Festive fundraising
Waynesburg’s inaugural Christmas in the ‘Burg was a Saturday evening celebration of local food, wine and plenty of desserts, especially homemade cookies – a tasty way to benefit the Greene County Memorial Hospital Foundation’s plans to build a recreation center in EverGreene Technology Park in Franklin Township.
Three downtown businesses became ‘Burg destinations for those who bought tickets, got their wristbands and strolled High Street to eat, drink and be merry.
At the Fashion Shop, tables of cookies awaited tasters, who, along with judges, could vote for their favorite.
“We have 16 entries in the cookie contest,” retired teacher Sue Dugan said, as she arranged plates of entries representing three categories of impressive treats: the “Bar None” bar cookies, “Bake ’til you Drop” drop cookies and “Fancy Schmancy” to cover any wildly decorated cookie that might be submitted.
The wine tasting at In Motion Dance + Fitness brought the season together with two local wineries, live music, a cheese station, a chocolate fountain and a chance to get a picture with Santa.
Food from local chefs, including the county’s culinary arts students, was accompanied by live music at First National Bank, and tables were filled with donated gifts from local businesses to be auctioned, all part of the foundation’s fundraising efforts, said Sheila Stewart, bank vice president and GCMHF board president. She and Bret Moore of the Moore Foundation planned this new holiday event and were pleased with the turnout.
“It’s a nice little addition to our holiday season,” Moore said.
According to Stewart, groundbreaking for the recreation center is planned for early 2016.