Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: FRIDAY, May 6, 1994 TAG: 9405060076
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV-3 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE: BECKY HEPLER STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: BLACKSBURG LENGTH: Medium
That's not a problem for the hosts and hostesses of Dinner for Friends, the fundraiser for Blacksburg's Master Chorale and NRV Friends of the Roanoke Symphony. "That's part of the appeal," said Joan Murchison, one of the co-chairwomen for the event.
"It's fun because it's a different circle of people," she continued. "In a town this size, you wouldn't think that's a big deal and yet, we don't know everyone. These parties let us make a whole new network of friends."
Even the planning stage is a party. Murchison said the committee in charge of the event held a soiree in January to brainstorm party themes and ideas and to recruit hosts. This year's events promise more opportunities to make friends. The five parties, hosted by 32 people, include dinner and entertainment, planned along what looks to be very tasty and interesting themes.
The first party, on Saturday, May 21, celebrates a famous London hotel. An evening at the Savoy will feature British specialties such as filet mignon and English raspberry trifle as well as the music of Gilbert and Sullivan. The hosts are Angie and Val Saban, Sally and Bill Stephenson, Ernestine and George Foresman and Mary Breen Sim.
In that same night, Judie and David Reemsnyder, Janet and Jim Johnson and Alice and Tom Payne host Sweet Virginia Spring, featuring Virginia wines and the music of Brass Fantasy. Sixteen guests will dine on herb-roasted pork loin, wild rice with mushrooms and Pavlova, a giant meringue shell filled with fresh fruit and garnished with whipped cream or ice cream, or both.
A week later, 20 guests will join Marie and Jim Armstrong, Amelia and Joe Ball and Nancy and Jerry Gibbs for Dinner with the Mikado, featuring Amelia's popular sushi, as well as Nagasaki beef and mushrooms Nikozume. Entertainment is music from "The Mikado."
On June 4, it's a Mardi Gras Carnival, when 30 guests will enjoy a Cajun hoedown featuring food, jazz and gambling. The Marc Siegels, the Ross Mackays and the S.R. Mussers will serve up creole, jambalaya and Bananas Foster.
On Aug. 20, 16 people will savor a Hungarian Rhapsody, compliments of Franciska and Bob Dyck, Katy and Gabor Agostou, Matilda and Michael Kosztarab and Judy Rittenhouse. The menu includes chicken paprika, vegetables a la Bartok and Kodaly and desserts to please any serious sweet tooth - hazelnut ring and chocolate torte.
Last year's events all sold out and this year's efforts are headed in the same direction. The Savoy party is already full and the Mardi Gras event has only two spaces left. This makes the sponsors very happy.
"This fund-raiser is critical to our efforts," conmmittee member Dianna Pickering said. "Last year's event allowed us to participate in "The Requiem" concert by John Polifrone and the CD that resulted from it." It is the Master Chorale's only fund-raiser.
The reservations are on a first-come, first-served basis and the deadline is Wednesday. Tickets are $55 per person. To receive a complete menu listing or to make reservations, call Marilyn Hutchins at 951-2157 or Emily Collins at 951-1771.
by CNB