Forks, Corks and Comedy set for Monday, Oct. 23

The Tuscarawas County Senior Center in Dover has been shaking things up this year with a new cafe in the form of Prospect Perks and a new fundraiser.

Forks, Corks and Comedy is set for Monday, Oct. 23 with food by local chefs, wine pairings and two comedy shows. The evening will start at 5 p.m. with a cash bar beginning at 6 p.m. in the main dining room at the senior center.

“This will be our signature fundraiser,” said Jamie Smith, senior center executive director. “This is the first year we’ve done this. We like to try new things, and this was a good way to bring in some local great chefs and be entertained by two great comedians. It should be a lot of fun.”

Five area chefs are set to produce five courses. Rachael Montero of Mustards in New Philadelphia will create charcuterie boards to get things started. Chef David Case of The Point Dining will prepare wild rice and asparagus soup and a house salad with bread service.

Next is David Webb of Union Country Club, who will offer wine-braised short ribs, honey-glazed carrots and a potato puree, and Anna Hillyer of What’s Cooking Cafe will serve a chocolate brownie with salted caramel sauce. The courses will be paired with wines chosen by chef Sherry Schie.

Montero came to the fundraising plan with familiarity with the senior center after working for some time at Cleveland Clinic Union Hospital. “So it was natural to do this for me,” she said. “Doing the charcuterie boards is a good fit. We are creating something special for the event and are also incorporating edible centerpieces with edible flowers and all kinds of herbs. People will have something to enjoy when they first get there.”

Tickets for the event are $75 per person and are available at the front desk of the senior center in Dover. “We welcome people from the community to come and have a fun evening,” Smith said. “The senior center has so much to offer, and this will be a good evening to share that with the community in a new way.”

She said while the center is funded by a levy, there also are projects and services the center offers that need further funding.

“We always try to stretch levy funds as far as we possibly can,” Smith said. “As our capacity increases and we’re able to do more, it takes more staff to meet the needs of the community. This fundraiser will help us with continuing revenue to allow us to offer so much to area seniors.”

Comedians featured for Forks, Corks and Comedy are local talent Mike Conley and New York City circuit comedian Alec Preston. Conley is a host at WTUZ Radio weekday mornings for the “Ike and Conley Morning Show.” Preston, a New Philadelphia native, has performed at comedy festivals in New York and nightly performances across the city there. He performs at many spots around the U.S. each year.

Schie, former owner of Shy Cellars in Strasburg, will bring her experience as a wine sales professional. She will share her knowledge and love of wine.

Anna Hillyer has found success with her What’s Cooking Cafe since it opened in 2015 and will bring one of her most popular creations to round out the meal.

Case, chef at Pointe Dining at the foot of Seven Mile Drive in New Philadelphia for 23 years, will cover the soup and salad course.

Webb, chef at Union Country Club at 1000 N. Belleview Ave. in Dover, will handle the main course.

“We tried to fit everyone into their strengths, and it’s a great group of chefs,” Montero said.

Smith said sponsorships at several levels are available. Call the Tuscarawas County Senior Center at 330-364-6611.