MVHS’ ‘Cookie Table and Cocktails’ to go virtual

Mahoning Valley Historical Society will host its ninth annual Cookie Table and Cocktails at Home fundraising event online via its website and social media platforms. A weeklong basket raffle and silent auction will precede a celebration video program at 6 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 27.

“Just as many fundraising events have been greatly impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, MVHS has decided to move forward with our popular, Cookie Table and Cocktails in the online space this year versus our traditional, in-person event,” said Bill Lawson, MVHS executive director. “We hope the virtual format gives more people a chance to join the festivities in the comfort and safety of their own homes.”

The MVHS website (www.mahoninghistory.org) will be the main source for all event details. In addition, the website will show where and how to access the online basket raffle and silent auction, and how to make a financial gift to the Mahoning Valley Historical Society.

Links to the concluding video program will be accessible via the same website, MVHS’ YouTube channel, and Facebook pages. This year’s event will be free for the public to view all the various parts of the event. This is the largest fundraiser of the year for MVHS and helps support the historical society’s operations and preservation efforts.

Traditionally, Cookie Table and Cocktails has been a live, catered event that is styled to recreate a traditional Youngstown wedding reception and features a judged, cookie-baking competition for both amateurs and professionals. Due to public health precautions and the change to a virtual format, there will be no distribution of actual cookies.

The online video program will have Stan Boney, longtime local TV journalist, continue as event emcee again this year. The lead segment will include the February Bites and Bits of History presentation, “A Cookie Table and Cocktails Special,” which will cover the cultural history of this regional phenomenon.

Other segments will give an overview of MVHS and this annual fundraiser, acknowledge sponsors, and provide insight on how cookie competitions are judged. Special features will include a demonstration of how to make the event’s signature cocktail, appearances from local bakers and special guests, and the musical story of Del Sinchak and his “Cookie Table Polka.”

More details on the Cookie Table and Cocktails at Home event are available at www.mahoninghistory.org and www. facebook.com/mahonnghistory.

The event’s “Wedding Planner” sponsors are Stifel and The Waypoint Group at Morgan Stanley. “Wedding Reception” sponsors are Rulli Bros. and Frank Rulli. “Wedding Dance” sponsors are Ohio One Corporation, Packer Thomas, SSB CPAs, J.M. Verostko, Inc., WKBN First News, and York Mahoning Mechanical Contractors. Sponsorships are current as of Jan. 12.

If any individual or organization is interested in becoming an event sponsor or contributing items for the basket raffle or silent auction, contact Linda Kostka, MVHS development director, at 330-743-2589, ext. 125 or lkostka@mahoninghistory.org.