A custom portrait by artist Jeff Langston, $500 gift card to Halls Chophouse, portable TEC stainless steel infrared grill and luxury weekend getaway are just some of the items that will be available in Orangeburg-Calhoun Technical College Foundation’s 15th annual Evening of Fine Wines and Foods Golden Ticket drawings.
This year’s fall fundraising event will be held 7 to 10 p.m. Monday, Oct. 7, 2019, in the Patrick Student Services Building on the campus of OCtech. Event tickets are $75 per person.
Guests will have the opportunity to purchase one Golden Ticket entry for $50, three for $125 or six for $200. Drawings will be held at 9 p.m.
Jeff Langston is a self-taught artist focusing on photorealism, classic realism and hyperrealism portraits in graphite, charcoal, colored pencil and digital. His mother-in-law, Georgianna McGee, was a longtime English instructor and program coordinator at the college, and his wife, Mallory, is a graduate of OCtech’s nursing program.
“From as far back as I can remember as a child, all I wanted to do was draw images that looked like the real thing,” he said. “I always kept a sketchbook near me and doodled here and there.”
After losing his music job unexpectedly in 2009, the stay-at-home dad pulled out the drawing pads and immersed himself into drawing.
“In the summer of 2016, I posted a picture I drew in graphite of actor Tommy Lee Jones,” he said. “The feedback on Facebook was wonderful. Then I posted one of my dad when he was kid that my mom asked me to draw for her, and that opened the floodgates on commissions. I couldn’t – and still can’t – believe I was being asked to draw portraits and be paid for it. With each commission I take, I’m humbled, honored and never take for granted how blessed I am to be in the position I am.”
Depending on the size, medium and subject matter, Langston said it takes him anywhere from 50 to 300 hours to complete a portrait. Available through the Golden Ticket drawing is an 11-by-14-inch black-and-white framed portrait featuring up to three subjects. To view Langston’s work, visit facebook.com/JeffLangstonArt.
Halls Chophouse opened in 2009 in Charleston and has since expanded with locations in Columbia, Greenville and Nexton. The epitome of hospitality and comfort, Halls “offers superior dishes, service and an atmosphere that entices guests to stay, enjoy and come back time and again.” The restaurant serves only Allen Brothers’ hand-selected, meticulously aged USDA Prime steaks. For more information, visit hallschophouse.com.
The TEC 23” Cherokee FR Grill offers big-grill flavor with small-grill convenience. Its compact size makes it ideal for camping or tailgating while incorporating the same state-of-the-art infrared technology found in TEC’s full-size residential grills. Learn more at tecinfrared.com/product/cherokee-fr-24-grill.
Old Edwards Inn and Spa sits atop the southwest plateau of North Carolina’s Blue Ridge Mountains. Located in the heart of downtown Highlands in the midst of unique shops, live entertainment, art galleries and more, the acclaimed European-style resort offers a mountain retreat with luxury guestrooms, suites, cottages and vacation homes, as well as farm-to-table restaurants, a destination spa and 18-hole golf course. For more information, visit oldedwardsinn.com.
“The dedicated OCtech Foundation team has once again put together a marvelous wine and food event,” said Trudy Frierson, who is co-chairing this year’s event with her husband Dwight Frierson and Anna and Charles House. “We are grateful to our generous sponsors, and thank this year’s winning combination of donors, caterers and distributors. We invite everyone to become a community partner on October 7. Come enjoy a terrific evening of friendship, food and wine tasting while supporting the worthwhile programs-old-old-old-old of the OCtech Foundation.”
Bringing their signature items and other delightful dishes for guests to enjoy are A Gracious Affair, Aberdeen Catery, Antley’s Bar-B-Q, Blaz N Buz Catering Company, Catering for All Occasions, Chestnut Grill, Cleveland Street Café, Common Ground Café, Linda Cumbee, Dupre Catering and Events, FitStreet Deli and Hibachi, Fogle’s Piggly Wiggly, Golden Kernel Pecan Company, Hutto Seafood Market and Kitchen, Palmetto Peach Catering, Randolph Artisan Italian Ice and Gelato, Simple Chef, Sims Street House of Pizza and The Barrel Room, Thai Orchid, The Rotonda of Santee, Thee Matriarch Bed and Breakfast, Tracy’s Place and Joann Zeigler.
Supplying the evening’s selection of fine wines and craft beers are Advintage Distributing of the Carolinas, Aleph Wines Corporation, Breakthru Beverage South Carolina, Republic National Distributing Company, Southeast Beverage Company, Southern Glazer’s Wine and Spirits, and Winebow.
Wine may be ordered at the event through Gibby’s Bottle Shop. Gibby’s will donate 10 percent of proceeds from wine ordered that evening to the OCtech Foundation. Individuals ordering 12 or more bottles of wine will receive a 10 percent discount on their purchase.
An Evening of Fine Wines and Foods raises money to support OCtech student scholarships, faculty and staff professional development, and projects requested by the college. To purchase event tickets, contact Reagan Blanchard at 803-535-1246 or blanchardmr@octech.edu.
