Seasons Caterers in Westwood, NJ, was in full—season--at the 6th Annual Cigar Smoker Benefit, held earlier this spring by the AHEPA Ramapo Chapter 453. All premises, in and out, had to be reserved for the almost 1,000 people that showed up in what has become an annual ritual where locals and their friends from throughout the state and surrounding states come to welcome the summer season, to reunite with old acquaintances, or meet new ones.
“At the same time, as James Giokas, the Chapter President explains, “the proceeds from this event over the past five years have supported several significant projects, which include scholarships as well as facility grants for the school and gymnasium at St. Nicholas of Wyckoff.” It is estimated that from this year’s event alone, which included an auction, more than $100,000 will go in support of the above mentioned institutions. According to Giokas, “these programs provide valuable community services for athletic and educational activities in the Wyckoff and Northwest Bergen county area.”
Paul Savvidis was the Chairman this year and John Psomas served as co-Chairman.
This annual gathering started six years ago as a rather modest event, drawing together the Chapter’s cigar lovers and their friends to share fellowship moments and good smokes, while benefiting AHEPA’s community activities. “It didn’t take long before it turned to something bigger, until it came to be the major event it today is,” said Philip Vogis, one of the “founding fathers”. “Soon, a huge numbers or Greek and non-Greek professionals from the area saw the potential of this gathering to attract and meet customers and started to attend and sponsor it.”
According to Mr. Vogis, a major percentage of this year’s sponsors came from the wider community. Moreover, “only a small percentage of the participants are Greeks anymore. The Cigar Smoker Benefit has come to be perhaps the Northwest Bergen county major annual gathering.”
While the food and drinks are served inside the spacious and Renaissance-inspired Season’s main hall, a huge tent with bar in the Caterer’s open space serves as the cigar lovers’ refuge. There, they can enjoy drinks, cigars and talk, while those who don’t like smoking can stay inside in the clean, air-conditioned environment.
“By using the outer space, since the law doesn’t allow smoking inside, the event has also become more women friendly,” says Philip Vogis. “In the beginning it was mostly a men’s affair, but lately we see increasing numbers of women and that will make it a more integrates crowd”!
The AHEPA Ramapo Chapter #453 meets on the 3rd Tuesday of each month at the Community Center of St. Nicholas, Wyckoff, NJ, (467 Grandview Ave). More information is provided at their website www.ahepa453.org
DEMETRIOS RHOMPOTIS
