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RHA Howell Announces The 2013 Epicurious Vino Challenge

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Sponsors needed to help raise funds for children and adults with disabilities.2013 EVC logo

April 30, 2013 (Raleigh, NC) — RHA Howell, a non-profit organization dedicated to serving children and adults with disabilities across North Carolina, has announced the date for its popular Epicurious Vino Challenge annual fundraising event, and is now seeking additional sponsors.

The 2013 Epicurious Vino Challenge, open to the public, will be held Saturday, June 29, from 6-10 p.m., at the Hinnant Family Vineyards in Pine Level, NC.

Now in its fourth year, the event challenges professional chefs from all over the state to compete to see who will make the best dish, or dishes, using an award-winning Hinnant Family Vineyards wine as a key ingredient. After guests attending the Challenge get to taste every dish prepared – from entrees to desserts – they vote for the first, second, and third-place “People’s Choice” award winners. Professional chefs from US Foodservice, Inc., a primary sponsor for the event, select the Chef’s Choice winners in a blind tasting.

The Epicurious Vino Challenge also includes music, a full bar, signature martinis, a live auction, and other prizes, within the verdant setting of the working 80-acre vineyard near Smithfield, NC. All proceeds will be used to purchase new adaptable playground equipment, to invest in new technologies that increase learning and social skills; and to provide needed upgrades to the small guesthouse on the Bear Creek campus for out-of-town parents and guardians.

“RHA Howell is committed to supporting people with disabilities and their families. And every year we continue to fight budget cuts,” said Debbie Valentine, RHA Howell’s marketing and special events coordinator. “But everyday we help people achieve their greatest level of independence, choices and opportunities. The sponsors for the Epicurious Vino Challenge truly make a difference in someone’s life by helping us save these incredible programs.”

Along with U.S. Foodservice and Hinnant Family Vineyards, sponsors returning for another year include Southern Pharmacy Services, Van Products, Fallon Benefits Group, Morcom Medical Associates, and Wake Stone Corporation.

Any individual, business, or organization interested in sponsoring this year’s event should visit www.rhahowell.org/EVCSponsorship.aspx for details.

For more information on the RHA Howell and the 2013 Challenge, go to www.rhahowell.org.

About RHA Howell:

RHA Howell has been helping people with disabilities and special needs, and their families, make choices to live more independently for more than 35 years. Integrity, high standards for quality, hard work are at the core of every RHA Howell disability assistance program. It grew out of the first Intermediate Care Facilities for Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (ICF/IDD) in North Carolina that Irene Howell founded in 1970. Over the next 30 years, Ms. Howell established a network of Howell Care Centers. When she retired, Ms. Howell entrusted her legacy to RHA Health Services. Today, RHA Howell, Inc., carries on the Howell Care Centers tradition. For more information: www.rhahowell.org.

 

Children With Disabilities Create Unique Christmas Cards

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Proceeds benefit RHA Howell’s Tar River center in Greenville.

November 19, 2012 (Greenville, NC) — Hand tracings, fingerprints, tiny toe prints – the children at RHA Howell’s Tar River center in Greenville have used all three to create this year’s package of eight Christmas Cards and envelopes, which are now on sale for $10 per package.

Tar River is an Infant/Children’s Medically Fragile residential facility for children up to age 15 who have acute or chronic health problems requiring round-the-clock, seven-days-a-week therapeutic intervention and skilled nursing care. Tar River is also a demonstration project run cooperatively with East Carolina University’s School of Pediatric Medicine.

The children at Tar River can’t cut paper and color like other children. But with the Tar River staff’s help, they create these unique holiday cards, which feature the names and ages of the children that created them on the back.

“It is so much fun to create the cards with the kids and they get such a kick out of it,” said Quniteria Crandle, RHA Howell Tar River program specialist.

The Tar River children have also created eight all-occasion cards and envelopes in the same manner and for the same price.

The Christmas and all-occasion cards can be purchased from the RHA Howell website (www.rhahowell.org) via PayPal. Click on the Christmas Cards icon on the left.

All proceeds from sales of the cards benefit RHA Howell Tar River. For more information on the Tar River center, visit www.rhahowell.org/ServiceSupports/Children.aspx.

For more information on RHA Howell, visit www.rhahowell.org.

About RHA Howell, Inc.:

RHA Howell is a not-for-profit 501 (c) (3) organization that has been helping people with disabilities and special needs, and their families, make choices to live more independently for nearly 40 years. Integrity, high standards for quality and hard work are at the core of every RHA Howell disability assistance program. Proven leaders in caring for people, RHA Howell, Inc. is a pioneering force in the field of human services, particularly supporting infants and children. For more information, go to www.rhahowell.org.

