Culinary Classics whips up delicious evening
NEWTOWN – Chandler Hall knows how to throw a party, especially when it’s for a good cause. For the 10th year, the nuaker continuing care facility on Newtown’s Sycamore Street hosted another successful edition of its “Culinary Classics,” a delectable evening of food and drinks, all to EHQHfiW WKH KRVSLFH SRRJRDP.
This year’s event drew more than 200 people, who spent the evening tasting an array of food and drinks whipped up and served by restaurants, caterers, wineries, breweries, bakeries and confectioneries, including Jules Thin Crust, Madara’s Seafood, McCaffrey’s Catering, the ZebraStriped Whale, Zook’s BBn Barn, and, of course, Chandler’s own in-house chefs.
“This is the best one yet,” said Anne Yarnall, who co-chaired the event with Jan Jalenak. “People are very happy to be here. ,W’V MUVW D WHRRLfiF IUQGRDLVHR IRR WKH KRVSLFH unit.”
Yarnall was savoring the food and enjoying the event with Rebecca hnapp, a member of the Culinary Classics committee.
“What means the most to us as volunteers is just to see people here supporting Chandler Hall because it is an incredibly special place,” said hnapp.
hnapp got involved with Chandler through her pet therapy program. “I go around to hospice with my dog and I see fiRVW-KDQG ZKDW MRy CKDQGOHR ERLQJV WR SHRple. And to see people come out on a night like this, that’s what it’s all about,” she said.
Not far away, board member Linda Flow- er and dary Johnston were trying out the grilled shrimp tossed in a basil parsley pesto mix and made by the staff at McCaffrey’s.
“Everything is delicious and the turnout is excellent,” observed Flower, as she gazed around the Wright Meeting Hall, which bustled with activity. “I’m impressed by all the establishments that are here and willing to come and support us. It’s a great gift to Chandler,” she said.
Not far away, hatherine Falk, Chandler’s senior director of development and volunteers, was sampling food made by Chandler’s own chefs while mingling with guests who came out to support a good cause.
“It’s a wonderful evening,” said Falk. “It’s exciting when everyone from our different communities come together. People are having a good time and it’s for a great cause.”
Of course, the great cause is Chandler’s hospice program, which has been in existence since 1982 providing quality care in the manner of the Religious Society of Friends and guaranteeing that the Light in each person is honored, the dignity of every individual is upheld and personal choices are respected.
0RRH VSHFLfiFDOOy, PRQHy IRRP WKH HYHning will help reimburse costs not covered by insurance and to meet the program’s mission of providing care to anyone in need, regardless of their ability to pay.
According to Falk, the hospice staff at Chandler makes between 7,500 and 8,000 home hospice visits a year. Chandler also provides benevolent care for its elders, who outlive their money and would otherwise have no place to go.
“That’s what this event does, along with our other fundraising events and philanthropic efforts,” said Falk. “And people are very appreciative. We get letters all the time about what the care meant to them and what it meant to their families.”
William Hooper, whose mother received hospice care at Chandler before her death in July at the age of 98, has nothing but high praise for the program. He called it “exceptional” and refers to the staff and volunteers as “angels. They do dod’s work,” he said.
“To be able to have that homelike environment with the outstanding, loving and compassionate care from the staff and volunteers means everything,” adds the New Hope resident, who serves on Chandler’s development advisory committee and cochairs its business advocacy council.
Yarnall couldn’t agree more. “The staff is particularly supportive of families. The residents are treated with the utmost care DQG SRLYDFy. 7KH DWPRVSKHRH LV WHRRLfiF. ,W’V quiet and private and family-oriented. It’s just wonderful,” she said.
Serving on the Culinary Classic Committee were Jan Jalenak and Anne Yarnall, cochairs; sicky Anagnos, Jean Bohr, Marjorie Buttiglieri, Christine dodshall, haren Hallowell, David Heller, Cathy Hooper, Rebecca hnapp, Claire Lankas, Lisa Pretecrum, Denise Ramierz and Marilyn sanSteelant.