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Harvest Fest raises funds for the Growing Stage Children's Theater

| 28 Oct 2014 | 02:49
    Photos by Scott Baker Jack Kaczynski, owner of Stanhope's Bell's Mansion, cooks up potato pancakes.
    Photos by Scott Baker Jack Kaczynski, owner of Stanhope's Bell's Mansion, cooks up potato pancakes.
    Celebrity chef Sal Scognamillo of the renowned Patsy's Italian Restaurant in Manhattan signs a copy of his cookbook for Penny Hollenstein, of Fredon.
    Celebrity chef Sal Scognamillo of the renowned Patsy's Italian Restaurant in Manhattan signs a copy of his cookbook for Penny Hollenstein, of Fredon.
    Ken Salmon, owner and executive chef at Lake Hopatcong's Upstream Grille, serves blackened salmon with spaghetti squash and cauliflower puree.
    Ken Salmon, owner and executive chef at Lake Hopatcong's Upstream Grille, serves blackened salmon with spaghetti squash and cauliflower puree.
    Cafe Pierrot owners Stefanie and Laura Nifenecker, of Sparta.
    Cafe Pierrot owners Stefanie and Laura Nifenecker, of Sparta.
    Growing Stage Audience Development Director Danny Campos interviews Little Mermaid cast member Dalton Allison, of Byram.
    Growing Stage Audience Development Director Danny Campos interviews Little Mermaid cast member Dalton Allison, of Byram.
    Little Mermaid cast members Dalton Allison, of Byram, Grace Brizek, of Sparta, and Justin Watt, of Mansfield, greet guests at the event.
    Little Mermaid cast members Dalton Allison, of Byram, Grace Brizek, of Sparta, and Justin Watt, of Mansfield, greet guests at the event.
    Rich and Kate Hashway, owners of Newton's Krave Cafe, serve a variety of specialties.
    Rich and Kate Hashway, owners of Newton's Krave Cafe, serve a variety of specialties.
    A well-dressed pig is served courtesy of Ed Zydel and Al VanHaarlen of Pine Hill Farm, in Wantage.
    A well-dressed pig is served courtesy of Ed Zydel and Al VanHaarlen of Pine Hill Farm, in Wantage.
    The cast of the Little Mermaid sings Under the Sea.
    The cast of the Little Mermaid sings Under the Sea.

MOUNT OLIVE — Hundreds were in attendance for the Growing Stage Children’s Theater’s second annual Harvest Fest.

Included with the $75 donation were access to tastings from 14 area restaurants and catering specialists, hundreds of bottles of wine, craft beer and spirits to sample, and live performances from the cast of the Growing Stage’s production of "The Little Mermaid."

There was also a silent auction, basket raffle and a “Meet the Chef” event where patrons could get a cookbook signed by celebrity chef Sal Scognamillo of Patsy’s Italian Restaurant in New York City.

“This has already become a rather large event,” said Growing Stage founder and Executive Director Steve Fredericks. The event evolved from an Oktoberfest celebration in 2012 and the Harvest Festival “is already a lifeblood” for the theater, Fredericks added.

Currently in its 33rd year of operation, the Growing Stage will be celebrating its 20th anniversary at Netcong’s historical Palace Theater next year. Proceeds from the event are used to keep the century-old structure up to date and functional, as well as support the children’s programs.

“Our fundraising events allow all of our programs to be as inexpensive as possible so that live theater can be a part of our children’s education and emerging cultural life.”

Growing Stage Board of Trustees Vice President Manny Fernandes, of Hopatcong, is glad his kids were able to have that education — even now that it was nearly 15 years ago.

“I will never forget what the Growing Stage did for my kids,” he said. “Getting on stage is not an easy thing to do. [The theater] gave them confidence.”

Now able to see how the lifelong lesson in confidence has helped his kids become successful adults, Fernandes says his position on the Board “is my way of paying back.”

Celebrity chef
In addition to their catering table, grand event sponsors Ronetco Supermarkets, owners of area Shop Rite stores, brought in a special guest in celebrity chef Sal Scognamillo of Patsy’s Italian Restaurant in New York City.

“They’ve been very good supporters from day one and I was happy to repay them,” Scognamillo said of his relationship with Ronetco’s Shop Rite stores, who now carry the Patsy’s line of pasta sauces and olive oil.

Copies of Patsy’s Cookbook were available for purchase for $20 and all of the proceeds were donated directly to the Growing Stage. Scognamillo stayed on hand all night to sign copies of the book, share cooking tips and tell stories of his family’s 70-year history in the restaurant business.

For more information on the Growing Stage, including upcoming shows and educational programs, visit www.growingstage.com or call 973-347-4946. The company’s next production will be the "Nutcracker," which will run from Nov. 21 through Dec. 21.