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Andrew Murry (from left), Meaghan Keenan, Jim St. John, Emily Martin, Amanda Foreman and Mark Kelly enjoy the Winemaker’s Dinner at the Walton Arts Center.
Andrew Murry (from left), Meaghan Keenan, Jim St. John, Emily Martin, Amanda Foreman and Mark Kelly enjoy the Winemaker’s Dinner at the Walton Arts Center.

Walton Arts Center kicked off its 16th annual Art of Wine Festival with the Winemaker's Dinner on June 9 on the Baum Walker Hall stage at the center in Fayetteville.

Proceeds from the festival's three events -- the "Winemaker's Dinner," "Uncorked: Wine Tasting" and "Premier Tasting" -- will help support arts education programs at the center. More than 1,000 festival patrons at the three events helped the arts center raise more than $100,000.

At a Glance

Winemaker’s Dinner

Who: Walton Arts Center

What: The 16th annual Art of Wine Festival helped raise more than $100,000 for the arts center’s educational and outreach programs.

When: June 9

Where: Walton Arts Center in Fayetteville

Information: (479) 443-5600 or waltonartscenter.org

All-Star Tailgate Party

Who: Cancer Challenge

What: Eric Berry, Kansas City Chiefs free safety and cancer survivor, headlined the fundraiser.

When: June 10

Where: Northwest Arkansas Convention Center in Springdale

Information: cancerchallenge.org

Picnic at the Farm

Who: Apple Seeds

What: Apple Seeds Farm in Fayetteville welcomed guests for the second annual Picnic on the Farm beneft. The family friendly picnic helped raise more than $20,000 for the teaching farm.

When: June 11

Where: On the farm in Fayetteville

Information: appleseedsnwa.org

Supported programs include the Colgate Classroom Series, Arkansas History Through the Arts and Arts With Education Institute (AWE). Peter Lane, chief executive officer, told those at the dinner, "Our education and outreach programs reach 35,000 to 45,000 children throughout the year. Whether here or artists in the schools, it's one of the most impactful things we do."

Andy Abraham, Talbott Vineyards' brand ambassador, walked guests through the evening's wines that were paired with the menu created by Chef Matthew Scott of Bordinos Restaurant and Wine Bar in Fayetteville.

Those helping the arts center provide arts education and outreach included Kathy and Joe Farnan, Sara and Kent Starr, Kim and Paul Crawford, Jim St. John, Shannon Letts and Marshall Ney, Jean and Joe Fennel and Gina and Neal Pendergraft.

Eric Berry, Kansas City Chiefs free safety and cancer survivor, headlined the "All-Star Tailgate Party" on June 10 at the Northwest Arkansas Convention Center in Springdale. Berry was diagnosed with Hodgkin's lymphoma in December 2014, underwent chemotherapy in the off-season and was back on the field cancer-free with the Chiefs for the 2015 season.

The tailgate party was part of the 23rd annual Cancer Challenge events June 9-11, with 2,700 participants competing in events that included golf, tennis and trap shooting. This year's events raised some $785,000. Since 1993, the nonprofit organization has raised and donated more than $11 million to support cancer services. This year's grant recipients are Circle of Life Hospice, Community Clinic, Hope Cancer Resources, Mercy Health Foundation Northwest Arkansas, Northwest Arkansas Mercy Family YMCA and Washington Regional Cancer Support Home.

Those championing the challenge included Jill Turner-Mitchael and Steve Mitchael, Will Brandt, Lindsey Gobus and Brian Williams, Jody Johnson, Nichole Simpson and Nathan Stevens, Sarah and James Estill, Lizette Castillo and Herman Grewal, and Tamia Collins McGuire and DeJuan McGuire.

Apple Seeds Farm in Fayetteville welcomed guests for the second annual Picnic on the Farm beneft June 11. The family friendly picnic helped raise more than $20,000 for the teaching farm. Founded in 2014, the nonprofit organization offers farm to table, farm to school and Farm Lab programs and has worked with more than 2,500 area school children this year.

A week-long Farm to Table camp begins at the farm Monday.

Those participating in the picnic included Elizabeth and Brian McCue, Katherine Norwood and John Kuper, Jacqueline Jones and Rob Earp, John Johnston and Dennis Collins.

For more event photos -- nwadg.com/photos/society.

Columnist Carin Schoppmeyer can be reached by email at [email protected].

NAN Profiles on 06/19/2016

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