Catering, Comedy, Cubans
March 9 - 2021 • Voyageur Press
FLOODWOOD, Minn.—The bottom line these days – “People are itching to get out and do something,” said Jess Rich, who, along with her husband, Tom, have brought back live entertainment to Floodwood. “We have the capacity, so let’s do it.”
Tom and Jess have The Event Center located downtown Floodwood. They also own and operate the Wednesday Bakery in Superior, Wisconsin. Catering has been the primary business for the couple, and that went down with the pandemic executive orders. Jess and Tom have not been, “Crying in their beer,” as Tom put it. “It’s given me more time to adjust to the business,” he said. “I’ve added staff in Superior, so that I can be here more in Floodwood.”
Another adjustment to the business was taking a closer look at the current capacity of the Event Center with the current Minnesota government restrictions. “We can comfortably seat 65,” noted Jess. “This allows us to bring in comedians and still keep tables properly spaced.”
The decision was made to host comedy acts, while serving beverages and food from their new kitchen. “We had comedy in the past,” added Jess, “and it has always been well attended.”
Folks may have been itching to get out and socialize, but it was Tom who was itching to utilize the new kitchen that is licensed and ready to roll. Tom had been working on the project for quite some time. “I love the size and I love the flow,” said Tom who has spent many years working in a small kitchen in Superior. “We have the hot side and the bakery side.”
Currently, the kitchen has been busy preparing food for Comedy Nights on Thursday, their Friday Night BBQ takeout special and half the baking for the Wednesday Bakery in Superior. “We are making the pasties, the pies, specialty breads, and sweet breads,” said Tom. “Olga is from Russia and makes the pies. Oh my, is she an artist. She makes all the pies and all the fruit bars.”
In addition, Sally and Debbie Ruzynski make breads and bars. Sally makes the specialty breads — pumpernickel, potato, farmer’s wheat and some delicious church lady cookbook bars. Debbie Ruzynski makes sweet breads — apple, blueberry, and raspberry.
And that’s not all of the help. Tom and Jess have children who are involved and a few other friends of the family all pitching in.
One key member of the staff is Jake Kaufman. “Jake came to me when he was 12 years old,” said Tom.
“Jess and Tom actually came to me,” Jake smiled, who is now 26.
“Then he left me for the railroad when he was 22,” recalled Tom.
Jake admitted it. “I got laid off after two years and came crawling back to Tom and Jess.”
“He actually came leaping back,” Tom laughed, “and we were happy to have him. He became our first full-time employee and now helps manage the Superior kitchen.”
Jake has freed up time for Tom to explore his new kitchen in Floodwood. “Jake does all the breads and cupcakes at the bakery and he also decorates them. I’ve taught him pretty much everything he knows ... almost.”
Jake still recalls starting out at 12. “I did some kitchen help and washed a lot of dishes.”
“To be honest, that’s all I made him do that first day, wash dishes,” added Tom. “To this day I have no idea why he came back the second day. His first day was not fun.”
“It’s hard to believe it has been 14 years,” Jake stated. “Tom is a fun guy to work with.”
Tom more than appreciates Jake, who has even brought suggestions to the table. “He came to me and suggested we take the Cuban sandwiches we make for Catfish Days and serve them at the Wednesday Bakery. As luck would have it, we replaced the windows at 1202 Ogden with double-hung sliders for ordering and take-out.”
“Thank God we were deemed essential,” Tom added. “We started curb service and Jake added three different sandwiches and two types of tacos to the menu.”
“We just added sides this past week,” added Jake. “We have a 4-cheese mac and a cilantro-lime rice and black beans.”
“That little kitchen is now a bakery on Wednesday, it’s a Cuban stand Friday and Saturday, and it is also a catering kitchen all through the week,” Tom smiled.
“Franchise coming soon,” joked Jake.
Also featured at the Event Center is former Floodwood graduate and professional boxer Al Sand’s Barbecue Sauce. Al, known as the Haitian Temptation, has produced a product called Haitian Heat Hot Sauce.
It should also be mentioned that Tom has also used some creativity in his new kitchen in Floodwood. He installed a four-post car lift to move supplies to the basement and back to the kitchen again. “All the catering supplies (tables, chairs, etc) can be stored away,” noted Tom. “One of these days I would like a microdistillery brewery down there.”
This past Thursday, the Event Center featured Comedy Night with comedians Wendy Maybury and Casey Flesch. Upcoming shows include comedian Tommy Thompson on March 11, Tommy Ryman on March 25, Benny Quash on April 8 and Ali Sultan on April 22. All shows begin at 6:30 p.m., with doors opening at 6:00 p.m. Heavy appetizers and beverages are served during the show.
