‘Taste of Tecumseh’ offers fine food, fun at annual fundraiser Feb. 4

By DEANE ERTS

Time is short to get tickets for this year’s “Taste” that, once again, will bring a collection of the area’s finest restaurants and caterers, all under one roof at Tecumseh High School Saturday, Feb. 4, from 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

There will be no need to plan supper on that evening. Ticket holders will be able to sample specialties from 13 dining establishments, including Basil Boys, Big Boy (Tecumseh), Boulevard Market, British Tea Garden, Busch’s, Catering by Liz, Cowboys Grill, The Daily Grind, The Embers, Evans Street Station, JR’s Grill & Pub, Oriental Sizzling, and The Spotted Cow.

This year’s theme for the Community In Schools (CIS) benefit is “Our Schoolhouse Rocks,” and CIS director Heather Masten said that the theme was chosen to reflect CIS’ enthusiasm for its mission to forge a bond between students and their schools, with the help of the people of the community, that will create an enthusiasm for learning through graduation and beyond.

“We thought about what theme we could pick that would help summarize and instill our commitment to the students in the eyes of the public at large,” Masten said. “’Our Schoolhouse Rocks’ lets the community know that we are proud of our schools, and we hope that incorporating our logo in the decoration theme will make it more recognized, overall.”

The “Taste” is one of the largest fundraisers for the organization. Communities In Schools of the Tecumseh Area, as it is formally known, is a nonprofit organization that provides many services to students in the district and serves as a bridge for individuals and businesses that recognize the benefit of volunteering to help students. CIS does not receive any government funding, depending solely on fundraising and donations.

In keeping with “Taste” tradition, the attractions do not end with good food and good company. There will be musical entertainment throughout the evening and a chance to bid on valuable items and services in a silent auction.

On tap for patrons’ auditory pleasure are “All Directions Music” a group of local musicians who specialize in a wide repertory of genres, featuring vocalist Kimberly Ringer, Michael Ager on keyboard, Rich Riker on bass and guitar, and percussionist Pat Paul Sorise, along with the student violin ensemble Tecumseh Fiddlers and the Acapelicans, a vocal group from Siena Heights University. Various student guitarists will fill the gaps between the larger bands.

To add to the excitement, guests are invited to stroll among the items on the block for the silent auction, including tickets to the Ann Arbor Comedy Showcase, The Ark (also in Ann Arbor), Jeff Daniel’s Purple Rose Theatre, and Adrian College athletic events. Bids will also be accepted on a night at the Chelsea Comfort Inn’s king whirlpool room, a hockey puck autographed by Detroit Red Wing Pavel Datsyuk, a three-speed bicycle from the Bicycle Shop of Tecumseh and a private wine tasting for six from Tecumseh Pentemere Winery, along with baskets from Stampin’ Up.

Tecumseh High School has donated items that would be appreciated by any student or parent of a student, including prom tickets, parking passes, and athletic passes. Also for the younger set, Ross & Cramer Driving School offers lessons behind the wheel to make it more fun to get to the prom.

CIS developing site coordinator Diane Savoia has been working behind the scenes with Masten to bring together all of the components of a pleasant outing for “Taste” patrons. She expressed the organizations appreciation of United Bank & Trust for its participation in the fundraiser.

“We’re looking forward to an evening that people will remember,” she said. “The schoolhouse theme seemed perfect for that and we are grateful to United Bank & Trust for their help and for acting as ticket purchasing sites. All of the bank’s Tecumseh locations offer tickets to the Taste, and CIS board members have tickets for sale, too. Of course, anyone who wants to stop by our office can buy them here, also.”

The CIS office is located on the second floor of the TPS administrative services building, 212 N. Ottawa St., 423.7574. Tickets to the Taste are $25 for adults and $15 for students.

Anyone planning to also enjoy the upcoming “Savor the Experience” beer and wine tasting benefit for CIS on Saturday, March 3, hosted at Cambrian Assisted Living, may take advantage of a ticket “package” deal. Individual tickets for the Savor are $30 (adults only, of course), but if purchased together, guests may buy both “Taste” and “Savor” tickets for only $50.