WESTFIELD – Good food, good company and a good cause gathered people together for the D’Vine Experience held recently at the Grape Discovery Center.

The event sponsored by United Way of Northern Chautauqua County and Enactus, encompassed several activities. Where the rainy weather stopped many from riding their bikes in the Tour D’Vine, even more were drawn to the Taste of Chautauqua Along the Lake.

“We had a steady stream of people all day,” UWNCC Executive Director Deborah Tederous said.

Eight restaurants, offering up a variety of dishes from prime rib and seafood to cupcakes and grape chiffon dessert, served guests in the hopes of winning their favor. They included The Parkview Cafe, Jack’s Barcelona Drive In, Quagliana’s Bark Grill, the Kelly Hotel Grill Yard, Zebro’s Beach Bar, Meeder’s Restaurant, Cake’s By Brandy and the Nickel Plate Depot.

Guests voted and decided the Parkview Cafe and Cakes By Brandy provided the best savory and sweet tastes of the day.

Under tents were Enactus volunteers manning the ticket booth, as well as doing face painting and helping the Boys and Girls Club with children’s activities.

Tederous said the event would not have been possible without the dozen or so Enactus volunteers.

The Chautauqua Blind Association was on hand near the Masonic Lodge Child ID booth and the YWCA had a presence near the Children’s Safety Village and Meals on Wheels took up shop near the Spoke Folk bicycle maintenance workshop. Mingling were representatives from Rural Ministry, Literacy Volunteers and the Red Cross.

Artists@Heart sold paintings by local artists and created a new painting onsite.

In the dining tent, the Westfield Community Kitchen, Dunkirk Salvation Army and the Girl Scouts of Southwestern New York socialized with interested diners alongside restaurants and wineries, Noble, Liberty and 21 Brix.

“I am blown away by the number of people that came together to make this happen,” Tederous added, also thanking United Way volunteers, agencies, vendors, BECC Electric and everyone in attendance. “… It is great to have our partners here so that you can see the great work they do. We are lucky to have them helping our community. Funding is not what it was in the past, but we have seen agencies pull together each year to provide the same level of services.”

Chautauqua Striders was on hand to introduce musical acts, organized by Enactus member Mary Plum, and local dignitaries in the United Way’s kickoff to campaign.

Striders Director Michelle Starwalt held a moment of silence for those lost on 9/11 and said, “now we are all united.”

Grace Sunday sang the national anthem to applause from those gathered.

Professor Susan McNamara introduced Enactus President Benji Soto, who said he was happy for the opportunity to partner for the event.

“Our missions are aligned – to create a better world,” he explained.

State Senator Cathy Young was on hand and thanked the United Way agencies for the services they provide and commended the event for bringing attention to the county’s assets in grapes and wine.

“Thank you. You reach out to people when they are in need and empower them. The greatest strength we have is our people. I travel all over New York and I believe in my heart that I represent the best part of New York state. The rain can’t dampen our spirits,” she said.

Assemblyman Andy Goodell echoed her sentiment about the weather.

“It may be cold and rainy outside, but inside we have our warm and caring hearts. When we work together, we accomplish more than we can alone. … When individuals work together, they accomplish so much for our county. Let’s ‘Live United,'” he said.

County Executive Vince Horrigan said he does his best to advance the county and that government and the nonprofit sector both work to make this community great.

“I am fortunate coming from a background with a United Way agency, the Red Cross, … it is amazing when partners come together with the community to raise funds to support the United Way for it to be able to develop a quilt over Chautauqua County to help those in need,” he said. “… The latest saying in Chautauqua County is ‘We’re on the move.’ Because we all work together to make it the best it can be, that is more apt than ever.”

For more information on United Way, call 366-5424 or go to unitedwayncc.org.