Rotary's fundraiser finishes strong

Sisters turned out to support Rotary Club of Sisters at their second annual Wine in the Pines fundraiser. About 250 people packed Aspen Lakes for the event, which offered wine tastings, silent and live auctions, and a St. Patrick's Day jig by the Central Oregon Irish Dancers.

Wine in the Pines is the Rotary Club's main fundraiser for the year.

"Our first $1,500 in profit from tonight will be donated to the Eye Project in Fiji," said Steve Auerbach, president of the club.

"With matching grants from the district and international Rotary organizations, we will contribute about $4,000 of specialized equipment to this program, which helps to restore the sight of about 200 to 400 people in Fiji annually," Auerbach continued.

Additional proceeds from the event will supplement scholarships given to local students and bolster funds to be used for a Rotarian service project later this year.

"The event is excellent this year," said Maureen Bidasolo, an active Rotarian dressed in green for the occasion. "When I walked in there was such a great energy, and Sisters clearly came out in support tonight."

Attendees browsed the auction items, including gift baskets, wine, jewelry and more. Meat-eaters rejoiced at the live auction of two quarters of Highland beef from the Meadow Creek Ranch in Sisters and everyone enjoyed the wine tastings offered by nine northwest wineries.

Among the wineries represented were Forgeron Cellars of Walla Walla and Noble Estates Vineyard and Winery of Eugene.

"All in all I think everyone had a good time," said one of the organizers, Kathi Johnson. "It was a good party!"