Diners try tasting blind

Noele Creamer, The Tribune Review, December 17, 2006

Borrowing the American Indian phrase, "Walk a mile in another man's moccasins", the Green Gables Restaurant in Jennerstown, Somerset County, created a new dining event that benefitted the Somerset County Blind Centre. Dubbed 'Tasting Blind', the event featured a six-course meal with six different wines—and a blindfold.

This allowed participants to experience an entire meal without the use of their vision in an effort to convey how much more difficult common everyday activities can be without the use of sight. Organisers said that it was the first such event they knew of in the area. A similar event was held in New York City, but instead of using blindfolds, diners sat in the dark.

"We thought this would be the perfect benefit for the organisation," said Mary Louise Stoughton, Green Gables Dining Room Manager and Beverage Director.

Funds raised through the event went towards providing low-vision aids to area residents with vision problems.