Rotary hosts 'Wine in the Pines'

Those who attend the fourth annual Wine in the Pines fundraiser may sample wine, beer, and hard cider, followed by dinner, a wine raffle, and a dessert auction - all in support of the outreach programs Sisters Rotary Club supports.

The event takes place on Saturday, March 15, from 6 to 10 p.m. at Aspen Lakes Brand 33 Restaurant, 16900 Aspen Lakes Dr. in Sisters.

The two-story Aspen Lakes Lodge, which houses the restaurant, will be filled with the aroma of applejack pork loin, pasta primavera, and the sounds of the fiddle-and-guitar group Fiddlplay which will provide Celtic music as a backdrop. Plenty of blarney is likely to occur in the main rooms.

There will be prizes for the attendees who wear the most plaid and the most green clothing.

The participating winery is Faith, Hope and Charity Vineyards of Terrebonne. Three Creeks Brewing Co. will be offering several of their beers, and Hop N Bean will be pouring for three breweries: Boneyard, Silver Moon, and Bend Brew Werks, with hard cider (gluten-free) from Atlas Cider Company.

There will be a progressive wine raffle, with the grand prize of a case of premium wine donated by the May family. Bottles will retail up to $100 each and are a variety of reds and whites. There will be something for every taste. Wine raffle tickets are $5 each or 10 for $45. Winners need not be present but will probably have more fun if they are.

There will not be a silent auction this year, because many of last year's donating companies may be affected by the Cascade Avenue closure. Rotary members expect the return of the popular silent auction next year. This year's sponsors include U.S. Bank, Ray's Food Place, Les Schwab, Bank of the Cascades, and Sisters Kiwanis.

Proceeds from the event fund Sisters Rotary Foundation college scholarships, the First Grade Book Project, third-grade swim lessons, and various community and international service projects related to polio eradication, literacy, and health.

Event tickets are $40 each or $75/couple. Tickets are limited to 200 and only a few tickets will be available at the door. Both event and wine raffle tickets are available in Sisters at U.S. Bank, Bank of the Cascades, Washington Federal Bank, Hop N Bean, and from Sisters Rotarians, or by emailing [email protected] or calling Kathryn Godsiff at 541-350-3085.