'Bartender Showdown' to Benefit Chamber Scholarship Fund

A Madison dentist, a Main Street shop owner and a certified public accountant will get behind a bar Thursday to take part in a "bartender showdown" to benefit a scholarship fund for high school graduates who plan to study commerce in college.

The Madison Chamber of Commerce is partnering with Poor Herbie's to hold the fundraiser from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Thursday at the Waverly Place restaurant to raise funds for the Chamber’s Jack Morris Memorial scholarship fund.

The scholarship is given in memory of Jack Morris of as a tribute to his commitment to the Chamber and to the Madison community, according to a chamber news release. Morris was a 1948 graduate of Madison High School.

During Thursday's event, Madison business owners Mike Odell, CPA of accounting firm Odell & Critchley, , and Karen D'Addario of Maison Decor will take turns behind the bar serving drinks to patrons and keeping the crowd entertained, a chamber news release.

“We are very grateful to Poor Herbie's for hosting this event,” said Karen Meyer, executive director of the Madison Chamber of Commerce.  “The restaurant is donating a portion of the proceeds from the evening as well as the tips generated between 6 and 9 p.m. We hope everyone will come out and support this fun event."

The chamber considers scholarship applicants' personal achievement, letters of reference and academic performance. Winners are announced at the Chamber's Annual Awards Dinner in June. D'Addario and Dr. Allison Adams of Adams Dental, both of whom are Chamber of Commerce Board members, are reviewing scholarship applications and interviewing high school students.

For more information visit the Chamber website at www.MadisonNJChamber.org.