Laura Always Loved A Party, so let's give one every year to remember her...

Tommy and members of his family will look forward to meeting everyone at Les Saisons Bed and Breakfast, beginning immediately following the 11 a.m. church services at Morrow Memorial; and ending after the last person goes home. Come early, or come later after work, We have no guests for Thursday evening, so people can stay as long as the food, drinks, and conversation lasts... ;-)

The Repast Open House for family and friends is located at 304 Elmwood Avenue, Maplewood, NJ. 973-699-8276. On site parking is limited for the handicapped, and for members of the family. There's street parking in front of the property, and across the street at the community pool parking lot next to the rescue squad. Please watch out for the NO PARKING SIGNS in the area.

I'll have plenty of coffee, tea, soft drinks, and snacks; and please feel free to bring your favorite covered dish or dessert to share, and of course your drink of choice. Please bring your pictures, your stories and her favorite music; and be prepared to share your fondest memories of her...

What a beautiful way to remember such a special lady!

I wish we could attend. We will be visiting my Mom this week out of state and I know that Laura would be happy about that! God bless all of you for what you are doing for Laura's family and in her memory!
sincerely,
beege

wow so incredibly kind !! I am so sad i can not attend to pay my deepest respects as i will be on business travel.

When my father past ( we were about the same ages as Laura's kids) we had a videographer who interviewed people and also taped the mass- it was very meaningful as we were is such a state of shock remembering the days and people was impossible.

If anyone can tape and edit a video story for Laura's family I think it may be deeply appreciated

Thank you, Art, for your generosity.

Art, this is so wonderful of you guys!

Thank you Art.

Being it is an open house, I wasn't planning on asking for a head count, but Leslie from Bunny's, and others are now asking me about what food they could bring?

So for anyone planning on stopping by on Thursday afternoon or evening, it would be helpful to let us know so people wanting to bring something have an idea on what, or how much to bring. I'm sure Laura's family members will be eating, and would bring home any left overs...

Knowing Leslie, you could probably feed all of Elmwood. Lovely gesture, Art.

"...you could probably feed all of Elmwood Avenue."

If even half of the 251 people who donated decide to drop by on Thursday, that would be 15 pies. Leslie's kitchen crew better start making them now... LOL Seriously, if even 10% of the people were able to attend on a work day, that would be a huge turnout and a wonderful tribute to Laura.

FABULOUS! Thank you, Art!
and yes, very typical of the generosity Leslie has always shown our communities in times of need, times of sorrow and times of celebration. Thank you Leslie and all who are donating.

Leslie is so generous! Thank you, Art, for hosting.

Leslie rocks.

@jamie @dave

Please make this thread also a sticky as you have done with the other two. Thanks to Art, Leslie and the entire community for this coming together to help Laura's family and to honor her memory. I am proud to consider myself part of that community. xoxo Wendy

Here is the answer to my question "Who could possibly cater the repast?"

As heartbreakingly appropriate to my feeling of loss an empty table would be, a cornucopia would be still more fitting.

I know Laura would rather see us celebrating her than moping around gloomily. Thank you, Art, for giving us the place to do it with her spirit (all meanings intended, including liquor.)

Jersey Boy, trust me when I say her sprit will be there...

You will find Laura's handy work throughout the house and gardens; and especially in our kitchen she helped organize for me. The Seasons Room was also her idea to increase the flow of people from room to room, and to help her keep people from under foot when she was preparing her creations. When we have an event the Seasons Room is usually standing room only. And of course this is where she suggested we put the bar.... ;-)

Art, I would like to help in any way I can. I will cook/bake etc. and I also have 2 teenage boys available this week. I don't know how to PM. Let us know how we can help...my cell is 469.323.3213. Laura was such a a wonderful woman and I would love to help honor her life.

Ellen O'Neill

Art, Lovely Idea. I'm so sad that Vicki and I are out of town and won't be able to honor Laura by attending.

We hold them all in our prayers.
Best Regards,
Ron Carter

Thank you epo; and yes please bake us a cake, and if you will, decorate it with the words, GOOD FOOD YOU WANT,written on it. That would be wonderful. As for your two teenage boys, you can bet I'd never turn away anyone willing to help. I'll call you next week, and they can wipe down some tables and chairs, and help people with their coats, and bus tables that would be great...

Thanks Ron, you and Vicki will be missed. BTW, Mary Vayas from Village Trattoria is also donating some trays of food for the Repast, so we will definitely need to get a head count. I think rather than have everyone respond on line, I'll ask Preston's if they'll be willing to put out a sign up sheet for anyone who plans on coming on Thursday afternoon and/or evening. The last thing we want to do is accept more food then we need. I'm sure Laura wouldn't want that...

Oh, and as to the questions about some of you in the garage bands who would like to bring your ax. I will guarantee you this will not be your ordinary Repast, so the answer is yes, but only acoustic, no amplification.

Also, because it's beginning to look like there may be a few more people then I original thought coming, I'm going to ask the powers that be if they would be willing to relax the parking restrictions in the area so people don't have to walk so far.

Would it be appropriate for leftover food (if in large amount) to be donated to a women's refuge or a homeless shelter?

Great idea Joanne. I think Laura would like that.

I have a large ham I could bake and bring. But if you find you would prefer something different or need anything else I will bring what ever you need.

Art...you are magnanimous and so appreciated ..

Thank you Art

Wish I could come and help celebrate Laura's life but prior commitments prevent me.

A suggestion tho. Maybe there should be name tags (George, have any at the store?) and we could identify ourselves with our MOL or real names. Or even both. I am sure a lot of us don't know each other IRL and if privacy isn't an issue, it would be nice to put the names to the handles.

Voluntarily, of course.

Thanks you Art for this kind and magnanimous gesture.

What LL said!

-s.

Thank you everyone for the complements... Libby and I feel very fortunate to able to contribute. The real credit goes to our incredible community, MOL, Mem, all the merchants, and most of all, ALL OF YOU!!!

I don't want to sound political, God forbid, ;-) but, It Takes A Village; and I know of none better than Maplewood and South Orange.... In the next few days I hope to get a better handle on how many people will be coming, and what we'll need. I've received many offers to help. And, I know from years of experience that when we gather family together, like we will on Thursday, everyone helps out and things always seem to work out for the best. Happy Easter and Passover to everyone...

Art if you keep writing like this feel free to keep sounding political. A joyous Easter to you, Libby and your entire family. You are one gracious person and the most generous person I have ever argued politics with.
Love Wendy

I plan on attending the viewing but can't make the funeral. I'd really love to come by after work though, for the repast, to be with all of you to celebrate Laura. Art is that ok? I don't care about food and drink but if others are in the same situation perhaps a separate count for that ?

It is hped that any food left over from the repast can be donated in Laura's memory to an appropriate organization that feeds the hungry. I have a few contacts to reach out to but if anyone knows of a shelter, soup kitchen, or the like that would welcome any left overs, please post the contact information here or send me a PM with the details. TIA.