New Providence Business Community Holds Successful Business Bash
by Michael M. Shapiro, The Alternative Press
NEW PROVIDENCE, NJ – Over one hundred New Providence business owners packed Creative Wallcoverings & Interiors on Wednesday night for the New Providence Business Bash, a networking event and awards presentation that also featured the unveiling of a new logo and marketing for the New Providence business community, New Providence Business: Small Community, Big Choices.
Summit Medical Group was presented with the Corporate Neighbor Award while Investors Bank was named Business of the Year. The New Jersey Sharing Network won Humanitarian Business of the Year.
Michelle Brugger, President of the New Providence Business & Professional Association, told the attendees, “you are what helps make New Providence a great place in which to work, live and have fun!”
She noted that the New Providence Business & Professional Association provides scholarships at New Providence high school, and organizes and funds the summer concert series, Farmers Market, and Independence Day fireworks and festivities, among other contributions.
Gary Kapner, founder of the New Providence Business & Professional Association and Councilman in New Providence said, “I am thrilled to see how many people turned out for tonight’s event. It shows just how involved our business community is in our town and I’m proud to be a part of it.”
In unveiling the new logo and marketing for the New Providence business community, Barbara Singer of Different by Design, who designed the new logo, said that the concept is to shop locally and come to New Providence while also attracting new businesses to New Providence. She said that the logo and marketing is about linking the community to the business community.
Jimmy Vardas, President of the New Providence Downtown Improvement District and owner of the Prestige Diner, said “Besides the unveiling of our new logo and the awards given out, tonight’s event proves the great relationships between New Providence business owners. It was almost like attending a friend’s party where all knew each other and the “new” guests were welcomed as part of the family. It all proved that we a true Business Community and not just business owners in a great town.”
Elefante Music supplied the entertainment for the event while Paolo’s Kitchen catered it and Creative Wallcoverings & Interiors hosted it.
The Fireworks Will Go On in New Providence…
Investors Bank Donates $10,000 to New Providence Independence Day Celebration.
Investors Bank stepped up to the plate on Thursday, April 18, and delivered a homerun for the Borough of New Providence and its residents, donating $10,000 to the New Providence Independence Day Committee to fund the Fourth of July fireworks this year. Daniel White, Vice President and Market Manager for investorsBank, who recently joined the company, told TheAlternativePress.com, “We look to continue to support the Borough of New Providence and surrounding communities. We view ourselves as active community partners.”
This is not the first time that investorsBank has financially supported the event, which is a mainstay in the Borough for young and old alike. While traditionally, fireworks on the Fourth of July had been funded by the Borough through tax dollars, when the recession hit, many town governments, including New Providence, eliminated funding for the event rather than financially burden taxpayers. Since then, in New Providence, with the assistance of the Borough, the New Providence Business & Professional Association (NPBPA) took over planning and organizing the event and investorsBank came on board as the primary sponsor and funder for the past several years.
Ted Kapuscinski, Chair of the New Providence Independence Day Committee and member of the NPBPA, said, “We are very grateful that investorsBank is the major sponsor of this event. The NPBPA is about giving back to the community and investorsBank has been consistently supporting our community for years. Without such support, this event would not happen. And without the support of the NPBPA and other businesses, other cherished events in our town would likewise not occur.”
“Both the NPBPA and investorsBank are about giving back to the community. It’s a perfect partnership for everyone involved. Our residents need to understand that the more they shop in our local businesses, the more resources we have to give back to the community,” said Jimmy Vardas, President of the New Providence Downtown Improvement District (NPDID) and owner of The Prestige Diner.
New Providence Councilman and founding member of the NPBPA, Gary Kapner, said, “I’m pleased to see that investorsBank once again is sponsoring our Independence Day fireworks celebration. I’m thrilled to see the level of community involvement continue to grow on the part of the NPBPA and our local business community.”
Michelle Brugger, President of the NPBPA and owner of Martial Arts for Life in New Providence, concluded, “The New Providence business community does so much for the Borough but it takes businesses like investorsBank to provide what is really needed to make the Borough’s events such a huge success.”
- Michael M. Shapiro with The Alternative Press
Holiday Party for the Borough of New Providence
Normally the NPBPA sponsors the Annual Holiday Party for the Borough of New Providence around mid December. However, Super Storm Sandy wrecked extreme havoc on the Jersey Shore, and caused considerable hardship here in New Providence as well.
