February Fundraisers For Firehouse Feature Food

July 28, 2016 at 4:25 p.m.


NORTH MANCHESTER - The Firehouse in North Manchester has been a place for the community since its founding.

Now the community is being asked to help The Firehouse through several fundraisers in February.

On July 25, torrential rains caused the roof of the back part of the building to totally collapse, according to Sylvia Thomas, chairman of the Social Ministries Committee at Zion Lutheran Church, North Manchester. Since the collapse, the rear of the building must be reconstructed to conform to building codes. The back part of the building was totally ripped off, and a complete remodeling job is needed.

Zion sponsors The Firehouse by allowing it to use the church's 501(c)3 status to operate. Zion has a grant program that will match up to $1,600. Thomas said they want to earn at least $1,600 through the fundraisers after costs so The Firehouse will receive at least $3,200.

Money is being raised for The Firehouse throughout February with weekend meals at the Main View Inn.

On Feb. 2 and 16, supporters can eat breakfast at the Main View from 7 a.m. to 10 a.m. both days. Proceeds will benefit The Firehouse. Price depends on what a person orders off the menu.

On Feb. 10 and 24, the fundraiser will be a champagne brunch from 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. both days. The menu will be "Surf or Turf."

The first course includes assorted flavored breads with whipped butter, cheeses, fruits and champagne. Non-alcoholic beverages also will be available.

For the "surf" adult entree, the meal includes flounder with crab stuffing, roasted apple orzo, whole green beans, spring salad, rolls and beverage. The "surf" child entree includes fish strips with tarter sauce, baked apples, whole green beans, spring salad, rolls and beverage.

For those who prefer "turf," the adult entree will include prime-aged top sirloin, grilled vegetables, yellow gold potatoes, spring salad, rolls and beverage. The child entree will include tender roast beef with gravy, baked apples, whole green beans, spring salad, rolls and beverage.

To top the meal off, desserts will be "very" vanilla bean ice cream with choice of liquor topping or raspberry white chocolate mousse.

Thomas said there is no age limit on the children's menu as the adult meal is large and some adults may not want a large portion. Cost for the adult selections is $18, with the child selections being $10.

Thomas said 56 people from the church and the community are involved in helping raise funds to rebuild The Firehouse. Volunteers range in age from 8 to 70s. Volunteers will serve as waiters and waitresses. At all four fundraisers, The Firehouse will keep profits and all tips earned.

During the brunch, live entertainment will be provided by The Deeter Glenn Connection. The duo includes Zach Glenn and Ryan Deeter.

After the brunches, Firehouse T-shirts will be sold.

Advance ticket purchase is necessary for the Sunday Champagne Brunches. Tickets can be purchased at Beacon Credit Union, 1301 Ind. 114; Bippus State Bank, 106 West St.; First Financial, 106 N. Market St. and Peabody and Timbercrest locations; First Federal, 1404 Ind. 114; First Merchants, 901 Ind. 114; or at the Zion Lutheran Church, all in North Manchester.

According to a timeline provided by Thomas, The Firehouse history starts in 1999.

In December 1999, Zach Hawkins, Josh White and Jeff Hawkins submitted a grant to Lutheran Foundation and pursued a relationship with town officials and Healthy Communities/Healthy Youth, Wabash, for a place to have live entertainment.

On April 17, 2000, the town council approved the use of the former Main Street fire station. The council agreed to rent it to a 501(c)3 organization for $1 per year. That organization was the Zion Lutheran Church.

Eight days later, old furniture was gathered for The Firehouse and layouts were sketched.

On May 5, 2000, North Manchester turned the keys over to Hawkins and White. Cleaning, stage-building, furnishing and decorating began. A management team was organized.

The first play bill - on July 7, 2000 - included The Yard Gnomes, Blue Moon Boys and local bands. Lutheran Foundation and Wabash Community Foundation approved grant proposals.

A Web site was launched in January 2001. That summer, $5,000 was raised with a local talent show and grant money.

