Crowds Respond to "The Call"

When Seth Dolled--himself an organ donor--and Jamie Queli, owners of Forgotten Boardwalk Brewing, launched their first "Spice of Life" beer even three years ago, I doubt they foresaw it growing to the point where vendors actually set up shop in the brewery proper. Back then, it was an event that Seth used to encourage more people to consider donating an organ to save someone's life, as he did for his mom, Sharon.

At the Third Annual event, there were donors, recipients and loved ones of both on hand to trumpet the call to "be that someone" who would Donate Life. In addition to Seth's mom Sharon, young Michelle Cairns, a gorgeous kid whose dad Leo was her "Someone," was there to celebrate life. So was Joelle Atkinson, a proud Elizabethtown College (PA) Blue Jay who was a multi-organ recipient (two kidneys and a liver), and she was looking fabulous.

Of course, other "famous" celebrity donors, like regulars Jason Nothdurft and Satyra, were on hand to give a friendly face to organ donation, but The PubScout was impressed by the number of vendors who had set up tables to take advantage of this movement's growth. Jamie Queli said the only event that now exceeds Spice of Life is the annual "Shark Attack IPA Event."

The PubScout's involvement came about when his eldest son was suddenly diagnosed with End Stage Renal Failure due to FSGS, an insidious kidney disease that, for him, a finely tuned athlete, was virtually symptom-less. And due to an insurance gap, we needed to run a fundraiser to cover his expenses. Seth Dolled and Jamie Queli responded without hesitation--and without even being asked-- and donated a keg of beer to the event which helped our son stay solvent.

After two years of dialysis and an emotional roller-coaster ride, he found a living donor who was willing to be his "someone" in more ways than one. He asked her for her hand, and she said, "I'll give you my hand if I can give you my kidney." They will marry in May.

But that's just one of the uplifting positive stories that attend this annual effort to find that special someone who can save a person's life. I met lovely Whitney (below), who was days away from donating her kidney to do just that.

Of course, holding this important event in a brewery known for fine beer doesn't hurt, either. And there were quite a few varieties to sample, many with spices added (Get it? Spice of Life?). Unlike many who use the opportunity to sample a wide variety of beer, The PubScout looks for one he likes--and sticks with it. The missus' (speaking of sticking with the one you like) favorite was Lady 8, but mine was the exceptional "Double Denali" using Denali hops which yielded lots of tropical fruit flavors. Jamie says they will soon do another DIPA that will incorporate other hops along with Denali, so Brewer Dave has his work cut out for him.

And some of those vendors offered wares that complemented the beers--spicy jellies and really delicious cheeses were available for sample and purchase. And, as usual, the food truck outside was offering its classic tacos. Shucks, there was even a place where you could get a free massage from one of two beautiful lasses who brought their own chair and their own fingers.

The Jersey Shore Nuts (left), clad only in their trademark pajamas, made their happy presence felt once again, and I even got a chance to meet Pliny the Younger (six-week-old Bo this time--below).

The next time you're in your local liquor locker, do yourself a favor and pick up a sixer or two of Forgotten Boardwalk, a great Jersey Beer that's helping people in need find their special someone.

A someone who will save a life.

Cheers!

The PubScout

As always, more pics are in the Gallery section for free download on this same page, and feel free to share across the fruited plain.