“This event has grown more than we ever imagined a decade ago,” Henry Miles told 350 people gathered at the Canton Memorial Civic Center for Grape Possibilities on Thursday evening.
Miles and his wife, Beth, were founders of the event that raises funds for the Arc of Stark County. Bobbi Montenegro and Bill Green of the Stark County Board of Developmental Disabilities said the board was happy to sponsor the event.
Executive Director Ron Klonowski said the Arc offers programs and services to individuals with developmental disabilities and their families, and will now be known as the Arc of Ohio — Stark County.
Doug Argabright of Personal Touch decorated the McKinley Room with a French café theme where Mike Miller and Scott Lint of Me and This Other Guy offered music. Tom Misanik circulated selling 50/50 tickets, while Emily Misanik sold tickets for a wine raffle and Cindy Pfaus offered raffle tickets for a huge bottle of wine from Meeker Vineyards.
Creative Catering served hors d’oeuvres and a buffet as guests sampled wine and cheese from the Brewster Dairy and Biery Cheese. Rich Roger served Moscato d’Asti to Dr. Neil Sundheimer, Molly Headley and Michael Rohrer. Ray and Peggy Fryan recommended the sparkling Dogarina Prosecco served by Greg Kandis of Esber Beverages.
Tory Christian was accompanied by her foster dog, Stanley.
“I retired after 36 years of teaching special needs kids, and decided to train service dogs,” she said, as she enjoyed the event with her husband, Rob, and Gail and Janice Lance, Ken and Lisa Kondas, Brian and Holly Greco and Dan and Beth Sutter.
Miles, who has chaired the event all 11 years, recognized Rubbermaid for employing people with disabilities. Vic Sansone, who accepted the award for Rubbermaid, said, “It’s a win-win situation for us. We employ 80 associates with DD, where they work on product assembly, and are excellent employees.”
Francine Wuchnick and Amber Richmond of Buehler’s Food Markets served chocolate wine cake, red wine raspberry sorbet and strawberries in merlot for dessert. Next door, the Front Porch from GentleBrook Event Center offered lattes. Enjoying the food and wine were Pam Beam, Brian Hostetler, Barry and Sally Martin, Wendy Rockenfelder, Dean Carro, Tom and Cheryl Herrick, Dr. Tony Perry, Richard and Connie Pucci, Tony Mariol, Marc Bander, Jamie Benton, Carina Ford and Lauri Ropchoca.