By Angelina Wheeler
The Amish community in and around the charming Centre County village of Hublersburg invite residents and visitors to enjoy a delicious traditional Amish meal while supporting a great cause. The Nittany Valley Benefit Dinner will take place from noon to 7 p.m. Saturday, March 18 at the Hublersburg Fire Hall, 125 Firehouse Lane in Howard, PA. The popular dinner supports Amish schools in the area and helps young families offset some of the costs associated with parochial schools.
Tickets are available for one-hour intervals throughout the day of the dinner, which features a buffet-style menu of traditional dishes served at Amish weddings. This includes – but is not limited to – creamy mashed potatoes, savory roasts, noodles covered in cheese and melted butter, freshly baked bread, vanilla pudding and homemade ice cream, as well as cherry and apple pies, and much more. All the food served is homemade during the week of the event and on the day of the dinner. Many of the dishes are community favorites for special occasions within the community.
The event will also feature a market stand, allowing guests to purchase pre-packaged meals to take home and enjoy later. This does not include the hot food menu items. However, a drive-through option is available for those who want hot to-go meals instead of in-person dining.
Sam Beiler Jr., a member of the local Amish community and the dinner marketing team, said the first Nittany Valley Benefit Dinner took place in May of 2012 and has grown significantly since then. As a result, organizers advise visitors to make reservations in advance due to seats selling fast. Walk-ins may also be available.
“Attending the annual dinner is a monumental help for the community,” he said, noting that the Amish community does not receive government aid for their schools. “It gives us an opportunity to gather as a community and work together to provide this fundraiser to the public, allowing them the opportunity to enjoy some of the great tasting recipes that have been handed down for many generations.”
Attendees also get to experience the fellowship and company of others, while enjoying Happy Valley’s unique Amish culture.
For more information, and to reserve your seat(s) for this unique, delicious experience, visit the Nittany Valley Benefit Dinner event page on Facebook or call Katie at 814 383-2008.
