QuickChek signs on as Gold Sponsor for 2007 Taste of the Town

Warwick - QuickChek, a New Jersey-based company operating a large chain of convenience food stores, recently signed on as the “Gold Sponsor” for the upcoming St. Stephen’s 2007 Taste of the Town annual event. The company, which is currently constructing a new store at 179 North Main St. in the Village of Florida, donated $5,000 to become the top sponsor in support of the fund raiser. “QuickChek is new to New York,” said Pete Dinnocenzo, the firm’s district leader, “and we want to show our support for this community. Helping St. Stephen’s-St. Edward’s parish and school by supporting Taste of the Town is an opportunity for us to demonstrate our commitment to be a good neighbor in the Town of Warwick as well as the Village of Florida.” On Tuesday, May 15, more than 2,000 patrons are expected to attend the event and sample the specialties served by approximately 25 of the area’s best food and wine establishments. Although that date is just over two months away, Mary Juliano and Karen Pinkham, co-chairs for the 2007 event, and other chairpersons are busy finalizing the list of vendors, the entertainment schedule, allocation of space and all the other numerous details that will help make the third annual Taste of the Town another huge success. The upcoming Taste of the Town on the grounds of St. Stephen’s-St. Edward’s Elementary School in Warwick is actually a Southern invention. “While we were living in Myrtle Beach,” said Juliano, “we had an opportunity to share in a wonderful event produced by our local Catholic School.” Juliano and her husband, Dr. John Juliano, an orthopedic surgeon, had moved, for a short time, from this area to South Carolina. While there, their children attended St. Andrew’s Parochial School, which had been sponsoring a similar event for 21 years. It had become so popular that it attracted 7,000 visitors each year. “My mouth dropped,” said Juliano, “as I watched thousands of folks come through the doors. Many of us considered it to be the best dinner we had all year.” With the assistance of Karen Pinkham, the wife of veterinarian Dr. George Pinkham, and other parents from St. Stephen’s, Juliano reasoned that the St. Andrew’s formula for success would be an equally successful fund raiser for St. Stephen’s. General admission to the event as well as food and drink tickets are priced moderately so that even large families can enjoy the event. Each restaurant usually offers two or three specialties that can be purchased with tickets. And to keep all the chefs on their toes, judges and patrons will vote for the best selections. The St. Stephen’s Taste of the Town also will feature live entertainment, tee shirts and souvenir programs. Advertisers receive free admission tickets and those who submit payment for their ads by March 15, will receive a special bonus. Tickets, which will be available at the parish and school, do not go on sale until April but anyone interested in a remaining “Bronze Sponsorship” or patron opportunity in the Program Book is urged to contact Juliano at 845-987-7235 as early as possible or visit the Web site: www.ststephen-stedward.org.