Starting the Summer with the Red, White & Brew

The calendar tells us that summer is officially two weeks away but Wednesday night the Community Medical Center Foundation will welcome the summer season with their 11^th annual Red, White & Brew Wine Tasting Event at the Toms River Country Club from 5:30-8:30pm. 

It’s a fun fundraiser which will benefit and support the J. Phillip Citta Regional Cancer Center at Community Medical Center. The first ten “Kick off the Summer” events have raised $870,000 with that money used to help bring CyberKnife technology to Ocean County, upgrade other treatment equipment and purchase vehicles to establish a transportation program which makes 2,500 round trips a year.   

That cancer center started with a $1 million donation from the Citta Family in the name of Phil Citta, the popular owner of the Office Restaurant & Lounge in Toms River who lost his battle with pancreatic cancer in 2004.

Event co-chairman Nick Pagano and Jarrod Grasso said not to be forgotten is Red, White & Brew is a great evening with beer, wine and food tastings from some 12 area restaurants and chefs along with 17 beer and wine vendors.  Tickets are just $75 and can be purchased at the door…

I had the honor to serve as emcee for Monday’s American Cancer Society 37^th Annual Jersey Shore Golf Classic at Spring Lake Golf Club.  Having retired from golf many years ago I did not play but rather showed up in time for the dinner and awards program and helped honor Frankie Browne and The Atlantic Club for all they do in the ongoing battle against cancer. 

Tom Froehlich, Joe Gorga and the rest of the golf committee did a marvelous job in attracting more than 150 golfers on what was a spectacular day and evening.