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Last night I had the privilege of honoring some of New Jersey’s BEST at Asbury Park’s magnificent Convention Hall Theater. My co-host Calvin Schwartz and I enjoyed greeting the honorees on the red carpet. The New Jersey Hall of Fame recognizes and celebrates Garden State Citizens for their outstanding accomplishments. I am always impressed with the diversity of over achievers that are chosen for each year’s ceremony. Year’s passed the Inductees have included Jack Nicholson, Bruce Springsteen, Dizzy Gillespie, Martha Stewart, Joyce Carol Oates, Tony Bennet, Whitney Houston, John Travolta, Dionne Warwick, Michael Douglas and Bruce Willis. And this year’s honored were equally impressive:

Class of 2015

James Fenimore Cooper – America’s National Novelist – “Last of the Mohicans”

William Fox of 20th Century Fox – His first film studio was in Fort Lee New Jersey

Lewis Katz – Founder and Director of Katz Foundation

Kool & The Gang –  “Jungle Boogie”, “Funky Stuff”, “Ladies Night”, “Celebration”

Jack H. Jacobs – Medal of Honor, McDermott Chair of Humanities, On-Air Analyst for NBC

Derek Jeter – Five Time World Series Champion, Yankees All-Time Career Leader

Frank R. Lautenberg – Represented NJ in the United States Senate for five terms.

Bernard Marcus – Co-Founder of Home Depot

Christie Rampone – FIFA Women’s World Cup Champion & 3 time Olympic Gold Medalist

Jon Stewart – Television Host of The Daily Show – winning 18 EmmyAwards

Dick Vitale – American Basketball Sportscaster & Analyst, ABC, ESPN, NCAA, Olympic Games

Carla Harris – Vice Chairman, Global Wealth Management, Managing Director and Senior Client Advisor at Morgan Stanley and Gospel Singer

The evening began with the theater booming from the tremendous sound of the Glen Burtnik Band. Soon after we were treated to a wonderful rendition of Theme from New York, New York sung by Joe Piscopo, the Hall Of Fame’s Host. Among laughter and cheers Joe Piscopo sung about New Jersey’s greatest and most memorable places to love and avoid. Throughout the evening one by one the Honorees and their families accepted the prestigious awards. All who attended the ceremony that evening could sense the great privilege that each inductee felt who stood on the stage that night.

(Special thanks to photographer: Richard Elliott Hoynes)

After a great evening in Asbury, rubbing elbows with my long-lost cousin Dick Vitale, and serenading “Ladies Night” to Kool & the Gang, I am settling down with my better half to rent the “Last of the Mohicans” in honor of New Jersey’s Hall of Fame. Looking forward to next year’s Ceremony and finding out who will be chosen from the many supremely talented Jersey Citizens. Congrats to all New Jerseys Hall of Fame Inductees and Good Luck to all the Hopefuls!

TaraJean McDonald Vitale

Journalist & Radio Host & On-Air Personality, NJDiscover

yourstrulyTJ@wordpress.com

NEW JERSEY HALL OF FAME INDUCTION CEREMONY TO BE HELD AT ASBURY PARK’S ICONIC CONVENTION HALL ON NOVEMBER 13, 2014     By Calvin Schwartz

The New Jersey Hall of Fame announces the 7th Annual Induction Ceremony and Red Carpet will be held at the Asbury Park Convention Hall on Thursday, November 13, 2014 at 7:00 PM.  The event will honor 12 of New Jersey’s most distinguished citizens as new inductees into the New Jersey Hall of Fame family, including: Brian Williams, Governor James Florio, Alice Waters, and The Shirelles.

As of 3:30PM November 6th:  Press Release:

The New Jersey Hall of Fame is proud to announce that Dionne Warwick, the legendary five-time GRAMMY Award winning songstress, will be in attendance as a presenter and performer at this year’s 7th Annual “Red Carpet” Induction Ceremony.

