In what the Rotary Club of Evanston Lighthouse hopes to become an annual tradition got off to an uncertain start Sunday, with showers falling throughout the area, but turned out to be a successful event on a rain-free afternoon.
More than a dozen local restaurants donated food and drink for the organization’s “Taste of Evanston” fundraiser, resulting in virtually all of the $75 donation from participants to be used for charitable purposes by the club.
The event was held on the Northwestern University campus, on the grounds and inside of the John Evans Center at Clark Street and Sheridan Road.
Among the participating restaurants were La Macchina, Koi, Prairie Moon, Ten Mile House, Mumbai Indian Grill, Coffee Speed Shop, Smylie Brothers, Bluestone, Kabul House, and Towbar (Chicago).
Smylie Brothers poured samples of their locally brewed beer. Kerrygold served a selection of their gourmet cheeses (made in Ireland but headquartered in Evanston) atop bread baked at Hewn.
The event also featured live big-band music from E-Town Octet.
The E-Town Octet
Auction items and raffle prizes were donated by Lincoln Janus, Livingston Inn, Fran and Bill Caan, Bob Barr, Chip Uchtman, North Shore Dentistry for Children, Lesley Peters, Jim and Jacquelyn McGuire, Light Opera Works, Margarita Inn, Oceanique, Piccolo Theatre, Peckish Pig, Dirk’s Fish, Jewel-Osco, Trader Joe’s, Target, World Market, Piron Chocolatier, Vinic Wine, and Wine Goddess.
The auctioneer was club member Don Crost-Fink.
Among the attendees were Evanston Mayor Elizabeth Tisdahl and City Manager Wally Bobkiewicz, who is also president-elect of the other Rotary Club in town, the Rotary Club of Evanston.
Club organizers said the fundraiser was designed to enable the club to increase its funding for local and international projects. It recently made donations of $500 to $3,000 each to the following Evanston not-for-profits:
Bundled Blessings, Evanston Scholars, ETHS Youth Technology Corps, Literature for All of Us, Moran Center for Youth Advocacy, PEER Services, Dental Access Days, Connections for the Homeless, Evanston Rebuilding Warehouse, Interfaith Action of Evanston, Justin Wynn Leadership Academy, Grandparents Raising Grandchildren, and a special fund for assistance to homeless students at Evanston Township High School.
The club meets weekly at 7:15 a.m. on Tuesdays at the Hilton Garden Inn Evanston.