Tammy Bursick, Susan Rane and Glenn Ferdinand. [Photo: Denise Ritchie]

The sounds of great jazz poured out of the Heritage Center, giving arriving guests a delightful taste of things to come at the third annual Vero Vino Wine & Food Festival, hosted by the Unity Center of Vero Beach.

“I’m from New Orleans, Louisiana, and there’s lots and lots of festivals in New Orleans,” said Glenn Ferdinand, event co-chair with Susan Rane and Tammy Bursick. He explained that the idea began to develop when a group of Unity Center members – what would soon become the Vero Vino Team – first began contemplating a way to give back to the community.

The Boys and Girls Clubs of Indian River County were the beneficiaries the first two years, and this time they opted to donate funds to the Education Foundation of Indian River County.

“One of the other creative ideas we came up with was a youth concert,” said Ferdinand. He explained that Jacob Craig, music director at First Presbyterian Church, selects about a half-dozen students and facilitates the ‘Have Piano Will Duel’ summer concert series each June.

“They come to Unity Center of Vero Beach on a Saturday morning and they practice for about four hours; an intensive jazz workshop, and then we give a free concert in the evening,” said Ferdinand. “A small part of the proceeds will help that concert series; it’s a stipend that we give to the students.”

Roughly 175 guests milled about the Heritage Center – inside and out on the patio – enjoying the fantastic music by the Indian River Charter High School Wolves Jazz Ensemble, led by David Mundy, and perusing a selection of wine-centric auction items.

Wild Thyme Catering had laid out a generous spread of delicious ‘lite fare’ to complement a wide assortment of domestic and international wines provided by Southern Social. Some folks followed the ‘dessert first’ adage and went straight for the tempting goodies proffered by Sweet Creations.

“It’s a community event,” said Dr. Deborah Brown, presenting sponsor with husband Norman Wells. “It’s all about the incredible good it does with Dueling Pianos and with the Education Foundation. When you look deeper into what they do you’re going to find some incredible programs. We’re always out and about, and this is our favorite event. I love this event.”