West Orange Honors 'Sweet Caroline'

Despite stormy skies, a spirited crowd turned out Saturday for the “Sweet Caroline Benefit” at the West Orange Shillelagh Club, The Alternative Press reported.

The event was held in honor of Caroline Vandemark, a longtime West Orange resident who moved with her family to Caldwell a decade ago and died at the age of 22 from brain cancer last June 26. Proceeds from the event will help cover her medical bills from the past year. Rather than focus on the sadness of Vandemark's death, she reportedly was remembered with joy, and the benefit, sponsored by the West Orange Elks Club and the West Orange Shillelagh Club, made sure of that by offering fun, raffles and live music from the Gutter Kings.

You can still donate to the cause: Send contributions to the Caroline Vandemark Fund c/o West Orange Elks, 424 Main St., West Orange N.J. 07052.