A week of wining and dining
The weekend-long Seeing Red Wine events were kicked off in style last Thursday night as Destin's Emerald Grande opened up its luxurious poolside for a wine and tapas soiree.
Restaurants from HarborWalk Village in Destin, and local caterers participated, handing out samples of their best gumbo and jambalaya. Some served it Cajun style, some Low Country style and some served their own unique recipe.
The consensus around the pool, however, was Commander's Palace did it best.
Various wine representatives were also on hand to pour samples of their wines that paired well with the cuisine.
Seaside welcomed the Seeing Red Wine Fest home on Friday with a reserve wine tasting and its monthly First Friday Artwalk.
The walkways were full of South Waltoners mixing and mingling.
All the shops in the Ruskin Place Artist Colony, and beyond, pulled out their best wines for guests and featured artists.
Fusion Glass Gallery and owner Russ Gilbert hosted Fort Payne, Ala., glass blower Cal Breed and his wine goblets made especially for the event.
Janot Mignot held court in front of Cafe Rendez-vous, along with Alison Porter.
Freshly home from France, artist Marti Schmidt and her new designs were featured next door.
On into the artist colony, Annette Trujillo, Lisa Hinds, Holly Speight, Ladie Bea and Wayne Carlisle, Sally and David Smith, Kris and Manny Chavez, Eileen West and Franko Jackson, David and Judi Bludworth, Joe Serrato, Angela Miller, Betty Cork, Denise Earles and Tom Elias, Tom and Karen McGee, Adam Shiland, Bob and Beth Coppage, Hilda McDonald, Bert and Jim Kain, Vickie and Shelby Miller, Angela Miller, former Artist of the Year Michael McCarty and wife Sherri, new Artist of the Year Michael Granberry and wife Laura, were among those mixing and mingling.
It appears a good time was had by all!
Donnelle Clark donated one of her abstract paintings to the big March of Dimes fundraiser in Birmingham last Sunday. The event, organized by Ashley Wheeler, raised more than $200,000 for babies.
Hard Rock Café Destin’s Pinktober events raised more than $1,400 for the local Pinktober Fund last month.
Hilda McDonald has quietly slipped out of retirement and is now back at the keyboard Saturday nights from 6-9 p.m., at the newly opened Christiano’s Italian restaurant in Santa Rosa Beach. Eighteen of Hilda’s friends cheered her on at her opening night. Chef Chris Chirum and Hilda go back six years when both were at The Grille at Silver Shells in Destin.
Dana and Tom Saffel enjoyed lunch at Ken’s Bistrot in Blue Mountain Beach last Saturday. Tom said they had a fantastic meal, trying two different salads, crab bisque, and mahi mahi capers dinner, with wine from Blue Mountain Liquors.
Jim Ross has been visiting friends in Augusta, Ga. He went to a Halloween party in the Westgate community and dressed as one of the three blind mice, complete with a tail, ears, whiskers, a nose, sunglasses and a cane.
Congratulations to Andy Meinen for passing his real estate licensing exam.
Congratulations to Carol and Dave Rauschkolb in the birth of Carley last weekend, who weighed in at 8 pounds 15 ounces.
Get well wishes go out to Ralph Angel.
Betty Ryals celebrated another birthday Nov. 5.
Wish a happy birthday today to Beeb Benson.
Tomorrow to Lynn Abbit and Will Barber.
Monday to Susan Alfieri, Susan Lovelace, and Carol Gagliardi.
Tuesday to Cyndi Eastburn and Scott Bumpus.
Wednesday to Bobby Johnson.
And Friday to wine expert John Morris and last year’s Artist of the Year, Michael McCarty.
Sympathy is expressed to Sandy Johnson in the death of her brother.
Deborah Wheeler is the arts and entertainment reporter for The Walton Sun. She may be reached at (850) 267-4555 or e-mail debbie_wheeler@link.freedom.com. Party Line Talk appears weekly in The Sun. Contributions are encouraged.
