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POUND RIDGE, N.Y. More than 200 area residents poured into Albanos Appliance showroom Thursday evening for a Taste of Pound Ridge and as it turns out it tastes pretty darn good.
The event, sponsored by the Pound Ridge Business Association, is a fundraiser for the Pound Ridge Library Foundation. It gathers all the area restaurants and beverage purveyors under one roof and people paid $35 to enter and sample the cuisine.
This is the fourth year we've done this, said Fred Albano, owner of Albanos Appliance and a member of the Business Associations board of directors. We had the idea for a while and were kicking it around for a long time. (Business Association corresponding secretary) Ruth Mendes was the one who helped light the fire and move it forward. It all benefits the library, which is such a great cause.
Albano said last years event drew about 200 people from not just Pound Ridge, but area towns, such as Stamford and New Canaan, Conn. as well. He was expecting even more this year.
I think we should beat that, he said. We sold about 150 advance tickets and we've never sold that many before, and we get a lot people who just come and buy their tickets at the door.
The fundraiser is supplemented by a silent auction that features items donated from the Business Association and area residents, along with a 50/50 raffle.
[The silent auction] is a wonderful group effort and a great source of funds, Albano said. We have things like sporting event tickets, memorabilia and vacation trips. Some people donated their time shares. Vivian Falco (of the Pound Ridge Library Foundation) and her team worked very hard on this.
David Schlack one of the owners of North Star restaurant said the event was good for the community and his business.
Its great; it helps bring people out, he said. We have our chef make whatever is fresh and we get a good reaction.
Sherene DePalma of the fledgling Pound Ridge Brewing Company was on hand pouring samples of their latest brew. Her husband Richie brews the beer at home is currently looking to get a license and create a microbrewery in Pound Ridge.
Hes a lawyer by day and brewer by night, she said. This is our second year coming here and we love this event. We are a big fan of local foods and local products.
The event is so important to the community that the Pound Ridge Town Board canceled its regular meeting so council members could attend. Supervisor Gary Warshauer mingled with the crowd as he sampled some of the cuisine.
This event gets better year after year, he said. Its another one of those things that gets all our residents together and its for a great cause. Plus, the food is fantastic.
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