Tickets available for hog roast, holiday events
The Community House on Sanibel has a family-friendly pig roast, plus two first-ever events designed to provide inspiration for one’s holiday planning, set over the next week and tickets are on sale.
The “Smoke on the Island” Hog Roast will be held on Oct. 20 from 6 to 8 p.m., with Resident Chef Jarred Harris preparing the main course and side dishes. The menu features a slow-roasted pig with his special barbecue sauce, paired with tomato and fresh mozzarella salad, black beans and yucca fries.
In partnership with Floral Artistry, The Community House next will host a Floral Design Workshop with international designer Mark Frank, plus Christmas in October, on Oct. 24 starting at 3 p.m.
‘SMOKE ON THE ISLAND’ HOG ROAST
Executive Director Teresa Riska-Hall explained that The Community House’s mission statement involves enriching community spirit through its educational, cultural and social gatherings.
“This is really one of the social gatherings where we try to encourage the community to come out and chat with each other and be together,” she said, adding that it helps to foster a sense of community.
Advance tickets are $15 or $18 at the door, and children ages 10 and under are $10.
For an extra $5, guests can enjoy a Love Boat Ice Cream bar and Harris’ homemade sauces.
Riska-Hall noted that the in-season pig roasts have drawn as many as 300 attendees.
“It’s a quieter time right now, so we expect less people,” she said.
The hog is roasted just outside in the venue’s smoker.
“It is a big hit,” Riska-Hall said. “Jarred takes a lot of care and tries to create the best of the best.”
Beer, wine and spirits will be available for purchase.
“We do have the liquor license now, so we are able to provide some alcoholic beverages,” she said.
Riska-Hall added that the facility keeps the cost low.
“We don’t want it to be an expensive night out,” she said. “We want it to be a fun night out.”
In the past, whole neighborhoods have come out to enjoy the evening.
“We want families to come, not just the parents,” Riska-Hall said.
Proceeds from the event benefit The Community House and its programming.
“It’s a casual dinner with friends that supports a non-profit – and the non-profit supports other non-profits by providing low rental space for their events,” she said.
FLORAL DESIGN WORKSHOP, CHRISTMAS IN OCTOBER
The workshop and demonstration will take place from 3 to 5 p.m., featuring Denmark master floral designer Mark Frank. Afterward, Christmas in October will begin starting at 5 p.m. Jana Telecka, owner and lead designer of Sanibel’s Floral Artistry, explained that it is the first time for both events.
“We had this idea for a few years, but it came together this year,” she said.
“We are hoping to make it an annual event,” Telecka added.
She noted that there are several holiday fundraisers and events in the area, but nothing really where people can show up, have some fun and get inspired with ideas for planning their own festivities.
“What you can do for the holidays,” Telecka said.
Both events will cover the Thanksgiving, or fall, and the Christmas, or winter, themes.
First up, the workshop will be a hands-on floral class for about 20 people.
“We are going to make a centerpiece,” she said, adding that the foundation will remain the same but elements can be swapped out to transition between the holidays. “So something they can reuse.”
There will also be different arrangements on display for extra inspiration.
“What they make, they take home,” Telecka said.
Based out of Hilversum in the Netherlands, Frank has worked for over 20 years on national and international projects, arranging flowers for exhibitions, corporate events and luxurious weddings.
“He travels all around the world,” she said.
Owner of Mark Frank Styling, Frank also teaches floral classes and holds presentations.
“He is going to be the one giving the instruction,” Telecka said.
The cost for the workshop is $95 and covers all of the supplies.
“They don’t need to bring anything with them,” she said.
Refreshments and hor’dourves will be provided.
While the workshop starts at 3 p.m., participants are asked to arrive early.
Next up, Christmas in October will feature edible delights, tips and more on entertaining from local professional chefs, plus a chance to prebook musicians, photographers, caterers, bakers and such.
“Every vendor will have a table set up. They will have information about all of their services,” Telecka said, noting that the caterers will have different appetizers. “They are showing what they can do.”
In addition to Floral Artistry, the list will include Neubek Photographers, Kara Cardinal of KC Weddings and Events, Exclusive Affair Party Rentals and musical acts Jade Strings and Steve Farst.
Among the food-related vendors are Favi Cakes, Chef Jamie Crisp of Jamie’s Cuisine, Sanibel’s Paper Fig Kitchen and Bailey’s General Store, and Resident Chef Jarred Harris of The Community House.
Beyond the vendors, the lobby will be decorated, along with two rooms – one for each theme.
“They’ll be walking into a kind of holiday wonderland,” she said.
A range of floral arrangements will be on display to serve as inspiration.
“We are going to have about six fully decorated tables – kind of to get inspired for what’s even possible to do when you are having a party,” Telecka added.
In addition, Frank will do a short presentation on the new trends in holiday decorating.
There will be door prizes given out about every 15 minutes.
“When they arrive we will give everybody a ticket, like a raffle ticket,” she said. “Everybody whose name is called will get to pick a Christmas ornament.”
Made out of glass crystal, the ornaments have been decorated by Floral Artistry.
A fully-decorated Christmas tree, part of the holiday dcor, will be lit during the event.
“Which we are donating to The Community House,” Telecka said.
Tickets are $15 in advance or $20 at the door and include a glass of champagne.
A cash bar will also be available, with the proceeds to benefit The Community House.
“Get inspired and get in the spirit for the holidays,” she said.
Tickets to the “Smoke on the Island” Hog Roast are available at The Community House or by calling 239-472-2155 and using a credit card. For more information, visit sanibelcommunityhouse.net.
For more on the holiday events, contact Floral Artistry at 239-472-3040.
The tickets for both of them can be purchased online by visiting sanibelcommunityhouse.net or stopping by Floral Artistry, The Community House, Bailey’s General Store and Bank of the Islands.
The Community House is at 2173 Periwinkle Way.