The Journal Record - Around Town: Community Literacy Centers

Nine prestigious vintners came to Oklahoma City to help with a benefit for Community Literacy Centers, Inc. at the Beacon Club. The evening began with wine tasting in the atrium of Oklahoma Tower before going to the club for dinner with a silent and live auction.

Titled Private Reserve, the evening's major sponsors were Bank of Oklahoma and Chesapeake Energy Corp. Co-chairing the festive evening were Kathy Lippert and Sheila Heim. Vintners offering sips of their wine included Castello Banfi from Tuscany, Italy; and, from California, Cycles Gladiator, Erba Mountainside Vineyards, The Gabrielle Collection, Hahn Estates/Smith & Hook Winery, Joullian Vineyards, Robert Keenan Winery, Lucienne Vineyards and Toad Hollow Vineyards.

Richard L. and Jeannette Sias, owners of Joullian Vineyards, were honored as longtime supporters of literacy, as well as for creating their winery and producing fine wines. Vicki Clark Gourley, one of the founders of Private Reserve, presented them with their award. Also recognized was the late Todd Williams, who established Toad Hollow Vineyards. His wife, Frankie Williams, accepted the award from Bryan Close of the ABLE Commission.

Before the live auction, CLC student Lisa Williams described her experiences as an adult learning to read.

The items auctioned off began with a vacation package for two with airfare, which went for $6,000, for the trip to Monterey, Calif., lunch and a tour of Hahn Estates. A Colorado vacation for four people for four nights went for $3,000. A lunches and golf package went for $10,000.

There were more live auction packages and at least 50 silent-auction items. Lous Dakil, auctioneer, hosted bids for the event. For those who didn't get involved in the auction, they made donations, including Dick Sias, who got things started.

Illiteracy in Oklahoma is a real problem, and this benefit always brings funds to help teach illiterates to read. Good work.