Dinner

Inspiration was a constant refrain of some big names in local and state party politics who converged Friday night at Centre College for the Jefferson-Jackson Dinner. Jerry Abramson, Louisville’s former “mayor for life” and Gov. Steve Beshear’s running mate in his re-election bid, was the keynote speaker for the dinner held at Old Carnegie and organized by Centre College Democrats. The group used the event to kick off the Kentucky College Democrats convention being held this weekend.

Emmanuel’s Table will be Tuesday, March 29, from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. at Emmanuel Episcopal Church, 2410 W. Lexington Ave. The menu for the free meal will consist of chicken, green beans, corn, rolls, and cookies. The dinner is open to anyone in the community who wants a hot home-style meal, and there’s no need to sign up. Transportation will be provided for downtown residents by the Calvary Christian Church bus. Pickup will be behind the Phoenix House at 4:45 p.m. and pickup in front of Brown Proctor at 5 p.m. There will be door prizes, toiletries, giveaways and entertainment for those who attend.

March 21, 1986 Mrs. Eva Jane Wills was guest of honor Sunday at a dinner in observance of her 80th birthday held at the home of her daughter, Mrs. Howard (Ollie) Cruse, and Mr. Cruse, Old Boonesboro Road. Present were the honoree and Nancy Jane Cruse, Howard and Donna Cruse, Charles Lindsay, Earl and Wanda Wills, John Wills, Jonathan Wills, Susan and Jay Thornberry and the hosts. Mrs. John Bailey was hostess at the March 6 meeting of the Wades Mill Homemakers Club at Bud’s Beef ‘n More.

Fundraising can be challenging for any high school sports team. In a difficult economy where teams are having to raise more and more money, the task has become even more difficult. Boyle County’s Class AAAA state championship team is trying to raise significant funds now to pay for state championship rings. That’s why coach Larry French hopes his team has found a unique fundraiser with his first “Steak and Beans Dinner” scheduled Feb. 26 at 6:30 p.m. at the Boyle High School gymnasium.

The Rotary Club of Danville is hosting an international dinner fundraising event with authentic cuisines from more than 20 countries. Cooks participating in the event will prepare two dishes from their respective countries. The event is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. March 12 at Centre College’s Chowan Hall. Tickets are $50 in advance or $400 for a table of eight. A cash bar with wine and beer from around the world will be available. The club supports worthy causes in the community and across the world.

TODAY Valentine Concert RICHMOND — The Madison Singers will perform some of the best known love songs in honor of Valentine’s Day at the Richmond Area Arts Center, 399 W. Water St. The concert begins at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $10 and include dessert and coffee. For more information, visit www.artsinrichmond.org. APRIL 6 Empty Bowls Project in Berea BEREA — For $10, guests will receive a handmade bowl from the Berea College Pottery Apprenticeship Program and a soup dinner.

The 2011 season at Pioneer Playhouse will include a work by a master of suspense, an adaption of a French writer’s work and a local history play in its offerings. Here’s a rundown of the season: . June 10–25, “The 39 Steps,” adapted by Patrick Barlow: This play was the winner of two 2008 Tony and Drama Desk awards. Mix an Alfred Hitchcock masterpiece with a juicy spy novel, add a dash of Monty Python, some handcuffs and a good old-fashioned romance, and what you get is this gleeful send-up of a classic Hitchcock film.

While many churches are adopting more contemporary Sunday morning services to try to appeal to young adults, the 11 a.m. service at one Nicholasville church is aimed at an even younger audience. The KidStuf program started at Generations Community Church, which meets at Rosenwald-Dunbar Elementary School on Wilmore Road, in 2004. It is a vibrant, engaging activity intended to attract not just children but their parents as well, according to Generations pastor Max Vanderpool. “We felt like families were busy and always on the go, driving between soccer practice and school and mom and dad working and shuttling here and there,” Vanderpool said.

LEXINGTON — The dinner included chicken, steak and some killer mousse cake. Western Kentucky barbecue would have been more fitting. The Kentucky Chamber of Commerce’s annual opening-of-the legislature dinner, on the first Thursday in January, was much like the political speaking at the Fancy Farm Picnic in Graves  County on the first Saturday in August. The likely gubernatorial nominees of the two major parties spoke back to back, referring to each other; the speaker of the House played comedian but ultimately statesman as he roasted speakers of both parties; and the minority caucus leaders contributed to a veritable circus of politics and public policy.