Delicious.. Delectable…Devine… The Rotary Chocolate Festival!
Saturday, November 11th promises to be one of the sweetest days on the calendar, as the Pawling Rotary Club presents their 4th annual Chocolate Festival, raising funds this year for Pawling’s own American Legion and their youth services, as well as other local organizations that support Pawling Community youngsters. These organizations include: The Pawling Resource Center and their child and family outreach programs, Camp Herrlich, The Pawling Library and their children and teen programming, Pawling Youth Development, Pawling Scout Cabin, Pawling Public Radio’s apprenticeship program, Pawling Recreation/Rotary Interact Club, and the Pawling Fire Department. Additionally, funds from this year’s festival will support The Rotary International Foundation’s global Polio eradication program, Shelter Box, and programs that provide health, education and economic viability to people in need worldwide.
This year’s Chocolate Festival has seen tremendous community support, as local businesses and individuals have signed on as sponsors. Chief among them is Castagna Realty, who is a top tier sponsor at the event’s Willy Wonka Golden Ticket level. Sponsors at the next tier of support include: Ingersoll Auto, Dutchess Auto Body, The Grand Rehabilitation and Nursing at Pawling, Fairway Accounting, Emery & Webb, Fountain Plumbing, Stratos Wealth Partners, Patterson Auto Body, Edison Cleaners, Ross & Fayne Daniels, McKinney & Doyle, Good Tidings Gift Shop, Schmitt Excavating and Carl Dill, all participating at the Oh Fudge! level. Chocolate Chip Sponsors include: Phoenix Pottery, Horn & Thomes, Native Landscapes, Joe Downey, Vinny’s Deli, Aneu Salon, Mizzentop Day School, Wings Over Water Swim School, Gina Lombardo at M&T Bank, Jeremy and Susan Stone, and Margot Jacobs.
Community members attending this year are encouraged to bring their gently used coats, as the Pawling Resource Center will be on hand to collect them for their winter coat drive. In return, volunteers at their table will offer up hot chocolate, coffee, and some delicious Cabot Cheese treats to all who stop by. Additionally, BluePath Service Dogs will have their pups on hand to charm. They will be available for some friendly snuggling in the lobby of the Lathrop Center.
Children will also find plenty to eat and fun activities to enjoy. This year’s Rotary Chocolate Fountain, manned, once again, by Jeff and Reid Asher and Susan Stone will have new chocolaty treats to offer, including Smores and Chocolate dipped pretzels. This year Kelly Liffland will bring her crepe making expertise to share. It’s sure to become a festival fan favorite. All attendees will be free to sample, nosh, and dip.
The Rotary Chocolate Festival has proven to be a pre holiday bonanza, with an excellent assortment of vendors offering great holiday gifts and unusually tasty stocking stuffers. This year’s roster includes: Aunt Nenee’s, Cheesecake Heaven, Reverie Cafe, Chrissy the Baker, Coase to Coast Dog Treats, Dolce Bella Fine Foods, Hudson Valley Sheep and Wool, New Confectioner, Pawling Bread Company, Whipped Cupcakes, Zoe’s Ice Cream and several additional surprises. Free samples will be available at all vendor tables while supplies last.
The Fourth Annual Rotary Chocolate Festival will be held in the Lathrop Center at Lakeside Park on Saturday, November 11, from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. So…If you are crazy about chocolate, know someone who is, or consider chocolate to be one of the major food groups, your $5.00 entrance fee will support some wonderful causes while satisfying your yen for deep, dark, milk or unsweetened, melted or fudgy CHOCOLATE! … A perfect way to spend a perfect day! Log onto the Rotary web site pawlingrotary.org for further information.
