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The Times of Scotch Plains-Fanwood

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Arts & Entertainment Arts & Entertainment Arts & Entertainment Arts & Entertainment Arts & Entertainment

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PLAINFIELD – Crescent Avenue Presbyterian Church in Plainfield will host a musical program entitled, “Basically Brahms,” featuring the vocal and piano music of Johannes Brahms, on Sunday, October 17, at 4 p. m.

The concert will be the first in the series to include vocal duets and Lieder accompanied by piano, as well as solo music for one and two pianos.

Mezzo soprano Drude Sparre Roessler, Contralto Kathryn Hoyt, Baritone Glen Crane and Soprano Dorothy Magliocca will perform as soloists and in duet. Ronald Thayer and

Edwin Lopez will accompany the singers on piano. General admission is $12. Senior tickets are $8 and $5 for students. For tickets or more information, please call the Crescent Avenue Presbyterian Church at (908) 7562468 or the Crescent Music Office at (908) 7563157.

Funding for the concert has been made possible in part by the New Jersey State Council on the Arts, Department of State, through a grant administered by the Union County Office of Cultural and Heritage Affairs.

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THEATRE REVIEW

Winberie 2 Kent Place Boulevard, Summit, (908) 2774224

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STUDENT ARTISTS… The Westfield Art Association (WAA) Art Awards were presented to graduating seniors for their excellence in art. Pictured, left to right, are: front row, Anna Tracy, Marie Isolda, Jocelyn Pashko, Megan Pollock and Amy Seligman; back row, Hae Won Um, Sara Haldeman, Jennifer Starrett, Shara Fischer and Elizabeth Winberry. Artist judges from the WAA reviewed the student artwork at the Westfield School District Fine Art Show to select the winners for their body of fine artwork. The awards were announced at the second annual Fine Arts Senior Recognition on June 7.

FANWOOD – Michelle Ehrich, a longtime resident of Westfield who was raised in Fanwood, recently donated a copy of her new book, “The Anxious Parents’ Guide to Quality Childcare” to the Fanwood Memorial Library.

The book is a guide for working parents who seek quality childcare for their children.

Ms. Ehrich will appear at Barnes & Noble in Clark this evening at 7: 30 p. m. for a book signing of “The Anxious Parents’ Guide to Quality Childcare.”

Ms. Ehrich was educated in the Scotch PlainsFanwood school system and enjoyed the services offered by the Fanwood Library dur ing her youth.

She made the book donation to signify her gratitude to the Borough of Fanwood for the “supportive environment it offers to families and their children.”

Ms. Ehrich stated, “Fanwood was, and continues to be, a wonderful place for children to grow up. I hope that my book helps working parents in this community as they seek to find and keep the best quality childcare for their children.”

Fanwood residents may borrow “The Anxious Parents’ Guide to Quality Childcare” from the library or purchase the book at major bookstores.

Ms. Ehrich also invites all area residents to visit her Web site at www. anxiousparents. com.

Michelle Ehrich

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WESTFIELD – The Westfield Coalition for the Arts (WCA) will hold its first meeting of the school year on Thursday, October 21, at 7: 45 p. m. in the Choral Room No. 121 at Westfield High School.

The mission of WCA is to act as an advocate for the arts, including music, drama, visual arts and dance, in the Westfield Public Schools. The WCA works to maintain public awareness and utilize sources of community, financial and philosophical support.

At the October 21 meeting, the WCA will announce its new slate of officers for the school year. Chris Morasso will also speak briefly about being named the recipient of the Teacher Grant last spring.

Lenore Davis, a pianist and founder of the Arbor Chamber Music Society will discuss grant proposals, which would enhance the Coalition’s ability to place enrichment programs in all schools in the district.

The meeting also will feature discussion on ideas and means of mentoring in grammar and middle schools.

The WCA is currently investigating a program utilizing high school students in the arts who would agree to spend 12 hours helping as mentors in the elementary schools.

For example, high school students would mentor children while walking

through a museum, discussing art. This program would be developed in conjunction with the art teachers in the high school.

The WCA has received a $500 grant from the Rotary Club of Westfield in support of this program. Additional help is needed, however, in order to begin the program.

