Fostoria Arts Council wine-and-cheese set

FOSTORIA — For more than a decade, area folks have been able to treat themselves to a pre-Halloween night out and support the arts in Fostoria.This year's Fostoria Community Arts Council wine and cheese tasting party is scheduled for 7 to 10 p.m., Oct. 18, in the BANKquet Hall, 125 S. Main St., in downtown Fostoria.The event has become a tradition as the arts council's lone fund-raising event."Since we are a (nonprofit) 501(c)(3), we use the funds for our programs, which includes the summer concert series, Lunch on the Lawn, Guitar Fest, workshops for both adults and children, the creative writing contest; we give the kids and adults cash prizes," arts council President Browning Payne said. "We do a variety of things for the community with the money that we raise."Admission to the event — $20 per person with tickets purchased in advance and $25 per person paid at the door — allows for five samples of red and/or white wines, of which a total about a dozen are available. Those attending may also nosh on cheese, crackers and other appetizer types of foods.This year's entertainment will be provided by Findlay's Kevin Cullen, a singer/guitarist with about 50 years of experience who once was asked to record with Earth, Wind & Fire in the 1970s, according to website www.reverbnation.com. "He's played at the Lunch on the Lawn quite a few times and he's real popular," Payne said.Payne said a 50-50 drawing is included in the evening, as well as a silent auction featuring a number of gift baskets and other items."There's a variety of them," Payne said. "Some have wine in them, but, for example, I do know that we have handmade items such as throws, and the ladies of the crochet group will be making things for us to sell, as well as a small Christmas tree that will have gift cards on it. ... We'll have paintings and we'll have all sorts of things; I know one of them is a basket that has all sorts of spices in it. We usually have at least 40 or 50 items for the silent auction."Tickets may be purchased in advance at Payne Brothers Greenhouse, 825 S. Union St.; the Fostoria Learning Center, 342 Perry St.; or any members of the Fostoria Community Arts Council."Everyone usually seems to enjoy themselves," Payne said. "We just hope people and support the arts for Fostoria."