Hudson Farm Club Hosts Night of Celebration to Benefit Project Self-Sufficiency
Newton, NJ – By Deborah Berry-Toon
The Hudson Farm Club will host a local celebration of the internationally acclaimed “Open That Bottle Night” in support of Project Self-Sufficiency on Saturday, February 25th, 6:00 p.m. The unique event was conceived more than 20 years ago by the former authors of the Wall Street Journal’s “Tastings” column, John Brecher and Dorothy Gaiter. This year’s affair will include fine wines, sumptuous food, and an auction. Musical entertainment will be provided by the jazz quartet Meant to Be. In addition to the excellent wines which will be available, participants are also invited to bring their own bottle of wine along so that they can share their story about its origin with the other guests. The event will be hosted by Peter and Cynnie Kellogg, Blake and Cathy Ellman, and Lou and Kathy Esposito.
The worldwide Open that Bottle Night celebration of friends, families and memories encourages those who have been saving a special bottle of wine to gather with other wine-enthusiasts and create a memorable wine-tasting experience. The bottles of wine brought along to the occasion need not be particularly expensive. The popular event is now celebrated around the world, in places as far flung as Antarctica and Hawaii.
Organizers of this year’s event include first-time attendees Blake and Cathy Ellman as well as Board member Kathy Esposito and her husband, Lou. “This will be my first Open that Bottle Night and I’m sure the event will be fantastic,” remarked Blake Ellman. “What could be better than enjoying the company of friends at a beautiful place like the Hudson Farm Club, drinking great wine, and making a contribution to benefit the life-changing services that an organization like PSS provides?”
“Open That Bottle Night is a lively way to spread the word about Project Self-Sufficiency and engage people in the community to help support the mission of PSS. This event, much like PSS, is a celebration of life, individual experiences, and sharing with one another,” concurs Kathy Esposito. “Project Self-Sufficiency is important because it gives those in need a path for success with care and dignity, but without the barriers of bureaucracy and dependence on government programs. It is about providing a hand up verses a handout.”
“Open That Bottle Night is a significant component of our annual campaign, and one whose message reminds us that we need not wait for a special occasion to celebrate with family and friends,” commented Deborah Berry-Toon, Executive Director of Project Self-Sufficiency. “We are grateful to Peter Kellogg and the members of the Hudson Farm Club for their extraordinary hospitality.”
The affair will be held at the Hudson Farm Club in Andover, a 3,800-acre private hunting preserve originally owned by railroad magnate John P. McRoy who operated a dairy farm on the property. In 1920 the property was donated to The Hudson Guild, a charitable organization located in New York City.
Sponsorship packages for Open that Bottle Night are available at a variety of levels, ranging from $500 for individual tickets to the “Oenophile” level at $10,000. To purchase tickets, visit www.projectselfsufficiency.org/open-that-bottle-night, or call 973-940-3500.
