First Night of “First Night” in Edgewater
by Neda Rose

Edgewater’s celebration of the millennium brought out about 400 residents who were not put off by the Y2K scare. The inaugural “First Night” celebration took place in three locations in the borough.

The Community Center had activities all day and into the New Year. The Center was filled with children shooting baskets with celebrity shooters, like former Giants and Jets stars Bruce Harper and Dave Jennings. It was a joy to just look at those smiling faces, and the girls basketball team held their own!

D.J. Scott Reddin kept the games, the fun, and the music going into the bellwether hour. They were swinging in the halls, and enjoying the mad antics, games, and just good clean fun that Scott provides. There was a room full of comedy with Juke Box Radio DJ Mike Egan and magician-comedian Chips Cooney. Tina Munson clowned around and painted many shiny faces. Hollis held a captivated audience fascinated by her hypnotic suggestions and Arlene Wahl read Tarot cards to an endless line of curious customers. The evening ended at the Center with hors d’oeurves and non-alcoholic champagne shared by families and neighbors, happy to be together to welcome the year 2000.

Meanwhile, at Eleanor Van Gelder School, a good audience delighted at the performance of the musical “The People’s Garden”. This is a musical about the tribulations of being an elementary school-age child. Children got to see a wonderful musical performed by other children, their eyes showing their delight. We had people who could have afforded to be at the Waldorf, and people who could not, old and young, neighbor and friend--the atmosphere was great.

Phyllis Heitjen and Bill Jones brought down the house - that young Edgewater gal can really sing! The stage was then turned over to Jim Dawson, acoustic folk music artist, and Seth David Walter and Steven Donaghey. They were wonderful.

Edgewater resident Juliette Koka performed a cabaret program, “Life is Nothing Without Love”, featuring songs by Noel Coward, Neil Sedaka, Cole Porter, Kurt Weil, and Edith Piaf. Koka performs a one-woman show, “Piaf, a Remembrance”. She normally spends New Year’s Eve performing on the road, but opted to perform here in her hometown for First Night.

One mother, who had a medical problem and could not make plans to go out, was invited by event organizer and Chairperson Jane Roberti to attend. She brought her mother and 4-year-old son. She later said, “My son just loved it. He was very happy. You know that ‘little-kid giggle’ they get when they are really happy? He had that, and I started crying.”

Comments like that kept the volunteers’ spirits high. They had labored for 10 months to plan the event under the direction of Ms. Roberti. Edgewater’s Mayor and Council had funded the event to showcase the new Community Center, and the all-volunteer committee did a first-class job.

The evening came to a close at the First Presbyterian Church on Undercliff Avenue. Reverend Wanda Lundy held an ecumenical service, and the Christian music group, “7th Church”, sang. After the service, a First Night Breakfast was served. Banana and blueberry pancakes, grits, and salmon croquettes were delicious!

Edgewater’s event drew media attention to the town. The New York Times spotlighted the event in their Sunday “New Jersey” section. Brian Abberback of the Record publicized the event, giving Edgewater the largest coverage of any other town in New Jersey sponsoring First Night activities.

2/22/00

EDITOR’S NOTE: All of the volunteers deserve a lot of credit for their work in making First Night Edgewater 2000 happen. Acknowledgment must be given to the First Night committee members:

Jane Roberti, Chair
Bridget Cuevas
Carol Emmerling
Susan Fogel
Rev. Wanda Lundy
David Matthau
Jonathan L. Marz
Neda Rose
Karin Thieme
Harvey Weber, Jr.

Click here for more photos from First Night Edgewater 2000

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