Our own Executive Dean Bob Goodman will be the recipient of the Doc Hamilton Award for Dedication and Outstanding Commitment at the Rutgers Gardens "Party in the Gardens" on Thursday, September 10. This event, formerly known as the Gardens Gala, will be a departure from galas of past years. It will feature an inaugural Long Table Dinner with a white linen-covered table for 150 guests who will sample some of the best food and wine offerings of the vendors of the Rutgers Gardens Farm Market.

Billed as a "true foodie event," the party will showcase award-winning journalist and chef Rachel Weston, who will share her passion for making seasonally inspired meals from food grown locally. Honoree Bob Goodman will be cited for his support and encouragement of the Gardens in his ten years as Executive Dean of Agriculture and Natural Resources. The event runs from 5 to 8 p.m., starting with samplings from Gardens vendors, followed by dinner. In addition, there will be a tour of the Gardens at 4 p.m., led by Director Bruce Crawford, for visitors who are unfamiliar with the setting.

Sponsorship and ticket information are available on the Gardens' website.

Roger Locandro prepares salmon.

More than 170 alumni, family and friends of the school partied, reminisced, chowed down and generally enjoyed themselves on July 18 at the annual Fish Fry sponsored by the Cook Community Alumni Association. Attendance was robust this year, bolstered by the "reunion" of the Class of 1980. A special guest was Roger Locandro, widely considered the father of the Fish Fry, and his fiancé Bonnie McCay. Roger presided over the traditional "slicing of the salmon," and it is fair to report that not a morsel was left of that elegant fish. Photos are posted on the alumni association Facebook page.

Kate Sweeney, one of our alumni stories.

Have you visited the SEBS Newsroom to keep up with classmates and fellow alumni? Stories abound in the Alumni section of the Newsroom, including some recent articles about Kate Sweeney (Class of 1979), Phillip Gordon (Class of 1963), Daniel Mascarenhas (Class of 2013), Jessica Ware (GSNB Class of 2008), and many more. An Index to stories that are posted in the Newsroom appears on the website of the Office of Alumni and Community Engagement, or you can visit the Alumni section of the Newsroom and scroll through the articles.
What is your story? Send an email to discovery@aesop.rutgers.edu and let us know.

Summer 2015 - 4-H and county fair season has begun in New Jersey. Visit the Agricultural Fairs website for dates and places.

August 26, 2015 - Open House and Great Tomato Tasting at the Snyder Research and Extension Farm, Pittstown, NJ, from 3 to 7 p.m. (see story above)

September 10, 2015 - Party at the Gardens, 5 to 8 p.m. at Rutgers Gardens (see story above)

Every Friday through November 20, 2015 - Rutgers Gardens Farm Market, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., 112 Ryders Lane, New Brunswick