5pm–9pm on the Historic Oxford Square
Oxford Eagle Coverage
Square Toast for Scholarships
2008
Whenever I see the word “toast” in a flyer or invitation, I know I’m bound to be interested. Maybe it’s about drinking, maybe it’s about something with whole grains. Either way, it just might taste good, and that means I want to know about it. And lately it seems as if everywhere I go there’s a flyer for the upcoming Square Toast for Scholarships. Either someone up there must really want me to go, or I’m just fixated on this. The truth is that the flyers say just enough to intrigue but not enough to inform.
It’s a good thing I called to find out more info, because this sounds like an event that shouldn’t be missed. It’s ambitious, well-conceived and just a great idea overall. Here’s the scoop: this is a way for Hospitality students to learn their trade through a practical application that benefits them, their program, area businesses, and the public…all at the same time! If that’s not enough to get you to shell out $50 for a ticket, let me tell you how it’ll go down.
On Oct. 6 from 5-8 p.m., the area around the Square will essentially transform into one large, varied restaurant. Check in at the courthouse, and you’ll receive both a wine glass and a map to show participating vendors. The idea is that as you stroll in and around the Square, many of the shops and restaurants will have food and wine to be tasted. You can get your fill at one place while you shop, then walk it off before you get to the next location.
Well, maybe “get your fill” isn’t a great idea: there will be about 20-25 restaurants and retail stores contributing to the event, so you might want to pace yourself. Places on the Square that will be involved include Old Venice, Two Sticks, 208 South Lamar, Pearl Street Pasta and Prime. But there will also be many places from farther away, such as Ravine, Panini, and Tango’s Barbecue, who will be set up inside the participating retail venues. These include—but aren’t limited to—Therapy, Jewels by Annette, La Lu, and Cicada.
Before you set off on the adventure, check out the silent auction items. You’ll be able to bid on many gift certificates from local merchants and restaurants, a weekend stay at a golf resort in North Carolina, appliances from Viking, and autographed items such as a book, jersey, or a football signed by Coach Nutt and Rebels, among other items.
There will be also be musicians around the Square, who will be playing for tips. You know, this is starting to sound a lot like New Orleans. This event should help solidify our reputation as “The Little Easy”!
According to Amy Bardwell, one of the students who is helping to coordinate this event, this social function was conceived in order to fulfill many needs: it will help provide funding for their program, which was accredited in the last year; it will fund scholarships for students who are unable to attend conferences and programs important to their career study; and it provides practical work experience for the students, who are the ones putting the whole shebang together. And this doesn’t even cover how it—in the jargon of current politics—“stimulates the local economy.”
If you haven’t bought tickets yet, you can get them online at http://www.umfoundation.com/makeagift/ through the “Square Toast” link. Tickets cost $50 in advance. You can also buy them at the Hospitality Management department’s office in Lenoir Hall at Ole Miss. You can also pay at the door on the day of the event, but it’ll cost $60 then.
The plan is that in future years, they hope to turn this into a three-day event. For now, I’m eagerly looking forward to the three hours dedicated to it this year. So let’s say “Cheers!” to the Hospitality Management students and join them on Monday.
— Shanna Flaschka