A TASTE OF JEFFERSON COUNTY — United Way of Jefferson County Executive Director Laura Rauch announced vendors are still be accepted to participate in this year’s Taste of Jefferson County. The nonprofit organization’s largest fundraiser of the year will be celebrating its 28th-annual event from 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. Oct. 9 at the St. Florian Event Center in Wintersville. Businesses interested in participating can contact the United Way to sign up by calling (740) 284-9000. -- Julie Stenger

Did you ever walk into a bakery and hoped the employee behind the counter would at least offer you a taste of the morning’s pastries sitting inside the display case?

For those interested in sampling some of the best foods which are being offered by local establishments throughout the county, that perfect opportunity lies just around the corner.

The 28th-annual Taste of Jefferson County will be making its return between 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. Oct. 9 at the St. Florian Event Center in Wintersville.

The food-tasting event will afford guests a chance to sample some of what local eating establishments deem to be their more-popular dishes, including entrees, main courses, desserts and appetizers.

IT’S THAT TIME AGAIN — During the 2023 Taste of Jefferson County’s “Falling into Autumn” fundraiser, hundreds of people visited the St. Florian Event Center in Wintersville to support the United Way of Jefferson County and sample foods and desserts from local businesses. The event featured more than a dozen vendors, including Cake Roll Creations, whose owner, Monica Pendleton, offered a variety of cake rolls for guests to try. -- Julie Stenger

Sponsored by the United Way of Jefferson County, the Taste of Jefferson County annually features culinary business owners who are interested in showcasing some of their best creations. Businesses will set up stations inside the center, where guests will walk through the line and receive a portion of what the company is offering from their eatery.

This event is the perfect opportunity for these business owners and employees to inform local residents on what exactly sets them apart from other establishments. Those in attendance will get to taste various types of flavor profiles — and all the while — help to raise money for the United Way of Jefferson County. United Way officials conveyed they consider the Taste of Jefferson County event to be one of its foremost fundraising activities.

According to Executive Director Laura Rauch, the nonprofit agency assists those throughout Jefferson County — our neighbors, friends and families — during times of difficulty and struggle. The organization financially depends on this particular event in order to continue to be able to provide assistance to those within the community.

Although the United Way holds many fundraisers throughout the year, Taste of Jefferson County leads in the amount of money raised toward helping others. Rauch added that this fundraiser generates funding which ultimately supports the United Way’s 11 member agencies. These member agencies continuously help those in need throughout the year, providing diverse services such as abuse support, homelessness, food assistance, youth services, disaster relief and health matters. Agencies include, A Caring Place, Child Advocacy Center; A Child’s Place CASA; ALIVE; Jefferson County Community Action Council; Smithfield Friends Church Food Pantry; W.E.B.A. Food Pantry; Toronto Services Committee; American Red Cross, Lake to River Chapter; Ohio Valley Youth Network and Sycamore Center; Family and Community Services, RSVP; and the Ohio Valley Health Center.

“We strongly believe in our mission to support our 11 local agencies who help so many in need across Jefferson County,” Rauch said. “In addition to our mission, we are in awe of the services that our agencies provide. Their work in the community is truly inspiring.”

BOARD MEMBERS FINALIZE — Board members of the United Way of Jefferson County are finalizing details for the upcoming Taste of Jefferson County event. Meeting at the nonprofit agency on North Fourth Street were, from left, Gene Zrinyi, Executive Director Laura Rauch and Taylor Steeves. -- Julie Stenger

While Taste of Jefferson County has been an intricate part of the Ohio Valley for approximately three decades, it was forced to take a hiatus because of the COVID pandemic in 2020-21.

Missing two years of fundraising was a difficult time for everyone in the area, but the event was able to make its return in April 2022.

And when it did make its return, the supporters had turned out in numbers that even surprised the event’s organizers. More than 200 community residents were in attendance at the 2022 event. Those numbers carried over into last year’s Taste of the County, Rauch said. She expects the Oct. 9 event to have another successful turnout.

In the 28 years the area has been holding the fundraiser, this is the first year in which the United Way has had a Taste of Jefferson County committee, Rauch noted.

“We are thrilled to be hosting the 2024 Taste of Jefferson County,” she stated. “Every year, we gather at the St. Florian Event Center to sample food and desserts from local restaurants and bakeries. It is a great way for vendors to showcase their eateries by serving their signature cuisine and desserts to people in our valley. Our guests pay a $35 fee for an evening that includes sampling great food, having a great time with friends and taking a chance on winning some really great prizes, all while supporting the United Way of Jefferson County.”

“And I can promise you will not be leaving hungry,” she added, noting there will be a cash bar available throughout the evening.

This year’s line-up includes: A Touch of Elegance, Downtown Bakery, Ohio Valley Sno, the Laurel’s of Steubenville, Undo’s catering, Pastaio in Wintersville, Scaffidi’s Restaurant, Cake Roll Creations, the Meadows of Cadiz, Texas Roadhouse, EZ Fresh and the Last Resort.

