ROTARY UNCORKED 2013 - A Great Success!
Saturday, Oct 12th, Wasilla & Palmer Rotarians hosted valley friends for the 5th annual wine festival and fundraiser. This year's ROTARY UNCORKED, Reds, Whites, & Brews Festival, featured the now famous raffle for 100 Bottles of Wine and 100 Bottles of Beer. With a SOLD OUT event, over 250 attendees dined on delicious tapas from by best of the valley chefs. Each tapa was carefully paired with a complimentary wine by the talented Kelci Hatcher from the valley's favorite wine bar, The Grape Tap. Soon, Joni Gerharz will update us all on the net funds raised from this year's event.
Pictured: Jay Owen with Wasilla Rotary President Daryl Lowe and The Grape Tap's Kelci Hatcher
Each year, the club's largest event is chaired by Wasilla Rotary's president or president elect. President Daryl Lowe chaired this year's event with Joni Gerharz managing event details. Wasilla Rotarians committed to this year's event were numerous. New Rotarian, Lisa Phillips, managed the extensive decorations assisted by Rotarians Linda Brandon & Kaye Zwiacher. Rotarians Janet St George, John Lee, President-Elect Paul Beer and Chas St George also played key roles. Rotarian Teresa Blume managed publicity.
Special thanks goes out to Committee Member & Palmer Rotarian Brenda Sheldon as well as Palmer Rotarians who came out to assist with event set up. Thanks to Ben, Wasilla Club's inbound Youth Exchange student from Indonesia, Rotaract member Alexa, and Rotaract President and former youth exchange student Sarah Zwink for their positive energy and their assistance.
Of special note, in attendance this year, Cheryl Metiva, Susitna Rotarian, who created Wasilla Rotary's wine event five years ago, as well as 2011 and 2012 event coordinators, Mike & Cheryl Combs.
50% of the net proceeds from Rotary Uncorked will go to this year's designee MY House, the youth homeless support group that provides "a hand up not a hand out". In addition, the event provides funds for Wasilla & Palmer Rotary's ongoing projects.
Pictured in the background, Rotaract's Sarah & Alexa. Up front, Greeters: Rotarians Janet St George and Joni Gerharz.
Entertaining the Guests: Emcee Chas St George and President Daryl Lowe with Youth Exchange inbound Ben and host mom, Rotarian Linda Brandon.
