Summit High School's Dine Around is More Than a Night on the Town

Parents of Summit High Schoolers came hungry last Friday night to the 5th annual Orange Chair-ities Dine Around. The fundraiser, organized by the Summit High School PTO took place at seven local restaurants, all to raise money for the high school auditorium renovations.

More than 125 parents began the evening at the high school for their restaurant placement. The fun of the evening is that diners are randomly assigned to eat dinner as a group at some of Summit's best restaurants (Anna's Ristorante, , , , , , ).  The random seating is always an adventure. Typically, parents, who represent the student body from freshman to seniors, are meeting each other for the first time when they sit down at the table for dinner. But, by the end of the night it's a table of amiable friends.  

Dine Around started in 2007 as a means to raise money for the completion of the senior class lounge.  The lounge was shiny and new in every way with the exception of  the old orange chairs borrowed from the cafeteria. To send the cafeteria chairs back to their rightful location and to purchase chairs more suitable for the lounge, the PTO sponsored fundraiser was created and so was the name "Orange Chair-ities." The goal every year is to raise money to continue to fund projects already under way at the high school.  

Proceeds this year are going towards the auditorium which is currently under renovation. Co-chairs Glory De Simone, Amy Kovar and Laura Lasaracino said, "It's a great way to meet people while supporting the school and the community".

A typical Dine Around dinner at one of the restaurants, was more of a feast than a typical meal. The five-course set menu gave diners two to three options per course starting with appetizers, salad, pasta, entree and dessert. Some of the more memorable dishes were chicken meatballs in La Pastaria's homemade red sauce, potato crusted grouper with sauteed greens and the dessert that everyone loves, Lynn Angelo's famous banana pudding. All of the participating restaurants pulled out the stops to give the parents a meal they wouldn't forget. In addition, wine, provided by the Dine Around committee accompanied all of the dinners.    

Diners who were up for a night cap reconnected at the Grand Summit Hotel Hat Tavern Bar.  Dine Around has raised up to $10,000 for the high school. A fun night out while raising money for a good cause.