Dr. Mike Hess wears many hats in the community. Next weekend, the family physician, drummer, BHS Band Patrons President and CHIRP director will put on his chef’s hat – and maybe even a black mustache, he said – and make frittis.

 

He’ll be in good company. Several members of the BHS Band Patrons and BHS Alumni Band will be helping Hess man a booth at the 36th Annual West Virginia Italian Heritage Festival, Labor Day weekend in downtown Clarksburg.  Proceeds will help the BHS Band meet expenses for the 2014-2015 school year.

 

It’s a sweet opportunity, Hess said.

 

“This is a great thing. The booth is sponsored by the WVIHF committee, which supplies all the things needed to make the frittis,” he said. “They open it to a non-profit to make money for that organization. They’ve really thought this thing out as a great way to give back to the community. We’ve had a really good response from helpers and it’s just been fantastic.”

 

Irish by heritage, Hess isn’t an expert on frittis.

 

“I describe them as being a small Italian version of a funnel cake – with or without powdered sugar topping,” he said. “They’re basically little pieces of dough that are deep fried.”

 

The Band Patron volunteers will take care of all aspects of the booth – deep frying the frittis, dusting them with sugar and selling them to customers. At the end of the weekend, the organization keeps all net profits from the sale. 

 

Located on Main Street across the street from the Harrison County Courthouse, the booth will be open noon to 10 p.m. Friday, Aug. 29, 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 30 and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 1.  Four individuals are needed to work the booth during each one-hour shift. It’s a lot of manpower, Hess said, but also a powerful opportunity for the organization.

 

At this time, volunteers are needed for Friday evening.

 

The band has potential to make thousands of dollars from the three-day sale. Those dollars will be used toward the band’s budget, which is presently set at $65,000 and includes uniform and instrument maintenance/repairs, halftime show expenses and bus rentals, among other items.

 

“There’s a myriad of things, which also include advertising – efforts to get the word out about the music programs at BHS,” Hess said.

 

The band will also be funding a trip to New York City, where members will march in the Veterans’ Day Parade.

 

Looking ahead, the band will be conducting its annual fruit sale. That officially kicks off Oct. 1. Beyond the timeframe of that sale, the band will be taking fruit orders via the Internet with deliveries available nationwide.

 

Hess looks forward to a busy, successful BHS Band season.

 

To volunteer for the fritti sale, contact Angel at 304-518-9535, Kim at 304-203-5599 or Beverly at 304-842-3099. 

 

Top photo courtesy of West Virginia Italian Heritage Festival. Photo just above and on cover taken by Tyler Maxwell of Ben Queen Photography at the band's recent 2014 field show performance. Get more information about next weekend's West Virginia Italian Heritage Festival HERE.