Weehawken Township Junior Olympics

"Liberty Steps" Inaugurated

"Liberty Steps" Inaugurated

On May 14, 2015, Mayor Richard Turner and the Township Council officially re-opened the Liberty Steps. The steps will be open to pedestrians daily from 6 am until Midnight.

The refurbishment of the Liberty Steps was the work of Roseland Properties, as a community giveback required by the Weehawken Planning Board. The cost of the refurbishment was approximately $600,000.

Weehawken Board of Education Discussing "2015-2020 District Goals" on May 19th Meeting

On May 19th Meeting Weehawken Board of Education is discussing 2015-2020 District Goals. 

One-act plays in Weehawken

One-act plays in Weehawken

The Jersey Journal, 8-May-15

By Summer Dawn Hortillosa

Something dark this way comes, with a trio of plays by controversial playwright Neil LaBute heading for Weehawken.

Hudson Theatre Works' production of "Bash" brings some of the great contemporary writer's most compelling pieces to the stage, with three powerful stories, each one named for and touching on a Greek myth.

In "Iphigenia in Orem," a Utah salesman (Weehawken's Kevin Cristaldi) confesses to a chilling crime in a Las Vegas hotel room. Duet "Gaggle of Saints," starring Jersey City's Dan Hilt and N.J. resident Tara Cioletti, focuses on a somewhat religious couple recounting the violent events of an anniversary weekend in New York City. Then, in "Medea Redux," a woman (Kristen Lazzarini) tells a stranger about her complex and ultimately tragic relationship with an English teacher.

"The cumulative effect of all three of these is very powerful... 'Bash' is extremely compelling, and you get wrapped up in the idea of what it is to tell a story and to listen to it," says director Frank Licato. "It shows how powerful it is to express yourself through language."

Licato says he admires the playwright, who has seen great acclaim despite some of his work dividing critics.

"Some people can't stand LaBute but I happen to be a fan," said Licato. "I believe he gets under the skin of the character he's working on and allows humanity to creep in so that our understanding of it is much more complex."

This isn't LaBute's first time being showcased in Hudson County; Licato also directed his short play "I Love This Game" for long-running baseball-themed series Seventh Inning stretch at the Mile Square Theatre in Hoboken, back at its old home at the Monroe Center for the Arts.

Licato says "Bash" also aims to highlight local talent and continue bringing art to North Hudson.

"I love working with people in Hudson County — they get it, and the idea of creating arts organizations within this framework is very exciting because it gives them a place to go," said Licato.

"Bash" opens Friday, May 15 at 8 p.m. and runs through May 30. Shows are Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m. and Sundays at 3 p.m. at the Weehawken Water Tower, 4100 Park Ave., Weehawken. Tickets are $30 and available at BrownPaperTickets.org. Student and senior discounts available with ID. For more information, visit HudsonTheatreWorks.org.

Moody's Confirms Weehawken, NJ's GO at Baa3; Removes from Review

Link to Moody's Press Release

15th Annual ‘Taste of Weehawken’ Raises $12K+ for Library

Hudson Reporter, 3-May-15

By Art Schwartz

More than 400 tickets were sold to the 15th Annual Taste of Weehawken event, the fundraiser to support progamming at the free public library. Held in the Lincoln Harbor food court, the gourmet fiesta saw about three dozen restaurants, bakeries, and other food vendors raise more than $12,000 for the cause, with final totals still being determined.

As always, the attendees had a blast, sampling cuisines from a wide range of local establishments. Countries from around the world were represented with different ethnic specialties, and everyone had a different favorite.

“Ruth’s Chris, hands down,” stated Chris Devaney, referring to the seared USDA prime tenderloin with bernaise sauce, classical sweet potato casserole, and New Orleans bread pudding that has become a crowd favorite over the years.

“I like the stuffed mushrooms at Houlihan’s,” offered Dotty Spinosa.

“Amanda’s calimari,” insisted Virginia Bado.

Lorraine Colombini from Fort Lee, attending the event for the first time, couldn’t pick a top choice from the many delicious selections. “I had Indian food. I had stuffed mushrooms, delicious. Oh lord, the Cuban food, the pork with the rice. Shrimp from The Haven, it was great. And then the desserts. Cremas, excellent.”

