Oink! Now that the calendar has turned to October, temperatures are cooling, but activities to benefit Meadowlark’s Good Samaritan Fund are just heating up. It’s HOGtoberfest season, and Meadowlark Foundation has four squeal-worthy announcements!

•    No. 1 – The 9th annual  HOGtoberfest is scheduled for Thursday, Oct. 27!
•    No. 2 – Live music is returning to the event!
•    No. 3 – Central National Bank has joined the event as a Prime sponsor!
•    No. 4 – Cash & More Raffle tickets now are on sale!

Last year, Bud and Bobby Cox, sons of IL resident Ellie Cox, partnered with restaurant owner Scott Sieben to open Kite’s Aggieville Draft House at the corner of 12th Street and Moro. Mark your calendars to join us between the hours of 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 27. Ten percent of the day’s proceeds will be donated to the Good Samaritan Fund, so plan now to enjoy lunch or dinner at Draft House that day. Meadowlark residents also may order food for delivery for either lunch or dinner. An order form will be included in the Oct. 20 Messenger.

If dining at Draft House, a popular pulled pork and chicken slider buffet is available from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. From 5 to 8 p.m., enjoy the whole hog roast buffet – What’s HOGtoberfest without a hog roast? – complete with sides (baked beans, creamy coleslaw, and redskin potato salad) and apple cobbler for dessert. In addition, the Kite’s Bar & Grill menu will be available throughout the day. The Bar & Grill offers burgers, dawgs, and wraps, as well as soups, salads, and specialties, such as chicken fried steak, and spicy shrimp. 

To add to the festive atmosphere at Draft House, Central National Bank will operate its Cash Cube from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., and Tallgrass Tunesmiths will entertain from 6 to 8 p.m. At lunchtime, event-goers will be able to reach into the Cash Cube to grab blowing cash and prize coupons. Those who attend in the evening will hear an energetic group of four Kansans who play accordion, bass, guitar, clarinet, mandolin, and melodica. The band promises to keep the atmosphere lively with polkas, folk music, oldies, and other music fitting a fall Oktoberfest-style party.

As referenced above, there’s a way to get into the HOGtoberfest spirit prior to the big day: purchase Cash & More Raffle tickets. For $5 a ticket, buyers will have the opportunity to win the following prizes:

•       1st prize: $2000 cash
•       2nd prize: $500 shopping spree at Meadowlark Market
•       3rd prize: gift cards from Blueville Nursery with a total value of $300
•       4th prize: $50 gift cards for Kite’s Aggieville Draft House, Mr. K’s, and Rockin K’s, valued at $150

Purchase a winning ticket TODAY at the Hospitality Desk, at Verna Belles’ Café, online at meadowlark.org beginning Oct. x, or by contacting a Meadowlark board member. Help us reach our goal of selling 1400 tickets!

All proceeds support the Good Samaritan Fund, which assists residents in a Meadowlark healthcare household who have outlived their financial resources. The Fund bridges the gap between reimbursement from the state of Kansas and the cost of quality care and life enhancement. In addition to Kite’s Aggieville Draft House and Central National Bank, Meadowlark Foundation appreciates the continued generous support of McCullough Development, BHS Construction, Blueville Nursery, Burnett Automotive, and Flint Hills Beverage.

Please watch future Messengers for more details about this annual Food, Friends, and Fundraising event. Questions? Contact Becky Fitzgerald at (785) 323-3843.