Rotary raises funds with 'Wine in the Pines'

Wine in the Pines, held November 13 at FivePine Conference Center, was a fundraising venture organized by Sisters Rotary. Organizer Kathi Johnson, past president of Rotary, was enthusiastic about the night.

"The event was well attended and everyone had a good time," she said.

Some 138 people sat around tables set for eight that were decorated with pine boughs and bottles of wine.

The catering team at FivePine produced a delicious Italian dinner, a jazz trio set up in the corner, and raffles of various wine-related items livened up the evening. While no one hit the dance floor this time, Johnson said that's a definite aim for future events.

Sponsors included May Trucking, Ray's Food Place, South Valley Bank and Farmers Insurance. The Rotary club set up a display board describing the club's work in the community, and internationally.

Johnson said the evening came about as part of a long-range planning exercise the club had undertaken a few months earlier. Several fundraising goals were set, with the aim of increasing scholarship coffers. Wine in the Pines was one of the events decided upon. It netted $800, which will go into the Rotary scholarship fund, and provided the club with a launch for an annual evening on the Sisters social and fundraising calendar.