“Giannone,” offered Bobby Rovito with a smile, singling out the exclusive wine sponsor that brought 12 tables of craft beers, cordials, and other spirits. “I love Giannone. That’s my favorite.”

From small beginnings

Catalina “Katie” Sosa is a former Manhattanite who has lived in Weehawken for about 45 years and has been coming to the Taste for quite a while. Although she enjoys the food and has watched the event grow and add restaurants over the years, that’s not even the main attraction to her.

“I like to be around people,” she said. “You get to see everybody from Weehawken. Because some people they live in the Shades, they live uptown. So when we come here we see everybody. I love it.”

William McLellan, Michelle McLellan, and Teresa Greco, three lifelong residents of the town, have been attending the Taste since inception, 15 years ago. In fact, Teresa’s husband, the former director of the library, was one of the event’s founders.

“It was very small,” recalled Michelle about the early days.

“It’s grown tremendously,” added Teresa. “They’ve gotten a lot of really upper class restaurants. When they started out we had a Dunkin Donut table one year. Now upscale restaurants are coming in, upscale liquor.”

“It’s because the waterfront is growing,” pointed out Michelle. “So restaurants and liquor stores are coming to the waterfront.”

Retired school teacher Annmarie Maine is among the newer residents of Weehawken, having moved here last September. She first heard about the event when she was living down the Jersey shore, and was thrilled to be attending for the first time.

“You know what’s funny?” she said. “For years when I took the bus back and forth from Tom’s River to the city I always used to pass the Weehawken Library. So now I go to the library and I sit by the window and I watch all the buses go by.”

Treats for all ages

Students from Weehawken High School’s Culinary Arts Program traditionally attend the event to serve a selection of tasty offerings. This year a tasty gazpacho was among their exotic offerings.

Bobby Rovito was born and raised in Weehawken and used to work the event in high school. Now living in Hoboken as a student at Stevens Institute, he said, “It’s a great event. I never miss it. This is probably my fifth one.”

Alicia Roderick also used to attend the event with the high school. She was back this year with friends Nicole Chedid and Amanda Ward just for fun. “There’s always new restaurants,” said Roderick. “It’s a great way to try everything.”

Weehawken resident Mo Lei brought her three-year-old daughter Landa Lee to the event for the first time. While mom enjoyed samping the many offerings, Landa had more simplified taste.

“She just wants ice cream,” said Lei. “Nothing else.”

Weehawken tradition

El Unico de Elena restaurant is a Weehawken tradition, established in 1976 by Juanito Montes de Oca and his late wife Elena. The establishment was sold to another owner, and when that owner moved on, Juanito’s daughter, Maria Elena Montes De Oca, took it over last year, with Juanito looking over her shoulder.

“It’s not easy, but it’s nice to be back,” said Elena. “I grew up there. when my dad opened up the place I was nine years old so it has a lot of memories. I think it was meant to be.”

The family-run restaurant brought a selection of Latin delicacies to the event. Asked if she cooked everything herself, Maria laughed. “No! I’m not a great cook. I’m more of a manager.”

Lorraine Wuillanby started Lorraine’s Table in 2007 to deliver fresh, chef-prepared meals to residents in their homes throughout Hudson County. She lives in Weehawken and rents the kitchen behind the Elks Lodge to do her cooking.

Lorraine offered a ginger chili shrimp this year, accompanied by a salad with mango, peanut, edamame, snow peas, and a passionfruit dressing. She comes back each year with fresh offerings to benefit the library.

“It’s because as a child she went to Weehawken Library,” said her husband and business partner, Patrick O’Keeffe. “She grew up in Weehawken. She’s giving back.”

The couple are enthusiastic supporters of the library. “We actually use the library a lot,” said Lorraine. “They can get you anything. They can order it from their bank of other libraries.”

Former Weehawken student Chris Devaney is another big fan of the library. “They do an excellent job with everything there,” he said. “You’re always welcome. It’s like a family.”

The Taste of Weehawken event provided much-needed funding for the many programs the library runs throughout the year. At the event Mayor Richard Turner sincerely thanked the many vendors who generously donated their time, their raffle prizes, and especially their gourmet food to raise money for the library.

“And remember, throughout the year, visit them,” he urged the crowd. “Eat there. Buy your beer, buy your wines, go for your desserts. They support us, so it’s up to us to support them throughout the year.”