ROYAL CITY - With more than 90 tickets sold, SHOC's annual Sip of the Slope wine festival last Saturday had the best turn out yet, according to chair Linda Murphy.

"We had a near capacity crowd," she said.

Visitors included a group of enthusiastic people from the Redmond area. They were impressed with the wine selections and the appetizers made right here in Royal City.

"They commented very favorably about the venue and the surrounding area," Murphy said. "It is always nice to hear remarks like 'the view from the golf course is so open and expansive', 'the weather is just wonderful', and 'it's so quiet, no traffic roar or sirens.'"

Murphy voiced SHOC's thanks to Camas Cove Cellars, Foxy Roxy Winery, Frenchman Hills Winery, Gård Vintners, and Ginkgo Forest Winery for participating each of the last three years.

Neppel Cellars joined last year, making this its second year, and, after a one-year hiatus, Beaumont Cellars returned with new wines. A new participant this year was St. Brigid's Brewery.

"SHOC is very thankful that Hugo Ledezma and his family come each year with their fantastic tacos," Murphy said. "His freshly prepared Mexican food is a crowd favorite."

"Susie Littlewood at Deli-sh, Salvador Nunez at La Cabaña, Holly Fanning and those at the Royal City Harvest Foods Deli have made wonderful appetizer selections since Sip began three years ago," Murphy added. "Karen Lasen with her chocolates and Ronna with her pies have tempted everyone's sweet tooth for the last two years.

"Danielle Smith from the Garden Grill and Bakery joined the festival this year with some new delights to sample. Bill Krieger, from Cheese Louise in Richland, was back for his second year with his cheese selections."

Once again, Lisa Villegas, of Seed Cupboard Nursery supplied SHOC with beautiful live floral displays to enhance the welcoming atmosphere.

Maggie Neilsen, Cathy Potter, Brett Schrom and Sherrie Rodriguez kept the entry table process flowing smoothly. Gary and Cathy Potter contributed many hours cleaning up the grounds around the Community Center over the course of the last few weeks.

Pat Hoyt and Larry Myrick stayed until the community center was cleared of all the supplies and furnishings brought in for the event.

Alyson Wilson has designed posters and rack cards for the last two years.

Tom Hinde, publisher of the Royal Register, contributed his publishing acumen and some wonderful raffle prizes to add a little more excitement to the event. He also stayed to help with the immense cleanup task at the end of the evening.