The atrium of the Hammond Federal Courthouse was packed with hundreds of supporters for the Gala Chef Tasting and Live and Silent Auction to celebrate the 15th anniversary of Nazareth Home.
Nazareth Home is a licensed foster home in East Chicago that provides individualized 24-hour per day care for medically compromised children who are referred by the Department of Child Services. The mission of Nazareth Home is to care for poor and powerless infants and children, those unable to speak for themselves, by providing them with a loving, caring and stable beginning.
The home is dedicated to meeting the physical, emotional and spiritual needs of medically compromised infants and children who are faced with extraordinary challenges in life as a result of being abandoned by or removed from families that are without the capacity to provide appropriate care. A medically compromised child maybe suffering from drug withdrawal or may be attached to a variety of life support systems.
The State of Indiana supplies a minimal daily stipend for the children in residence at Nazareth Home. Due to the incredible medical costs associated with caring for these children, the state stipend covers only a small portion of the actual expenses incurred.
Sister Barbara Kuper is the director and foster mother. Nazareth Home is a wonderful example of how it takes a village to raise a child.
Kudos to the gala advisory committee which was formed to build sponsor revenue for the event. The committee was led by Tom Collins, president of Collins Interests. Members included Kuper, Reggie Dotson, Ana Grandfield, Beth Kaminski, Karren and Patrick Lee, JoAnne Markiewicz, Hilda Pabey, Barbara Pfister, Terry Quinn, Cindy Rucinski, Milt Triana and Janice Moss-Woods.
The General Planning Committee was led by co-chairmen Judy Schlosser and Peggy Guernsey. Planning committee members were Kuper, Gretchen Bray, Barbara Dabrowski, Leroy Fassett, Yolanda Herrera, Joyce Koch and Eileen McKern.
The event will featured hors d'oeuvres and desserts prepared by some of the area's finest chefs, including Nicole Bissonnette, owner and chef at Bistro 157 in Valparaiso; executive chef Glennard Brooks (formerly of the Genesis Convention Center) of Hilton Garden Inn in Merrillville; chef Carl Lindskog, executive chef at Paparazzi Restaurant in Valparaiso; Jack Mix, owner of Comfort's Catering; Gary Sanders, owner and executive chef at Miller Bakery Cafe in Gary; and chef Terry Zych, hospitality program chairman of Ivy Tech Community College in Michigan City.
Tom O'Donnell, local lawyer and celebrity auctioneer, called the live auction, which featured items like a race car enthusiast's dream day at the track, A Heaven On Earth spa package from the House of Bianco, Notre Dame football tickets, White Sox tickets for spring 2009 and a fishing charter on Lake Michigan to name a few.
The home is a ministry of the Poor Handmaids of Jesus Christ and is administered by Ancilla Systems Inc., and is always in need of support, both financially and with volunteers.
For information on donating your time, talent or treasure, call (219) 947-8522.
Calling all chefs
The ACF Chefs of Northwest Indiana are having their November monthly meeting Monday hosted by chef Scott Farrell at Briar Ridge Country Club in Schererville. The evening will start with cocktails at 5:30 p.m. (cash bar) and dinner at 6:30 p.m. Cost is $10 for members and $15 for guests. Business attire is required.
There will be a membership meeting at 4:30 p.m. and all active members may attend. Any questions, contact chef Jim Galligan at (219) 872-0689.
It's Holiday Pops time
The Northwest Indiana Symphony and Maestro Kirk Muspratt present its annual Holiday Pops concert, "Toys & Trumpets," at 7:30 p.m. Dec. 11 at the Star Plaza Theatre, I-65 and U.S. 30, Merrillville.
The concert will feature 8-year-old trumpet prodigy Geoffrey Gallante (as seen on NBC's The Today Show and CBS' The Early Show) and the Northwest Indiana Symphony Chorus, directed by Nancy Menk.
The annual holiday pops has become a favorite family tradition to help start off the festive season. With a mix of classic and contemporary holiday music and the carol sing-along, concert-goers are sure to hear all their fa-la-la favorites.
Geoffrey, who had to cancel last year's performance because he lost his two front teeth, finally got his Christmas wish and will amaze NWI with his extraordinary chops. Geoffrey began playing at just 5 and has played with the U.S. Army Blues Jazz ensemble on the steps of the capitol, the U.S. Naval Academy Concert Band, the Duke Ellington Orchestra, and at Major League Baseball games nationwide, the Kennedy Center and at the White House.
Tickets range from $20 to $60 and group rates are available. For tickets, call (219) 836-0525 or visit NISOrchestra.org
