Steel drum music played by Oasis/Island Sounds warmed up the inside of the Worldgate Centre last Thursday night while unseasonably cool temperatures greeted the second day of Spring during the 11th annual Taste of the Town with a theme of “A Beachin’ Good Time.”
“The Marriott had a wonderful line-up of cornbread with lobster and seviche — a fabulous variety,” said Herndon resident Carol Worth as she sampled South American cuisine prepared by Marriott Suites chef Jorge Arica and Marriott-Dulles Airport chef Walther Borja, both native Peruvians.
More than 800 people attended the March 21 event, said Council for the Arts of Herndon executive director Karen Cobb of her organization’s event and major annual fund-raiser. The combination of tickets sold, donations, the live auction and the silent auction raised over $20,000. “This is our biggest fund-raiser of the year,” said Cobb. “I’m ecstatic. Since Sept. 11 I was really sweating it. With all the other worthy fundraising, I was concerned,” she said.
Annandale resident Joan M. Beach, owner of Joan M. Beach Ltd. donated three license plate birdhouses made of wood with a license plate roof by John Nenna of Loudoun.
Sterling resident Maddy McShane bid on and purchased the Oregon birdhouse. “It all goes for a good cause. I bid on the Oregon because a friend of mine is from Oregon,” said McShane, manager at Sylvana’s restaurant.
“I liked the gyro from Sylvana’s. It had good sauce,” said Vienna resident Weetie Hill who attended the Taste of the Town with her husband and the couple wore matching beach-type shirts.
“I like the Tortilla Factory’s chicken quesadillas,” said Hill’s husband Wayne Hill, owner of Hill Art Group. “It was quick. By the time I was finished pronouncing the word, it was in my hand,” he said.
Making his fifth Taste of the Town appearance, Jimmy Cirrito, owner of Jimmy’s Old Town Tavern said, “This is our most successful Taste of the Town ever. We ran out of food earlier than ever before, and we brought the same amount as last year.”
MAKING HIS DEBUT appearance at the Taste of the Town was former Washington Redskin place-kicker Mark Moseley, owner of Moseley’s Burgers in Herndon. “Chuck Curcio over at the Tortilla Factory came by and got me into it. It’s been an exciting night. We needed this to get going. It’s been slow recently,” said Moseley, recognizing the value of participating in such an event.
Such an event would not have been possible without Gary Rappaport of the Worldgate Centre. He donated the space for the event, one of the live auction items as well as presented a check for $3,000 to the Council for the Arts of Herndon. “We’re happy to support the Council for the Arts. We enjoy being good community members,” said Rappaport.
The last item up for bids in the live auction seemed to generate the most interest. Town Councilman Dennis Husch sold himself to the highest bidder — or actually sold his services to wash the car of the highest bidder.
“We need to do more of that,” said Husch. “I donated a bucket, a sponge, stuff to wash a car with and my services to wash the winner’s car.”
“I think Mr. Husch believes most in the community. He put his muscle where his mouth is. In a small community, people can give items, but when it’s about personalities it’s more fun. Besides, my cars need washing,” said Ann Rust who outlasted the other bidders to the tune of around $300.
“That was a great idea,” said Mayor Carol Bruce. “That was very civic minded,” she said of Husch donating his services.
“I thought it was fun and creative,” said Herndon resident Ellen Kaminsky. “Only in the Town of Herndon can you purchase a councilman — with a limited time offer,” she said.