The Friday Night BBQ featured Smoked Salmon Alfredo, Steamed Buttered Veg Medley, Homemade Garlic Parmesan Bread. $65 full (serves 6), half $35. Text or call Jess to order 218-591-4333. Pick up 5:00-6:00.
Looking to the summer, Tom and Jess are excited about the possibilities. “Once those Covid-19 restrictions are lifted, look out,” Tom concluded. “There are going to be two catering kitchens going strong.”
About Floodwood Event Center
Want to learn more about the Floodwood Event Center? Find their location, hours, contact information, event details, and more about what they have to offer.
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The Floodwood Event Center hosts a variety of events throughout the year, bringing together residents, organizations, and visitors. Explore upcoming activities, community gatherings, and special events happening at this local gathering place.
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2011 - Interactive Murder Mystery Comes to Floodwood
October 25, 2011 • Voyageur Press
FLOODWOOD, Minn.—This past weekend, Tom and Jess Rich teamed up with Change of Pace Productions to present an interactive murder mystery dinner theater at The Event Center in Floodwood. It marked the first professional interactive dinner theater held at the venue—something Tom and Jess had long hoped to bring to the community.
Peggy White, producer of Change of Pace Productions, described the performance, titled “The Altos”—a spoof of The Sopranos.
“It’s like The Sopranos, only lower,” White said with a laugh.
At the start of the show, each audience member received a name tag and became part of the cast. “We invent names that go with the play,” White explained. “Since Tony Alto owns a strip club, we had a number of strippers and gangsters. It’s really fun to see people loosen up after they get their names.”
Jess Rich said she enjoyed watching the audience gradually become engaged with the performers.
“It took a while for the crowd to warm up, but everyone really got into their roles and started questioning the suspects,” she said.
The goal of the interactive experience is for the audience to solve the mystery. At the end of the performance, participants are invited to guess the culprit. Those who guess correctly receive a Silver Sleuth Award.
“On a good night, about 10 percent of the crowd gets it right,” White noted. “Each correct guess earns a Silver Sleuth Award, suitable for framing.”
Some of the Silver Sleuth Award recipients included Triple-Jointed Tina (Tasha Belter), Double-Jointed Donna (Tammy Peterson), Larry Looselips (Jeff Moen), Mary Mount (Gloria Moen), Ida Not Nothing (Cookie Tahja), Cass T. Nets (Sharon Zelazny), and Eileen Dover (Julie Kinnear).
Bertha D. Blues (Lisa Dusek) received the Bronze BS Award for a humorous but incorrect guess.
“This award goes to the funniest wrong answer,” White said.
Interestingly, the Floodwood audience exceeded expectations, with more correct guesses than typical.
“We must be a clever bunch,” said Sharon Zelazny, one of the participants who correctly identified the culprit.
Change of Pace Productions is based in the historic Fitger’s Complex in Duluth, Minnesota. The company has been producing dinner theater and entertainment events since 1992.
“We started with individual events like this one in Floodwood,” White said. “It was mostly musical entertainment back then.”
In 1994, the company expanded into full dinner theater productions at Fitger’s.
White recalled that when she first suggested the idea to her husband, Tim, he thought she was “nuts.” Both have theater backgrounds and eventually developed a traveling entertainment program combining music, comedy, and audience interaction.
“We’ve had more fun and made more great memories traveling with these shows than anything,” White said.
Jess Rich said the Floodwood event was equally rewarding.
“I’m so pleased with the professionalism and organization,” she said. “It was a great family event too—the kids really got into solving the mystery.”
Due to the success of the evening, another dinner theater event has already been scheduled for Saturday, February 25, titled “Murderous Crossing.”
Set in 1923 aboard the cruise ship HMS Victoria crossing the English Channel, the story follows Inspector Clurrot as he tracks a homicidal maniac onboard. The Contessa Follette and millionaire J.D. Rothschild are preparing to wed during the voyage, but not everything is as it seems. Guests are invited to “laugh, sleuth, and enjoy a fabulous meal while trying to determine whodunit.” Cruise attire is encouraged but not required.
Looking ahead, Jess Rich said the group would like to stage “Ole and Lena’s Wedding,” a production written by Change of Pace Productions.
“It will be perfect for this crowd,” she said.
Another possible future production, Music Through the Decades, is also under consideration.
2010 - SPArty-Goers Enjoy Women’s Night Out
April 6, 2010 • Voyageur Press
FLOODWOOD, Minn.—This year’s SPArty women’s night out featured wining, dining, and limousine rides, all held at the Rich Event Center in downtown Floodwood, Minnesota.
