Dear Editor,

I am writing to thank everyone for the support for the Taste of the Valley this year. This is the Rotary Club of St. Clairsville’s major annual fundraiser and we were grateful to be able to host it on June 2nd. For the second year in a row, we held the event at the Capstone Soccer Complex. By all accounts, the crowd of over 400 enjoyed the festive atmosphere. The restaurants, of course, are the centerpiece of the event and we enjoyed food from 17 wonderful places. We especially appreciate the restaurant owners, who, during a very difficult year, still provided delicious fare for our fundraiser. We couldn’t do it without them! Award winners this year by popular vote were:

Best Appetizer: Pickle’s

Best Entree: Nancy Z’s

Best Dessert: Gypsie Lace Cafe

Best Decorated Display: Fat Apple

Most Creative Chef: Around the World Gourmet

Best Overall Performance: My Way Cafe

Our thanks and recognition also go to the St. Clairsville Area Soccer Association for providing the venue and the Barton Fire Department for providing tables and chairs.

Our Rotary Club raised money this year to contribute $30,000 to local charities, 3 college scholarships to local high school seniors, bicycles for transportation to developing countries and $6,700 to Rotary International Foundation, which among other things, helps to eradicate polio in the world. We could not make this impact in our Community and Beyond without the wonderful support of our community. If you are a service minded professional who wants to help others and have fun, consider being a guest at one of our weekly meetings (Tuesdays at noon at Marian Hall). Call 740-212-4950 for more information about Rotary Club membership.

A.J. Smith,

Rotary Club of

St. Clairsville

Past President