Posted on January 30, 2013 by Matheny
Chris Saglimbene behind his San Francisco 49ers mask.
Adult Services students at Matheny have gone all out to support the upcoming Mardi Gras-Carnivale celebration at the Verve restaurant in Somerville, NJ. Verve has once again selected Matheny as the beneficiary of its five-day celebration, and part of the proceeds come from a silent auction of masks, to be held on Fat Tuesday, Feb. 12.
The Adult Services students, working with their instructors, created more than a dozen masks from combinations of cardboard, construction paper, magazines, glitter, paint, ribbon and found objects. To learn more about the celebration, they also watched videos about the history of Mardi Gras and listened to jazz.
The Verve Mardi Gras Carnivale celebration will be held on Feb. 7-10, in addition to Fat Tuesday. According to owner Rick St. Pierre, it will feature “food and libations of Venice, Brazil and New Orleans, baubles, beads, gaudy decorations and cheap plastic trinkets.” To make a reservation, call (908) 707-8655 and be sure to mention Matheny.
Dion Alston working on his mask.
Posted on January 28, 2013 by Matheny
State Sen. Christopher Bateman at last year’s Mardi Gras celebration.
Verve, a French restaurant in Somerville, NJ, has once again selected Matheny as the beneficiary of its Mardi Gras-Carnivale celebration, to be held Feb. 7-10 and 12. The celebration, according to owner Rick St. Pierre, will feature Venice, Brazil and New Orleans-inspired food and libations, baubles, beads, gaudy decorations and cheap plastic trinkets. Partial proceeds from those nights will be donated to Matheny.
A special feature of the Fat Tuesday celebration, on Feb. 12, is the annual Mardi Gras silent mask auction, and a portion of the auction proceeds will also benefit Matheny. Want to donate a mask? Drop it off at Verve, 18 East Main St., by January 28.
Since opening Verve in the late 1990s, St. Pierre has consistently given back to the community. He was named Somerville’s Citizen of the Year in 2011, and he is chairman of the Downtown Somerville Alliance events committee. In 2008, he was given the Somerset County Business Partnership’s Economic Vitality Award.
In 2012, the Mardi Gras celebration raised $1,900 for Matheny. For reservations, call (908) 707-8655 and be sure to mention Matheny.
One of last year’s Mardi Gras masks.
Posted on May 16, 2012 by Matheny
Verve owner Rick St. Pierre, right, at the Mardi Gras celebration, with David Christiansen and Nancy Allegar of Stockton, NJ.
Matheny received $2,000 from the Mardi Gras celebration and mask silent auction held in February by the Verve Bistro Bar Lounge in Somerville, NJ.
On Fat Tuesday, February 21, 10% of all proceeds at Verve were donated to Matheny. In addition, Matheny received a portion of the money collected from a silent auction of Mardi Gras masks, many of which were created and donated by Matheny staff members.
In presenting the donation, Rick St. Pierre, Verve owner, said: “It was a pleasure working with the Matheny family to ensure a wonderful Mardi Gras event. I look forward to continuing our efforts with you for next year.”
State Senator Christopher “Kip” Bateman purchased one of the Mardi Gras masks created and donated by Matheny staff members.