SPArty began on March 27 last year and was such a success that another event was scheduled for March 26, 2010.
According to SPArty event planner Jessica Rich, the event serves as a fundraiser for the Four Rivers Foundation, a group of community members working to raise funds for a new clinic in Floodwood.
“Tom and I feel like the clinic is a priority,” said Rich, who was recently elected to the Four Rivers Foundation board. “When we first started SPArty, it was just us as business members wanting to do something for the cause.”
In addition to wining, dining, and limousine rides, this year’s event featured a fashion show by Moxie Shoppe, foot baths provided by Arbonne International, mini manicures by Regis Salon, massages by Timber Waters Personal Wellness, comedy acts by Rox Tarrant Productions, and chocolate tasting by 185 Chocolat.
According to Rich, the term “SPArty” originated with a business on the East Coast that hosted spa parties in private homes, similar to an Avon-style gathering. She added a playful twist by emphasizing the party aspect.
Attendance was slightly lower this year due to scheduling conflicts with other events. Rich also noted that Minnesota author Lorna Landvik was a major draw for attendees from outside the community the previous year.
“Without that big-name draw this year, attendance was lower,” she said.
Still, more than 100 people attended, and the event was filled with laughter and positive energy.
Rich thanked everyone who contributed to the event, including donations from Sysco Foods and Barefoot Wines.
Looking ahead, SPArty is expected to return next year. Rich hopes to bring in another “big-name” guest to attract attendees from outside the community. “Floodwood can only support so much,” she said. “It would be nice to draw from outside the community.”
2011 - SPArty Night in Floodwood
March 29, 2011 • Voyageur Press
Stretch Limo Rides, Raffles, and Great Food Come Together for a Fun and Relaxing Evening
FLOODWOOD, Minn.—The Four Rivers Foundation held its annual “SPArty” event at the Rich Event Center in Floodwood on Friday, March 25. To say it was a success would be an understatement. Early ticket counts alone suggest strong participation.
“I have receipts for 50 tickets sold,” said Joanne Dawson, vice president of the Foundation. “That’s only what I have. I know many were also sold at the credit union.”
That total does not include raffle ticket sales or other donations and proceeds. Final figures will be compiled and announced at the next Four Rivers Foundation meeting.
Beyond its financial success, participants in the all-female event enjoyed a lively and relaxing evening. The event began with attendees mingling and exploring various vendors and services.
Upon arrival, guests were instructed to write their names on the back of their tickets. They then visited foundation treasurer Jan LeSarge, where they spun a “Wheel of Fortune.” Depending on the result, participants won prizes from either an “even” or “odd” prize bin.
“And there are some really odd prizes in there,” LeSarge said with a laugh.
From there, attendees browsed vendor tables, sampled wine, viewed jewelry, and tried spa services.
This year’s “spa” offerings included 15-minute chair massages for $15 from two local massage therapists. Mary Kay representative Patti Karpik demonstrated winter hand spa treatments, while Karen Brodeen showcased foot spa treatments using Arbonne International skincare products.
Volunteer Julie Kinnear sold tickets for a Chinese auction—priced at “$10 an arm’s length” (her arm, she noted with a laugh).
The auction featured an array of prizes, including food baskets (Pasta 101, Sweet Home Minnesota), gardening items (Impatiens for Spring), golf packages (19th Hole), and adult beverage-themed baskets such as “Irish Mood Maker” and “Johnny Depp,” which included Pyrat rum.
Two wine vendors also participated. Floodwood’s Wine Beginnings offered samples of wines made from kits, including loquat ginger and blackberry merlot. White Winter Winery of Iron River, Wisconsin, provided samples of mead-based wines, also known as honey wine.
After time for shopping and spa treatments, comedian Mary Mack took the stage. She introduced herself as a Wisconsin native from “a cold, dark place with a lot of bars and sawmills.”
Her performance delivered lighthearted, up-north humor that kept the audience laughing without relying heavily on profanity. At one point, she paused mid-routine and asked, “Joanne, can I say the ‘S’ word here?”
After receiving approval, she continued her act, much to the crowd’s enjoyment. Mary Mack also assisted with distributing Chinese auction prizes, while Tommy Rich prepared the stage for his band, The Returnables.
Once the band began playing, the crowd grew as men were allowed to join the event.
“We were going until 1 a.m.,” said Jess Rich, foundation member and co-organizer. “We had a blast.”
All in all, the evening was considered a great success.
“We did really well,” said Joanne after the weekend. “It was such a great turnout.”
Organizers are already looking ahead, hoping to continue the tradition with another successful event in 2012.