Cheese and ice cream once again were featured items on the menu at Mount Vernon, the historic Virginia home of George and Martha Washington, during an elegant fundraiser co-hosted last week by IDFA and the Distilled Spirits Council. Blue Bell Creameries and several members of the National Cheese Institute donated products for the event, helping to celebrate and preserve the history of Mount Vernon, which is located just across the Potomac River from Washington, D.C.

Several dignitaries from our nation's capital attended the "Spirit of Mount Vernon," which began with cocktails and cheese served on the lawn of the mansion. The Marine Bugle Corps offered a salute to America, followed by fireworks over the Potomac at sunset. The elegant dinner featured a dessert course of ice cream and brandied apricots, and the evening ended with an auction.

Money raised at the event will go to the Mount Vernon Ladies Association whose primary mission is preserving Mount Vernon. Since taking possession of the property in 1860, the association has worked to preserve and restore the historic structures and landscape to their eighteenth-century appearance.

IDFA thanks the following members for their donations:

• Agropur Cooperative
• Blue Bell Creameries
• Glanbia Foods Inc.
• Hilmar Cheese Company
• Kraft Foods N.A., Inc.
• Marathon Cheese Corporation
• Masters Gallery Foods, Inc.
• Saputo Cheese USA, Inc.
• Sargento Foods Inc.
• Sartori Foods
• Tillamook County Creamery Association

These photos share some of the excitement and elegance of the evening.

IDFA President and CEO Connie Tiption (second from left).

Marine Bugle Corps provided the music.

Guests enjoy ice cream with brandied apricots.