Taste of the Foothills Tour -- April 19, 2008

This year, WTC's Spring Fundraiser, Taste of the Foothills Tour, is going to be happening on Saturday, April 19th from 10:30am to 6:00pm. Tickets are $60 each.

Better hurry and get your tickets, because space is limited on this popular tour! For the past two years, WTC has conducted its Taste of the Foothills Tour. Past tour participants are eagerly awaiting this year’s event; some even booking an entire van in order for their group to travel together.

The tour is an opportunity to highlight a local industry that is increasing in importance and stature; gourmet products crafted from locally grown crops. Guests have been impressed with the quality of the products and the passion of these grower/producers for creating unique and enjoyable products.

Well worth the $60 per ticket price tag, guests will be treated to local wines and olive oils produced by these local growers. Guests can choose from the northern or southern tour, and transportation will be provided.

The northern tour will stop at New Clairvaux Vineyard & Monastery in Vina, the Olive Pit in Corning, and Sierra Nevada Brewery in Chico. The southern tour will stop at Grey Fox Vineyards, Lodestar Farms Olive Oil, and Quilici Vineyards; all in Oroville.

Both tours begin and end at our Joe McGie Center, 2812 Hegan Lane in Chico. Registration begins at 10:30, with the tours departing at 11:00 a.m. sharp! Tours return at approximately 4:00pm, when a sumptuous Italian dinner will be served, followed by a Chinese raffle, where guests can purchase raffle tickets to place in the jar in front of the prize(s) they wish to win. The dinner and raffle will end at approximately 6:00pm.

Dinner this year will be catered by Italian Cottage, who graciously agreed to cater the dinner at their cost. This kind of support and sponsorship allows WTC to use the revenue from ticket sales to go directly into programs and services.

Other businesses who have generously donated of their time, talent and hard-earned dollars are: Butte Community Bank, Dahlmeier Insurance, Deer Creek Broadcasting, Graphic Impressions, Hegan Lane Partnership, In Tents Events, Olde Gold Estate Jewelry, and The Group Real Estate. Please patronize these businesses to help show how much WTC appreciates their support of our mission.

Tickets cost $60 per person. You can purchase tickets in person in Chico at WTC, 2255 Fair St., or Creekside Cellars, 250 Vallombrosa #500 in Chico; in Paradise at Made in Paradise, 7323 Skyway; or in Oroville at Feather River Opportunity Center, 2905 Lincoln Blvd. You can also send checks to: Taste of the Foothills Tour, 2255 Fair St., Chico 95928. Please indicate whether you want northern or southern tour if you mail in your order, and if you wish to travel together with a group. You can also purchase them online at www.bearmountaingifts.com.

Call 343-7994 ext. 138 if you have any questions. All proceeds benefit the Work Training Center: Serving people with disabilities for nearly 60 years!

We look forward to seeing you on our tasty tour!

Enjoy these pictures from last year:

A Successful "Friends of WTC" Dinner!

Work Training Center held its Friends of WTC dinner on Thursday, February 28, 2008, and it was a rousing success! Over 80 guests attended our event this year, and a good time was had by all.

Beautiful centerpieces, provided by our own Made in Paradise artist studio, provided these beautiful centerpieces for the event:



The evening began with a half hour of socializing and purchasing raffle prize tickets. Guests were invited to put their tickets in front of the prize(s) they wanted to win.





At 6:30, dinner was served. Guests lined up to get platefuls of delicious lasagna, garlic bread, and green salad, prepared and served by the Well Ministry of Rescue. They did a terrific job, and we would highly recommend using their services next time you need a catered meal!



Drinks (soda, coffee and water) were served by our excellent human resources staff.


The program began at 7:00, and included a variety of awards, speeches and presentations. Two board presidents were honored for their service: Former President Carol Linscheid and current President Bob Bracewell; retired board members Hugh Campbell and Kent Rasmussen were honored for their years of service; the Business Partnership Award went to Lou & Lola Lodigiani with Tri-L Mandarins; Employer of the Year was awarded to Surplus City in Oroville; Care Provider of the Year award was presented to Marna Carli of the Alpine Homes; Service Recipient of the Year was presented to Dean Hornbeck; andf Friend of the Year was presented to our own Abe Baily.

WTC was pleased to welcome Alys Walters, one of the founding parents from the early days of WTC. Chico Mayor Andy Holcomb was also in attendance, and said a few words of welcome.


Alys Walters (right), founding parent of WTC


(L to R): Chico Mayor Andy Holcomb; WTC Executive Director Carl Ochsner, and WTC Board President Bob Bracewell.

An excellent speech on "Finding New Friends for WTC" was given by keynote speaker Abe Baily, retired professor from CSU, Chico and WTC's board vice president.


WTC Vice President Abe Baily and his wife

The evening was rounded off with the giving away of the raffle prizes. Much laughter (and groans) were heard, as those who won came up to claim their prizes.

After all the prizes were given out and a few closing remarks from our Executive Director Carl Ochsner, the evening ended about 8pm on a high note. A good time was had by all, and many commented on how much they enjoyed themselves.

We look forward to seeing everyone next year, as we plan to celebrate our 60th Anniversary at our Friends of WTC Dinner 2009!