For more information, please call (908) 6548348.

Photography Club Plans ‘Light From Paradise’

PLAINFIELD – The Plainfield Camera Club will welcome James Paradise of Bellmore, N. Y., nationally recognized presenter on photographic topics, on Tuesday, October 19, at 8 p. m. on the lower level of the United National Bank in Fanwood.

Mr. Paradise’s program is entitled, “Light From Paradise.

For more information, please call Club President Jean Luce at (908) 2336276.

By DR. JOSPEH P. DeALESSANDRO

Specially Written for The Westfield Leader and The Times

I guess there are as many stories about the origin of the “brunch” as there are hairs on your head. In my research, I discovered several different versions. I will add mine to the list.

It has been suggested that in England in the late 1800s, the women of f a s h i o n a b l e homes identified Sunday as a day that they reserved to “sleep in.” They eventually arose at about 11 a. m., being too late for breakfast and too early for lunch.

They designated a repast that took on the appellation, “brunch.” The intent was to have a small selection of breakfast items and lunch items to please the palate of the diner.

Over the years in the U. S., the brunch has developed from a combination of breakfast and lunch offerings in a small way to the gigantic extravagances that challenge the palates and the stomach of the participants.

Over the next few months, I will be presenting you with brunches that vary from a small, complete, delectable production to the ultra extensive that includes vintage champagne, fois gras, caviar, sturgeon and escargot – the works.

Winberies in Summit offers a longstanding, highly attractive, wellpatronized and delightfully balanced brunch. It is housed in the former opera house that was built in 1872 and still bears all of the interesting woods and workmanship of the area. It is extensive and caters to a family as well as to small groups.

Children are invited and they are presented with a balloon of their choice. The wait staff are extraordinarily courteous, very oriented to your needs and are particular in asking if there is anything you require.

Upon seating, you are asked for your selection of juices – ranging from orange, grapefruit, cranberry or apple, which is served in a large goblet and may be replenished at will.

The tables and seating location are on two levels, basically large, round tables to accommodate groups of five or more and long tables to accommodate up to 10 people. The tables are adorned with rustic cutlery, rolled in fancy napkins on a wooden table, which sets the decor of the restaurant.

A fantastic amount of attention is paid to the front quarter of the restaurant, which houses the Omeleteer. He creates culinary miracles. In front of

his stove are a myriad of accompaniments such as ham, cheese, onions, mushrooms and roast beef, which help to flavor the omelets.

The omelets, which are light, fluffy and tasty, are made exclusively from Egg Beaters.

The waffle maker produces freshly made waffles that are not the flat

variety, but approximately eight inches long and carved open like a sandwich. One may insert strawberries, bananas and whipped cream. What a treat!

Crisp bacon, breakfast sausages, potatoes, smoked salmon and other accouterments embellish your breakfast desires.

There are two meats at the cutting station – roast beef and a most delightful ham. I must take a moment to talk about the ham. It is not salty, but moist and tender and worthy of selection.

There are bagels of all kinds, miniature muffins in a selection of bran, blueberry, corn, cranberry and an assortment of breads.

The hot foods are kept in covered tureens atop sterno stoves. A delectable assortment of dishes, including Penne with Pesto Sauce awaits you. The basil in this dish is fresh and the aroma permeated around the entire table. This tureen emptied very fast and was replenished several times.

Ravioli were found in the next tureen – hot and with a delicious red sauce and cheese. They were wonderfully al dente and not at all mushy.

Steamed vegetables occupied another tureen. Red potatoes filled the next, another with rice, and in another tureen one could find a spicy, savory chicken.

An artistic arrangement of fresh, ripe and delicious fruit was absolutely succulent. Pineapple, ripe cantaloupe and watermelon that could easily drip out of the side of your mouth were all available. A mixture of fruits surrounded cookies of every description. Other dessert offerings included pound cake, which was delicious, cheesecake, sponge cake, cakes with icing and a spice cake.

Unlimited quantities of coffee and tea round out what is considered a perfect brunch.

An ideal brunch, to me, features a sufficient variety of breakfast and lunch food.

Brunch is served on Sunday from 10 a. m. to 2 p. m. You should take your family and friends to enjoy this delicious brunch. I strongly recommend reservations. Have a happy brunch!

