Bringing the tastes of 'down under' to Libby

The Western News

The annual fundraiser for the local Rotary International Club kicks off tonight at the Memorial Center.

Raising money for the 7th and 8th grade basketball and volleyball programs, as well as a fund raiser for scholarships for local students the Rotary Wine Tasting starts at 6:30 p.m. on Friday with no host cocktails. The wine tasting and auction starts at 7 p.m. hors d'oeuvres will be served with the wine.

For approximately 15 years the Libby Rotary International Club has held the event, highlighting wines from various regions. Last year, wines from Chile were featured and over the years wines from Germany, France and California have been tasted by local attendants, according to Rotary Wine Tasting Committee Chairman John Desch.

There are two scholarships the Rotary Wine Tasting funds. One is for a student attending a four-year university and the other is for a student attending a trade school. Next year, the Libby Rotary International Club is also working toward funding scholarships for the Lincoln County Campus of the Flathead Valley Community College, Desch said.

An auction and raffle will take place at the event. There are 16 live auction items and nine silent auction items. Prizes include: a whitewater rafting trip on the Salmon River in Idaho, a health fitness package including a mammogram, a J. Neils Mill aerial photo, a one hour flight over the Cabinet Mountains, among several other items. A hand-made playhouse, built by Libby Rotary International Club President George Gerard and Mel Burnett, will also be up for auction.

In years past, between 150 and 200 people attend the event. The Rotary Wine Tasting raises $5,000-7,000 each year after expenses.

Tickets are available at Cabinet Books & Music, Venture Motor Inn, Kelly Ann Travel, with any Libby Rotary International Club member and tickets will also be available at the door.