By: Linda Plain

Feburary 16, 2012

On Saturday, January 28, Arts in Strongsville held its annual Wine, Music, Cabaret fundraiser where 400 guests enjoyed an array of food stations provided by top area restaurants, including: Bianca’s, Chick-fil-A, Chop It Salad Co., Cleats Club Seat Grille, Columbia Hills Country Club/Taste of Excellence, J Bella Italian Restaurant, Johnny Malloy’s/Geppetto’s Pizzeria & Pub, Lemonberry Frozen Yogurt, Mad Cactus, Olympia Sweet Treats & Grill, Riverstone Taverne, Rockne’s, Shinto’s Japanese Steakhouse & Sushi Bar, and Triv’s Restaurant. Pastries were provided by Costco, Debbie Amata, and Giant Eagle. Plus, guests enjoyed a complimentary wine tasting by Superior Beverage and a martini tasting by Shinto’s.

The evening started with mellow music by Ken Mehalko & Friends, followed by high-intensity music and dancing until midnight by the Motor City Gold.

Not only was the generosity of the above appreciated by all, as president of the Arts in Strongsville, I would like to publicly thank Event Chairman Cindy Baldin (and also Rich Baldin who worked tirelessly alongside her); all Board members, who also worked diligently not only on this event, but throughout the year on all of the programs we provide for the residents of Strongsville;  friends and relatives who were guests that night; and all those who volunteered to help us with selling raffle tickets.

It takes many hands to make any event possible and we appreciate the “extra hands” and support of our mayor, Tom Perciak, and his immediate staff at city hall; Bryan Bogre, his staff, and especially the women at the front desk of the Strongsville Recreation Center; Chuck Drvenkar’s maintenance staff; and Sarah Arold and the kitchen staff led by Missy Baldwin.

From the bottom of my heart I truly thank all of the above and many others for helping us put together another successful event. I also want to thank those wonderful people who came out on a cold, wintery night to make our event such a success. Because of your support, we will again be able to provide scholarships to deserving high school students, continue our newly created Art/Chalk Walk in May, provide classes in music, dance, theatre and art in conjunction with the Strongsville Recreation Department’s summer day camp, and contribute to our ever-growing, free family event, Day at The Chalet held every September, where we provide residents with an outdoor Arts Festival.

Again, thank you ALL.

Linda Plain is President of Arts In Strongsville, 440-846-1914.