Finders Keepers

By Brianne Harrison

Talk about a treasure hunt! Starting today, Devon Fine Jewelry will be giving away 30 pieces of jewelry worth more than $25,000 to thank Northern Bergen County for its support over the past 30 years.

Some companies are content to celebrate 30 years with a cake and perhaps a party for some favored clients, but Devon’s owner, Nancy Schuring, decided to take it a bit further. She placed 30 pieces of jewelry (one for each year Devon’s been in business) in Devon shopping bags with “Finders Keepers” tags on them. The bags have been left all over Devon’s home town of Wyckoff and the areas surrounding it.

“Everybody loves surprises and getting gifts! With our Finders Keepers Event, we’re putting the two together,” Schuring says. “It's been a fantastic 30 years in business and we appreciate the loyalty of Wyckoff and the surrounding communities. We wanted to express our gratitude by giving back in a unique way.”

The bags contain a wide variety of jewelry, from white and yellow gold rings to pendants, bracelets, an d even some diamond necklaces! The pieces’ worth ranges from a few hundred dollars up to $3000 for a platinum sapphire and diamond ring. All Schuring asks in return is that finders share the story of where and how they discovered their bags.

The bags may be found anywhere, from grocery stores and shopping malls to libraries and beauty salons, so keep your eyes peeled!

"Medium Rare" Takes the Prize

By Millicent K. Brody

On Wednesday evening, June 10, I was the lucky recipient of First Place honors for my photo “Medium Rare,” which appeared on this blog May 22.

I remember taking that photo on Mother’s Day. There I was, standing over my own grill drooling over burgers that were going to be served with my very own potato salad, cole slaw, and baked beans. YUM!

The flames simply sang, “Take my picture!” and I listened.

The photo received its award at the 2009 Union County Senior Art exhibit held in the Atrium of Liberty Hall Center of the Elizabethtown Gas Co. in Union.

The Union County Office of Cultural and Heritage Affairs promotes and develops public interest and participation in the arts. The office ensures that all citizens have the opportunity to fully share and benefit from the rich multi-cultural arts, history, and historic resources of our state.

“Our annual senior citizens art exhibit has been in progress for more than ten years,” says Senior Arts Coordinator Teya David. “We continually encourage artists to strive for excellence. We ask that they not only participate in classes defined by their art, they should actively participate in art exhibits throughout the state, and even the country. We continually encourage artists to take personal pride in their presentations. When awarding prizes, we expect exhibited work to have a professional appearance. Each work of art is judged as a complete package. It’s not just about what’s behind the glass or painted across a canvas, we look at the back of the package as well. Whether you’re an artist working in paint, clay, stone, marble, chalk, plaster, or wood, or a photographer who sees the world through their camera, we encourage artists to continually strive for excellence.”

“When artists win first place at the county level, they represent the county at the state level. It is our hope that New Jersey residents will take time to seek out our professional artists,” says Alexander Mirabella Chairman of the U. C. Board of Chosen Freeholders.

The winning works will now be exhibited at the Union County Administration Building in Elizabeth. In October, they'll be judged at the state level at the Meadow Lakes Community Center in East Windsor. Three professional judges will peruse exhibited work and award prizes accordingly. Keep your fingers crossed for me!