Happy faces in larger places

Ephrata chamber moves Taste of Basin

EPHRATA — Moods were festive and spirits high Saturday evening as the Ephrata Chamber of Commerce held its annual fund-raiser in a new spot.

The Taste of the Basin auction took place for the first time in the St. Rose of Lima Catholic School gymnasium.

As participants browsed items in the silent auction and sampled a variety of wines, chamber President Rita Witte felt things were going well.

"I'm getting a really good response, I'm hearing from different people that they've heard things are going well," Witte said. "This is just a good location for us, and people seem to be having a good time. They're comfortable."

Asked how much the chamber hoped to raise for the evening, Witte replied, "Lots."

"Whatever we can do," she continued. "It benefits the chamber, it supports us and it's remarkable you get so many people out, so many people to donate."

Results should be tabulated later today, Witte estimated.

"This supports the chamber. This is our major function and it's our major fund-raiser," she said. "It's really important to us, but it also brings out the community together, and I think that's really important."

Volunteer Julie Collins returned for another year because she likes being involved in the community.

"Just seeing all the people, the familiar faces from around town, business owners and things like that," she said. "This is a new place versus last year; this is much better. Last year, I thought it was a little crowded and I've heard the same consensus from other people."

Collins took to the evening's Western theme like a natural.

"That's me," she said with a laugh. "I live on a farm, so that works."

New Ephrata business owner Joyce Millet was in attendance with husband Ed for the first time.

"I love it," she said. "It looks great. We're ready to do it."

School Principal Jon Lane said the school is not getting into the business of renting things out, but if an event is good for the school, the church and the community, he will try to support it.

"Since I've been principal, one of my goals is to be a good community member," he said. "This is a pretty good crowd. If there's somewhere else in the community which could have this size event, we certainly don't want to get into competition, that's not our goal at all. This is a community builder, and that's why we're trying to work together."