Therefore, instead of having the usual Holiday Party, we are going to have a special reception at 8:00 pm on Monday, January 7, 2012 at the Senior Citizens Center. In addition to expressing our appreciation to all of the employees and volunteers dedicated to the Borough, we will also recognize and honor all of those who helped New Providence through this extreme storm. Proceeds of the event will be donated to the Community Service Association of New Providence (CSA). CSA is a New Providence based non-profit organization that helps New Providence residents through tough times.
A number of our local restaurants have volunteered to provide the food for the reception, so the majority of all sponsorships will be donated to CSA.
There are 3 levels of sponsorship …
Hosts – $500.00 – will be included on the community invitations, the NP Business Community Website and will have the opportunity to post a banner at the event.
Sponsors – $250.00 – will be included on the NP Business Community Website and will have their names on the welcome signs at the event.
Helpers – $100.00 – will be included on the NP Business Community Website.
Please let us know if you can help. All members of the Business Community (the New Providence Business & Professional Association and the New Providence Downtown Improvement District) will be invited, along with all Borough employees and volunteers.
Checks can be made payable to: New Providence Business & Professional Association and mail to: NP BPA, 360 Elkwood Avenue, New Providence, NJ 07974
Thanks for your support.
Michelle Brugger
NP Business & Professional Assoc
Jimmy Vardas
NP Downtown Improvement
For additional information, or to talk to someone about becoming a sponsor, please contact Pam or Joe Steiner at 908-598-2532 or send an email to jsteiner@organizationresources.org.
Prudential New Jersey Properties Hosts “Get Your Lights On” Holiday Light Contest!
Is your home all decked out to celebrate the holiday spirit? Consider submitting an entry for this year’s “Get Your Lights On” Holiday Decorating Contest!
To Submit a Unique Home, Email Mike DelDuca at Mike.DelDuca@PrudentialNewJersey.com with a Photo and your Contact Information! The Winner Receives a $200 Donation to the Charity of Their Choice!
Click Here for complete contest details!
NP Night Out at NP High School’s Lieder Field
Come out and play…
Saturday, Sept 15, 2012 :: Starting at 5pm
$25/person or $100/family
- FUN: Free Sports & Field Games for kids ages 3-18
- FOOD: BBQ Fare at the Shack, plus specialty items prepared by
Chef Wade Burch CeC, 2010 winner of The Food Network’s
included in your ticket price! - FRILLS: iPad and 50/50 Raffles being held!
Bring your friends & neighbors!
All proceeds will benefit the New Providence Athletic Foundation, and pay for the remaining debt on the lights at Lieder project. For more info, contact Allison Smith (908) 665-4220 or Jim Madden (908) 665-2983.
Click here to print the attendance form.
Independence Day Fireworks
“Meet Me on South Street” as the Borough celebrates Independence Day on Tuesday, July 3. DJ Mike Savage will provide entertainment from his perch on the NP Fuel Jets Truck. Roving entertainment by Juggler Will Shaw will provide fun for all. Kapuscinski Luongo Architects and Martial Arts for Life are sponsoring the “Chalk on South Street” for kids (of all ages) to create art on the street.
The fabulous fireworks, sponsored by Investors Bank, will begin at approximately 9:30 PM. South Street will be closed at 7:00 PM from Gales Drive to Springfield Avenue for people to enjoy the festivities. Should it rain the Independent Day Celebration will take place on Friday, July 6, same place same time. The event is sponsored by the New Providence Business Community.
For information please call 908-598-2532.
Once again, we’d like to thank our local businesses for their generous sponsorships!
Fireworks Sponsored by:
Investors Bank
“Chalk on South Street” Sponsored by:
Martial Arts for Life
Kapuscinski Luongo Architects
New Providence Farmers Market Returns
The New Providence Business Community is proud to present the 2012 Farmers Market.
The market takes place every Wednesday, from June 13 through October 31, 12 – 6 PM in the Municipal Center Parking lot at Elkwood Avenue and Academy Street, rain or shine. There’s plenty of parking available, and the timing is just right to enjoy a delicious take home dinner, pick up Jersey fruits and vegetables, or try an assortment of other delicacies. This Jersey Fresh market features:
- Stony Hill Gardens and Farm from Chester, offering exquisite floral bouquets, plants, fruits and vegetables.
- Murph Farm at Green Village, which is run by Don Murphy, owner of NP Fuel in New Providence. The farm produces honey, tomatoes and more.
