Wine Fest 2001     by Deb Schuett

                                                                           Adventure Reporter

Hello to all of our 2nd Annual - "BFW Wine fest" Participants and Guests:

 HEADLINE: BFW CELEBS and GUESTS DONATE MORE THAN $900!!!

 It was exciting to hear our BFW President say, "The big day is over and the results are in!"  It was a beautiful sunny day for the 2nd annual BFW Wine fest celebration.  The outing took place at the home of Laura and Tony Riva (our BFW - St. Charles Division).  Our gracious hosts opened their home to over 30 families for this event as well as coordinated all the food presentation and beverages.  And Chefs Ray and Marilyn Bono created an incredible Italian feast of homemade spaghetti with Italian sausage; Chefs Chris and Sue Bono provided a delicious Italian salad.  For you statistics buffs, the amount of pasta used was 6 pounds along with 4.5 gallons (yes that is gallons) of sauce. We salute you, Ray and family, for all the planning and preparations of auction baskets, food and numerous beverages (inc. wine, of course), raffles, prizes, etc.  A good time was had by all. To all who brought wine bottles, food, smiles, and made donations, this wouldn't have been such a good success without all of you to make it happen. 

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 So here's what you've been waiting for:  THE RESULTS OF THE WINE TASTING

                   RED                                           WHITE

1st - Harvey Winery of Ottawa, IL                  Harvey Winery of Ottawa, IL

2nd- Berta Vineyards of Morton, IL                 Jerry & Pam's Estate Vintages - Lake Zurich, IL

3rd-  Urban Vineyards of Morton, IL               Bono Family Winery of Ottawa, IL

 Congratulations to all the winners and thank you to all the wine judges!

CORK AND BOTTLE GUESSING CONTESTS

The winner in the Bottle Guessing Contest was Larry Braun of Rockton, IL.  Actual count was 28.

The winner in the Cork Guessing Contest was Melissa Rolinitis of Coal City, IL Actual # of corks was 123

 There were numerous in the many raffle drawings.  Prizes included BFW T-shirts, Specialty Wine Corks, A cheese board and cutter, wine glass hangers, and numerous Beanie Babies, and much more. Per BFW Pres. Chris Bono, there have been no balloon sightings from this years balloon launch.  Last year there was one from Cincinnati.  He said the balloons went in a northerly direction this year.

A BIG thank you to all of you who brought your used bottles.  BFW collected 12 cases for use in there future wine bottling.  An all time record!!

It was really neat to see so many guests attired in BFW T-shirts of many colors.  This reporter was very impressed at the support of loving family and friends in this year's BFW celebration.  With all your support BFW was able to raise and donate the following:

 Amount      Organization

 $260       Leukemia & Lymphoma Society

 $380       Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation

 $100       International Myeloma Foundation

 $ 180      Constance Morris House

 BFW wishes all of you a happy and healthy summer.

 To view  Slide Show