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Successful Signature Taste Event

The fourth annual Taste of the Valley, the signature taste event of the River Valley benefiting Tri-Town Youth Services, was held on Sept. 10. More than 250 attendees enjoyed the innovative appetizers and desserts while listening to the groovy, bluesy tunes of Ryan Hartt & the Blue Hearts. The event would not be possible without our generous sponsors and contributors, including: The Clark Group, the Valley Courier, Whelen Engineering, Reid Brothers, Essex Savings Bank, Angus McDonald/Gary Sharpe & Associates, FIO Partners, Tom Alexa, Tower Labs, Bogaert Construction, Roses for Autism, Essex Lions, and many other local businesses. Thanks go to all of the businesses and individuals that contributed items to our silent auction.

We extend special thanks to the restaurant participants whose generosity, creativity, and passion for food make our event so exciting. The winners of the 2010 Taste of the Valley awards were as follows: Best Chocolate Dessert-Cloud Nine Catering/The Lace Factory, Most Original Menu-The Ivory Restaurant, Best Use of Local Ingredients-Squiggy's Lakeside, Best Barbecue-Gabrielle's, Most Inventive Dessert-Riverhouse at Goodspeed Station, Best Vegetarian Appetizer-El & Ela's Fine Foods, Best Dessert-La Vita Gustosa, Best Appetizer-Corner Family Restaurant, and Best Presentation-The Griswold Inn. Thanks go to Fogo and Pizzeria DaVinci for their participation as well. The attendees of the event awarded Best Overall and the coveted Taste of the Valley Fork to Brushmill by the Waterfall for its "dynamite shrimp" and "wild mushroom risotto".

Thanks go to our committee and to all those who bought tickets and joined us at the event. The funds raised at the event will help our organization to continue to fulfill its mission-to promote the positive growth and development of youth and families in Chester, Deep River, and Essex.

Angus McDonald, Jr., Co-Chair

Anne Yurasek, Co-Chair

Kathy Lalikos, Co-Chair

Gail Onofrio, Executive Director

Tri-Town Youth Services