Student Chef, Professional Chef Take Top Honors in Annual Food & Wine Challenge

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The 2012 Epicurious Vino Challenge bestows accolades, raises funds for

Culinary student Jacob Busler with his Chef's Choice award.

children and adults with disabilities.

June 7, 2012 (Pine Level, NC) – Culinary student Jacob Busler of the International Culinary School at the Art Institute of Raleigh-Durham, and Chef Connie Pennell of Parkside Café and Catering in Pine Level, NC, walked away with top honors from the 2012 Epicurious Vino Challenge, an annual food and wine competition that was held this year on June 2 at Hinnant Family Vineyards in Pine Level, NC.

Selected through a blind tasting by professional chefs, culinary student Jacob Busler won the coveted Chef’s Choice award for his Shrimp and Bacon Creole – a surprise win for a student competing against veteran professional chefs. Busler’s wine ingredient was Hinnant’s Blanc du bois. He also took third place in the People’s Choice competition.

Chef Connie Pennell received the most votes from the sold-out crowd of diners for her Pork Tenderloin with Chardonnay/Gorgonzola Cream Sauce. Along with the People’s Choice award, she also received an Honorable Mention in the Chef’s Choice competition.

In this annual fundraiser for RHA Howell, a statewide organization that serves children and adults with disabilities, seven professional chefs and two culinary students were challenged to use a Hinnant wine as a primary ingredient in a signature dish.

Other winners in the Chef’s Choice competition were:

  • ·       Third place: Chef Tom Armstrong of Vinnie’s Steakhouse & Tavern in Raleigh for his Duck Dumplings in a Blackberry Wine/Ginger Sauce.
  • ·       Second place tie: between Chef Mario Huante, of Chef Mario’s Inc., in Raleigh, for his Bacon Wrapped Steak prepared with Hinnant’s Norton red wine, with a Vanilla Bourbon Sauce and Red Wine “Caviar”; and Chef Jeremy Law of Soco Farm & Food in Wilson for his Scuppernong Sorbet with Spiced Rhubarb Compote and Toasted Walnuts.

Chef Mario Huante also took second place in the People’s Choice challenge.

“We would like to thank each and every one of our executive chefs and restaurants who participated in this year’s food and wine Epicurious Vino Challenge,” said RHA Howell event coordinator Debbie Valentine.

Other participating chefs were:

  • ·       Chef Peter Edgar, Quince: A Southern Bistro, Wilson
  • ·       Chef Gordon Gray, Garden on Millbrook, Raleigh
  • ·       Chef Mark Lawson, East Restaurant at the Blockade Runner, Wrightsville Beach
  • ·       And student chef Jeneen Hill, also of the at International Culinary School of The Art Institutes, Raleigh/Durham

The judges for the Chef’s Choice competition were Chef Bob Passerelli, executive chef with US Food Services and a former executive chef at the North Carolina Governor’s Mansion, Chef David Gaydeski, current Executive Chef at the Governor’s Mansion, and Chef Wes Dills who serves as event manager at Hinnant Family Vineyards.

Comedian Derrick Tennant

Along with sampling all the food created by the nine chefs who participated this year, the sold-out food and wine event included a silent and live auction that added to the funds raised, as well as entertainment by comedian Derrick Tennant.

The main sponsors for the 2012 event were RHA Howell, Inc; US Foodservice, Inc.; Hinnant Family Vineyards; Southern Pharmacy Services; Van Products; Morcom Medical Consultants; Fallon Benefits Group; and Wake Stone Corporation. Print Enterprise, Inc., provided all printed materials.

All proceeds from the Epicurious Vino Challenge benefit children and adults with medical, physical, or mental disabilities. For more information on RHA Howell, visit www.rhahowell.org.

About RHA Howell, Inc.:

RHA Howell is a not-for-profit 501 (c) (3) organization that has been helping people with disabilities and special needs, and their families, make choices to live more independently for more than 35 years. Integrity, high standards for quality, and hard work are at the core of every RHA Howell disability assistance program. Proven leaders in caring for people, RHA Howell, Inc. is a pioneering force in the field of human services, particularly supporting infants and children. For more information, please go to www.rhahowell.org.

RHA Howell Hosts Annual Clear Creek Center Golf Classic

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A fundraiser for children and adults with disabilities. 

April 16, 2012 (Albemarle, NC) – RHA Howell Inc., a statewide non-profit organization serving adults and children with disabilities, will host the Annual Clear Creek Center Golf Classic at the Tillery Tradition Country Club in Mt Gilead, NC, on Friday, May 4th. All proceeds will benefit children and adults with disabilities in the Charlotte area.

The third annual Classic will be a Captain’s Choice style of play with a shotgun start at 1 p.m. The entry fee is $100 per player and includes: greens fees, use of a golf cart, lunch, the awards reception after the tournament, and one entry into the Putting Contest. Each player will be eligible to win hole-in-one and tee gifts.

