The pandemic actually provided the Loyalhanna Watershed Association with an opportunity to expand its fifth annual Farm-to-Table Harvest Dinner.
Previous dinners have been sit-down affairs in the barn on the association’s hillside property in Ligonier Township, with food prepared by one vendor from the Ligonier Country Market.
Because of the difficult logistics of staging an indoor dinner this year, the event was moved to the market grounds and opened up to market vendors. Guests could plan their own picnics by choosing entrees, desserts and beverages from 14 participants.
From pizza to pierogis, cookies to berry pie, lemonade to spirits, there was something for every palate.
The evening included a commemoration of the 45th anniversary of the summer Saturday market, with State Sen. Kim Ward presenting a proclamation of congratulations from the Pennsylvania state senate and Donna Tidwell sponsoring a butterfly release.
Entertainment was provided by acoustic musician Wayne Shaffer and The Cash Out Show, a Johnny Cash tribute.
Just like the market, the dinner drew visitors from near and far. Karen Lynn and Denny Bernabo took a brief walk from their Ligonier borough home, while Aubrey Moore and Evan Smith made the trek from Monroeville.
Welcoming guests were Susan Huba and Cari Frei, executive directors of the LWA and LCM, respectively.
Frei’s husband, Jordan Frei, remarked, “This is really a strange time to be a Pennsylvania and an American, what with the coronavirus; but if you know my wife, you know she was going to find a way to make (the dinner) work — and she did.”
Seen: Marion Baker, Irene Johnson, Jessica Ross, Bill and Mary Kay Andrews, Al Pontia, Mark and Penny Patrick, Andre and Kelli Murphy, Pat and Mary Ann Ambrisco, Sandra Svilar, Trudy Brisendine, Mike and Tamara Kirk and Mike and Linda Moore.
