September 18th, 2015

Southern Delaware Wine, Food and Music Festival, October 17, 2015, 12:00 P.M. – 4:30 P.M., Independence Hall, Food, Wine, Music, A Singing Chef, Local Chefs, Food Pairings, 13 Local Restaurants, A Man Cave? Do not Miss this Event!! Raising Funds for Rotary’s Global Eradication of Polio, Lewes-Rehoboth Meals on Wheels, Southern Delaware, Delaware Beaches

“Those who are happiest are those who do the most for others.”  booker t. washington

With that quote I begin my post by reminding you that Delaware is a Small Wonder with a Big Heart.  Fundraising events happen all year round, but it seems that as the Second Season takes hold of all of us living in Southern Delaware, we set records for fundraising.  It is incredible the amount of money raised to help others.

I got an invite to a Kick Off Party for the Southern Delaware Wine, Food and Music Festival which will take place on Saturday, October 17th (noon until 4:30 p.m.) at Independence Hall located at 23767 Samuel Adams Circle in Millsboro, Delawared.  Even though the address is Millsboro, it is, actually, closer to the beaches.

The Kick Off Party took place at (a)Muse on Baltimore Avenue in Downtown Rehoboth Beach, on Thursday, 9/17.  My friend, Susan DiMondi came with me to see what all the commotion was all about.

Let me tell you a little about What is Going On…

This event is being billed as the “ultimate wine, food and music event on DelMarVa”.  It will be hosted by former Bad Company bassist, now food, wine and music aficionado, Paul Cullen.  It will be a fun and refined afternoon of food, beer and wine samplings and pairings, cooking demos, and a great musical line-up.

This is a benefit for Rotary’s Global Polio Eradication Initiative and Lewes-Rehoboth Meals on Wheels.

This is an inaugural SoDelFest.  The culinary Theater will host the chef showcases/demos, where you will find Neil Fuentes, The Singing Chef and Food Rewrapped Champion and 5 of our top local chefs including: Hari Cameron, Lion Gardner, Doug Ruley, Ronnie Burkle and Sean Correa.

The festival will also offer wine and food pairings with 13 local restaurants including; Abbot’s Grille, Bluecoast, Seafood Grill, Bramble and Brine, Cultured Pearl, Grandpa 9Mac), JD Shuckers, Lupo’s Italian Kitchen, Michy’s Relaxed Dining, Nage, Palate, Semra’s, Summerhouse and Touch of Italy.

You will be able to experience the Man Cave….don’t worry we are all welcome for cocktails, a raw bar and Cigars!  Join Rob Bagle from Bramble & Brine and representatives from Wigle Whiskey, Dad’s Hat, Benromach Scotch, George’s Bloody Mary Mix (a new local favorite from Berline, Maryland) and 16 Mile Brewery.  There may just be oyster shooters there!

30 wines will be offered by Teller Wines and the distributors for pairing and additional tastes.  Dogfish Head and Mispillion Breweries will be pouring their fall favorites at the bar!

There will be 2 special wine education seminars in the Wine University; Mike Zygmonski (Level II Sommelier, Sodel Concepts) will present a blind tasting and John McDonald (Wine Columnist, Cape Gazette) will present Wine 101 for anyone who wants to learn about the art of Wine Tasting.

General Admission tickets are $75 and there is a VIP upgrade that includes two special tastings at 95+ point wines and exclusive cheeses and a seat on-stage during one of the chef showcases.  The press is invited at no charge with advance notice.  Please visit http://www.sodelfest.com

Presenting Sponsor:  Ocean Atlantic Companies

Major Sponsors:  Schell Brothers, Sysco, SoDel Concepts, Coastal Style

Sponsors:  Good Clean Fun Life, Sposato Family Vineyards, Active Adult Realty

Event Chair is Stacy LaMotta

Event Coordinator is Carlene Roche

Volunteer Coordinator is Meg Gardner

Arriving at (a)Muse Susan and I were invited to taste some of the wines offered by Sposato.  For 6 years the Sposato Family researched, studied and visited South America.  In 2012 the family purchased their farm in the heart of Argentina’s wine country, Mendoza.

Based on their 23 years of experience in working with land, soil irrigation and plants, by running their top rated landscape company, Sposato Landscape Co., they saw this as a great opportunity to further their experience in the agriculture industry.  The farm was purchased as virgin ground.  A new irrigation system, electric and other improvements have been installed with more to come.

The farm is 250 acreas located in the foothills of the Andes Mountains, 3,000 ft. above sea level.  Sposato Family Vineyard has some of the best and most popular wineries in Argentina as neighbors.  The farm is located between two notable wineries, Bodega Septima and Vina Cobos by Paul Hobbs with more just around the corner.

