‘Evening of Giving’ set for Nov. 20

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The season of thankfulness is here and so is the annual “Evening of Giving,” one of the city’s most treasured traditions. On Thursday, Nov.20, 7:30 p.m. to midnight, a week before Thanksgiving, the 19th annual Evening of Giving will be held at the Best Western Royal Plaza hotel. The ever-popular raw bar will be ready for guests, with Leon Roberge and his assistants putting out 18 cases of extra large shrimp. An elaborate ice carving, created by Roberge, will decorate the raw bar. “We’ll have 15 gallons of cocktail sauce,” said Roberge. “No matter how much we bring, we run out. I don’t know what they do with it.” In addition to the shrimp there will be two cases of oysters and two cases of cherrystone clams. “They will be opened right there,” explained Roberge. More than 1,000 local residents are expected to turn out to enjoy this spectacular social event and at the same time remember those who need help. Proceeds go to Roland’s House, formerly the Marlboro-Hudson Homeless Shelter, 57 Mechanic St. Checkerboards in Hudson is just one of 30 restaurants, hotels and caterers to be represented at the Evening of Giving. “We’ll be serving eggplant Florentine and penne a la vodka, two of our most popular menu items,” said Jill Smith, one of the Checkerboards owners along with Chris Tsiros and Joe Martocci. Checkerboards, at 10 Technology Drive, has been a family business in Hudson for 17 years. The restaurant has a new eggplant and spinach flatbread pizza as well as other menu items such as cold and hot sandwiches, traditional Greek cuisine, Italian pasta specialties, pizza, calzones, steak, ribs and sea food. “Our fish is always fresh, never frozen,” stated Tsiros. The Creamery at Trombetta’s is another of the local establishments serving food at the Evening of Giving, offering the very popular ice cream sundaes that people line up for even after eating a variety of food from dozens of menu items. “It’s a great cause,” said Charlie Trombetta. “I love doing it and I can tell people really appreciate it.” The make-your-own-sundae food station is expected to offer vanilla, chocolate and coconut ice cream as well as toppings such as hot fudge, strawberries, caramel, candy toppings and whipped cream. “We’ll have the jimmy machine,” continued Trombetta. “People love the jimmy wheel. It’s like a little ferris wheel that drops the colored candy sprinkles on the ice cream.” The chefs at Christopher Heights, an assisted living facility that opened in the spring at 99 Pleasant St., are contributing to the Evening of Giving for the first time. “We’ll provide an assortment of brownies,” said Luke Savageau, executive chef at Christopher Heights. According to Savage and Wendi Baron-Willette, executive director, there will be raspberry brownies, mint brownies, peanut butter brownies, white chocolate swirl brownies, walnut brownies, and even just plain regular brownies. People attending the event are encouraged to bring a donation of socks, soap, toothbrushes, toothpaste, razors, shaving cream, deodorant, shampoo, or other toiletries for the homeless. A collection bin will be set up at the entrance of the hotel. Bob Kays is serving as chairman of the event and Ivette Mesmar is coordinating the food donors. Disc Jockeys Peter and Joe VanBuskirk will be back to provide musical entertainment. In addition, the Bob Dupuis trio will play in the restaurant and the Intel Troubadours will play in the lounge. The money raffle is back, with only 300 tickets offered, and a first prize of $5,000, second prize, $1,000, and three third prizes, $500 each. Tickets for the raffle are just $50 each and can be obtained at the Prospector or Kennedy’s Pub in Marlborough, Tickets to the Evening of Giving are $30 each, $300 for a table of 10. For reservations call Madeline Dupuis, 508-485-5705 or Paulina Lynch, 508-485-3741.

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