George Lemon and Bryan Rice were honorees at the Wilderness Center’s 26th annual Earthly Delights celebration, Rhapsody in Blue.
Jim Jelinek chaired the event held Thursday evening at the Gervasi Vineyard’s outdoor pavilion.
Gaetano’s played jazz and blues guitar music as guests sipped wine and wandered down to the lake. Bob Fonte and Dan DeHoff discussed their favorite horse trails, while Paula Hostetler sold tickets for a 50/50 raffle.
Flo Vinkovich explained a portable heater, one of the live auction items, while Lynda Price, Andrea Stewart and Joe and Margaret Lach admired the handmade birdhouses, and Meredith Whitehead placed a bid on a putter.
John and Kathleen Ross liked the handmade ukulele, while Frank and Sherri Monaco bid on collectible first lady plates.
Following dinner, Executive Director Jeff Corney gave an update on the Wilderness Center’s 775 programs for adults and children.
The center preserves 5,000 acres of land and 13 miles of streams through six counties in Northeast Ohio.
Lemon, who was honored for his leadership and involvement with numerous community organizations, enjoyed the event with his wife, Kaleen, sons Rodney, Michael and Shawn Lemon and daughter Nicole Brooks and their spouses.
Rice, the Entrepreneurial Spirit Award winner, was joined by his wife, Tracy; mother, Ruth Rice; father, Tom Rice and his wife, Nancy; sister Aimee Newland and brother Kevin Rice, with whom he owns and operates Rice Nursery & Landscaping.
Spotted in the crowd were Greg and Para Jones, Ted and Cricket Boyd, Alicia Bardelli, Ed and Louise Mahoney, John and Beka Eisenbarth, and Ron Dougherty.
The event was expected to raise over $80,000 for the Wilderness Center.