“We are excited to have our families, friends, and neighbors in the surrounding communities show their support for people with disabilities,” said Clear Creek Center administrator Melissa Rivera. “We expect everyone who participates to have a fun filled day with us!”

The Vulcan Materials Company is the organizing sponsor for the event. Other sponsorship levels available are:

  • Golfer Participant – $100
  • Memorial or Honorarium – $25 (name displayed at tournament and recognized on RHA website)
  • Platinum Sponsor – $1000 (four playing positions, advertisement at club house before and after tournament and on RHA website
  • Gold Sponsor – $500 (four playing positions, advertisement on golf course and on RHA website)
  • Silver Sponsor – $300 (two playing positions, advertisement on golf course and on RHA website)
  • Tee Sponsor – $150 (advertisement on golf course and link on RHA website)

RHA Howell operates Clear Creek, a large residential center in the Charlotte area. Money raised through the golf tournament will directly benefit the children and adults with disabilities in this facility.

“We would like to thank everyone for their generosity and participation in making this a successful event,” Rivera said.

To sign up for the Clear Creek Golf Classic or for more information, call Teresa Bishop at 704-545-7200, ext. 1164, or email her at  tbishop@rhanet.org.

For more information on RHA Howell, Inc., visit www.rhahowell.org.

About RHA Howell, Inc.:

RHA Howell is a not-for-profit 501 (c) (3) organization that has been helping people with disabilities and special needs, and their families, make choices to live more independently for more than 35 years. Integrity, high standards for quality, and hard work are at the core of every RHA Howell disability assistance program. Proven leaders in caring for people, RHA Howell, Inc. is a pioneering force in the field of human services, particularly supporting infants and children. For more information, please go to www.rhahowell.org.

Plans Are Underway For RHA Howell’s 2012 Epicurious Vino Challenge

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The popular culinary event is now accepting chefs, sponsors.

April 5, 2012 (Raleigh, NC) – RHA Howell, Inc., the statewide non-profit organization that serves people with disabilities and their families, has announced the 2012 Epicurious Vino Challenge, which will be held this year on Saturday, June 2, from 6:30-10 p.m. at the 80-acre Hinnant Family Vineyards in Pine Level, NC.

All proceeds benefit a child or an adult with a medical, physical, or mental disability.

The Epicurious Vino Challenge is RHA Howell’s most popular annual fundraiser, which includes live entertainment, The “challenge” is that participating chefs must randomly select one of Hinnant Family Vineyard’s award-winning wines, then create a signature dish using that wine as an ingredient.

On the night of the event, the chefs prepare small plates for the judges and the guests to sample as the chefs compete for The Chefs Choice Award and the People’s Choice Award. The samples are presented in the vineyard’s spacious wine tank room.

A panel of professional chefs from U.S. Food Service selects the Chef’s Choice award through a blind tasting. Those who attend the event vote for the People’s Choice award winner.

Last year’s top winner, Chef Tom Armstrong of Vinnie’s Steakhouse & Tavern in Raleigh (www.vinniessteakhouse.com), has already signed on to compete again this year, along with the 2010 Chef’s Choice winner, Brian Battistella of Battistella’s in Raleigh (battistellas.com), and Chef Jeremy Law of SoCo Farm & Food in Wilson (www.soconc.com).

Chefs who would like to participate, and businesses or individuals who would like to serve as sponsors (four levels of sponsorship are available), should contact event coordinator Debbie Valentine by either calling her at 919.803.2960 or emailing dvalentine@rhanet.org.

Along with the opportunity to sample original dishes by some of North Carolina’s finest professional chefs, this year’s event will include entertainment by nationally known comic Derrick Tennant, free wine tastings and specialty martinis, music, and a live auction.

Ticket information will be available soon on RHA Howell’s website, www.rhahowell.org, and on the Epicurious Vino Challenge Facebook page.

Hinnant Family Vineyards & Winery is the largest muscadine vineyard in North Carolina sprawling over 80 acres. Its international, award winning wines range from dry white and reds to the traditional sweet scuppernongs. The vineyard is located in Pine Level, NC between Raleigh and Kinston. For more information: www.hinnantvineyards.com.

About RHA Howell, Inc.:

RHA Howell is a not-for-profit 501 (c) (3) organization that has been helping people with disabilities and special needs, and their families, make choices to live more independently for nearly 40 years. Integrity and high standards of quality and hard work are at the core of every RHA Howell program. RHA Howell is a pioneering force in the field of human services for children and adults across North Carolina with the mission “Opening the world for people with disabilities and in turn, enriching the lives of everyone they touch.” For more information, visit www.rhahowell.org.