By MICHELLE H. LePOIDEVIN

Specially Written for The Westfield Leader and The Times

CRANFORD – The Plaids are comprised of a killer quartet – and it’s not just because the crooners have met their untimely demise while careening with a bus full of Catholic school girls. This ensemble gets a second chance at stardom before succumbing to their eternal exit at The Cranford Dramatic Club Theatre.

The effervescent and energetic Christopher Bentivenga portrays Francis with verve beyond comparison. His hysterical countenance cuts through the usual tension of a rising curtain with humor reminiscent of Jim Carey and the late John Belushi.

But can he sing, you ask? Mr. Bentivenga’s, who holds experi audience kept roaring and anticipated

the next hilarious character, which would fly out from behind the curtain.

Audience participation was overwhelming and forthcoming during the quartet’s spirited preintermission performance of “Mathilda.” Complete with bright red chili pepper lights and glittering palm trees, the quartet engaged its audience with playfulness during this scene.

Choreographer Janice Lynn, who not only took the stage, but choreographed last spring’s Pippin

production, waved her magic wand while choreographing Forever Plaid. Ms. Lynn took what could have been a stage full of four guys standing still and crooning, and turned it into a truly

NEW YORK EXHIBIT... Former Westfield resident, Mark Webber, will exhibit his figure composition paintings at The Prince Street Gallery, 121 Wooster Street, New York City, from Friday, October 15, to Wednesday, November 3. Mr. Webber graduated from Westfield High School in 1977 and received a Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree from the Swain School of Design and a Master of Fine Arts Degree fromt he Parsons School of Design. A reception, which is open to the public, will be held on October 15 from 5 to 8 p. m. at the Gallery. The Gallery is open from noon to 6 p. m., Tuesday to Sunday. Mr. Webber’s compositions are based on the traditions of Greek pottery and Italian fresco. For more information, please call the Gallery at (212) 2269402.

ence from several operas, including the rock opera, Tommy,

belts out sentimental tunes such as “Three Coins In A Fountain” and “Love Is A Many Splendored Thing” with polish and panache.

Roger Hayden as Smudge, who also contributes a flawless performance, keeps the audience elated as the quartet member with the greatest trepidation. At first, he does not want to give this final performance, reluctantly setting his suitcase on the stage. Later, he doesn’t want to leave the audience and face the eminence of death that will approach as the concert comes to a close.

The syrupy voice of Rick Brown as Spark, was unforgettably smooth and sultry. The meekest of the bunch, Robert Byrnes as Jinx, is certainly not meek in voice. He can belt out harmonies with the best of them.

One unforgettable scene featured the reenactment of snippets from “The Ed Sullivan Show.” While Jinx, perched upon a stool center stage, calmly sang “Lady of Spain,” fellow quartet members bopped on and off stage with costumes ranging from a singing nun to a barking seal. The

spirited musical. Simple stage design, which featured a broad plaid border, running red and blue lights, streams of smoke, and a black backdrop of shimmering silver stars, was appropriate and ideal for this production. Anything more would have been distracting and overkill.

Francis, Smudge, Spark and Jinx perfected harmony to a tee during “Three Coins In A Fountain,” “Crazy ‘Bout Ya Baby,” “Perfidia,” and the classic “Heart and Soul.”

When an intergenerational audience, with tastes ranging from Perry Como to The Smashing Pumpkins can sit on a Saturday evening, singing in unison and roaring with laughter, you know you’ve got a solid, successful performance.

The Cranford Dramatic Club is in serious need of a new roof. A raffle will be held during the performances to help the theater reach its goal of repairing the roof.

To make a donation, please contact Sandi Pells of the CDC Roof Fund at (908) 2767611.

Directed by Drude Sparre Roessler of Westfield, with musical accompaniest Anjanette Vialante and produced by Liz Howard, Forever Plaid will continue on Fridays and Saturdays, October 15, 16, 22 and 23. Tickets are $15.

CLASSY CROONERS... Robert Byrnes, Roger Hayden, Rick Brown and Christopher Bentivenga croon the nights away at the Cranford Dramatic Club in Forever Plaid.

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