A New Jersey native, Warwick was inducted into the New Jersey Hall of Fame in 2013, and will make her return to the stage this year to honor the new class of inductees. The famous “I’ll Never Fall in Love Again” singer perfectly complements the musical lineups planned for this unique award ceremony. “We’re thrilled that Dionne Warwick will be performing at this year’s event. It’s going to be a very memorable tribute in honor of the new class of 2014,” said Gail Gordon, Vice Chair of the Hall of Fame Commission and the event’s co chair. NBC Nightly News anchor Brian Williams will also be in attendance as a new inductee at this year’s ceremony. John Graham, Gordon’s co-chair added, “We’re more than pleased to welcome Brian Williams into the New Jersey Hall of Fame family, and we’re very excited that he will be able to share in this special night with us.”

There will be a special tribute to new inductee James Gandolfini from David Chase, the creator of The Sopranos, and several cast members from the celebrated show, including Vincent Curatola, who will also serve as the evening’s Master of Ceremonies.  Additionally, #1 New York Times bestselling author Harlan Coben, a New Jerseyan himself, will have the honor of inducting legendary writer Dorothy Parker.

“This year’s NJHOF Induction Ceremony will be the best one yet, featuring live musical performances, moving tributes, and plenty of special surprises,” stated Bart Oates, Chair of the Board of Commissioners and former New York Giant.

“We wanted an upbeat awards show with an emphasis on music, which is why we brought the show to Asbury Park this year,” said Gail Gordon, Vice Chair of the Hall of Fame Commission and the event’s co- chair.  John Graham, Gordon’s co-chair added, “We expect a great turnout of over 1,000 people, including special guests, sponsors, and members of the media.  The event is anticipated to raise over $200,000 for the educational mission of the New Jersey Hall of Fame.”

Established in 2006 by the NJ Legislature, the New Jersey Hall of Fame honors New Jerseyans who have made invaluable contributions to society and the world, helping to inspire state pride in the young people of New Jersey through powerful local role models.   The organization selects inductees based on five categories: Arts & Letters, Enterprise, Performance Arts, Public Service and Sports.

Since 2008, some 70 notable New Jerseyans from 15 fields of human endeavor have been inducted including: Thomas Edison, Albert Einstein, Woodrow Wilson, Jack Nicholson, Bruce Springsteen, Meryl Streep, Tony Bennett, Martha Stewart, Whitney Houston, and Yogi Berra.

The ceremony will keep with the “taste of the shore” theme, offering food stations reflecting the best of Jersey Shore food and beverages to be sampled by sponsors and guests.  There will also be an opportunity for attendees to meet this year’s inductees and celebrity guests.

Induction Ceremony tickets and premium sponsorship packages are available through NJHallOfFame.org. Performance Only tickets are $50 plus fees and are on sale via Ticketmaster or the Stone Pony box office in Asbury Park.

This year’s inductees are: Dorothy Parker, Brian Williams, Howard Katz, Alice Waters,
Dizzy Gillespie, James Gandolfini, The Shirelles, Governor James Florio, Peter McGuire,
Elizabeth Cady Stanton, Patrick Ewing and Maud Dahme.

For more information on the 2014 Red Carpet Induction Ceremony, please contact Karen Geisel at karen@princetonscgroup.com or 518.421.3435.

About the New Jersey Hall of Fame

New Jersey Hall of Fame (NJHOF) honors citizens who have made invaluable contributions to society and the world beyond. Since 2008, some 80 notable people from 15 fields of human endeavor have been inducted including: Bruce Springsteen, Jon Bon Jovi, Jack Nicholson, Susan Sarandon, Toni Morrison, Buzz Aldrin, Frankie Valli, General Norman Schwarzkopf, Tony Bennett, Queen Latifah, Carl Lewis and Yogi Berra.

The Hall of Fame reinforces the message to children that they can and should strive for excellence in any endeavor of their choosing. By presenting significant and powerful role models and teaching young people about the voting process, the Hall of Fame is a source of learning, inspiration and hope for children. The New Jersey Hall of Fame is a non-profit organization with two collaborating boards working jointly: the New Jersey Hall of Fame Board of Commissioners, administered by the New Jersey Sports & Exposition Authority, and the New Jersey Hall of Fame Foundation Board of Trustees. For more information on the NJHOF and a full list of the inductees, go to www.njhalloffame.org