FAYETTEVILLE — CHILDREN’S CHARITIES CHAMPIONED
Chocolate and wine made for a decadent evening at the Ooh! La, La! fundraiser for the Jackson L. Graves Foundation on Feb. 17.
The second annual event drew another sold-out crowd that helped the organization raise some $7,500 for its work to help support families with children in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at Arkansas Children’s Hospital.
Angie Graves, who with her husband James, co-founded the organization, told us, “Doing the little things makes an enormous difference in the lives of these families.”
The group is working to fulfill its $125,000 pledge to Children’s Hospital to fund a private room and sibling play area in the Little Rock hospital expansion’s new NICU.
A reception preceding dinner included Mionetto Prosecco del Veneto, fruits, cheeses and chocolates.
The first and second courses of the meal came from chef Miles James of James at the Mill, and Jason Willems of Glazer’s of Arkansas led us through each course’s wine pairings.
The first course consisted of a roasted corn cake with chipotle barbecue shrimp, chocolatepoblano-chili salsa, lime creme fraiche and black tobiko caviar and was paired with J Wine Sparkling Brut Rose.
Our second course of spicerubbed pork tenderloin on “New Mexican Red” and “El Rey Chocolate” reductions with truffled potato galette and sesame green beans was paired with Cline Mourvedre Ancient Vines.
For dessert, chef Vince Pianalto’s chocolate creations - strawberry basalmic, triple espresso vanilla and a mini chocolate tartlet with chili ganache - were complemented by Layer Cake Primitivo, Terra d’Oro Zinfandel Port and Dry Creek Vineyards Heritage, respectively.
Those championing children’s health with chocolate and wine included Leslie Lentz, Cindy Bryant, Mike Sewell, Kelly Zega, Fred Scarborough, Cindy Webb, Angie and Tom Scholzen, Amy and Andrew Bain and Candace Dixon.
I joined several Pel’s Pals supporters Tuesday afternoon at Bud Walton Arena for the opportunity to sit in on the Razorback basketball team’s practice as they prepared for Wednesday’s game against Kentucky.
Before the post-practice sponsor reception, team members joined us in the stands to introduce themselves and sign basketballs.
The nonprofit organization, founded in 2007 by Tracy and Razorback basketball coach John Pelphrey, helps support children’s charities focused on neonatal resources and education.
Coach Pelphrey told us during the reception, “We want to help mom get the baby here. Once the baby’s here, we want to offer support.”
Those sitting in to see a scrimmage included Brenda and Greg Jones, Manny Ohonme, Graham Gibbs, Patti Kimbrough, Aaron Peters, Susan and Brent Robinson and Chris Bunch.
From Bud Walton Arena, I went to the Walton Arts Center as they were beginning the Whisky Tasting with Master of Whisky Robert Sickler.
Attendees were treated to the Fayetteville Fizz before the tasting started. The drink consisted of Crown Royal, peach puree, a splash of ginger beer and a dash of Angostura orange bitters with a cinnamonstick to stir.
The tasting included a history of the amber-colored spirit, the process of creating it, and a flight of six whiskies for sampling.
Sippers included Terrye and Patric Brosh, Gerald Jordan, Katie Nelson, Ron Garrison and Rod Sprague.
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OUR TOWN COLUMNIST CARIN SCHOPPMEYER CAN BE REACHED BY E-MAILING CSCHOPPMEYER@ NWAONLINE.COM OR BY PHONING 872-5049.
Our Town, Pages 1 on 02/27/2011