Dust off your summer whites and prepare for a spectacular evening at Lacawac Sanctuary in Wayne County on August 13 to celebrate its 50th anniversary providing research, education and preservation programs and initiatives.

This anniversary dinner is a spin on the original French pop-up dinner party, Le Diner en Blanc, in which thousands of people descend on a secret location dressed in white for an elegant outdoor dinner.

You are invited to join us for Lacawac’s Farm to Plate Dinner en Blanc featuring sensational food, wine, and fun with friends under the stars at the Historic Watres Lodge at Lacawac Sanctuary.

The event features cocktails and hors d’oevres on the first floor of the Historic Watres Lodge, live music, dinner under the stars and a silent auction.

(Photo: Dinner planning committee: Anthony Santiago (Lacawac Trustee), Charlotte Kuczynski, Melanie Seagreaves (The Dime Bank), Emily Grillo (Bold Gold and Lacawac Trustee), Craig Lukatch (President Lacawac), Mary Ellen Bentler (NBT Bank and Lacawac Trustee), Terri Marcellus (Settler’s Hospitality Group), Bonnie Taylor (Wayne Bank).  Not in photo: Charlie Anderson, Lacawac Trustee; Bob Eckstein, Lacawac Trustee; Dr. Dale Holen, PSU Worthington; Jeanne Genzlinger, Settler’s Hospitality Group.)

Dinner en Blanc will feature and highlight the culinary creations of Executive Chef Ben Sutter of the Settlers Hospitality Group, whose innovative menus are shaped by the seasons, farms, pastures and producers of our region.

The philosophy of Settlers Hospitality Group is to use the best, local ingredients that can be found in the region. Chef Sutter’s cooking is marked by high contrasts in flavors. Dishes incorporate and touch as many of the savory, sweet, bitter, spicy categories as possible without being overwhelming.

Chef Sutter’s menus boast many farm-to-table and sustainable dishes. He knows the food needs to speak for itself. Chef Sutter is pushing the limits of “farm-totable” cuisine by utilizing methods like sous-vide to produce spectacular and innovative dishes.

Lacawac’s Farm to Plate Dinner en Blanc features a local menu made from Pennsylvania grown ingredients, characterized by timeless dishes from the region. 

As a strong supporter of local farmers and privately owned specialty food businesses, Lacawac believes that the preservation of family owned land and business creates a culture where integrity, tradition and authenticity thrives.

The support of local agriculture is vital to the survival of ecosystems needed for sustainable food systems.

Dinner en Blanc emphasizes this important relationship by working with The Settlers Hospitality Group and Chef Sutter who use local ingredients from Pennsylvania and Wayne County Farmers. Our dinner serves as a tribute to the farmers and cooks whose legacy lives on in the recipes passed down to be cherished by generations to come.

Lifetime Achievement Awards

During the 50th anniversary celebration dinner, Lacawac’s Board of Trustees and staff will honor two individuals who have given tirelessly to Lacawac and its growth over the years—Dr. Craig Williamson, Miami University of Ohio and Dr. Susan S. Kilham, Drexel University.

Professor and Ohio Eminent Scholar of Ecosystem Ecology, Dr. Williamson received his PhD from Dartmouth College and was a professor at Lehigh University before moving to Miami University in 2005.

His early research was on trophic interactions involving zooplankton, but in the past 16 years his work has focused on the ecology of UV in alpine lakes worldwide.

As part of his service to the scientific and global community, Craig serves on the United Nations Environment Programme Environmental Effects Assessment Panel on ozone depletion.

Dr. Kilham received her PhD in Zoology and Oceanography from Duke University. She completed her postdoctoral at Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, Woods Hole, MA. Following her postdoctoral studies, Susan Kilham, PhD was on the faculty at the University of Michigan 1972-1990. She came to Drexel University in January 1991.

She has extensive international experience in aquatic ecosystems and is the author of over 75 scientific publications. In the past decade, she has researched areas related to the impacts of climate change on ecosystems. She has been active in her career. She currently serves as a Trustee at Lacawac.

Sponsorships

Sponsorship opportunities are available for this one-of-a-kind event. For 50 years Lacawac has been a resource for hundreds of thousands of students, collegiate faculty, local residents, visitors and vacationers to the region who come to Lacawac to enjoy its beauty and learn about the relationship between human beings and their environment.

The Sanctuary invites local businesses to become part of the growing community that support our efforts and join us as a sponsor celebrating 50 years as a nonprofit with a mission of research, education, and preservation.

More Information

For more information on the dinner, visit the Farm to Plate Dinner en Blanc webpage or call 570-689-9494 or send email to: info@lacawac.org.

About The Sanctuary

Lacawac Sanctuary is a biological field station, environmental education center and nature preserve located along Lake Wallenpaupack in the Northern Pocono Mountains of Northeastern Pennsylvania.

Lacawac Sanctuary’s property is 545 acres and is comprised of several aquatic and terrestrial systems such as Lake Lacawac, a 52-acre pristine glacial lake designated as Registered Natural Landmark by the National Park Service.

Lacawac provides research and laboratory facilities for a broad range of scientific research along Lake Lacawac and its surroundings as well as providing a diverse program of environmental education for students and the general public.

For 50 years Lacawac has worked closely with scientific researchers at universities throughout the Mid-Atlantic region studying important topics such as climate change and water quality.

Lacawac offers a wide range of educational programs for students, families, and civic organizations, including nature walks/hikes, bird walks, workshops, and more.

In addition to its environmental and educational resources, Lacawac is an important cultural landmark in the region. The property includes a number of Victorian era “cottage” buildings including the Adirondack-style lodge and carriage house.

The Sanctuary’s infrastructure was established at the turn of the 20th century and today stands as a historically important estate and is in the National Register of Historic Places.

Founded in 1966, Lacawac is a nonprofit 501c3 administered by a board of trustees with a mission of Research, Education and Preservation and relies solely on the support of individuals and businesses.

If environmental education and the protection of the environment and the Earth for generations to come is important to you, we encourage you to visit the Lacawac Sanctuary website to learn more about how you can play a role in their work.

5/9/2016