- Hoboken Farms, bringing cheeses, such as mozzarella, artisan bread and crab cakes. Hoboken Farms is also known for its Big Red Marinara Sauce.
- Gourmet Nuts and Dried Fruits of Florham Park, selling delicacies such as crystallized ginger, Turkish figs and guava.
- Paolo’s Kitchen in New Providence, featuring freshly prepared vegetable lasagna and eggplant rollatini, as well as other Italian dishes.
- Melick’s Town Farm offers delicious, locally grown, farm fresh fruits and vegetables.
The market, now in its sixth year, features fruits and vegetables that are Jersey Fresh and only grown in New Jersey. Shoppers will find everything from peaches, blueberries, and corn on the cob to potatoes, beets, broccoli, dried apricots, succulent melons, and more. Approximately 200 people shop at the market during the season.
Market sponsor, The New Providence Business Community, supports and gives back to the local community and serves its members by funding and operating community events, such as the 5K Race, Farmers Market, Summer Concerts, Independence Day, Street Fair, and the Christmas Walk. The New Providence Business Community also holds membership meetings to inform, educate, and create a forum for members to exchange ideas and experiences in order to build a proactive and vibrant business community. For more information about the New Providence Business Community or to become a member, visit www.NPBPA.com. For more information about the Farmer’s Market, call 908-598-2532.
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Assemblyman Bramnick Joins NPBPA “Meet & Greet” at Prestige Diner
NEW PROVIDENCE SMALL BUSINESS OWNERS HOST MEET & GREET WITH ASSEMBLYMAN BRAMNICK
Bramnick to meet with constituents at Prestige Diner in New Providence on Tuesday
Assembly Minority Leader Jon Bramnick will join New Providence business owners at the Prestige Diner on April 17 to help promote the shops and restaurants in downtown New Providence.
“We are very pleased that Assemblyman Bramnick is helping to promote economic development in New Providence,” said Prestige Diner owner Jimmy Vardas. “It means a great deal to us that our local representatives understand the importance of helping small businesses succeed and the positive impact that a thriving business district makes in a town like New Providence.”
All local business owners and members of the public are invited to meet Bramnick, who serves as the Assembly Minority Leader in the State Legislature. Assemblyman Bramnick represents 16 towns in Union, Morris and Somerset counties, including New Providence.
- WHAT: New Providence “Meet and Greet” with Assemblyman Jon Bramnick
- WHEN: Tuesday, April 17, 9-10 AM
- WHERE: Prestige Diner, 1318 Springfield Ave, New Providence
2012 New Providence 5K Race
This year’s 5K Race is scheduled for Sunday, June 10
Dear NPBPA Members:
As many of you already know, this year’s 5K Race is scheduled for Sunday, June 10th at the Sharing Network Headquarters on Central Avenue. Last year was a huge success, as more than 4,000 runners/walkers participated in this event, which is hosted by the NPBPA.
As a special fundraiser, we are offering the opportunity to NPBPA Members to advertise their business by either purchasing a Race Marker, or by setting up a table at the event, under the NPBPA tent or both.
To advertise your business in the community – and be seen by more than 5,000 people, please download the registration form and mail it to the NPBPA with your check as instructed on the form.
If you would like to volunteer, or have any questions about the event or about advertising, please contact me directly.
Thank you for your support!!!
Sincerely,
Peter E. Rovtar
President of The Lantern Agency Insurance & 5K Race Chairman for the NPBPA
908-464-5100
Important to all members:
Even if you do not wish to purchase a marker or table, please come out the day of the race
to show your support of this NPBPA event!
More about the 5K Race | More about sponsorship opportunities
General Meeting – State of the Borough
Where:
Creative Wallcoverings and Interiors
560 Central Avenue
New Providence, NJ 07974
Our traditional first meeting of the year will feature a “State of the Borough” message from Mayor J. Brooke Hern. We are sure he will focus on much of what is going on in the business community ranging from the implementation of the new liquor laws, to the economic development committee that was recently formed to the statewide issues that will effect us in business in New Providence.
In addition many of our committee chairs have updates on what is planned for 2012. One of the most important is the update of our website and your listing on the directory. Please see the section below for instructions.
I look forward to seeing everyone on January 26th.
Michelle Brugger
NP BPA President
Sponsored by:
Creative Wallcoverings and Interiors
560 Central Avenue | New Providence, NJ 07974 | 908-665-7997
Did You Know…?
Summer Concerts
…the NPBPA is also responsible for the summer concert series “A Night Under the Stars” at Centennial Park?
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