To the Editor:

It was a great day for the Irish and for Derek’s Dreams, as the Princeton community rallied to support 14-year-old Derek DiGregorio as part of the Alchemist & Barrister’s (A&B) annual St. Patrick’s Day Party and Longbeard Contest.

Thanks to the commitment of the A&B’s staff, patrons and friends, we were able to raise $7500 for Derek’s Dreams. This local charity was founded to raise awareness of Ataxia Telangiectasia, the rare and deadly neurodegenerative disease from which Derek DiGregorio suffers. It causes severe disability and the fund is also designed to meet the needs of Derek himself.

We are especially grateful to The Princeton Township and Princeton Borough Police Departments, Princeton University Athletic Coaches, Princeton Mayor Chad Goerner and Dr. Kimberley Levitt and Jesse Barron who served as guest bartenders on Tuesday nights leading up to the event.

Each year, the Alchemist & Barrister chooses a local cause to benefit from a month of fundraising activities, culminating in our St. Patrick’s Day Party. On behalf of the A&B, may I thank the Princeton Community for again helping us celebrate St. Patrick’s Day in a meaningful way.

Arthur Kukoda
Chef/Owner, The Alchemist & Barrister
Witherspoon Street