Bellbrook graduation 2012
Fairfield Senior 2012 graduation
Kroger Aquatic Center opens
Home > Blogs > Uncorked > Archives > 2009 > January > 27
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
Fleurs de Fete controversy may mean big changes in food-and-wine event
A fallout between some of the chief organizers of the Fleurs de Fete and the charity that benefits from it may bring changes to the 2009 event.
And it may create two separate wine-and-food festivals.
Mif Frank, who with his father Mike oversees the Arrow Wine & Spirits Far Hills Avenue store in Kettering, said today, Jan. 27, that the Wellness Connection of the Dayton Region walked out of an organizational meeting this morning after hearing that organizers were considering adding a second beneficiary: CultureWorks.
“They decided it was 100 percent or nothing, and they got up and left,” Frank said.
Jean Farkas, president of the Wellness Connection, declined to discuss the matter in detail, but said there had been “some serious miscommunication, and we’re trying to sort it out. We’re not sure how this will unfold.”
The Wellness Connection, formerly known as the Dayton Area Heart and Cancer Association, has been the sole beneficiary of the Fleurs de Fete since its inception more than 15 years ago. The event is held each year on the third Sunday in May at Carillon Historical Park.
Vail Miller Jr. of Heidelberg Distributing, a wine wholesaler that donates much of the wine served at the wine-and-food festival, said he was disappointed in the actions of Wellness Connection officials, but he said Heidelberg and Arrow would collaborate to keep the Fleurs de Fete going.
It’s not clear who “owns” the “Fleurs de Fete” name. Frank said the event was the brainchild of his father Mike and of Vail Miller of Heidelberg. But the Wellness Connection has already applied for the permit necessary to serve wine on May 17, 2009, when the Fleurs de Fete is scheduled. And Farkas said, “We obviously want to do the event and want to go forward.”
Arrow and Heidelberg are looking at June 7 for a wine-and-food festival, Frank said. Miller said, “We’re hoping for the best Fleurs de Fete yet,” and Frank said, “It will be bigger and better than ever.”
TweetGo to my facebook page and click Like to comment.
