Eat great food and help a great cause at this year’s Rotary International Dinner

If you’re looking for a fun and unique way to spend a Saturday evening, and you want to support a great cause in the process, then you should strongly consider attending this year’s Rotary International Dinner, which will be taking place on April 27 at the Corbin Arena.

My first International Dinner experience was last year, and I can unequivocally say that it was one of the best “foodie” events that I have ever attended.

If you’re not familiar with the concept, each year the Corbin and London Rotary Clubs partner to host the dinner. The location of the dinner alternates between the two towns each year, with last year’s being held at the London Optimist Club. The event serves as a big fundraiser, and tickets can be purchased from club members, or at the Arena box office since that is where this year’s event is being held.

If you know anything at all about Rotary International, then you will know that they do a ton of charity work across the globe. Historically, they are known for their combined efforts to eradicate polio, but their influence and contributions go far beyond just that.

Getting back to my first International Dinner experience, I didn’t really know what to expect when I attended last year’s event in London. I had heard about previous International Dinners, and it sounded pretty cool, but having never been to one I really had no frame of reference.

I was in for a treat.

When I walked into the London Optimist Club there were tables set up all over the facility. Along each wall were stations featuring culinary selections from different countries. Individuals and representatives from various organizations were there, serving everything from Indian cuisine, to Central American dishes, to different types of European fare.

I was there primarily to take photos for the newspaper, but I also helped myself to a few samples while I was there. I tried hummus for the first time, and was pleasantly surprised at how much I liked it. There were also some dessert items that were very good. There were a few other options that I was very curious about, but didn’t try. I plan on rectifying that at this year’s event.

If you would be interested in attending on the 27th, individual tickets are available now for $40. Tables of eight can also be reserved for $400. If you don’t know a Rotary Club member, or you can’t get up to the Arena box office, then shoot me an e-mail at tsherman@corbinnewsjournal.com, and I will make sure to get you in contact with someone who can help.

• Before I end my column this week, I would like to echo Mark White’s sentiments concerning our outgoing Executive Director of the Corbin Tourism and Convention Commission, Maggy Monhollen.

I shared some of my thoughts about Maggy on my personal Facebook page last week after we all learned about her resignation, but just to reiterate, she has done an amazing job in her role as tourism director over the past ten years. It has been a real pleasure to work with her, and I am super-excited to see what all she will accomplish in her new role managing Cumberland Falls State Resort Park. I’m sure that our readers will continue to see and hear about her in the future as we cover various happenings at the park.

Best of luck, Maggy!