ORANGE — Dinner by the River is back this year, with funds from “Castle Rock” going a long way toward making it possible.
According to Selectboard member James Cornwell, the event was canceled last year due to the appearance of Riverfront Park, which suffered from neglected maintenance like weeding and trimming shrubs.
But a year later, the efforts of a few groups have revitalized the park in preparation for Dinner by the River, which in turn is a fundraiser this year for the parks of Orange.
“It’s really been a three-way effort. There’s the ORP (Orange Revitalization Partnership), the superintendent of highways, parks and cemeteries and ‘Castle Rock,’” said Selectboard member James Cornwell.
Indeed, the three groups that have made Dinner by the River again possible are the Orange Revitalization Partnership, a volunteer group independent of the town that works to improve the appearance of downtown Orange, the Orange Highway and Parks Departments, which have provided the physical landscaping under Highway Superintendent Colin Killay, and the Hulu series “Castle Rock.”
“Castle Rock” — a series set in Stephen King’s fictional Maine town of the same name — was filmed in Orange last year, and the production team from Hulu, a subscription video-on-demand service, donated $10,000 back in March for the beautification of the town’s two parks, Memorial Park and Riverfront Park.
“The Castle Rock money goes a long way toward that project,” Cornwell said.
The “Castle Rock” team worked with town administrator Gabriele Voelker, who in turn worked with the Orange Revitalization Partnership, to come up with a reasonable gift to the town for its help during filming — the show also donated $3,500 to the Fire Department and Trustees of Soldiers Memorials, who maintain the town’s war and veteran memorials, many of which are at Memorial Park.
Ultimately, “Castle Rock” settled on something that the whole town could enjoy, Voelker said — the parks.
“We very much appreciate all the cooperation and help the town and its residents provided us while filming Season 1 of ‘Castle Rock,’” Alex Berard, “Castle Rock” location manager, wrote in a letter to the town.
According to Berard, the gesture was intended to thank different town bodies for their involvement with the show. The Fire Department and Police Department, for example, both helped with traffic and making sure areas were closed off for filming. The Community Development office also helped by showing location managers potential filming locations, and acted as a liaison between the town and production.
Apparently, things went well. “We hope to work together soon on a possible Season 2,” Berard wrote in his letter. His wish just may come true, as Hulu announced Tuesday that the show has been renewed for a second season.
According to Denise Andrews, a member of the Orange Revitalization Partnership, the group’s interaction with Killay has been harmonious, and Killay’s team has done a “great job” getting Riverfront Park up to speed. The “Castle Rock” made much of it possible.
“We decided to make it even and so we put $5,000 into Memorial Park in $5,000 into Riverfront,” Andrews said.
Dinner by the River will be held on Saturday, Aug. 25, at 5 p.m. at Riverfront Park, East River Street. Dinner — including vegetarian lasagna or balsamic chicken, green beans almondine, scalloped potatoes, bread with dipping sauce, side salad and dessert prepared by Affordable Caterers of Orange — will be served at 5:30 p.m.
Drinks available are water and iced tea, and no wine will be served at this year’s event.
The Relics will provide a mixture of country and rock music, and Tony Funches will perform music from The Platters. In addition to music, the event will include a 50/50 raffle and raffles for gift baskets at local businesses.
Tickets for the family-friendly, rain-or-shine event are $20 and are available at Trail Head Outfitters and General Store at 1 South Main St., Stan’s Liquor Mart at 1586 South Main St. in Athol or by calling Pat Andrews at 978-544-8555.
This year’s Dinner by the River will also include, for the first time, a “Memory Candles” feature. By donating $1 for a luminary light or $10 for a candle, people can have the name of someone they wish to be remembered read aloud at the dinner. Contact Pat Conrad at 1-978-533-4532 or Jeri Deyo at 1-978-544-2089 by Aug. 18 for a Memory Candle.
Reach David McLellan at dmclellan@recorder.com
or 413-772-0261, ext. 268.