Some 1,000 guests helped the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation of Arkansas net a record setting $320,000 at the Northwest Arkansas Wine Opener on Feb. 20 at the John Q. Hammons Center in Rogers.
Some of the more than 100 wines featured at the eighth annual benefit included varieties from Carriage House Wines, Banfi Vintners, Trinchero Family Estates, Deutch Family Wine and Spirits, Ste. Michelle Wine Estates, E&J Gallo Estates, Diageo, The Wine Group, J. Lohr Vineyards and Wines, Moet Hennesy USA, Cline, Prestige Wine and Spirits and Constellation Brands.
At a Glance
Northwest Arkansas Wine Opener
Who: Cystic Fibrosis Foundation
What: Some 1,000 guests helped net a record setting $320,000.
When: Feb. 20
Where: John Q. Hammons Center in Rogers
Next: Great Strides walks, May 2 and 16; Golf and Walk this Way with the Finest, Aug. 28 and 29
Information: (479) 799-3206 or cff.org
Laughter and Libations
Who: Trike Theatre
What: Trike Theatre supporters spent the evening enjoying comedy improvisation, food from area food trucks and a live auction.
When: Feb. 20
Where: Avondale Chapel and Garden in Bentonville.
Next: The Greek Mythology Olympiaganza, March 12-15
Information: (479) 464-5084 or triketheatre.org
Among the restaurants represented to provide tastes to accompany the potables were Flint Creek Steakhouse, Bizzy B's Bakery, Johnny Brusco's, P.F. Chang's, Crabbys Seafood Bar & Grill, Emilia's Kitchen, Foster's Pint & Plate, Tavola Trattoria, TrickDilly, Taziki's Mediterranean Cafe, Copeland's of New Orleans, Houlihan's, Custom Catering Company, Table Mesa, Oven & Tap and Clean Eats.
Mackenzie Jobe, a 17-year-old senior at Bentonville High, shared via video her day-to-day experiences of living with Cystic Fibrosis. Mackenzie's compelling message helped bring in more than $35,000 in five minutes that night as part of the event's Bid for a Cure.
Diane Byrum, development director for the Northwest Arkansas branch of the foundation, tells me the nonprofit organization is gearing up to start taking nominations in the coming weeks for Walk with the Finest honorees.
She said the honorees are "individuals, ages 25-40, who exemplify leadership qualities, are active in volunteer roles, and/or have excelled in the Northwest Arkansas business community. Honorees will be fundraising throughout the community and help raise awareness for the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. Those chosen are among the most influential and successful young leaders in the community."
Once nominated and chosen by the selection committee, honorees will spend about three months raising money for the foundation, culminating with Golf with the Finest golf tournament on Aug. 28 at the Springdale Country Club and Walk with the Finest fashion show Aug. 29 at the Arkansas Music Pavilion in Rogers.
Those opening wines with the foundation included Michelle and Mike McFadden, Ann and Chad Miller, Monika and Chad Hatfield, Dawn and Jeff Scroggins, Chris Harlow, Esther and Ben Gifford, Christy and Jason Jobe and Louis Greth.
Trike Theatre supporters spent that same evening enjoying Laughter and Libations at Avondale Chapel and Garden in Bentonville.
The professional youth theater benefit featured food from Northwest Arkansas food trucks and entertainment from Phunbags Comedy Improv troupe.
Items on the live auction block that evening included concert and dinner packages for Dave Matthews Band and Chicago -- both performing at the AMP, Schwinn Beach Cruiser bikes, a Samsung electronics package and a beer refrigerator with a year's supply of Pabst Blue Ribbon.
Trike shows include professional theater productions performed by adults for youth and their families; the Little Trike series, designed for 2- to 5-year-olds; and youth productions performed by children 8 to 15 years old.
Other Trike programs include educational offerings such as Dramatic Book Club, Literacy in Action and partnerships with school groups, youth organizations, Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art, John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, the Amazeum, Walton Arts Center and the Walmart Museum.
Those enjoying mirth and mixers with the theater group included Kassie Misiewicz and Daniel Hintz, Sarah and Kenneth Medlin, Molly Rawn, Amy Robinson, Julie Gable, Jules Taylor, Jason Suel, Mike Thomas, Mark Landon Smith, Sam Dean.
For more event photos -- nwadg.com/photos/society.
Columnist Carin Schoppmeyer can be reached by email at [email protected].
NAN Profiles on 03/01/2015