Town restaurants prepare for annual event
By Samantha LangleyAsst. Around the Town Editor
February 23, 2012
Robeson County Church and Community Center will hold "A Taste of Robeson" at the Bill Sapp Recreation Center at the corner of Elizabeth Street and Cedar Street in Lumberton on March 12 and 13.
This is an annual event featuring different restaurants around Robeson County. The cost is $15 for adults, $5 for children 3-12 and free for children under 3
Restaurants will come from around the county to serve one original or signature dish.
Village Station, owned by Arnold West will participate in the event. The restaurant will serve its "Life Altering Ribs."
"We chose to put this dish out there because these ribs are so good you'll be a changed person when you leave our restaurant. They really are life altering and the best ribs you will ever eat," West said.
The way the event works, according to Bridget Bass, who coordinated the event, is when guests enter the auditorium they will be given a meal ticket.
Each restaurant that participates will be listed on the ticket. Each guest will be able to go to each restaurant once.
After the food is sampled the restaurant will check itself off of the guest's meal ticket and the guest will not be allowed to return to the restaurant.
According to Bass, the event will also feature different booths from businesses who have sponsored the event with $500 or more.
Door prizes will be given at the event, including an assortment of gift cards and other items from businesses around the community.
A silent auction, where people bid on paper instead of out loud, will be held during this event as well. The items in the auction are either handmade or hand painted by local artists.
Proceeds from the event will benefit the Robeson County Church and Community Center.
The center is a faith-based group that provides food, medical assistance or funds, partial utility or rent payments, household items, toys for children and in some cases lodging to those in disaster situations in the community.
People who have had their houses burned down or damaged due to unforeseen circumstances are able to get help.
The organization extends help to the homeless and families facing extreme financial struggles.
The center is the largest non-profit organization in Robeson County. It is also a reference affiliate for the American Red Cross.
In disaster situations, the Red Cross is able to call the center to handle the situation on a local level.
The center's mission is the main reason why the Village Station has chosen to be a part of the event.
"We've never had a greater opportunity to fill a need so great in our community. It's a great organization that provides a lot of good to people. It also gives those that haven't dined with us a chance to try our food," West said.
While the mission of the event has stayed the same, this year the event has changed a lot as well.
This is the first year that sponsors who contribute $500 or more will be al- lowed to set up booths in the auditorium.
"We feel like that if they are contributing so much to our event, they should be able to have more recognition than just having their names put on our website and on the programs. They deserve more exposure than that," Bass said.
Also, this is the first year that live music will not be played. Ambient music will be provided instead.
This is due to the acoustics at the auditorium not being as good as they should be, according to Bass.
In order to get in contact with the Robeson Church and Community Center or Bridget Bass, call (910) 452-2155.
The Village Station is located at 2744 N. Roberts Ave., Lumberton.
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