Tony La Russa and the Animal Rescue Foundation hosted Wine & Whiskers, a very exclusive food and wine-tasting soiree to celebrate Tony’s 2014 Baseball Hall of Fame induction, Friday, January 16, 2014, at the Redbirds Club, Busch Stadium. Friends, fans, and supporters gathered to extend their best wishes and sample from a number of well-regarded wineries and local St. Louis restaurants.
Remarks from the skipper himself focused on a little humor and the highly successful ARF program, Pets for Vets, which pairs shelter animals with the nation’s heroes, helping them to acclimate back to civilian life. During his presentation, country artist David Nail joined LaRussa on stage and harmonized a little before engaging in some friendly repartee.
Besides the presentation and food and beverage, guests found an auction of unique autographed memorabilia and other fabulous items.Gateway Pet Guardians, a local nonprofit animal shelter, also brought some “Puppy Love” to the party with adorable puppies available for adoption. The event benefited ARF’s programs, promoting positive relationships between animals and people.
The participating restaurants included Arbocasso Foods, Clark Street Grill, The Westin St. Louis, Cleveland Health 106, Elicia’s Pizza, Frazer’s, Hollywood Casino, It’s Easy as Pie, LoRusso’s Cucina, Molly Darcys, Robust, The Cheesecake Guy, Unkle Munkey’s, and Wang Gang. The Wine Tasting featured varietals from Buck Mountain, Les Bourgeois Vineyards, Lohr Distributors, PRP International, R2 Wine Co., Serenity Valley Winery, Stone Hill Winery, The Barrens, Westphalia Vineards, plus the Urban Chestnut Brewing Company. The major event sponsors comprised Purina, Ameren Missouri, Commercial Bank, First Bankers Banc Securities, Inc., Marcone, American Radiolabeled Chemicals, Inc., The Steve and Diane Parrish Foundation, Edward Jones, Busch Stadium, The Westin St. Louis, the St. Louis Cardinals, Sapaugh GM Country, St. Louis Post-Dispatch, and KMOX News Radio 1120.
For 24 years, Animal Rescue Foundation has reached out with programs to rescue dogs and cats from high-kill shelters and strengthen the human-animal bond for children, seniors, and veterans. This connection has allowed people in need to experience the unconditional love and healing benefits of animals.
ARF extends nationally with deployment teams to assist animals and people in natural disasters, host animal welfare conferences, provide humane education materials, and resources and referrals to people seeking assistance with their animals.
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- Jill Bertram, Mary Ellen Cremins, Tony La Russa, Carole Buck, Jacque Niekamp
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- Kristin and Brian Fauss
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- Paul and Melissa Hughes, Trudie and Steve Asher
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- Chuck and Jeanette Pierce, Natalie Creamer, Jamie Case, executive director, Gateway Pet Guardians
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- Brady Gardner, Richard Mark, Tony L La Russa, Missy Mark, Megan Mark
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- Mike O’Leary, Roger Roessler, R2 Wine Company, Sean Fitzgerald
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- Drew Weisenborn, Stephanie and Dennis Weisenborn, Branden Weisenborn
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- Lauren Lyons, Jeannie Woods, Sandy Lyons
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- Elena Bicker, executive director, Jerry Lovin, Satoshi Kamada, Bobbi Bartlett, director of development
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- Tony LaRussa autographs a guest’s item.
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- Matt Huebbe, Melissa Miller, Kathleen England
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- Tony LaRussa autographs a guest’s baseball.
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- Lorrie Rohan, Shelley Maberry, Emily Eubanks
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- Eileen Pickel, Doug Milford
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- Nancy and Randy Flachsbart, Judy Barada, Preston Smith
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- Richard and Judee Sauget, Lou Tevlin
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- Kristi Miller, Anne Harris from Arcobasso Foods
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- Libby Noonan, Beth and Dudley McCarter, Lindsey Rowntree, Logan Baseley, Kristen Krause, Kyle Mathias
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- Daniel Graham, Sabrina Parker with “Selena”
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- Linda and Brad Purcell, David and Darlene Surkamp
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- Charlene Penn, Juanita Ridgeway from Hermannhof
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- Amy Erwin, Karen Wright, Katherine McCarter, Tyler Roussin with “Larry”
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- Charlie Brennan and Beth Stohr
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- Leon Corbin, Kent Mitchell, Kevin Corbin
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- Stephanie Kritchell, Allison Witt from Les Bourgeois Vineyards, Rocheport, MO
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- Samantha Hancock, Phillip Ohlemutz, Diann Valenti
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- Lauren Lyons, Jeannie Wood, Sandy Lyons
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- Dennis Kemper, Dr. Tom George and Dr. Barbara Harbach, Leeann Kemper
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- Rachel Speed, Sarah Spiess
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- Sean Fitzgerald, Steve and Marilyn Crimmins, Megan Mark
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- Josh Wedel, executive chef, Westin St. Louis, Joseph Hemp V, executive chef, Robust
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- Steve and Marilyn Crimmins, Lynn and Larry Leuchtmann
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- Sarah Hakes, Jack Reis
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- Tony Wright, Mike Danuser, Jim Wright
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- Holli Hargrove, event manager, ARF; Courtney Kincade, event services, St. Louis Cardinals
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- Susan Jewell, Brandy Arnold
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- Barbara Fleming, John Heinkel of PRP Wines International
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- Tony La Russa, Mike Shannon catch up with each other.
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- Mike Shannon, KMOX 1120 Cardinals broadcaster, Tony La Russa, co-founder, board chair
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- Vince Massarello, Lo Russo’s Cucina
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- Richard and Melissa Mark, Brady Gardner, Megan Mark
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- Lori Bergman, Mike Shannon
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- Ed Curtis, Naja Fennoy, Tony La Russa
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- Lawrence Walker, executive chef, Bruce Bauer, food and beverage manager, Molly Darcy’s
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- Carol Gaal, Bill Droege, Chris Cornelius, Dave Cornelius, Lou Tevlin
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- David Nail, Chris Sledge
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- Josh Cigliana, Bill Fakonas, Ray Maxwell from Lohr Distributing
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- Regina Ruppert, Melinda Nichols of Serenity Valley Winery, Columbia, MO
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- JJim Breese, Scott Berhorst, Jen Schuerman, Terry Neuner from Westphalia Vineyards, Westphalia, MO
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- Sara Uhes, Dudley McCarter, Dan Burk
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- Steve Bradley, Matt Bradley, Bob and Cathy Lachky
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- Elena Bicker, executive director, holding one of the puppies provided by Gateway Pet Guardians, welcomes the guests.
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- Tony La Russa, co-founder, board chair
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- Bobbi Bartlett, director of development, with a Pit Bull Mix
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- Tony La Russa
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- David Nail shows his stuff.
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- David Nail shares a story with Tony La Russa.
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- Puppies courtesy of Gateway Pet Guardians