We tasted 2015 Chardonnay.  This fruit focused Chardonnay has an attractive color with aromas of tropical fruit, apples and peaches.  Also a 2015 Sauvignon Blanc, from their prize winning high elevation vineyards has aromas of grapefruit, passion fruit, herbs, species and orange blossom notes that are persistent through the finish.  The 2013 Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon has intense red with blue shades. Another one was their 2013 Reserve Malbec…intense violet color, typical of Argentine Malbec.  And the 2014 Malbec had deep purple color, with high intensity of black fruits, raspberries and violets.  Please note that you can get the wines in the Rehoboth Beach and Lewes area.

A presentation was given by all of those that are involved and making sure that this will be an unforgettable event.

Stacy LaMotta, Event Chair

Paul Culen, Host

Lion & Meghan Gardner, Blue Moon

Hari Cameron, (a)Amuse

Paul Cullen entertained us while we tasted delicious offerings by Blue Moon, Nage, and (a)Muse.

So what are you waiting for?  Call your friends, pass the word, share in social media and get ready to have some fun!!

April 15th, 2014

Fund for Women, Fashion, Fun & Philanthropy Show, Fundraising Event, Independence Hall Club House, Millsboro, Delaware, Bringing Together the Collective Philanthropy of Women

My friend, Jody, invited me to go to Independence for a Fund for Women Fashion Show and fundraising event.  Did not know where Independence was and did not know about Fund for Women.  Arriving at Independence on a beautiful Sunday, last week-end, I was so surprised to find this 55+ community tucked away on Rt. 5 near Millsboro.  Independence Hall Club House is located at 29762 Oliver Wolcott Dr., Millsboro, DE 19966.  And, what a beautiful club it was.

As it usually happens, when women get together with a purpose, then something does get done.  It happened that way when in 1993 16 women who became First Founders vowed to recruit 1,000 Founders, each contributing $1,000 to fund a $1 million endowment to be held at the Delaware Community Foundation.  The goal was reached and now more than 1,300 women and men have become Founders.  Since 12/31/13 the endowment has surpassed $3.1 million.

When you donate $1,000 to this organization, you pledge to pay $200 for 5 years.  So, you don’t have to pay it all at once.  The Founders love to hear the bell ring every time a new Founder has joined.

Kathy Kiernan was greeting guests.  She was with the Development Dept. of Fund for Women.  All are volunteers!  You can find more about Fund for Women by visiting http://www.delcf.org/ffw.  If you have any questions, please email:  TheFundFor Women@yahoo.com.

We arrived with enough time to take part in the raffle, and get a few bites to eat.

The caterer was Patty’s located at 517 South Bedford St. in Georgetown, DE 19947.  Tel. 302-253-8692.  Website?  http://www.pattys.comcastbiz.net.  They were finishing setting up and had available all kinds of light bites and tastings.

The Runway was ready, but before the Fashion Show, there was some shopping to be done.  The shops in the Fashion Show also had their tables around the room where we could do some shopping at great prices.

Introductions were made and Cheryl Mitchell from Lunch with a Purpose was the Moderator.

Through the course of the Fashion Show we learned more and more about Fund for Women.  It is managed by a Board of Trustees made of women from all three counties of Delaware.

Their beliefs:  “All women and girls have intrinsic value.  We believe in giving back.  We accomplish more collectively than as individuals.  We believe in the responsibility of women’s philanthropy.”

With that in mind, the music started, the women, were dancing on their seats, and the models were great.  It was so much fun with a lot of impromptu “runway acting”.  The ladies modeled clothing from Azura, Candlelight Bridal, CraZy LadyZ, Deanna’s, Josephine’s Daughter, Coolspring Cottage, Lady Fenwick, Twila Farrell, and Simply Dressed.

The afternoon ended with the special occasion dresses from Candlelight Bridal in Millsboro.

Note:  The next event will be Art from My Collection to Yours on May 1st at the Delaware Center for the Contemporary Arts, in Wilmington, Delaware.   The Fund for Women and Delaware Center for the Contemporary Arts will be partnering for an art auction event.  FFW Founders and local community members are invited to donate, from their own collections, works of art such as framed paintings, sculpture, ceramics, hand-made jewely, and more.  The proceeds from ticket sales and the silent auction will benefit both organizations.  Want to donate or want more info?  Plese contact Ginger Ward, Next Million Chair, at Ginger.Ward@ubs.com.

Southern Delaware…..you are amazing!  Ring, Ring, Ring….the bells kept ringing!