Tickets will be available at the door Friday when the Bowling Green Parks & Recreation Foundation
hosts its 14th annual wine and cheese social, along with a silent and live auction.
The event runs 5 to 8 p.m. in the Simpson Building, 1291 Conneaut Ave. The cost is $30 per person.
New to the occasion this year is assistance from the Bowling Green Exchange Club, Bowling Green Kiwanis
Club and the Bowling Green Rotary Club.
All proceeds from the social will go toward its "Save the Woods" campaign which purchased 19.6
acres of woodland that has been added to the Wintergarden/St. John’s Nature Preserve. The 100-plus acre
woodland habitat provides a pristine recreation area for residents who enjoy wildlife and natural
vegetation, unusual because that large of an area is within the city limits of Bowling Green.
In addition to wines and cheeses, the event will feature homemade hors d’oeuvres, auction items, and
companionship with supporters of the parks.
An estimated 40 items will be available to guests through the silent auction. At 6:30 p.m. Jerry
Anderson, WTOL news anchor and auctioneer, will be the voice of the live auction featuring about 20
items.
Available to bidders will be five time-share vacations, including the Smoky Mountains, a Mexican getaway
week, a cabin in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, Nashville and North Carolina; a piece of Labino glass
art; a Texas-style barbecue for 10 people at the winner’s home; a hand-blown glass bowl from the Toledo
Museum of Art; four rounds of golf from the Forrest Creason and Stone Ridge golf courses; homegrown beef
steaks from Wenig Farm; and a variety of themed gift baskets.
"There’s really an awful lot," stated Clif Boutelle, a member of the foundation board. He
explained the foundation holds a wine and cheese fundraiser each year, but "this year it’s special
because the effort has been enjoined with the three service clubs. They’ve pitched in to support this.
They’d like to support a community event each year. This year it’s Save the Woods."
Checks may be made out to the Parks and Recreation Foundation. For people unable to attend, they may
consider a tax-deductible donation to support Save the Woods.
A little over $300,000 has been raised toward paying off the purchase of the woods. An additional
$180,000 needs to be raised.