Smiles abounded as 59 enthusiastic culinary adventurers, including locals from Carthage, Hamilton, Quincy, and Fort Madison and Keokuk, Iowa, joined Warsaw residents in purchasing $5 punch cards to sample signature food and beverages from 10 businesses and organizations (or receive representative items) during the Warsaw Public Events Committee’s (WPE) second annual Taste of Warsaw on Saturday, Aug. 1.
Attendees embarked on the family-friendly three-hour journey from RePete Candle & Coffee Bar, where Laci Moore and Jane Roskamp greeted them, gave them vibrantly colored bags, and invited them to savor refreshing Margarita Midnight Mocktails and samples of the Dragon Smoothie Bowls.
“It was fun to watch the people at RePete; they were having so much fun, as I am sure that all people did,” Roskamp commented.
The gastronomic tour continued at the Warsaw Mercantile, Jennifer’s Family Restaurant, Spirit Wolf, Kreations by Kathy, Eby’s Bakery, Piney’s Bar & Grill, and the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW).
In keeping with its mission, Warsaw Historical Society board members Karla Froman, Jennifer Wiese-Haskins and Jeff Thill offered historic postcards, bottle caps, and cookies at the Museum, and Teresa Beeler collected guest punch cards to be entered into a drawing for a gift basket at the WPE booth, the last stop, at the VFW.
As was the case last year, the event was designed to showcase local businesses and organizations and promote support and patronage from the community and surrounding towns.
Explorers were able to browse in the Warsaw Mercantile as they sampled strawberry hibiscus lemonade and had opportunities to purchase root beer floats. Jennifer Wiese Haskins rewarded them with generous samples of her tantalizing “Pig Pen” menu item featuring pulled pork, curly fries, onions, and barbecue sauce.
Honoring her Aztec heritage, Spirit Wolf’s Chloe Walker gifted attendees with fragrant vanilla sage sticks, herbal tea and sealed packages of sparkling AWA water infused with fruit. The Aztecs customarily enjoyed cold, flavorful, hydrating, nutritious beverages created by mixing fruits, flowers and herbs with water, and aguas frescas– fruit-infused waters– are among Mexico’s most popular drinks.
Explorers spending time at Kreations by Kathy (Egley) sampled mouthwatering salsa and tempting jellies and jams, including blackberry jam and red raspberry jam, continued when three kinds of luscious parfaits– chocolate, strawberry, and key lime– were offered at Eby’s Bakery.
Piney’s Bar and Grill satisfied the travelers with samples of delicious Garlic Parmesan French fries and root beer float shots. The Veterans of Foreign Affairs (VFW) encouraged venturers with samples of different cocktails and whiskey.
The WPE Committee and business owners were pleased with the turnout and enthusiasm for their food and products. A couple from Quincy commented that they “didn’t know Warsaw had all these little shops. We will have to come back.”
In expressing gratitude for the strong community support and prevailing sense of joy, Moore noted, “Cocktails and Mocktails, smiles and laughter filled Warsaw… Delicious food samples and businesses bouncing with fun times. Thank you, Teresa Nighelli, for organizing, and Teresa Beeler and Jane Roskamp for helping.”
Congratulations and gratitude to those that staffed the businesses and made it possible for attendees to experience this tasteful exploration. Congratulations to Marcia Lawson of Hamilton for winning the gift basket.
The WPE is pleased to present the proceeds from Taste of Warsaw, $295, to the Hearts of Hancock Humane Society.
Attendees commented that they would be back next year to savor more of what Warsaw has to offer. Let the adventures continue!