FAREWELL TO KINGSTON’S TASTE OF WAYNEDALE – Community Spotlight
This month’s Community Spotlight focuses not on who, but rather what. We would like to take this opportunity to highlight Kingston’s Taste of Waynedale as this was the 10th Annual and final year of Kingston sponsoring the event.
The 2018 Taste of Waynedale was again a success. With close to 500 people in attendance and proceeds after expenses of $6,500 benefitting the Waynedale Corridor, many said it was a fitting conclusion to the long running event. A few vendors were unfortunately unable to attend at the last minute, but no one went away hungry. Or if they did, as the saying goes, it was their own fault!
Nine Mile Restaurant was voted “Most Popular Vendor” followed by Hill’s Market and the “new kid on the block,” ‘07 Pub. This year folks also voted for two additional categories. “Favorite Entrée” was awarded to Casa Ristorante for their delicious pasta selections. Second and third entrée runners up were popular wings from ‘07 Pub and the Green Chile Mac ‘n Cheese from Shigs In Pit. “Preferred Dessert” kudos went to Hall’s for their amazing cake, followed by Culver’s for their frozen custard, and coming in third was the “Amish Crack” donut from Rise ‘n Roll Bakery.
Kingston’s TOW, as we’ve so fondly nicknamed it, has raised $80,000 over the past 10 years. Proceeds of the event have gone to many worthwhile causes including Community Harvest Food Bank, Fort Wayne Trails, Waynedale.com, Waynedale Trails and Sidewalks Initiative, Honor Flight Northeast Indiana and the Waynedale Corridor Project.
An event like this doesn’t come together without the stars aligning in multiple ways. First, for TOW to be successful we need great food! We’ve had many wonderful restaurants participate over the years. Let’s recognize the restaurants and food vendors that participated all 10 years of the event. They include China Palace, Hall’s Original Drive-In, Nine Mile Restaurant, The Stand and Waynedale Bakery.
Secondly, through the course of the event, over $30,000 has been raised solely on bids placed on silent auction gifts. From oil changes to window washing, golf foursomes to spirit baskets, restaurant gift cards to estate packages, we could always count on our local businesses to donate generously. Those businesses who have contributed items all 10 years include 1st Source Bank, Dr. Herbert Acker, Advanced Window Cleaning, Blake Aesthetics Family Dentistry, Bobick’s Golf, Broadview Florist, Brookwood Golf Club, Eco Pro Quick Lube Auto, Elzey-Patterson-Rodak Funeral Home, Hair Affair, Hair Barn Classics, Loggins Fireplace and Patio, Chuck’s Marathon, McNamera Florist, Midwest America Federal Credit Union, Rich’s Auto Center, Elder Law Office of James Springer, Stitch ‘n Frame, TLC/Miracle Ear, Waynedale Animal Clinic and Waynedale Grooming Salon.
Third, we have had amazing support from the community who attended the event, many of them all 10 years as well. Our Kingston residents also appreciated the event first held at Kingston Residence and for the three years following as they got to enjoy a “Preview” of the event with their families a half hour before the doors opened to the public. Later, as we logistically outgrew Kingston and transitioned to the larger space offered by Mount Calvary Family Life Center, our residents still had the very best with valet service door-to-door and reserved tables from which to sample all the goodies.
Fourth, we cannot forget the following companies who helped support the event. Mount Calvary Lutheran Church and church liaison, Harold Seeman, Nancy Woosley with JW Signs/GraphX for the signage each year, Karen Freiburger and Karen McClain from Hair Affair for volunteering at the event plus selling tickets at their salon and Alex Cornwell and Cindy Cornwell from The Waynedale News who have been there to help spread the word for us.
Lastly, we appreciate all the support of our too numerous to mention volunteers and the hard-working staff of Kingston Residence who worked tirelessly to make the event a success every year.
No doubt you will see a new or different version of Kingston’s Taste of Waynedale in the future as we’ve had some interest. I am certain you will support it just as generously as you have for the past 10 years to help keep the positive momentum in Waynedale alive and well. Kingston Residence appreciates the opportunity to serve our community.
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