Metuchen’s First Hometown Holidays Weekend — and Our Raffle Winner!

Last weekend, spearheaded by Karen McNamara and Tyreen Reuter of the Borough Improvement League, Metuchen hosted its first “Hometown Holidays” weekend. In truth, Metuchen  has been having “hometown holidays” weekends for years, with the Christmas tree lighting at the Old Franklin School and the Metuchen house tour already established traditions. But the BIL came up with the brilliant idea of marketing its activities together with any other holiday happenings at local businesses and organizations, and threw in a wine & cheese reception for local artists and craftspeople on Saturday night.

The reception was held at the Silzer House, a historic mansion on Graham Avenue that is currently on the market, being represented by Sherry Tamasco. Both Sherry and the current owners graciously allowed the house to be transformed into an artists’ gallery for the weekend. The reception on Saturday evening was a huge hit. A constant stream of visitors cycled through the house (usually with extended pit stops for another glass of wine in the gorgeous kitchen).

At the end of the weekend, the BIL hosted a raffle in the Old Franklin School. We offered a $300 gift certificate for Kyo Morishima Photography, and the winner is…. Pam Schleck! Kyo is super excited to photograph Pam’s family.

Here are a few highlights — first, the Christmas tree lighting at the Old Franklin School and a holiday centerpiece by Gardenias Floral at the Silzer House:

Handmade soaps and lotions by Little Owl Soap:

Illustrator Janice Fried surrounded by her prints, greeting cards, and other artwork:

Photographer Judy Weinberg shows her work to local ceramicist Linda LaStella and her husband Nino:

Guests enjoy the spread in the expansive, perfect-for-entertaining kitchen at the Silzer House:

And finally, congratulations, once again, Pam Schleck!