A benefit for wine and art lovers

Project Self-Sufficiency sponsors international night of celebration HOPATCONG — Project Self-Sufficiency will sponsor the third annual local celebration of “Open That Bottle Night,” an event created for wine-lovers on Saturday, Feb. 27 at 6 p.m. at the Hudson Farm Club, a 3,000 acre private hunting preserve in Hopatcong. The occasion will include rare wines and food from Krave Café and Caterers, as well as the opportunity to purchase artwork from local sculptors, artists and photographers, according to organizers. Musical entertainment will be provided by the “Meant to be Jazz” trio. “Open That Bottle Night” was created in 1999 by Dorothy Gaiter and John Brecher, former authors of the Wall Street Journal’s “Tastings” column. The concept encouraged those who had been saving a special bottle of wine to gather together with other wine-enthusiasts to share their own bottles and create a memorable wine-tasting experience. The bottles of wine brought along to the occasion did not have to be particularly expensive. The popular event is now celebrated around the world, including Canada, Russia and Japan. The Hudson Farm Club private hunting preserve originally was owned by railroad magnate John P. McRoy who operated a dairy farm on the property. The farm features a 20 room estate house designed by New York architect Clarence Curter. In 1920, the property was donated to The Hudson Guild, a charitable organization located in New York City. The property was purchased by a private owner in 1997 and the home has been carefully restored to reflect the original design, according to organizers. At this year’s event, artwork provided by the Peters Valley Craft Center, the Sussex County Arts & Heritage Council, and the Brookfield Craft Center in Connecticut will be available for sale. Local artists who have provided artwork for the event include Carol Dakake, Patricia Redline, Rick Perez, and Suzanne Clothier. Sponsorship packages are available at a variety of levels, ranging from “Reserve” to “Oenophile.” All sponsors receive preferential seating at the event, said even planners, along with eligibility to receive several prizes including dinner for two at New York’s 21 Club, a magnum of rare collectors’ wine, luxury excursions, and other items. “At Open That Bottle Night, the experience of trying so many different and rare wines is amazing,” said Bev Gordon, Project Self-Sufficiency’s Board of Directors president. “And listening to the stories of how, where and why these wines mean so much to the owners is just great. Of course, the best part of the evening is the opportunity to raise funds for Project Self-Sufficiency.” Project Self-Sufficiency provides the services for single parents, teen parents, displaced homemakers and two-parent families to improve the quality of their lives and those of their children by attaining economic self-sufficiency and family stability. Since 1986, over 19,000 low-income adults and more than 30,000 children have participated in one or more of the programs offered by the organization. Tickets are $300 per person or $500 per couple, and select sponsorships are available. For information, call 973-940-3500.