Maritime museum's food and wine fest set
CORPUS CHRISTI — The Texas Maritime Museum’s 13th annual Festival of Wine and Food offers a grape escape during the traditional Memorial Day weekend event in Rockport.
This year’s celebration coincides with the museum’s 20th anniversary. More than 3,000 wine enthusiasts from the Coastal Bend and across the nation will experience a selection of wines from distinguished vineyards in Texas and around the world during the Roaring ’20s-themed celebration.
The Festival of Wine and Food opens with the annual Patron Party on May 21. Billed as “a blast from the Roaring ’20s, the Patron Party will welcome revelers with a Bathtub Gin cocktail reception, a Cat’s Meow auction and an elegant seated dinner followed by a floor show and music for dancing by the nationally renowned show band, Rotel and The Hot Tomatoes.
The festival will be from 4 to 11 p.m. May 23-24 on the grounds of the museum, 1202 Navigation Circle in Rockport.
Event sponsors include First Victoria Bank and M&M Medical Spa and Surgical Clinic.
The event also will include featured beers and treats and cooking demonstrations by top area chefs. Vintners will give wine seminars during which they will select appropriate wines to accompany the chefs’ gourmet delights.
Local restaurants will offer fine cuisine to tempt the palate in the food court and an array of vendor booths will feature gourmet specialties for the home. Festival-goers also will hear live music by Somebody’s Darling, Sam Sliva & The Good, Jayar & The Atomic Blues Band, and Larry Joe Taylor.
Admission is $20 for one day or $30 for two days. Price includes commemorative wine glass, three tasting tickets and a festival program. Tickets may only be purchased at the gate. You must be 21 years or older to consume alcoholic beverages.
Tables for eight may be reserved for the Patron Party. Fleet Admiral underwriter tables may be reserved for $2,000; Admiral tables are $1,000; Commodore tables are $800 and individual tickets are $150 per couple or $75 for singles. Proceeds benefit the Texas Maritime Museum.
The 2009 Festival of Wine and Food is co-chaired by Rick and Denise McKinney and Brett and Lynda Bohn. Committee co-chairs include Keith Callaway, Sara and Ken Craven, Jan and Jim Anderson, Kathy Roberts-Douglass, Elaine Faulkner-Overturf, Bob and Darlene Hamilton, Keith and Sue Hamilton, Mark and Tara Carpenter, Phil & Ronda Barnes, Peggy Mayo, Jennifer Rogers, Kay Luft, Karen Mella, Rose Williams, Judy Calvert and Van Hovanesian.
The Patron Party is co-chaired by Beth and Jesica Beken.
Information: 361-729-1271 or www.texasfestivalofwines.com
Art Center donation
Dorothy Kucera, one of the founders of the Art Center of Corpus Christi, has been raising money for new air conditioning and to support classes and programs at the center for two years, but until recently was still $21,785 short of her goal. So she was ecstatic when retired Lt. Col. Ellsworth Hardy volunteered to donate that amount to the Art Center.
Meet and greet
On April 19, the Flour Bluff/Padre Island Coastal Cotillion had its annual meet and greet at the Janet F. Harte Library with more than 40 mothers and daughters attending.
The cotillion introduced board members and welcomed prospective debutantes and their mothers. Mrs. Flo East, senior adviser, explained the purpose and history of the organization and upcoming events including the Presentation Ball on Jan.23.
Other board members include Connie Garrison, Elaine Boughton, Jay Greer, Trudy Luce and Elly Soler.
The Coastal Cotillion is an organization established to educate and enlighten the young women in the Flour Bluff and Padre Island community about the social and educational opportunities available to them as they develop their college and professional careers. The Coastal Cotillion is open to any senior high school girl living in the Flour Bluff area or on Padre Island.
To become a part of the 2009-2010 Flour Bluff/Padre Island Coastal Cotillion, call Mrs. Flo East at 361-937-9278, or e-mail floreast@aol.com. The deadline is May 31.