Hockey Night in Canada (HNIC) star Don Cherry, a nominee for CBC's Greatest Canadian award, and his HNIC sidekick Ron MacLean recently hosted the gala Seasons of Comfort and Joy fund-raiser for Rose Cherry's Home for Kids at the Liberty Grand. The event raised more than $150,000 for the hospice and respite centre for children, established in memory of Grapes' late wife.
Planned by Mixer Inc., the event opened with a tasting of Kendall Jackson Wines. A silent auction followed and featured items from such sponsors as the Fairmont Royal York, Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment, and the Toronto Raptors basketball team. The meal, catered by Liberty, began with a salad of roasted.phparagus, Mandarin oranges with baby greens and crisp spiced onions with honey vinaigrette, followed by creamed Vidalia onion soup with gorgonzola foam and chives. The entrée was a pepper-crusted New York strip sirloin with port reduction, garlic and sour cream double-stuffed potatoes, and a medley of seasonal vegetables. Dessert was a strawberry and rhubarb torte with honey lavender ice cream, and a creme de coco sabayon, as well as a chocolate cup filled with chocolate ganache and macerated berries, all created by venue host and caterer Liberty Grand. Table decor included centrepieces donated by Day in the Country, which guests bid on at the end of the evening.
After dinner, Cherry's hero, hockey great Bobby Orr, gave a touching tribute to Rose. The evening concluded with a performance by jazz musician Lester MacLean.
—Robyn Small
Planned by Mixer Inc., the event opened with a tasting of Kendall Jackson Wines. A silent auction followed and featured items from such sponsors as the Fairmont Royal York, Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment, and the Toronto Raptors basketball team. The meal, catered by Liberty, began with a salad of roasted.phparagus, Mandarin oranges with baby greens and crisp spiced onions with honey vinaigrette, followed by creamed Vidalia onion soup with gorgonzola foam and chives. The entrée was a pepper-crusted New York strip sirloin with port reduction, garlic and sour cream double-stuffed potatoes, and a medley of seasonal vegetables. Dessert was a strawberry and rhubarb torte with honey lavender ice cream, and a creme de coco sabayon, as well as a chocolate cup filled with chocolate ganache and macerated berries, all created by venue host and caterer Liberty Grand. Table decor included centrepieces donated by Day in the Country, which guests bid on at the end of the evening.
After dinner, Cherry's hero, hockey great Bobby Orr, gave a touching tribute to Rose. The evening concluded with a performance by jazz musician Lester MacLean.
—Robyn Small
A hockey jersey autographed by Don Cherry was auctioned off during the Seasons of Comfort and Joy gala held at Liberty Grand to raise money for Rose Cherry's Home for Kids.
Mementoes from the sports and entertainment worlds went to the highest bidder at the silent auction.
Dining tables were simple and elegant and the centrepieces were auctioned off.
