A Busy Evening on the Jersey Shore

November 2, 2019

I feel so privileged to be among those inducted into the New Jersey Hall of Fame - it is the highest civilian honor bestowed in the state.

The 11th annual induction ceremony for the New Jersey Hall of Fame was held last week at the Paramount Theatre on the well-known Jersey Shore boardwalk in Asbury Park. The event honored 19 of the state’s most distinguished citizens for their achievements in the arts, public service, sports, and enterprise. More than 1500 inductees, special guests, sponsors, and members of the media were in attendance. It was a very special evening with proceeds benefiting the construction of the New Jersey Hall of Fame Museum. On the way to the ceremony, I stopped at Dani Fiori's Sweet Dani B Café for a pre-awards champagne toast and tour of the shop.

Enjoy these photos.

: The Jersey Shore includes about 141 miles of oceanfront bordering the Atlantic Ocean, from Perth Amboy in the north to Cape May Point in the south, and including the small seaside city of Asbury Park. Asbury Park is lined with shops, arcades, cafes, and is known for hosting live music performances by artists such as New Jersey natives Bruce Springsteen and Jon Bon Jovi.

: Before heading to the Paramount Theatre for the event, I stopped in at Sweet Dani B. owned by Dani Fiori. Dani, whose beautifully decorated cookies have been featured on my television shows and in my magazines, opened her shop two years ago in the heart of Asbury Park.

: Here’s a photo of Dani when she was on “The Martha Stewart Show” with me. She is pictured here with her Aunt Del.

: At Sweet Dani B, one can get a variety of themed cookie platters to serve at parties or give away as gifts.

: Here are some Halloween cookies in the process of getting decorated.

: Also available – cookie topped cakes, where customers can select from a combination of cake flavors and then decide on the cookie shapes and colors.

: Dani has a small staff working with her to decorate the many, many cookies that are ordered.

: At the front of her shop, Dani prepared a few bites and glasses for a pre-New Jersey Hall of Fame champagne toast.

: Here I am with Dani, her team, Jessie Lison from Magrino, Kim Dumer and Heather Kirkland from my office, and Robin Marino, former President and CEO, Merchandising at Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia.

: Thanks for a great visit, Dani. Happy cookie decorating! Go to her web site for more information about Dani’s cookies. https://www.sweetdanib.com/

: Next stop – the Asbury Park Convention Hall and Paramount Theatre. The entire venue is a 3600-seat indoor exhibition center. It was built between 1928 and 1930 and is used for sports, concerts and other special events. (Photo by Gary Gellman/Gellman Images)

: The adjoining Paramount Theatre holds 1600 seated guests – everyone arrived right on time. (Photo by Gary Gellman/Gellman Images)

: Here I am with Dr. Oz who presented my award, Whoopie Goldberg, fellow inductee photographer Timothy White, and singer-songwriter, Michael Bolton. (Photo by Gary Gellman/Gellman Images)

: Jon Bon Jovi and I posed for this fun photo. Jon, who himself was inducted in 2009, was there to present Southside Johnny Lyon with his award. (Photo by Gary Gellman/Gellman Images)

: And here is actor and comedian, Jason Alexander with his wife, Daena Title. Jason was among three of those inducted under the category of performing arts along with Southside Johnny Lyon and The Smithereens. (Photo by Gary Gellman/Gellman Images)

: The theatre was filled. Other inductees included novelist George R. R. Martin, Olympic gymnastics medalist Lauren Hernandez, and former New York Giants football player, Bart Oates.

: Dr. Mehmet Oz, who lives in New Jersey with his family, introduced me and spoke so nicely about my work as a businesswoman and entrepreneur. (Photo by Gary Gellman/Gellman Images)

: It was such an honor to receive the award. I spoke about growing up in Nutley, my family, and neighbors, who taught me so much as a child, and my first brush with stardom – babysitting for Yogi Berra’s sons. (Photo by Gary Gellman/Gellman Images)

: Rock and Roll Hall of Famer Darlene Love performed several songs. Tim McLoone, Southside Johnny, and Jon Bon Jovi also performed. (Photo by Gary Gellman/Gellman Images)