The inspirational Mother Teresa, who died in 1988, left us all with many challenges as human beings who interact in a sometimes confusing world with other human beings.
One thing she said will likely resonate for generations to come: "You must come to know the poor."
Of course those seven powerful words spoken by a remarkable woman who spent a lifetime tending to the poor challenge many of us even now. Virtue tells us we should know the poor; pragmatism questions how.
For six years, the Old Mandeville Business Association has provided one unique outlet by which caring citizens can experience the superb culinary artistry of our splendid Old Mandeville restaurants, while at the same time providing for help for an organization that helps the poor. And, at the end of the evening, the participant can go home with a treasured potter's wheel bowl.
It is the Empty Bowl Project and the seventh edition will unfold from 5:00 p.m. -7:30 p.m. on November 8th at the Mandeville Trailhead Cultural Interpretive Center.
There can be no greater motivation for those in our community who hear the echoes of the wisdom of Mother Teresa than a splendid evening at the Trailhead supporting OMBA's annual major fund raising activity for the Samaritan Center.
Under the creative guidance of OMBA members Rick Dennie and Paul Williamson, this year the event is being fashioned on a larger, more exciting scale. It promises to be an evening under the twinkling stars and a harvest moon that no one will want to miss.
As always, most of the proceeds raised from selling bowls handmade by legendary potter Mary Elaine Bernard and her students will go to the Samaritan Center on Girod Street. With the funds from the annual Empty Bowl, the Samaritan Center, under the spiritual guidance of Dena Dyer and her staff, is able to work closely with 20 churches in western St. Tammany to provide basics such as food, clothing, shelter and other needs for the less fortunate in our area of western St. Tammany Parish.
This year the fifteen Old Mandeville restaurants who will donate their talents to cook up their favorite soups, gumbos and other foods, will be at various locations along the grounds of the Trailhead. Previously, the event was held on Saturday mornings on the amphitheater stage, but this year those attending will not only get great food and a keepsake bowl but also musical entertainment from the stage coordinated by local musician and businessman Michael O'Brien.
Admission to the event will be $25. Advance tickets are now on sale at Good Earth Market & Cafe in the 800 block of Girod Street and volunteers Julie Egle and Richard Boyd will sell them at the Lafitte Street entrance to the Trailhead. The admission buys a unique ceramic bowl, live music on stage, and unlimited bowls of soup and gumbos by the 15 top-drawer restaurants. This year, for the first time, those same restaurants will have the option of offering other food items from their menus, and those will be sold separately by each of the restaurants who decide to do so.
Those attending can bring canned goods to donate to a food drive for the Samaritan Center and there will be raffles during the evening for items donated by members of OMBA.
Businesses in the area can also help sponsor the event at three contribution levels: $1,000 for Executive Chef, $500 for Sous Chef and $250 for Prep Cook. At the top level, a corporate sponsor gets 10 free tickets, their names on a banner and poster, the use of a VIP area and their names used in publicity. At the second level, the sponsor gets four tickets, listing on banners and posters, and publicity mention. At the third level, the sponsor gets two free tickets and is named on the poster. Any businesses interested in becoming corporate sponsors of the expanded Empty Bowl/Fill the Bowl can contact Dennie at (985) 966-5684 or Williamson at (985) 674-4329.
There may be a rhythm to this actually: Ludwig van Beethoven observed, "Only the pure in heart can make a good soup." We know our skilled cooks at our treasured Old Mandeville restaurants are the purest of heart and you, the concerned citizen, can demonstrate your purity of heart too by coming to Empty Bowl on Nov. 8.
By coming to Empty Bowl/Fill The Bowl on November 8th you will enjoy delicious soups, take home a beautiful bowl and know you have honored the legacy of Mother Teresa.
SHOP UNTIL YOU DROP
"Christmas time, it is a-coming," as they say in the old bluegrass Kentucky classic. And it is true. So don't forget the Fall Foliage Festival on October 24 in which scores of merchants in Old Mandeville will be offering unique items that will satisfy the most discerning recipient on your holiday gift-giving list. The event will be from 9-5:30 pm featuring merchants on Girod and Lafitte streets.