What’s a traditional Louisiana-style shrimp boil doing in the heart of Appalachia, specifically Wheeling where Coleman’s Fish is the premier place to chow down on a fish dish?
Well, the elegant front lawn of the historic Victorian-style Bloch mansion on National Road is where folks will have an opportunity to kick back and sup on this Cajun delicacy at the inaugural Shrimp Boil on the Lawn fundraiser on behalf of the 127-year old Elmhurst, The House of Friendship, a non-profit senior assisted living residence.
According to Sarah Barickman, who, along with her husband Mike, Elmhurst board president, are doing the legwork for the event that is presented under the auspices of the Friends of Elmhurst organization chaired by Dr. Frank and Anita Carenbauer. Barickman is working closely with veteran Elmhurst Executive Director Jamie Crow and her staff to make the Shrimp Boil on Saturday, July 29, a night to remember.
So, what’s the recipe for the evening’s main course? According to Elmhurst Chef Mike Travis, he will use the traditional New Orleans’s version with shrimp, crawfish, potatoes, fresh corn, and sausage. Hot sauce, fresh lemons, and Old Bay Seasoning will be at each seat. The tangy mixture that will be served on shiny silver pie plates at gingham covered tables with jars of sunflowers echoing summer’s garden. Freshly baked cornbread also will be on the menu along with a special dessert. A beer and wine cash bar will be available. Dinner will be served at tables under the tented lawn. Residents will be enjoying the event from the expansive mansion front porch.
“We’re hoping folks will relax and enjoy a taste of the South on a hot July night with some down-home music from Bill Gorby and The Musical Mercenaries. It’s all for a great cause – Elmhurst, an organization that has been home to hundreds of senior citizens since the late 1900s,” Sarah Barickman said
You’ll have a chance to win a fabulous golf weekday package and overnight stay at Oglebay with one 18-hole round on the Arnold Palmer Course with cart, Crispin, if available, Par 3, and 18-hold round on the Robert Trent Jones Sr. designed course, GPS golf cart included. You also could win a one-night stay in a one-bedroom Treetop Villa Cabin and an all-day activity pass for two at Grand Vue Park.
Today, Elmhurst is a licensed assisted living residence, formerly located in Center Wheeling before 1940 when the family of Bloch Brothers Tobacco, Samuel Bloch, donated the family estate to the entity. Two additions have been added to allow up to 46 senior citizens to enjoy the best of assisted living and care in beautiful surroundings. The Shrimp Boil is intended to raise funds for Elmhurst which has maintained the integrity of the Bloch family home for more than 75 years as it has grown to meet the needs of those men, women, and couples ready to downsize to a simpler lifestyle where there is 24/7 assistance.
“We’re proud of our heritage and the standards we maintain to care for the elderly in this beautiful complex. It’s not easy for people to realize they need to make a move in order to live comfortably and safely as they age. Elmhurst has a stellar legacy of making that transition as easy as possible for hundreds of people for 127 years,” Jamie Crow said, adding, “As a non-profit, we appreciate the support of the community, something Elmhurst has enjoyed over the years as its’ board hosted annual community teas hosted that always featured music. The Shrimp Boil is our modern version and we think it will be a superb event.”
Reservations may be made at Elmhurst, 1228 National Road, Monday-Friday, 8:30 – 4:30 p.m. or by calling 304.242.0240. Cost is $50 per person and includes 2 drink tickets. Raffle tickets are available at Elmhurst, also, and are $10 each.
