Spaghetti and meatballs prepared by The Red Room.
By NANETTE LoBIONDO GALLOWAY
VENTNOR – In the street outside The Red Room Cafe, Ventnorites gathered Sunday to enjoy the city’s third annual Mangia, Mangia pasta dinner. The event was held on a beautiful sunny day after Ophelia postponed the event from its original date.
The event organized by Commissioner Maria Mento brought out everyone who wanted to reminisce, enjoy each other’s company and a traditional Sunday supper, complete with antipasto, salad and spaghetti and meatballs. Saccer’s bakery provided the tiramisu and attendees brought their own wine.
The was the first time former Mayor Beth Hotzman, who stepped down on Feb. 7, was back in Ventnor after she sold her Ventnor Heights home and moved to Galloway Township.
“I’m back. That’s a good headline,” she said.
Holtzman said the last eight months have been difficult but she is happy in her new home.
“It’s been hard. It broke my heart to leave Ventnor where I lived for more than 50 years,” she said. “But I’m back. I will be substitute teaching at the Ventnor schools.”
Current Mayor Lance Landgraf, who attended with his wife Kathy Styles-Landgraf, welcomed the crowd and thanked Red Room owner Maria Gatta and her family for cooking up an authentica Italian supper.
Many of those gathered in the long white tent set up in the street enjoyed entertainer Vic Rubino, who delivered tunes that were familiar to everyone, including “Sweet Caroline” and “That’s Amore,” which prompted the crowd to wave their hands and sing along. Some even did a kick-line in the street to “New York, New York.”
Others watched intently on their cell phones to see the Philadelphia Eagles clinch their fourth win of the season with a field goal in overtime. With arms raised, signaling a win, the crowd broke out into the Eagles fight song… E-A-G-L-E-S, Eagles!
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