On the Net:

www.thefirehouse.net[[In-content Ad]]

NORTH MANCHESTER - The Firehouse in North Manchester has been a place for the community since its founding.

Now the community is being asked to help The Firehouse through several fundraisers in February.

On July 25, torrential rains caused the roof of the back part of the building to totally collapse, according to Sylvia Thomas, chairman of the Social Ministries Committee at Zion Lutheran Church, North Manchester. Since the collapse, the rear of the building must be reconstructed to conform to building codes. The back part of the building was totally ripped off, and a complete remodeling job is needed.

Zion sponsors The Firehouse by allowing it to use the church's 501(c)3 status to operate. Zion has a grant program that will match up to $1,600. Thomas said they want to earn at least $1,600 through the fundraisers after costs so The Firehouse will receive at least $3,200.

Money is being raised for The Firehouse throughout February with weekend meals at the Main View Inn.

On Feb. 2 and 16, supporters can eat breakfast at the Main View from 7 a.m. to 10 a.m. both days. Proceeds will benefit The Firehouse. Price depends on what a person orders off the menu.

On Feb. 10 and 24, the fundraiser will be a champagne brunch from 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. both days. The menu will be "Surf or Turf."

The first course includes assorted flavored breads with whipped butter, cheeses, fruits and champagne. Non-alcoholic beverages also will be available.

For the "surf" adult entree, the meal includes flounder with crab stuffing, roasted apple orzo, whole green beans, spring salad, rolls and beverage. The "surf" child entree includes fish strips with tarter sauce, baked apples, whole green beans, spring salad, rolls and beverage.

For those who prefer "turf," the adult entree will include prime-aged top sirloin, grilled vegetables, yellow gold potatoes, spring salad, rolls and beverage. The child entree will include tender roast beef with gravy, baked apples, whole green beans, spring salad, rolls and beverage.

To top the meal off, desserts will be "very" vanilla bean ice cream with choice of liquor topping or raspberry white chocolate mousse.

Thomas said there is no age limit on the children's menu as the adult meal is large and some adults may not want a large portion. Cost for the adult selections is $18, with the child selections being $10.

Thomas said 56 people from the church and the community are involved in helping raise funds to rebuild The Firehouse. Volunteers range in age from 8 to 70s. Volunteers will serve as waiters and waitresses. At all four fundraisers, The Firehouse will keep profits and all tips earned.

During the brunch, live entertainment will be provided by The Deeter Glenn Connection. The duo includes Zach Glenn and Ryan Deeter.

After the brunches, Firehouse T-shirts will be sold.

Advance ticket purchase is necessary for the Sunday Champagne Brunches. Tickets can be purchased at Beacon Credit Union, 1301 Ind. 114; Bippus State Bank, 106 West St.; First Financial, 106 N. Market St. and Peabody and Timbercrest locations; First Federal, 1404 Ind. 114; First Merchants, 901 Ind. 114; or at the Zion Lutheran Church, all in North Manchester.

According to a timeline provided by Thomas, The Firehouse history starts in 1999.

In December 1999, Zach Hawkins, Josh White and Jeff Hawkins submitted a grant to Lutheran Foundation and pursued a relationship with town officials and Healthy Communities/Healthy Youth, Wabash, for a place to have live entertainment.

On April 17, 2000, the town council approved the use of the former Main Street fire station. The council agreed to rent it to a 501(c)3 organization for $1 per year. That organization was the Zion Lutheran Church.

Eight days later, old furniture was gathered for The Firehouse and layouts were sketched.

On May 5, 2000, North Manchester turned the keys over to Hawkins and White. Cleaning, stage-building, furnishing and decorating began. A management team was organized.

The first play bill - on July 7, 2000 - included The Yard Gnomes, Blue Moon Boys and local bands. Lutheran Foundation and Wabash Community Foundation approved grant proposals.

A Web site was launched in January 2001. That summer, $5,000 was raised with a local talent show and grant money.

On the Net:

www.thefirehouse.net[[In-content Ad]]
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