Spaces are still available for those interested in participating as a vendor, Rauch noted.

“We would love to have more vendors take part in the Oct. 9 event,” she commented. “We are still in search of vendors to participate. This is a great opportunity to advertise your eatery, while supporting the United Way.

“Everyone has a great time,” she continued, adding after the event has concluded, those who attended know more about the participating establishments and can pass their thoughts on to others about what they sampled.

And a good word can always potentially increase a business’s customer base. So it ultimately ends up being a win-win for everyone involved in the highly-anticipated event.

Taylor Steeves, who serves on the United Way Board of Directors, stated, “The Taste of Jefferson County is a great event showcasing great local restaurants which, in turn, helps the 11 local agencies the United Way supports.”

Board of Directors member Gene Zrinyi said of the event, “I enjoy being a part of the Taste of Jefferson County because it is a fun event that brings the community together and provides some of our local restaurants an opportunity to showcase some of their great food.”

This year’s Taste of Jefferson County will feature the theme entitled “Rocking into Flavor.” Vendors will set up individual stations inside the center. Each station will offer a sampling of dishes of their choosing. Rauch commented on some of the foods that will be brought to this year’s Taste of Jefferson County, including roast beef, barbecued ribs, pasta, barbecued pulled pork, rolls with cinnamon butter, cakes, cakerolls, cookies, various Italian foods, chicken and roasted vegetables.

Each business will have the opportunity to select a decade’s musical theme of their liking and incorporate it into their display. Vendors can choose themes such as the 1920s, 1970s or 1980s and then decorate their area in the style of that particular decade. Those selecting the ’70s could incorporate disco, or those opting for the ’80s might be partial to big hair bands or a Flashdance theme. At the conclusion of the event, each guest will vote on which vendor had the best overall display. The winning vendor will receive a special plaque from the United Way.

“I know that, personally speaking, my family and I frequent local restaurants, bakeries and use local caterers,” Rauch said. “I am just so grateful for these vendors participation and support.”

In addition to the evening’s sampling, guests will also have the opportunity to take part in a number of special drawings scheduled to be held throughout the early evening. Some of the prizes being offered are baskets of items which were provided by supporting businesses and individuals, Rauch said. Tickets for the drawings will be on sale during the event.

Rauch commented she is appreciative to those individuals and businesses which have donated the various items that will be used in the evening’s drawings. United Way officials are still accepting donations of items to be used in the drawings, should any business or resident wish to contribute toward the fundraiser. Taste of Jefferson County is a casual event, providing a conversational environment where guests can sit, relax, enjoy time with friends, enjoy a selection of foods and spend a night winning prizes. At the end of the tasting, officials will announce the patron-voted winners.

Guests will be able to vote on which vendor they believe had the evening’s “Best Entree,” “Best Dessert” and “Best Booth Display” for its theme. This tradition is something vendors enjoy winning, as they deem it a compliment to be selected the best in the area by patrons.

Taste of Jefferson County was first established by the United Way in 1995 under the leadership and guidance of Jim Morgan and Sue Hershey.

Along with this year’s theme “Rocking into Flavor,” past themes have included “Falling into Autumn,” “A Local Affair,” “Around the World,” “Under the Sea,” “A Night at the Carnival” and “Oktoberfest.”

Tickets are $35 per person and can be purchased online by visiting runsignup.com/TicketEvent/UWTasteofJeffersonCountyOH or by calling the United Way at (740) 284-9000. The United Way office, located at 511 N. Fourth St., will have tickets available and organizers will be selling tickets at the door the evening of the event.

“For the community to come together and support the United Way and for the vendors to come out and promote their business, that is what this is really all about,” Rauch continued. “Our events and campaigns would not be possible without our annual sponsors, donors, those who attend our events, the people who donate items for our events, our staff members and our volunteers.”

“We are proud to serve our community and those in need of our services,” Rauch concluded. “The evening is a great way for the community to come together for this wonderful event. By people attending Taste of Jefferson County, it truly shows just how much our community cares.”

The United Way began the kickoff for its 2025 campaign during its Day of Action on Aug. 29. A breakfast was held at the Jeffco Event Center, where officials announced their goal of raising $325,000. During the campaign, there is an anonymous donor who will match any new gift coming in, up to a total of $10,000, Rauch commented.

The United Way of Jefferson County is focused on helping everyone when the opportunity presents itself. Some of the other initiatives the United Way participates in to help the community are the United Sole program, the Dolly Parton Imagination Library and the Suzanne Kresser Memorial 5K Run-Walk.

The United Sole program continues to provide shoes to students who are in need, prior to the beginning of the new school year. Rauch commented there were more than 500 pairs of tennis shoes that were passed out to students during this year’s Back-to-School Bash, sponsored by the city’s Urban Mission.

