Wine tasting toast of the town

MANISTIQUE - The GFWC Manistique Women's Club hosted its annual Wine Tasting Gala Jan. 17 at Bayside Wilderness Inn, Manistique. The purpose of this annual fund-raising event is to benefit a chosen project within the community.

Several wineries were represented at the wine tasting, including: Mackinaw Trail Winery, Manistique; Threefold Vine Winery, Garden; New Glarus Winery, New Glarus, Wis.; and dessert wines from several wineries represented by Binks Distributing of Escanaba.

Just shy of 100 people braved gusting winds and heavy snowfall to attend this year's event, which was to raise funds for the community fountain, proposed for construction in Triangle Park, across from Post office on Cedar Street in Manistique.

Event Co-Chair Liz Hill said the evening was a great success. "Despite the horrendous weather conditions that night, we just couldn't believe the number of people that came to the event anyway," she said. She added "The community support shown for the GFWC's efforts is incredible, and we're very thankful."

The wine tasting took in $1,074, reported GFWC member Sherri Krause, who noted the estimated cost of the fountain is $50,000. It's a fund-raising goal GFWC is intent on helping the community achieve.

Toward that end, GFWC Manistique is selling pavers to help fund the fountain. The pavers are available in two sizes: 4x8 for $50, and 8x8 for $100. Each is engraved with name(s) or message chosen by the buyer/donor. The pavers will be used around the fountain, in addition to helping fund its construction.

In addition to Hill, members of GFWC Manistique who served on this year's wine-tasting committee included Co-Chair Bonnie Garvin, Nancy Brown, Susan Hattas-Krumrey, Karen Krumm, Carolyn Miller and Eileen Pugh.

According to Krause, the GFWC Manistique itself is hoping to sell 1,000 pavers; however, this project is still in its infancy.

Donation forms are available in Manistique at Suzy's Shadow Box, State Savings Bank and St. Vincent de Paul Thrift Store.