Erika Doss|Laurinburg Exchange Michael Taylor, left and Amber Robinson from McDuffs served Seafood Bisque at Thursdays Taste of the Town.

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Erika Doss|Laurinburg Exchange James Limbacher, left from Larry's Seafood serves Bill Seamans a large helping of Shrimp Creole with rice at Thursday night Taste of the Town.

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Erika Doss|Laurinburg Exchange Golden Corral's Jayme Aimalefo,left Joey Santana,Center Allee Robertson serve prime rib to Carla Hodges at Thursdays Taste of the Town.

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Erika Doss|Laurinburg Exchange The winner of this year's Most Appetizing Table was Jerry's Deli. Pictured are restaurant servers Jessie Norton,left Kayla Jones, Ashley Odom and Jeri Lynn.

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Erika Doss|Laurinburg Exchange Rachel Herring, left and Brittany Mayes handout pizza from Domino's thursday at the Taste of the Town.

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Erika Doss|Laurinburg Exchange Carolyn McNeil,left serves drinks to Craig Wood Thursday at the Taste of the Town

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Erika Doss|Laurinburg Exchange Sam Richardson,left and Steven Dibble prepare peach craps at Thursdays Taste of the Town.

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Erika Doss|Laurinburg Exchange Ryan Riggines from Champs Food and Spirits prepares beef tips for Thursdays Taste of the Town.

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With strong attendance and community support, this year’s Taste of the Town was one of the best in the event’s 17-year history, according to board Chairman Janie Adams.

Approximately 250 people attended the event, helping the literacy council raise more than $2,000.

A variety of culinary styles were represented Thursday with more than 20 local restaurants’ signature dishes and desserts. Dishes included shrimp creole with rice, fried chicken, seafood bisque, barbecue, chicken salad, beef tips, and enchiladas.

“We chose the two best sellers for the dinner, the chicken salad and coconut cake,” said The Gill House’s Rhonda Faircloth.

This year’s event was also enhanced by door prizes from local business. One addition to this year’s event was an award given to the “Most Appetizing Table.”

“It was a challenging decision” said Adams. “All the tables were nicely put together with great dishes.”

The award went to Jerry’s Deli and Grill with their Easter theme. Table servers were Jessie Norton, Kayla Jones, Ashley Adams, and Jeri Lynn Legette, who wore bunny ears, shared prized eggs, and laid a bunny trail path to their table. Jerry’s table offered spinach dip, chicken salad, and roast beef sandwiches.

“It was a blast and this was the first year the wait staff had put the table together without Jerry,” said Legette.

The literacy council also used the event as an opportunity to recognize Diana Altman, immediate past board chair, with a certificate of appreciation for her dedicated services to the literacy council over many years. She has contributed significantly as a board chair, volunteer tutor, and organizer of many past events.

For 37 years, the Literacy Council has been the main provider for one-on-one tutoring for those in Scotland County that read below a fifth grade level.

This year, a new program is being implemented to serve the 20 percent of the population that has a learning difficulty due to the auditory learning disorder dyslexia. Pat Bush, former executive director, is providing her time and experience with the project to screen potential students and volunteer tutors who want to learn more about the program.

For information about the literacy council’s services, call 276-7007.