One thing we all can agree on is a love of food!
The Methuen Exchange Club is a service organization that not only supports residents, but brings together our community. Thanks to the club, 300 hungry supporters enjoyed last month’s Taste of Methuen fund-raiser, held at the Lawrence Elks Lodge. Guests enjoyed seemingly endless samples from the 17 vendors who took part.
For example … Whether you had a craving for Smoke Shop BBQ brisket, Muddy Waters’ mac and cheese, Lenzi’s turkey croquettes with gravy or a Heav’nly Donut cheese Danish, you were at the right place! Greater Lawrence Technical School’s homemade chowder was again a crowd-pleaser, and George’s Bakery table – with its variety of salads and grapeleaves – offered HEALTHY food that doesn’t leave you feeling hungry!
Guests could also take a chance on a slew of raffle baskets and a 50/50 raffle. Proceeds cover the Exchange Club’s scholarships and various community and school programs.
Brad Jones, of the club’s executive board, was over the moon with the event’s end result.
“We had 300 seats and we sold 300 tickets,” he said. “Our vendors are fantastic. At least three-fourths of them said ‘yes’ right away when (asked to participate). You’re in a good position when you know they’re on board.”
He thanked the Methuen Scholarship Foundation, which offered up several raffle baskets, and he gave a shout-out to the six hard-working Methuen High JROTC students who made sure water pitchers remained filled, tables were cleared, trash was emptied and pitched in breaking down the room at the end of the night.
It was a great night of community, charity … and food!
“I try to make my way around the room and I always tell (the vendors), ‘Just a little (food on my plate).’ I want to try everything. And the vendors really never run out of food. It’s just awesome!”
~ Melissa Fili
Now THAT’S a meal! Tim Camerato and son Nathan, 4, went with a picture-perfect Royal House of Roast Beef sandwich, a Lenzi’s turkey croquette with gravy, some Muddy Waters’ mac ‘n’ cheese along with chips and salsa from Casa Blanca.
Elvin Alarcon, of Quality Catering of MA, serves up mouth-watering marinated steak tips and onions to Bruce Baril.
Greater Lawrence Technical School’s creamy chowder is alwayas a hit! Hat’s ON for Scott Stewart, the school’s director of culinary arts.
You had me at “brisket and cornbread” … The night’s hungry crowd apparently loves barbecue and kept Smoke Shop BBQ’s (from left) Roger Russo-Soley, Andy Husbands and Emma Sponholtz on the move plating delicious food.
Denise Terenzoni returned from the powder room to learn that she and husband Bob had won a pair of raffle baskets!
George’s Bakery food is a colorful work of art! Tonight’s offerings, courtesy of Jennifer Maroun and Suzane Sassine, included grape leaves, orzo and tabouli salad, and hummus … with pita bread, of course!
Texas Road House doesn’t mess around when it comes to the BEEF! John Moresco and Amber Fleming handed out pounds and pounds of roasted prime rib with their famous rolls and cinnamon butter.
Bartender Joyce Burns takes a chance and buys 50/50 raffle tickets from Exchangite Tom Jasinski.
Cody Flint took home a trifecta of gift baskets!
Linda Camerato (left) and Dusty Behner are committed to the mission of the Exchange Club and got in their steps as they walked the function room selling raffle tickets.
