Business changes are taking place in the north end of Parkersburg. Das Rookhaus sub shop and cafe will be leaving its seven-year home in the lower level of the North End Tavern & Brewery at 3500 Emerson Ave. and relocating to 2911 Dudley Ave., across from Grant's Rental & Sales. Das Rookhaus owner Sherry Dugan expects to be open in the new location on Oct. 1 and will close at the NET on Sept. 29. Dugan, who has owned the business for 35 years at four major locations, said the Dudley Avenue site has better visibility and is near the new Dollar General store, which has a steady flow of traffic. Das Rookhaus was "hidden" at the Emerson Avenue location, Dugan said, but she enjoyed her association with the NET. The new restaurant will have seating for 20 and comfort chairs, she said. The NET is moving five new tanks for serving ale into the current Das Rookhaus location, said brewer Chris Hopkins. The "tanks room" will be available for small groups to rent for meetings or get-togethers. Joe Handlan is building oak high-top bar tables for the room.
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The North End Tavern & Brewery is partnering with Holl's Swiss Chocolatier of Vienna to produce a chocolate stout for Christmas. NET brewer Chris Hopkins expects to brew eight barrels of "Holl's Swiss Chocolatier Stout," using Holl's top-selling chocolate, by the end of Thanksgiving for sale at the Parkersburg tavern. Dominique Holl, owner of Holl's, said it is a fun idea and something he hopes will help a local business.
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Todd Tucker is looking forward to performing in "Titanic The Musical" Sunday afternoon at the Smoot Theatre. Tucker, a Mason County native and former performer with the Actors Guild of Parkersburg, plays Edgar Beane (second-class passenger), Joseph Bell (head of the boiler room), The Major and other smaller roles in the touring company Boebe Productions' Titanic show, on the 100th anniversary of the ship's sinking. Titanic, which opened on Broadway in 1997, won five Tony Awards, including one for best musical. "The show is so very moving, from the hope, as exemplified in the first half of the show, of (Titanic passengers) going to America 'where the streets are paved with gold', to the struggle of the second half of 'every man for himself' in survival mode where class is no longer important," Tucker said. "The music is amazing," he said. A professional actor for the past four years, Tucker appeared in "The Wizard of Oz," "The Civil War," "Beauty and the Beast," "Seussical the Musical" and "South Pacific" at the Actors Guild. Tucker described the Actors Guild as a wonderful group of people who work hard to bring the arts alive in the community. "I am proud to have been a part of the Actors Guild," he said. Tucker appeared in 2010 at the Smoot in a tour of "The Music Man." Tickets remain for Sunday's 3 p.m. show.
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A benefit dinner is planned for Oct. 13 in Parkersburg to help Silvia Ice of Belpre, who was seriously injured in a boating accident near Point Park in August. The fundraiser at the Eagles Club, 406 Avery St., will feature an international buffet from 6-9 p.m., dance music with a disc jockey from 9 p.m. to midnight, guitarist Mike Smith playing from 6-8 p.m., a cash bar and a raffle provided by the Gallery. The event is being organized by Movement International and Newcomers Club of the Mid-Ohio Valley, said club president/founder Petia Johnson of Mineral Wells. Ice, a native of Brazil, has no medical insurance and part of the proceeds will be used to bring her family here from Brazil to help her, Johnson said. Ice has returned home after receiving medical treatment at a Morgantown hospital, Johnson said. Tickets are available at Pepi's Cafe/Seattle Coffee in Grand Central Mall, Mango Latin Bistro on Market Street, Chams Lebanese Cuisine on Market Street and El Mariachi on Pike Street.
Contact Paul LaPann at plapann@newsandsentinel.com
