Wine and Dine time for food, drink, the blues
A SAMPLE — John and Erin Cucarese sample some of the wine available Saturday during the eighth-annual Wine and Dine at Williams, hosted by the Weirton Area Chamber of Commerce and the Business Development Corp. -- Craig Howell
PERFORMANCE — Jill West and the Blues Attack performed for guests at Saturday’s Wine and Dine at Williams, hosted by the Weirton Area Chamber of Commerce and the Business Development Corp. The eighth-annual event serves as a fundraiser to assist in the maintenance and expansion of Weirton’s community Christmas light displays, which are owned by the chamber. -- Craig Howell
A SAMPLE — John and Erin Cucarese sample some of the wine available Saturday during the eighth-annual Wine and Dine at Williams, hosted by the Weirton Area Chamber of Commerce and the Business Development Corp. -- Craig Howell
PERFORMANCE — Jill West and the Blues Attack performed for guests at Saturday’s Wine and Dine at Williams, hosted by the Weirton Area Chamber of Commerce and the Business Development Corp. The eighth-annual event serves as a fundraiser to assist in the maintenance and expansion of Weirton’s community Christmas light displays, which are owned by the chamber. -- Craig Howell
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WEIRTON -- It was an evening full of food, drink and the blues.
The eighth-annual Wine and Dine at Williams, hosted by the Weirton Area Chamber of Commerce and the Business Development Corp. of the Northern Panhandle, featured a night of live music, along with samples of wine, craft beer and heavy hors d'oeuvres at Williams Golf and Country Club, all with a flair of the Chicago blues scene.
Chamber President Brenda Mull expressed her appreciation to the event sponsors, and explained proceeds from the event go toward the upkeep and expansion of Weirton's community Christmas light displays, which are owned by the chamber.
"We do this event because we want to continue to have those Christmas lights in the community," she said.
This year's sponsors included HealthSouth Rehabilitation Hospital; Wine and Beverage Merchants; PS Marketing; WesBanco Banking, Insurance and Trust; New York Life -- John Cucarese; Fairfield Inn and Suites; and Paper and Press Ink.
This was the first year for the event to feature a blues theme, with the chamber electing to focus on Chicago, incorporating it into the decorations and food offerings. Guests were even greeted by the Blues Brothers.
"We're going to do a blues theme the next couple of years, but going to a different location each time," Mull explained.
Jill West and the Blues Attack performed a selection of tunes for the crowd, contributing to the theme.
Flora Perrone, of HealthSouth Rehabilitation Hospital, said she was impressed with the musical entertainment, noting it added to the atmosphere of the evening.
"The band is awesome," she said. "It's beautiful. It's a great event."
Bob Babinchak, of WesBanco, which is a long-time sponsor of the Wine and Dine, offered his congratulations to the chamber for hosting the event.
"I think it's wonderful," Babinchak said. "Everybody seems to be smiling coming in and having a good time."
Pat Ford, executive director of the BDC, also expressed his appreciation to the sponsors, and those who continue to support the chamber and community.
"There are a number of activities that compete for your time," he said, adding such support shows encouragement for the future.
Several door prizes were up for grabs Saturday, including three gift certificates from Lou Malnati's Pizzeria, a Chicago-based deep dish pizza franchise; a 32-inch television and $50 gift card from Wal-Mart; and a painting by Mike Swartzmiller.
The evening concluded with guests able to their way to the "Man Cave" after-party, sponsored by an anonymous "industry friend of the community."
(Howell can be contacted at chowell@weirtondailytimes.com, and followed via Twitter @CHowellWDT)