Hundreds throng Saturday's quinfecta of events

Plainfielders had a wealth of opportunities to get out on Saturday, despite the heat, humidity and general sogginess outdoors.

ENVIRONMENTAL FAIR

There was no parking for blocks around as families crowded the 9th Annual Environmental Fair. Here are some pictures I snapped of folks enjoying themselves.


The only smudge? One comment on the blog post advertising the day noted that there was debris right in front of the podium as Mayor Robinson-Briggs and Assemblyman Green spoke and that no one thought to clean it up first.


BOOK SIGNING

John Grady and Dotte Pollard's book signing at Borders was a smash success. By the time I got there, just before the midpoint of the two-hour event, they had completely sold out the store's stock and polished off the stack that John had stashed in the back of his station wagon.

Not to fret! Borders will be restocking the book (Plainfield, New Jersey's History and Architecture), and copies will also be available at Swain Galleries and the Drake House. Read the reviews here.


OBAMA RALLY

Though I was not able to be there because of the overlapping events, reports were that the rally was well-attended (though perhaps not quite as well-attended as Councilor Burney estimates here) and enthusiastic, with Newark mayor Cory Booker's remarks being the high point of the afternoon.

With the Monmouth/Gannett poll indicating a dead heat in New Jersey, the notion that Obama can coast to a win has gone out the window. Will the Obama campaign relent on its spend-as-little-as-possible mantra in NJ and at least distribute some yard signs? We can only hope.

The combined Obama and local Democratic candidates' headquarters is at 311 East Front Street. Volunteers welcome!

CHILDREN'S CONCERT

This is always a highlight of the Plainfield Symphony's annual season, and reports are that guest conductor Michael Avagliano did not disappoint with David Ramelis' introduction to the symphonic orchestra, 'Phil Harmonic and His Fabulous Orchestra'.

The Symphony's 89th season features four performances from October through March, all under guest conductors while a search committee seeks a permanent music director to replace Sabin Pautza, the Symphony's longtime conductor.


LIBRARY WINE TASTING

Despite overcast skies and the occasional spritz, hundreds gathered at the gracious home of Mr. and Mrs. William Gearhart on Rahway Road to sample dozens of red, white and sparkling wines and dine on Sandy Spector's excellent hors d'oeuvres and the largest roast haunch I can recollect in a long time.

Dozens of items were on display for a successful silent auction and exclusive tours were offered of the Gearhart's stunning home. But perhaps the most excitement was generated by the announcement that Library Board member Vicky Rappold and her husband Charles were donating $10,000 to the Children's Room makeover currently under way, in the name of the Gearhart's.

I think it is fair to say that summer is over, and the Fall 'season' has begun in earnest.

-- Dan Damon

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