The first annual ALTER Valentine's Dinner at the Harmony Homestead was a sell-out! Twenty couples, students, faculty and community members came to the dinner seatings at the Harmony House and were treated to a romantic candlelit fireside feast.
    The gourmet dinner was organized by ALTER members Tim Stavenger, Kimberly Donovan and Mary Beth Steisslinger. Delectable recipes of vegetarian and vegan lasagna were prepared by Vi Macoskey, Lisa Troianni, and Tim Stavenger. The soup of the evening was Sue Morrow's wonderful potato leek soup wiht fresh herbs. Organic farmers, Darrell and Linda Fry provided a lovely salad mix which included some 15 varieties of tender greens picked that day from their Three-Sisters Bioshelter in Sandy Lake.
    Mary Beth Steisslinger prepared the salad dressing. Desserts were prepared by Dr. Sharon Sykora and Hal Kaufman. Jeff Jaeger and Cassandra Cole served as maitre'd and hostess for the evening. Music was provided by Dave Perry, Mary Ann King served as prep assistant, Mary Beth Steisslinger was photographer and Wendy Perry provided much needed babysitting.Tim Stavenger and Kimberly Donovan orchestrated the kitchen operations, while Mrs. Robert N. Abersold and Dean Anne Griffiths provided the 10 small tables for the event. Also thanks to Harmony House residents Erica Renaud and Cecila Irazuzta.
    This dinner is an event to raise money for the ALTER project and raise awareness about vegeatarian and vegan eating. The dinner was began in 1996 and has had several tasty entrees over the years, with ingredients being donated from various local sources.- Source: Alternator Article, Spring 1996.