"CakeWalk of Nyack" Memorializes Late New City Resident John Novotny, Raises Nearly $7,000 for Scholarship Fund

More than 300 people came out last Saturday night for the "CakeWalk of Nyack" to celebrate the memory of lifelong New City resident John “Cake” Novotny and raise nearly $7,000 for the Memorial Scholarship created in his name.  The CakeWalk entailed a bar crawl through eight Nyack bar/restaurants, beginning and ending at Bourbon Street of Nyack, which John co-owned before his tragic and untimely death at age 33 from a 2006 ATV accident. Highlighting the night at Bourbon Street was a rousing performance by early 1990s Nyack-based rock band Last Tribe, re-uniting to play in memory of John for the first time in 7 years.

“Tonight was a perfect way to bring together everyone who loved John, to celebrate his life and the impact that he made on all of them,” said John’s brother, Kevin Novotny.  “John always loved helping people, including helping to organize large fundraising events for worthy causes.  He would have been so proud to have been involved with an event like this one.  John loved Nyack, he loved big gatherings, and he loved Last Tribe.  So this was a very fitting tribute to him.”

Establishments taking part in CakeWalk who provided drink specials and raffle giveaways,  were Bourbon Street of Nyack, O'Malleys, Olde Village Inne, Quigleys, Olive's, Casa del Sol, MOJO and Harbor Hill.

John was a 1990 graduate of Albertus Magnus High School.  All proceeds from the CakeWalk benefited the John Novotny Scholarship Fund, dedicated to providing financial assistance to four current Albertus Magnus High School students annually. Anyone wishing to make a donation to the Scholarship can do so by visiting www.johnnovotny.com.