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05/05/2023 08:57 AM

Anginette Wars Draw Hungry Crowd in East Haven


The East Haven Rotary Club hosted its annual Anginette Wars fundraiser at the high school on April 27. Pictured are award winners Tasha Delgrego, Denise D’Amato, Charlene Armellino, Josephine Savino, and Cindy Sparago, along with members of their families, and Gil Simmons of News8 (far right), who served as the emcee for this year’s event. Photo courtesy of East Haven Rotary Club
The Anginette Wars drew a hungry and enthusiastic crowd of nearly 600 people to East Haven High School on April 27. Pictured are the event judges: Adrianna Booth (Julia’s Bakery), Jocelyn Maminta (formerly of News8 and multimedia director of Hartford Healthcare), Liz Meriano and Andrea Fanelli (Meriano’s Bakery), and Missy Antonelli (Sweet Mary’s Bakery), who served as the judges’ liaison. Photo courtesy of East Haven Rotary Club

What could possibly attract a crowd of almost 600 people on a Thursday night in early spring? The East Haven Rotary Club’s annual Anginette Wars fundraising event of course! This year, 37 very enthusiastic bakers, all with uniquely themed presentations, vied for the coveted bragging rights as to the best homemade Anginette cookie in the region when the club’s annual event was held at East Haven High School on April 27.

This event is the East Haven Rotary Club’s largest fundraiser, with all of the net proceeds put back into the community. Some of the club’s annual activities include the distribution of full meals to East Haven residents on Thanksgiving Day, the presentation of high school scholarships, the Ben Mazzucco Clothe the Children campaign, and the full sponsorship of a child to attend Camp Rising Sun, which welcomes children aged 5 to 17 who have faced a diagnosis of cancer for a week of fun and friendship at its camp in Colebrook.

Awards were handed out in multiple categories at this year’s Anginette Wars. Tasha Delgrego won the award for Best Juried Cookie at her table that featured a theme of breast cancer awareness.

Denise D’Amato took the award for the most popular voted cookie at her Italy themed table. The first runner-up was Charlene Armellino at her old school Italian table, while Josephine Savino won second runner-up for her GiGi ‘Ginettes.

The award for Best Table Decoration went to Cindy Sparago with A Sea of Anginettes.

Information courtesy of East Haven Rotary Club