On behalf of the 2019 “Fire and Fusion-An Executive Chef Competition” event committee, the Board of Directors and the staff of the Nashua Senior Activity Center, we would like to express our deepest gratitude to all of those who made our 7th Annual Fire and Fusion Executive Chef Competition such a rousing success! It was enjoyed by a sellout crowd of more than 350! “A Taste of the Kentucky Derby” theme gave rise to hundreds of Kentucky Derby themed appetizers. Attendees voted Chef Rejean Sheehy’s Aunt Anne’s Corn Fritters with Spicy Aioli Dipping Sauce and Kentucky Bourbon Marinated Chicken Skewers, the “People’s Choice”. Later, 8 chefs were challenged by 4 mystery ingredients in the timed portion of the cooking competition. Chef Jonathan Fudala from Ledgewood Bay at Milford was named “Top Chef” followed by a tie for 2nd between Chef Teresa Curry from Bentley Commons at Bedford and Chef Hilton Dottin from Bedford Nursing and Rehab. Center. Placing 3rd was Chef Dennis Hickey from Aynsley Place.

We’d like to thank our event host, Mike Morin; Special Guest Judge, Sean McDonald, Anchor WMUR Channel 9, Event judges-Chef Nicole Barreira, Corporate Chef, Great NH Restaurants; Susan Laughlin, Food Editor, NH Magazine, and Brian Rhodes, Chief Nashua Fire Rescue, as well as our competing chefs Jonathan Fudala (Ledgewood Bay at Milford); Tom Dexter(Nashua Crossings); Dennis Hickey (Aynsley Place), Matt Aubin(Bridges by Epoch at Nashua), Rejean Sheehy (Courville at Nashua), Teresa Curry (Bentley Commons at Bedford), Guy Streitburger (Arbors of Bedford), Hilton Dottin(Bedford Nursing and Rehab. Ctr.) and Shawn Murphy (Villa Crest Nursing and Retirement Ctr.) for combining their talents for an extraordinary evening of food and competition. Amazing sound and video production services were provided by Bob Molloy of Molloy Sound and Video Contractors. Through the work of many dedicated committee members including our event co-chair, Wendy Sage-Matsis from Bridges by Epoch at Nashua, and many volunteers, “Fire and Fusion” raised more than $53,000! Through the generosity of more than 100 raffle donors, we were able to offer exceptional baskets on our gift basket raffle which had donated items totaling more than $13,000; and, we were extremely grateful to have a wonderful collection of sponsors. We would like to extend special thanks to our Signature Event Sponsor-Benchmark Senior Living- the Arbors of Bedford and Nashua Crossings – for their generosity. Diamond Dish Sponsors included Alpha Home Care Solutions, Convenient MD, Market Basket, Harvard Pilgrim Health Care and the Courville Communities- (Aynsley Place and the Courville at Nashua) Platinum Platter Sponsors were TD Bank, Bridges by Epoch at Nashua, Triangle Credit Union, and The Lenny Dobens Agency. The Golden Grill Sponsors included Comcast, Ledgewood Bay at Milford, Bedford Nursing and Rehab. Ctr., Andy Whigham, Financial Advisor with Edward Jones, Nashua Lion’s Club, The Tamposi Foundation, St. Joseph Hospital, Enterprise Bank, Nashaway Woman’s Club, Visiting Angels, Center for Physical Therapy and Exercise, Morneau Law, Bentley Commons at Bedford, Etchstone Properties, Anctil-Rochette and Son Funeral Home, Villa Crest Nursing and Retirement Center, Southern NH Health, St. Joseph Hospital, the Nash Foundation, the Tamposi Foundation, Greenbriar Healthcare and Nashua Firefighters Local 789. Silver Skillet Sponsors included Armistead Senior Care, Beasley and Ferber, PA, Harvey Construction, Allen Mello Chrysler Jeep Dodge Ram, CGI Benefit Solutions, the Breakfast Exchange Club of Nashua, Barry and Honorow, PLLC, Eaton and Berube Insurance, Jeanne D’Arc Credit Union, Northeast Rehabilitation Hospital, Gateways Community Services and ServiceLink. Frederick’s Pastries was the Exclusive Dessert Sponsor. Pantry Sponsors included Bridges by Epoch at Nashua, Lowell Five and the Lenny Dobens Agency. Floral Sponsors included BrightStar Care and Seelye and Schulz, PA. Century Bank was the Print Sponsor; Right at Home Senior Care was the Ticket Sponsor, Home Instead Senior Care was the Winner’s Circle Sponsor and Santander was the Audio Visual Sponsor. WSMN 1590, Nashua NH-Bartis-Russell Broadcasting, LLC was the Media Sponsor, and co-hosts Bob Bartis and Bob Bianchi broadcasted live from the event venue.

Financial support for the Nashua Senior Activity Center keeps our mission alive and benefits our members. Healthy active seniors live longer and more productive lives. Moreover, they are an integral part of our community, and their collective wisdom and talent benefits the entire community. Our senior center is a vibrant collection of active and engaged adults who volunteer, help other seniors in need, and enjoy many activities. Their involvement provides a sense of purpose knowing that they are making a positive change in their lives and in the lives of others.

The Center welcomes you to visit and tour so that you can see why it is the hub of activity for those 50 and better. Visit our website at www.nashuaseniorcenter.org, sign up for our electronic newsletter-“Senior Center Happenings” , “Like” our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/nashuasac or follow us on Twitter @NashuaSeniors to stay informed about all of the programs and events both at the Center and in the community. Nashua Senior Center Spotlight is heard on WSMN 1590 every Monday at 7am as part of “Nashua this Morning” with George Russell.

As always, thank you to the Nashua community for your continued support of the Nashua Senior Activity Center.

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