Food Chain Links Supporters Of The Hudson Area Library

Lisa Green reports from Hudson. “The end — which is the beginning, really — is actually in sight," proclaimed Mark Orton, president of the Board of The Hudson Area Library, which (in case you haven’t taken your nose out of a book in while) is almost ready to move into its new home. As the final touches on the historic building — the former Hudson Armory — are being prepped for library patrons, the fundraising efforts continue apace, and on Sunday, Dec. 11, a group of supporters kicked off a new funding effort, the Hudson Area Library Food Chain. Bob and Marie Rasner, owners and innkeepers of The Inn at 240, along with Jack Simpson and David Murphy hosted the first dinner party in which the guests pay for the meal, with proceeds going to the Library fund. The Rasners cooked up an Indian feast at their bed and breakfast, but it could just as well have been burgers and fries or even a pancake breakfast. Hosts are encouraged to charge $20 to $100 per person and consider some library-related entertainment (book groups take note). Whether you’re a host or a guest, it’s a “novel" way to chase away the winter blahs and help put the finishing touches on the vastly new-and-improved library. Above, Ed Grossman and Mark Orton.

Joan Castle, First Ward alderman Rick Rector and Anna Rachminov, a library board member and owner of Stone Bridge Cider; Gallerist Tom Swope, Lucy Swope, Theresa Parson and Carolyn Lawrence, innkeeper of Hudson Bed and Breakfast.

Party hosts Jack Simpson, Marie Rasner, Bob Rasner and David Murphy.

The crowd gathers around the Indian buffet; David Voorhees, director of the Jacob Leisler Institute, and Gwen Gould, who until recently served as treasurer for the Library's board.