The Harper’s Choice Community Association (HCCA) once again, held its annual National Night Out celebration on Joseph Square on Tuesday, August 7, 2018. It was a terrific night with great food, great music, and great fun. This year we added some new mini events including a chili cook-off, a hot dog eating contest, and a dunker tank.
We had seven entrants in the chili cook-off and this year’s winning chili belongs to Winter Growth’s chef, Peter Ernest, who won a $25 Maggiano’s gift certificate. The other participants included Adam Eldridge, Bob Fontaine, Ruth Griffin, Melanie Jeffers, Cathy Murphy, and Kelsi Williams. Thank you all for taking the time and effort to make and bring your prized chili!
Attendees really enjoyed the dunk tank, including yours truly! We sold tickets for throws with the proceeds going to the Foreign-Born Information and Referral Network (FIRN). Part of the ticket sales also went to a 50/50 raffle. The raffle winner promptly donated the winnings to FIRN! A very generous gesture and greatly appreciated by all. The dunk tank generated $190.00 in donations for FIRN. The dunker participants deserve a big round of applause! They were great sports and made it fun for everyone. The “dunkees” were Terry McAndrews, Deb Jung, Eric Ebersole, Alan McLaine, and Jim Smith. A special thank you to Jim Smith and the Neighbors for a Vibrant Harper’s Choice Committee. This idea was borne by Jim and the committee members, many of whom participated in NNO and helped with the dunk tank.
A big thank you to all of the local organizations and businesses that set up informational tables. The organizations that participated included Hope Works, Howard County Health & Wellness, Jet Driving School, Winter Growth, and SMART Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America.
Former HCCA Board Member and chef-owner of AllSpice Hospitality returned this year to prepare all of the burgers, hot dogs, and pork bbq sandwiches. Thank you Ben!
Thank you to all of the very generous local food establishments for your support of gift certificates. They include Maggiano’s, The Walrus, Cheesecake Factory, Seasons 52, and Uncle Julio. Our Village McDonald’s donated 100 apple pies.
Leave a Comment