Vo-Tech Culinary Students to Serve at Courthouse Luncheon Today

Pittsburgh-based Ice Sculptor Richard Bubin helps Lenape Vo-Tech students carve an ice sculpture of a lemonade bottle January 9 for a luncheon at the Armstrong County Courthouse this afternoon in honor of the new county commissioners.

by Jonathan Weaver

Lenape Vo-Tech students will have the honor of cooking for the Armstrong County Commissioners this afternoon.

Students will share their dishes with Commissioners and courthouse employees during a luncheon this afternoon at the county courthouse in Kittanning.

At the center of the table will be a lemonade ice sculpture carved by Champion Sculptor Richard Bubin and students January 9.

Bubin was a guest during Culinary Arts Instructor Andrea Fahlor’s class this- and last year, and more years to come.

“He’s always a great guest to have in and show the kids what they can do and inspire them,” Fahlor said. “It’s one of the things students look forward to every year, even though they have to stand out in the freezing cold to watch it – I even had a few students from past years come back to watch him.”

Fahlor knows Bubin personally since he was her chef garde manger while she attended the Community College of Allegheny County.  She explained his skills.

“He was my garde manger chef when I was in culinary school,” Fahlor said. “What they do is they prepare all the cold foods for buffet – sandwich prep, lunchmeats and cheeses – fruit carvings, fruit or vegetables – any sort of display.”

Bubin displays some of his other frozen designs with Lenape Vo-Tech students.

Bubin brought the ice block and sculpting materials with him for his fast carve. He is well-known for his skills around the United States as a member of the 2002 Winter Olympics team in Salt Lake City and made an impression with Lenape students, including Senior Rhonda Fleming.

“He’s very fast at what he does – he is one of the best people that I’ve seen,” Fleming said. “He did break the world record for the fastest ice sculpture.

“I do want to learn more about fruit sculpting from him – I would definitely hire him if I were to become a chef,” Fleming added.

Fahlor added her praise for Bubin and described why she asked him to attend the class.

“He’s incredibly talented and I wanted to add the aspect of ice carving and fruit carving to what the students are already learning here – to show them that there are other outlets in the food industry, not just cooking,” Fahlor said. “It can take you all over the world.”

The event was part of Fahlor’s budget.

ASD President Elected Lenape Tech Chairperson

Solicitor Lee Price (left) officially announces Joseph Close as Chairperson of the Lenape Tech Joint Operating Committee during their December monthly meeting. Close also serves as Board President of the Armstrong School District school board.

The Armstrong School District Board President also was elected as leader of another school entity earlier this month.

ASD Board President Joseph Close was elected Chairperson of the Lenape Tech Joint Operating Committee at their December monthly meeting.

Close was elected 6-2 for the position, with past Vice-Chairman Terry Knepshield, representing the Leechburg Area School District received the other votes. Knepshield was reappointed as Vice-Chairman.

Close was initially congratulated by Solicitor Lee Price, who conducted the meeting for the first few minutes of the meeting. Close said he has also been chairman in the past.

During ASD reorganization at the beginning of the month, Close volunteered to continue his term on the technical school governance. He has served with the Joint Operating Commitee for approximately 10 years.

Close said the biggest project he and other board members must accomplishment is completion of the school’s Adult Education Center.

Meetings will remain on the third Thursday of the month at 7PM at the school in Ford City.