The main objective of the Concordville-Chadds Ford Rotary is performing community service, but that doesn’t preclude it from having fun at the same time.
Such double duty occurred on Thursday, June 9. In a mega-tent erected in the parking lot of the Concordville Towne Center, the Sixth Annual Twisted Vintner® did not disappoint.
Rotary Club President Dominic Cappelli, joined by incoming president Bill Bertolet, took the microphone to welcome everyone. "As of Tuesday, we had sold 600 tickets at $50 each,” Cappelli said. “We are well on our way of surpassing last year's total of $45,000, and we hope to bring in $75,000 in 2016!"
What began as an informal and friendly competition among Rotarians who were winemaking hobbyists has grown into a colossal meet-and- greet and food- and drink-tasting event that is not to be missed. Hundreds of people sampled wine, sipped beer and noshed on food as they strolled under the 150- by 60-foot tent – upsized to accommodate the event’s growing popularity.
Food vendors included Acme, Concordville Inn, The Meat House, Avenue Kitchen, Outback Steakhouse, Bertucci’s, Brandywine Prime, Cask Bistro and Tap, Not Your Average Joes, Pescatore’s Italian Restaurant and La Porta Ristorante & Wine Bar. Beverages were provided by Ten Gallon Hat, Cosi, Penns Woods Winery, Galer Estate Vineyard & Winery, Chaddsford Winery, Paradocx Vineyard, McKenzie Brew House and Two Stones Brewing Company.
Many attendees were drawn to the massive silent auction and raffle items donated by area businesses. McKinley Blacksmith, Ltd provided custom-made metal wine racks for the auction as it has each year. The big winner of the evening was John Brock, who took home a wheelbarrow overflowing with wine and spirits.
Strangers, a rock ‘n soul band, entertained the crowd with popular songs from the past and present. The band even managed to draw people away from the food tables long enough to dance off some calories. Janet and Tim O’Shea showed off their skillful moves on several songs.
Even with a bigger tent, people still spilled out the open tent flaps, where they could still hear the music, watch a beautiful sunset, and enjoy the cool evening breeze.
Jacquie DiFabio and Mike King were among the guests who enjoyed the evening, calling it a "date night." King, a Garnet Valley elementary school teacher, said, "We're happy to support a good cause, and we love catching up with old friends and sharing pictures of our kids."
The Rotary Club of Concordville-Chadds Ford organizes many projects that directly benefit the children of the community. Twisted Vintner®, its largest fundraiser of the year, helps it achieve many of these goals. Beneficiaries of the Rotary’s efforts are the Rachel Kohl Library, Camp Bournelyf, CASA, Darlington Arts Center, Nemours/Alfred I. duPont Hospital for Children, a school in Haiti, polio eradication and more.
To inquire about joining the Rotary Club of Concordville-Chadds Ford, or for more information, email ccfrotary@gmail.com.
About Lora B. Englehart
Lora has a passion for art, gardening, yoga, music and dancing. She continues to research the life of locally born abolitionist and 1998 National Women's Hall of Fame inductee Mary Ann Shadd Cary. She is a dedicated community volunteer, working with the American Association of University Women, Wilmington, DE branch (programs chair), Chadds Ford Historical Society (former board member) and Brandywine Conservancy & Museum of Art. Lora lives in Birmingham Township with her husband Bill and son Brad. Daughter Erika lives in Pittsburgh with husband Bob and baby Wilhelmina. She is a former French, Spanish and ESL teacher, bilingual life insurance underwriter and public relations coordinator for Delaware Art Museum and Brandywine Conservancy & Museum of Art.
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