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Musical nod to hometown hero
Concert raises more than $2,500
By Sophia Gonzalez
Staff Writer | May 14 2008
Harrington Park — Shopkeepers locked their businesses, people walked from their homes and cars fought for parking before the start of a concert honoring a Harrington Park hero.
Titled "Celebration of a Hometown Hero… and the Town She Loved," the May 5 concert enlisted local Broadway performers and even a Harrington Park police officer, to sing musical hits from Irving Berlin, George Gershwin and the Beatles.
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photo by kevin riley
Broadway pianist Cathy Venable rouses the crowd during a performance of ‘Steam Heat.’
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With standing room only at St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church, the 200-member crowd raised more than $2,500 for the Barbara Budinich Scholarship Fund, said one concert volunteer Ann Bistriz.
The scholarship benefits college-bound students graduating from Northern Valley High School in Old Tappan. Members of the Harrington Park Volunteer Ambulance Corps created the scholarship as a lasting tribute to fellow volunteer and longtime Councilwoman Barbara Budinich.
Budinich died Jan. 6., just hours after being sworn in for another term.
She served more than 20 years as councilwoman and volunteered with the ambulance corps for 27 years. To friends and family, Budinich was also a devoted colleague, mother, grandmother and friend. According to Rev. Diane Rhodes, Budinich had a spirit of cooperation and volunteerism that motivated everything she did.
"She was an extremely unique individual," added Mayor Paul Hoelscher, master of ceremonies. "She was one of the most busy individuals I’ve ever had the pleasure of knowing — a non-stop Energizer-type bunny."
The lights in the church dimmed, signaling the start of the concert. The Harrington Park Boy Scouts began the event with the "Pledge of Allegiance."
During the opening "Promenade" by Gershwin, Police Officer Peter Fay ticketed a passing couple walking an oversized dog in a parody of the small-town atmosphere at Harrington Park. The mayor even said, "We got about 2.5 square miles, much of it under water. And we like it that way."
Performers Bill Nabel, Cathy Venable and Peter Calabro enjoyed enthusiastic applause after harmonizing in "Seasons of Love" from the Tony award-winning musical "Rent."
And Hoelscher said, "Me thinks two stars have been born," after a surprise performance from Fay and volunteer ambulance corps member Germaine Reiman. The two wrestled over who could best steer a stretcher down the church aisle before launching into an original rendition of Irving Berlin’s "Anything You Can Do."
Audience members shook with laughter while the pair waltzed and bickered onstage.
"I can drink my liquor faster than a flicker," sang the officer, holding a silver flask.
"I can drink it quicker and get even sicker," sang Reiman, clutching her stomach.
With a little clang-clang from "celeb firefighter Rich" and sizzle from the crowd, red-boa wearing Venable teased the audience with some "Steam Heat" from the musical "The Pajama Game."
But no performance had people clapping and singing as much as the finale — a Bill Withers song titled "Lean on Me."
"There is so much happiness, talent and love in this building," said Robert, one of Budinich’s five sons. "From the bottom of our hearts, we thank you."
E-mail: gonzalezso@northjersey.com or call 201-894-6711
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