Dinner-dance will fund student grants

HARDYSTON-A dinner-dance, 7 p.m.-midnight, March 12, at Perona Farms will include a band, magician and silent auction to support grants to help Hardyston Township children pay for educational opportunities. "This event is lots of fun and not a stuffy benefit at all. Anyone who has actually attended knows that it's a great meal, with terrific music for listening or dancing," said Terry Johnson, president of the Hardyston Extraordinary Education Foundation A close-hand magician will travels from table to table during the evening, providing "private" performances for guests. There will also be a silent auction, which this year offers a digital video camera and autographed sports memorabilia, as well as Longaberger baskets and jewelry. Tickets are $50. The education founcation is a non-profit corporation providing grants to Hardyston students pursuing unusual educational opportunities not offered in school. From 1997-2004, the foundation awarded about $14,000 in grants; since January of this year, the foundation has awarded more than $5,800 in grants. "We're excited that so many students have become aware of what we offer and are applying; that's why we're working so hard to make this year's fund-raiser even more successful than past ones," said Johnson. "We hold only two fund-raisers each year, and rely on them for the revenues to support this foundation." For information, call 827-5070.