A night of entertainment and a hearty meal filled with locally grown ingredients is on the menu for the Rotary Club of Innisfil’s third annual Harvest Dinner on Saturday, Sept. 14.
It will be held at the Innisfil ideaLAB and Library's Lakeshore branch (967 Innisfil Beach Rd.) from 6-10 p.m.
The meal will include a salad and a comforting bowl of soup, followed by a roast beef dinner with potatoes and harvest vegetables. As a 19-plus event, community members are invited to imbibe at the bar, provided they have a safe way to return home at the end of the evening.
“We have a couple (of) talented Rotary members who are working on something special for dessert,” event chair Anne Kell said. “Richard Ratte will again be baking his homemade dinner rolls that everyone enjoyed so much last year.”
Local musicians Patty McLaughlin and Paul Snelgrove will provide live entertainment, and Krista Richards will once again emcee the event and serve as the auctioneer for the live auction.
Kell told Village Media that auction items will include a beautiful quilt made by Sue Gilchrist, a face cord of wood, a marine ride-along as well as a cruiser ride-along by the South Simcoe Police Service, an inflatable paddleboard, a Friday Harbour golf package and a tree donated by Spring Tree Farms.
“The bag of money may well come back; it was a big hit last year,” she said.
Some silent auction items include lunch with Barrie-Innisfil MP John Brassard; lunch with Innisfil Mayor Lynn Dollin; a gift basket donated by Barrie-Innisfil MPP Andrea Khanjin; gift certificates from Wing’n It, Lakeview Gardens, and Davidson's Restaurant; and maple syrup from Maple Heights Farm.
At the time of writing, six farms/hobbyist farms — including Stayner Meats Packers; Gwillimdale Farms; Lakeview Gardens; IBR Table Greens; Kernel Simpson's Farm and Mary Toich — are providing locally grown food and fresh ingredients for the dinner.
“Kernel Simpson's has been in business for 59 years, and we try to be supportive of the community,” said Richard Simpson, co-owner of — and corn picker at — Kernel Simpson's. “The Harvest Dinner lends itself to our business. There are so many farms and businesses in Innisfil. It brings the community together and we encourage anyone to help out anyway they can.”
"We’re committed to the idea that strong communities come from giving back,” said Gwillimdale general manager Cristina Hambly. “It’s been a key part of our mission from the start, and it will always be central to what we do. Helping others builds a better future for everyone."
“Our plans are that all money raised will go back into Innisfil,” Kell said. “We will be helping meet our commitment to RVH South Campus — we’ve promised $20,000 over five years. We will also be making meals in the Rizzardo kitchen for the Troy Scott (Community) Fridges, supporting the Innisfil Food Bank, helping Community for Kids, as well as other opportunities to help in our community as they arise.”
She explained that Rotary is still accepting sponsorship for the Harvest Dinner. As the club supports a local charity every month, the club has been collecting non-perishable food donations for the food bank.
“These food items will be used to create centrepieces for each of the tables and then will be donated to the Innisfil Food Bank after the event,” she said.
A third-generation farmer, Kell and her husband, Larry — who can trace his roots in farming to 1856, and is a sixth-generation farmer in Innisfil — grow corn, wheat and soybeans.
“As a farmer and long-time resident, I see this event as a chance to showcase local produce and local producers, local businesses and talent in Innisfil,” Kell said. “All of us combining what we do best to raise funds to help our community. To me, it is a wonderful example of community supporting community.”
“Community members should buy a ticket for the chance to enjoy an excellent meal made from locally sourced ingredients and prepared by This Little Piggy — an Innisfil business located in Stroud,” Kell said. "(It) is a chance to share a relaxing and entertaining evening with your friends while also raising money to help our community. This event is the perfect way to celebrate so much that is special and unique about Innisfil.”
With 24 active and honorary members, the club has been a staple in the community since it was established in 2010.
Limited tickets for the dinner are available for $125 each. Or buy a table of eight tickets for $800.
Contact the club to purchase tickets via email or by calling 705-791-0544.