The August event saw United Way volunteers distribute the shoes to those children whose parents had previously completed the necessary forms to apply. Eligibility is based on whether students who are 18 years of age or younger are receiving free or reduced lunch during the school year. This is the only criteria necessary to receive the shoes, Rauch noted.

“The United Sole program is made possible through the generosity of the J.C. Williams Foundation, the Cardinal Operating Co. and generous supporters,” Rauch said. She noted this is a wonderful opportunity to further assist parents in saving money while doing their back-to-school shopping. Applications are accepted during a specific timeframe during the summer. Information about United Sole can be found online for parents who would like the opportunity to apply next year.

The Dolly Parton Imagination Library is a special book-gifting program that allows children between the ages of newborn through 5 years of age to receive a new book every month. The books will be mailed to the registered child’s home, according to Rauch, who said there is no eligibility requirement to receive the books. The program affords all households who have a child in this age range an opportunity to learn about having a love for reading.

Rauch thanked the program’s sponsors, which includes Ascent Resources and Gulfport Energy Corp. She also expressed her appreciation to those local businesses and organizations which helps to sign up the children for the program. Her thanks went out to Trinity Health System’s birthing center, Dr. Paul MacDonald and local libraries affiliated with the Public Library of Steubenville and Jefferson County.

“This is such an important need,” she said of the library program. “And the work they are doing is truly appreciated.”

Applications for Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library can be downloaded and printed online. Once completed, the forms can be mailed to: The United Way of Jefferson County, P.O. Box 1463, 511 N. Fourth St., Steubenville, OH 43952.

Another event the United Way supports, and one especially close to the hearts of those associated with the organization, is the Suzanne Kresser Memorial 5K Run-Walk.

This fourth-annual event is scheduled to be held on Saturday at Jim Wood Park.

Check-in will begin at 7:30 a.m., with the race starting at 8:30 a.m.

There will be a $25 5K entry fee, a $15 5K student entry fee and a $5 1K children’s entry fee. A free T-shirt will be given to participants during the check-in, while supplies last. The run/walk will be held rain or shine, according to Rauch.

Kresser’s twin sister, Shanley Slike, explained the Suzanne Kresser Memorial 5K Run-Walk has become a cherished event throughout the past three years. She noted participation has increased more than 10 percent every year.

“It’s heartwarming to see the community come together to honor and celebrate my twin sister, Sue, on race day,” she began. “This year’s race is especially significant, as it continues to support the United Way, an organization that Sue was deeply passionate about.”

“It’s a win for everyone — our community, the United Way and a beautiful way to collectively honor Sue’s legacy,” Slike stated. “We’re particularly excited to encourage school-aged students to join in, with a special $100 drawing prize available to one lucky student participant.”

“Engaging young people in this community was something Sue cared deeply about, and it’s crucial for the future,” Slike continued. “She always supported youth involvement, and this is a great way to continue that spirit.”

Slike commented her sister “had a heart of gold” and “a relentless dedication to her community.”

“A Toronto native, she loved the Ohio Valley and worked tirelessly to make Steubenville and the surrounding areas thrive,” Slike said of Kresser. “Her leadership and passion as the executive director of the United Way for more than seven years left a lasting impact. She served on many boards and committees to drive the positive development of Jefferson County, and she did it with a deep sense of purpose and love.”

In October 2020, Kresser was diagnosed with glioblastoma, an aggressive form of brain cancer.

“She would want her community to be aware of this terrible disease, one of the most aggressive cancers known,” Slike commented. She stressed to the community the importance of realizing the symptoms, which can include worsening headaches, seizures and changes in mood or mental function.

“Sue fought hard through a 10-month battle before passing on June 21, 2021,” Slike concluded. “Her strength during that time was truly remarkable. I look forward to seeing you all on Saturday to celebrate Sue, honor her dedication to the community and continue supporting causes she cared so deeply about. Please sign up today and join us for this meaningful event.”

To support any of the United Way of Jefferson County events or to learn more about the 11 nonprofit agencies and who they help to support, visit the website unitedway-jc.org.

“We have an extremely strong, supportive board of directors,” Rauch concluded. “Any time I call upon them, it is only a matter of a very short time before I receive the support that is needed.”

“Their intentions are clear — and that is to support the mission of the United Way of Jefferson County,” she added. “Many of our board members serve on multiple boards and committees across Jefferson County and we are truly grateful for each and every one of them.”

In addition to Rauch serving as executive director, those who sit on the United Way of Jefferson County board of directors includes, Ted Gorman, president; Tom Timmons, allocations chair; Gary Stubbs, treasurer; Tiffany Luckino, secretary; Anthony Mougianis, vice president; Nora Boyles, Carlo Capaldi, Michael Emmerling, Jenn Ferris, Ed Florak, Laurel McDowell, James Morgan, Brian Moss, Mary Beth Panepucci, Lorie Sullivan, Steeves, Zrinyi and Mike Biasi.