
DATE: Thursday, September 25, 1997          TAG: 9709230112

SECTION: NORFOLK COMPASS         PAGE: 02   EDITION: FINAL 
COLUMN: ON THE TOWN 

SOURCE: Sam Martinette 

                                            LENGTH:   81 lines

GOURMET GALA AT MARRIOTT HOTEL WILL BENEFIT ST. JUDE'S RESEARCH

One of the premier networking and after-work social events of the fall - the annual Gourmet Gala to benefit St. Jude Children's Research Hospital - will take place from 5:30 to 9:30 p.m. October 8 at the Norfolk Waterside Marriott.

Tickets for the event in downtown Norfolk are $35 per person. They entitle the patron to sample wares of nearly 40 restaurants, caterers, vendors and other food professionals, including a contingent from Johnson & Wales University.

All proceeds from the evening will go to fund research at St. Jude - the Memphis, Tennessee Hospital founded by entertainer Danny Thomas - and is earmarked for research into cures and treatment of cancer and other catastrophic diseases that strike children.

According to the local Friends of St. Jude, the group that sponsors the annual fund-raiser, the protocols or cures are shared with hospitals and doctors all over the world, including those in Hampton Roads.

``As far as I'm concerned St. Jude gave me back my child,'' said Mary Jane Strange of Norfolk, referring to the Memphis hospital.

Her daughter, Jena Bucher, was diagnosed with a malignant brain tumor in August 1986. Strange's husband, Mike, was stationed at NAS Memphis at the time, and the family lived just outside the city. Jena - whose name is pronounced Gina - was referred to a civilian hospital, and the specialist she saw was also affiliated with St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, according to Strange.

Jena was referred to St. Jude and underwent intense chemotherapy and radiation treatments, her mother said, starting in September 1986 for about six months.

``We had Champus, which paid for some of the treatment, and St. Jude took what Champus would pay,'' explained Strange, referring to the insurance program that pays for the military and their dependents to be treated by civilian doctors and facilities. ``But if we had not had Champus, they would not have charged us at all,'' she said.

Mike Strange was recently transferred to Norfolk, and the family lives in Bayview. Jena, now 17 and a student at Lake Taylor High, is ``a survivor,'' her mother said. ``There has been no reoccurrence.

``I can tell you that every dime that anyone has ever donated to St. Jude is used for good, and I've seen it at work. I have living proof.''

The participating restaurants, bakeries and food vendors at the 6th Annual Gourmet Gala will be: Ruby & Company Catering, Bienville Grill, Norfolk Waterside Marriott, Brewer's East Inn, Cafe David, Gus' Mariner Restaurant, Il Porto Ristorante, Kate's Catering Service, My Dad's Country Bread Pudding, Aldo's Ristorante, Mary's Restaurant, Charlie's Seafood Restaurant, The Coyote Cafe, Le Chambord - The Bistro, Ship's Cabin, Bamboo Hut and Pastavita, and the Town Point Club.

Also: Tabouli Restaurant, Isle of Capri, Spirit of Norfolk, La Bella Italia, Szechuan Garden (Lynnhaven), The Raven Restaurant, Uncle Louie's, Harbor Club, Johnson & Wales University, Il Giardino Ristorante, Riverwalk at the Omni Waterside, Croakers Seafood Grill, Taki's Gyros, Tradewinds at Virginia Beach Resort Hotel, Toques Creative Catering, Du Chocolat, Baker's Crust Bread Market, The Banque, Gary John Seafood, Nesson Meats, Bobbywood and Azar's Cafe & Market.

I'm told there will be continuous music, and entertainment will include the ``Bad Girls'' Dance Troupe from Chesapeake.

Tickets are available at the following locations: in the foyer of the Decker I Building, 201 Plume St.; at the Waterside Marriott Gift Shop in downtown Norfolk; and at Lucy's Total Bodycare, 3980 Virginia Beach Blvd. (at Loehmann's Plaza) in Virginia Beach. For information or to purchase tickets by phone, call 622-3317. ILLUSTRATION: Photo by SAM MARTINETTE

Jena Bucher, 17, relaxes with her cat Speedy in their Norfolk home.

Jena was treated for cancer at St. Jude's in 1986.

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AT A GLANCE

What: 6th Annual Gourmet Gala

When: 5:30 to 9:30 p.m. Oct. 8

Where: Norfolk Waterside Marriott Hotel

How much: $35 per person, to sample food from nearly 40

restaurants, caterers and food vendors; cash bar.

Call: 622-3317