Habitat for Humanity prepares for holiday food, wine tasting

FARMINGTON — People enjoying wine, food and music will “raise the roof” when Habitat for Humanity of St. Francois County partners with Mineral Area Board of Realtors to showcase local wineries, restaurants and catering companies.

The housing ministry’s fourth annual food and wine tasting fundraiser will be held 6-9 p.m., Friday, Nov. 2 at St. Paul Lutheran School, 608 E. Columbia St., Farmington.

Admission is $25 a person in advance, $30 at the door, and includes souvenir goblet, wine tastings, hors d’oeuvres, silent auction, and attendance prizes. The Baby Boomer Band, featuring Doug and Paula Berry, will provide music and entertainment. Advance tickets are available at the Habitat office in Farmington Presbyterian Church, 403 W. Columbia St. For more information, call (573) 760-1702 or e-mail habitatofsfc@live.com.

Tables of eight can be reserved for $200, or a sponsorship can be had for $250 which includes the table for eight, and having the business spotlighted throughout the night during the event.

All proceeds benefit Habitat for Humanity of St. Francois County, a non-profit organization dedicated to building safe, decent, affordable housing in the county for those who otherwise wouldn’t have the opportunity to own their own homes.

The committee working on the evening includes HFH-SFC Executive Director Linda Dickerson, HFH Board Member Lisa and Tony Mengwasser, Dick and Linda Jones of Chaumette Winery, Leanna Stover of Stover Data Systems and Georgiana Bloom of Mineral Area Board of Realtors, all of whom are selling tickets to the event.

“This is the fourth year Tony and I have worked the tasting and auction, and it’s a blast every year,” Mengwasser said. “But the best part is, it’s making a real difference in the lives of our local residence.”

Dickerson said it takes volunteers like the Mengwassers, the Joneses, the Stovers and Mineral Area Board of Realtors to make the housing ministry successful and she’s grateful for all the hard work they’re contributing to make the night memorable.

“The great thing about Habitat is that the money raised here for these houses, stays in the community — and keeps on supporting the community, especially when our homeowners pay property taxes that help keep local schools, roads, and infrastructure thriving in the county,” Dickerson said. “Anyone who wants to get in on the good works can give me a call at the office anytime, whether it’s construction, fund-raising, working with the families, selecting families, or finding new sites to build on. We also have a fabulous Re-Store that’s quite successful and in need of volunteers. We’re so grateful for everyone’s help.”