Battle of the Hors D’oeuvres raises $10K for Marsh Collection

“Battle of the Hors D’oeuvres” was held May 13 with five local restaurants involved. The O won the top prize with Kat Crosby and Jordan Kennedy accepting the trophy from organizing committee member Linda Jackson.

A fundraiser last week saw people sample food and help out a local non-profit historical organization at the same time.

Battle of the Hors D’oeuvres was held last Wednesday night and involved five downtown Amherstburg restaurants and a sold out crowd of people divided into groups and touring the local eateries. Proceeds from the evening went towards the Marsh Historical Collection. 

A total of 125 people helped raise $10,000 with the three-hour event involving Burger 67, The O, Riccardo’s Italian Restaurant, The Salty Dog and The Artisan Grill. All groups came to the Artisan Grill at the end of the evening where people voted for their favourite hors d’oeuvres, with The O coming out on top.

One of the five groups enjoyed the food at the Artisan Grill (left) with other restaurants including Riccardo’s Italian Restaurant, The Salty Dog and Burger 67. The event raised roughly $10,000 for the Marsh Historical Collection.

“Amherstburg really is the kind of town that shows up for one another,” said event co-organizer Linda Jackson. “The incredible turnout proves it. In fact, tickets sold out before they were even printed. Amazing!”

Jackson noted she worked with Anne Ussoletti and Jennie Lajoie to help plan the event. Volunteers helped to marshal people from restaurant to restaurant in roughly 25-minute intervals.

“When we three ladies – Jennie, Anne and I – came together, our goal was to preserve Amherstburg’s and the lower Detroit River’s history,” said Jackson. “History is so important to us. We felt preserving history keeps our story alive, honours the people who came before us and gives future generations something meaningful to hold on to and be proud of.”

From there, the three organizers contacted Marsh Historical Collection collections co-ordinator Meg Reiner. 

“She was all-in and the ‘battle’ was born,” said Jackson.

The sponsors were also thanked, with Jackson stating they “helped make this happen tonight (May 13).”

The Marsh Historical Collection was founded in 1983, said Reiner and pointed out the non-profit organization was founded by the Marsh family. It was started by the brother-sister duo of John and Helen Marsh. 

According to the Marsh Historical Collection’s website, their parents Arthur and Bessie moved from Essex to Amherstburg in 1900 and Arthur became a part-owner of The Amherstburg Echo. John and Helen joined the business and operated the Echo until 1981, meaning it was a Marsh family tradition for over 80 years.

Though the Marsh Historical Collection was founded in 1983, the original intent was that a facility to house their photos and memorabilia wouldn’t become public until after they died.

While the Marsh’s collection of photos and goods got things started, Reiner said the collection has gotten larger over the years thanks to the donations and contributions from the town’s residents.

“This community has helped grow the collection significantly,” said Reiner.

Reiner added it has been a continuous effort by the community to support the Marsh Historical Collection. She thanked the restaurants for their involvement, acknowledging it was “a big ask” to see if they were willing to participate.

“They went above and beyond,” said Reiner.

The Marsh Historical Collection is located at 80 Richmond St., in the Heritage Square Plaza. They are open Tuesday-Friday from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Their website is www.marshcollection.org and their phone number is 519-736-9191.

Battle of the Hors D’oeuvres raises $10K for Marsh Collection

By Ron Giofu