Soiree provides fun, food, wine and crucial support for clinic
PENN TWP — A glamorous and delicious afternoon and evening at the Butler Country Club on Saturday means more people can get free health care — people who cannot afford it.
The 11th annual Signature Sensations dinner saw 206 people don their best dresses and suits to enjoy a five-course meal prepared by chefs from various Butler County restaurants with the help of Chris Fennimore of “WQED Cooks.”
All proceeds from Signature Sensations benefit the Jean B. Purvis Community Health Clinic, where the uninsured or underinsured can receive free mental health and medical services.
One room at the club contained high-end auction items and 27 raffle baskets donated by a host of Butler’s benevolent businesses and individuals.
A handful of purveyors lined the walls of the room, selling items like gourmet chocolate, olives and other items.
Kim Reamer, executive director of the Jean B. Purvis Community Health Clinic, said Signature Sensations is the health clinic’s main annual fundraiser.
Last year’s event drew proceeds of $92,000.
“This year is unique because we’ve been sold out for a couple months,” Reamer said.
Prior to the dinner, Amanda Fleming, wine ambassador for Boisset Collection wines, explained the wine pairings with each of the five courses to an audience of about 40.
Fleming said she almost always pairs appetizers with sparkling wine, and chose a zinfandel with the hearty sausage, potato and beer cheese soup prepared for the second course by Jessica Brewster of Batch in Saxonburg.
“It pairs well with a hearty soup,” she said.
The Caesar salad from Jesse Edmondson of Serventi’s on the Runway in Penn Township was served with a savignon blanc because of its lemony, citrus scent and crisp flavor.
Fleming chose a pinot noir for the first entree, which was chicken and biscuits from Bill Atkinson of The Chop Shop in Butler.
“It pairs well with comfort food,” she said.
The second entree, BBQ salmon from the country club’s James Houghton, was paired with a rosé from the singer John Legend’s wine collection.
“It’s a great summer wine, and it (feels like) summer today,” Fleming said.
The evening’s decadent dessert — biscoff cookie crust filled with cookie butter cheesecake from Megan Roth of Mainstreet Bake Shop in Saxonburg — was paired with tokaj, a sweeter wine with hints of vanilla.
Fleming cautioned that sweet wine should never be served at the beginning of a meal, as it is more filling than other selections.
Chris Kohler enjoyed Signature Sensations so much last year that he decided to attend again. He appreciated the wine tips shared by Fleming, and is happy to support the health clinic.
“Providing health care for those who can’t afford it is something those of us who can afford it should do,” Kohler said.
Maria Kendziora also appreciated Fleming’s expertise, and succinctly summed up her reason for attending the Signature Sensations fundraiser.
“It’s an important mission and great event,” she said.
Her husband, Nick Molea, agreed.
“It’s just such a good cause,” he said. “What the clinic does for the community is amazing.”
Lynn McKinnis received her ticket to the event from her employer, Concordia Lutheran Ministries.
Although not a regular wine drinker, McKinnis said she will give the grape-based beverages a try using Fleming’s tips and recommendations.
She called the health clinic a Butler mainstay.
“It fills a need in our community,” McKinnis said. “We’re not going to solve health care in decades to come, so it’s great to have it.”
Carla Reisz was invited by a friend, and was happy to support the health clinic.
“As a mental health therapist, I know there are many uninsured people out there who need mental and physical health care,” she said. “I’m happy to support that in any way I can.”
