The Alchemist & Barrister’s LongBeard Benefit is set to begins Feb. 1.
Registration for the pub’s annual beard growing contest is Feb. 1 at its location, 28 Witherspoon Street, Princeton. Men will have their beards measured and donate a $25 to this year’s charity.
After the initial measurement, men grow their beards until the St. Patrick’s Day Party set for March 17.
A&B will award prizes and bragging rights to the Longest Beard, Ugliest Beard and Best Looking Beard. Last year’s winner was Howard Levy of Princeton.
A&B’s executive chef and owner, Arthur Kukoda said proceeds from the contest will be donated to a local family who lost their father, Michael Kenwood, in 2011.
“Each year, our staff and patrons support a local charity that reflects the courage and commitment of our community,” Kukoda said, “there is no better example of that courage and commitment than Michael Kenwood who lost his life trying to save another.”
Kenwood, an East Windsor resident and member of First Aid and Rescue Squad, lost his life on Aug. 28, 2011 during Hurricane Irene.
Kenwood and his friend and fellow EMT Pail Simon were investigating reports of a submerged vehicle in Stony Brook. Worried that the car may be occupied, Kenwood approached it and was swept away by the current. He was pulled unconscious from the river and died from injuries later that night. Kenwood left behind a wife and daughter, who is now five-years-old.
Last year, participants in A&B’s St. Patrick’s Day celebration raised $10,000 for Derek’s Dreams. The charity aids 15-year-old Derek DiGregorio who suffers from Ataxia Telangiectasia, a rare neurodegenerative disease.
More information is online at alchemistandbarrister.com.
The Alchemist & Barrister’s executive chef and owner Arthur Kukoda with bartender Callum Satchell, Derek DiGregorio (Princeton) and LongBeard winner Howard Levy (Princeton) at the pub’s St. Patrick’s Day Celebration in 2012. Proceeds from this event were donated to DiGregorio’s charity Derek’s Dreams.,
