Popular cookie-table theme chosen for new historical center fundraiser

Photo

Mahoning Valley Historical Society staff and Young Leaders Advisory Board committee members who are planning the Feb. 16 Cookie Table and Cocktails event are, in the front: Leslie Limbian, left, and Chef Daimer Cescon of D’Vino Ristorante, the title sponsor; middle row, Traci Manning, left, curator of education; Jessica Trickett, collections manager of the Anne Kilcawley Christman Memorial; and Bill Lawson, executive director. In back are Kevin Kralj, left, and Frank Rulli, MVHS board/event chairman. Photo by: SPECIAL TO THE VINDICATOR

Staff report

YOUNGSTOWN

The new Tyler Mahoning Valley History Center, 325 W. Federal St., will be the location of the inaugural Cookie Table and Cocktails event planned from 7 to 11 p.m. Feb. 16.

The event is intended to create a fun and frivolous wedding-reception atmosphere including music, dancing, appetizers, beverages and, of course, the ever-popular cookie table, a concept many believe originated in the Mahoning Valley.

Guests will have the opportunity to taste and vote for their favorite cookies in both amateur and professional categories.

The event is being organized by the Young Leaders Advisory Board, a group within Mahoning Valley Historical Society composed of members ages 21 to 50, as a fundraiser for new exhibits and educational programs at the history center.

Frank Rulli, advisory board president, is event chairman. The title sponsor is D’Vino Ristorante in Niles.

The planning committee is looking to recruit more event sponsors and cookie-table bakers.

Sponsor levels available are:

• Wedding Reception Sponsor for $2,000 includes eight tickets and eight drink tickets, mention in flyers, tickets, program book, signage and announcements and a 30-second address before or after cookie contest.

• Wedding Dance Sponsor for $1,000 includes six tickets and six drink tickets and mention in tickets, program book, signage and announcements.

• Bouquet Sponsor for $500 includes four tickets and four drink tickets and mention in program book, signage and announcements.

• Honeymoon Sponsor for $250 includes two tickets and mention in the program book.

• Cookie Table Bakers will provide at least five dozen of one type or up to 20 dozen of four types of cookies and will receive one ticket, mention in program book and cookie table signage, and a chance to win cookie contests in amateur and professional categories.

Deadline for sponsorship is Jan. 4. Contact MVHS campaign director Cheryl (Staib) Lewis at clewis@mahoninghistory.org or 330-743-2638 or Rulli at frankrulli@faniroarchitects.com or 330-747-2800.

Since 1875, MVHS has collected, preserved and shared the stories of the diverse people in the Valley. Due to the lack of space at the Wick Avenue location, MVHS began a $6 million campaign to create the Tyler History Center. So far, $4.8 million has been raised and the renovations are complete but $1.2 million is still needed to construct and install state-of-the-art exhibits and develop educational programs that will inform 25,000-plus visitors each year.