Water Tasting 2003


Boch estate the site of 2003 Vineyard House fundraiser

2003 Water Tasting Raises Big Money for Vineyard House
The 2003 Water Tasting By-The-Sea held July 25th was a great success. The annual event - which benefits Vineyard House, an organization that provides safe and sober housing for Islanders in early recovery from drug and alcohol abuse - was attended this year by an estimated 600 people and raised a projected $60,000 minus minimal expenses. In addition to gourmet waters, fine cuisine was served - including 3,000 hot hors d' oeuvres - and Johnny Hoy and the Bluefish provided live tunes. Food was donated by several island chefs including Jaime Hamlin, Ben DeForest and Alladin El-Ekkad.

This year the Water Tasting was held overlooking Oyster Pond and was hosted by Richard and Nancy Friedman under crystal clear blue skies. The property was brought to national attention when it became the vacation home of President Bill Clinton and his family. Among the attendees of the Water Tasting were the Friedmans themselves, NPR radio personality Richard Sher, comedian/actor Lenny Clark, former Oak Bluffs Police Chief Joe Carter (now police chief of the MBTA), the Honorable Ann Brown (former chairman of the US Consumer Products Commission), Art Buchwald, and many other Island-associated luminaries who gathered to support this worthy community cause.