By Marion Filler
Book lovers can breathe a sigh of relief: Lunch with the Authors will emerge from lockdown for a tented luncheon on May 7, 2021, at the Hamilton Farm Golf Club in Gladstone.
This signature fundraiser for the Junior League of Morristown plans to mark its 19th year with good food, wine, and conversation with four nationally recognized authors.
They include Marjan Kamali, who attendees of the Morristown Festival of Books may remember for her novel The Stationery Shop, which became a bestseller.
Kamali will be joined by Fiona Davis, author of The Lions of Fifth Avenue; Steven Knapp, who wrote The Bones of Saint Pierre; and Carole Van Den Hende, creator of Goodbye, Orchid.
They will share their remarks, answer questions from the audience, and sign books both before and after the luncheon, which runs from from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Proceeds from next month’s event will support two Junior League endeavors: The JLM Voluntarism Scholarship Program, for college-bound students who exemplify the spirit of voluntarism; and the Women Moving Forward Scholarship, designated for women over 40 who are going back to school to further their education.
To date, the Junior League of Morristown has provided more than 140 scholarships totaling more than $270,000. The event is sponsored by Peapack-Gladstone Bank and The Bookworm of Bernardsville.
Although the COVID-19 pandemic is not over, the Junior League says it’s taking every precaution to make this an enjoyable and safe afternoon.
While the ladies are hoping for good weather and an increase in vaccinations, they will require temperature checks upon entry, along with social distancing and use of hand sanitizers. Masks will also be required, except when eating or drinking.
Tickets are $100 to $150 (author table); either way, attendees may speak to the authors at their book signing tables.
A 50/50 raffle will replace the traditional tricky tray and silent auction. Tickets for the lunch and raffle are available here.
The Junior League suggests that you provide names of anyone with whom you would like to sit when purchasing your ticket. Hamilton Farm can accommodate tables of four to 10 people. But tables of four are limited, so it’s first come, first served.