisine, Krave Café & Caterers, Lake Mohawk Country Club, Mama’s Restaurant & Café Baci, Newton Country Club, The Pandan Room, Perona Farms, Pine Hill Farms, The Prickly Pear, Randolph Cupcake and Baked Goods, Sculpted Ice Works, Trinity Restaurant & Martini Lounge, Tuscany Bistro, Vallina Market, and Wakefern Food Corporation.

Newton Medical Center is seeking to raise $3 million for its 2012 Capital Campaign. Avondoglio said should the group reach its fundraising benchmark, an anonymous donor plans to kick in an additional $1 million.

Newton Medical Center, which is part of Atlantic Health System, has had some departments transformed, and now has two new catscan machines, and an MRI, a new education center, a new pediatric unit, and is seeking do to more.

“Atlantic Health has been phenomenal,” Avondoglio continued. He recommended members of the public contact the foundation for tours.

“You won’t believe what you said,” Avondoglio added, in terms of changes the Newton Medical Center has undergone.

Avondoglio said the hope was to raise $250,000 from this evening’s event.

“We couldn’t do this without our sponsors,” Avondoglio reiterated, especially recognizing RoNetco Supermarkets, Inc., a Grand Event Sponsor. Some of the other sponsors were: Buckl Architects, Sparta Cancer Center, 102.3 WSUS & 103.7 WNNJ, Eckroth planning Group, Inc., Hudson Farm, J.L. Apter Memorial Chapels, Lockwood Farms, McKesson, Renal Center of Newton, LLC, Saul Ewing LLP, ShopRite Wines & Spirits of Newton, Athenia Mason Supply, Deacon Homes Inc., Deloitte Consulting LLP, and EMA.

In addition to the food and beverage tastings (including a martini piano bar at the end of the evening), a silent auction took place. Prizes were: Madonna Tour 2012 four lower level tickets, Crystal Springs Golf & Stay Package, Sterling Silver Green Cushion C/Z Pendant on 16-inch chain, and mini beer fridge and Sam Adams Neon Sign.

Tammie Horsfield, President of the Sussex County Chamber of Commerce and member of the Advisory Board of the Newton Medical Center, said, “This is a wonderful opportunity for the community to come together to have a good time. It’s great to see the money being given back by the community.”

“The support of this community has never wavered in 80 years,” said Jim Furgeson, Newton Medical Center’s Director of Business Development and Physician Relations. “We pack the house for events like this, and, we’re very fortunate.”

Click here to support the 2012 Capital Campaign.