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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 2015-05-14, Page 13THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, MAY 14, 2015. PAGE 13. Fare on 4 honoured with Huron Cultural Award Big win Fare on 4, an event that was part of the Blyth Arts and Cultural Initiative 14/19 Inc., was named the top cultural event/organization in Huron at the Huron Cultural Awards on May 1 in Holmesville. Shown is 14/19 Administrator Karen Stewart, right, receiving a painting from Huron-Bruce MP Ben Lobb to mark the win. (Photo submitted) The Blyth Arts and Culture Initiative 14/19 Inc. had a lot of celebrate last week when Fare on 4 the event that saw 1,419 people served dinner on Blyth’s main street last August, was named the cultural event/organization of the year for 2014 at the Huron Cultural Awards. “The news was fantastic and great and a real testament to the talents of the chefs [Jason Rutledge of the Blyth Inn and Peter Gusso of Part II Bistro] and also the work of the volunteers,” 14/19 Administrator Karen Stewart said. “We had over 100 volunteers who worked for 900 hours to bring the event together.” The awards were held at Holmesville’s White Carnation Hall on May 1. Fare on 4 is an example of what the Initiative is capable of, Stewart said. “One of our board members called the original idea for 14/19 ‘audacious’ and this project was just that,” she said. “It shows the risks and the rewards we can manage.” The event was a celebration of local food and local talent that has increased not only the profile of Blyth, but also of Rutledge and Gusso, who both said they have received feedback from the events. “Everywhere I’ve been, I see people figure out that we, Peter and I and all the people in Blyth, did it,” he said, mentioning that during visits to Owen Sound and Kitchener he met people aware of the event. “I haven’t seen a lot of direct impact from the event, but everyone is talking about it and about us.” Rutledge said, in an interview with The Citizen, that looking back he is still impressed that the event worked. “Winning that award is fabulous,” Rutledge said. “The event went over so well and really brought the community together. I saw so many people out that I didn’t expect to see and it was just great to see people supporting the event. “It really brought the whole community together,” he said. “As many Blyth people as possible were involved in both organizing and volunteering and working at the event.” Rutledge echoed Stewart’s words, saying that the volunteers were integral to the event but he also said that the people who bought tickets were just as important. “From doing preparation to sitting down and dining, the whole thing would not have worked without everyone coming together,” he said. Gusso said that he was ecstatic to be named as part of the team that won the award and said he chalked it up to working so well with Rutledge. “We knew each other in the past, but this was really the start of a great working relationship,” he said. “Jason and I won a soup competition, and now this award, it just shows that we have something great here in Blyth.” Gusso also mentioned that he and Rutledge would be working together in Exeter for a fundraising dinner. The pair is taking over for a caterer who backed out of the project due to its sheer size “They called us and said, if you can do 1,419 people, 600 should be easy,” he said. Gusso said the spin-off has been great for him, but that the friendship and partnership he has discovered with Rutledge is, by far, more valuable. Rutledge, echoed that, saying that being a part of the event with Gusso is something that will always be a fond memory. “It was great to work with Peter,” he said. “This was one of those events we’ll never forget and always be proud of because we pulled it off and it was great to share that with him.” Stewart said that while an iteration of the popular event is unlikely this year due to the amount of work the initiative has undertaken for fundraising and the relatively short time left to plan it, Fare on 4 is definitely not done. “It’s coming back to the 14/19 board next week,” she said. “We’ll be looking at next year and 2019. We will definitely do it again.” Both Gusso and Rutledge said they were anxious to take on the project again. “I’m very excited,” Rutledge said. “I’m looking forward to it. Working with Peter, Karen and [14/19 Project Director] Peter Smith was a pleasure.” If Fare on 4 returns for a third time 2019 it could be much larger, one as well according to Stewart. “We’ll be looking at a big celebration to mark the end of the Initiative,” she said. “It will be a big blowout to mark all the work that has been done.” Other winners from the event included Blyth’s Kelly Stevenson who received the Individual Artist award, Alison Lobb who received the Community Contribution award, David Yates who received the Heritage Individual or Organization award, Holly Clausius who received the Youth Award and Leigh Cassell who received the Innovator’s Award. Verna Steffler of Wingham received the Warden’s Award, presented by Warden Paul Gowing, recognizing her work as a dedicated volunteer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e our guest Volunteers, chefs Jason Rutledge of the Blyth Inn and Peter Gusso of the Part II Bistro and the Blyth Arts and Cultural Initiative were recognized at the Huron Cultural Awards for putting on the best cultural event/organization on May 1. The award marked Fare on 4, where 1,419 people were fed on Blyth’s main street last August, as the event to be at last year. (File photo) By Denny Scott The Citizen