FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

TARA – A COUNTRY INN MARKS 25 YEARS OF AWARD-WINNING HOSPITALITY

CLARK, Pa. – June 3, 2011 – Plans are underway for a grand weekend June 3-5, 2011 full of special events marking the 25th Anniversary of Tara – A Country Inn. The celebration will culminate Saturday evening with a gala dinner-dance featuring a poolside cocktail reception, gourmet dinner under the stars and dancing to the big band sounds of Dr. Zoot, a well-known swing band from the Pittsburgh area.

The untimely death of Jim Winner in September 2010 makes the marking of 25 years in business a bittersweet celebration. Together with his wife and business partner, Donna Winner, they created the vision of "Tara" in 1985 when they purchased the abandoned 1854 Koonce family home in Clark, Pa. at a public auction. After 18 months of renovation they opened the doors of Tara – A Country Inn on June 6, 1986 with just a handful of rooms. Two additions later, Tara now has 27 guestrooms and has been critically acclaimed throughout the nation. Ashley's Gourmet Dining Room, Stonewall's Tavern, banquet facilities, swimming pools, and elegant gardens attract thousands of tourists from across the nation for romantic getaways, weddings and corporate events.

Donna Winner remains determined to carry on her husband's dreams of building a strong Hospitality and tourism industry in the Shenango Valley. Their hospitality companies, including Tara, have provided hundreds of area jobs for over three decades. The Winners began their ventures in hospitality in 1979 when they purchased the Shenango Inn (now Juniper Village) in Sharon, Pa. Several people among the Tara "family" of employees came from the Shenango Inn and are still working for the Winners 31 years later.

Donna and Jim Winner received the Bill Knecht Tourism Award from VisitMercerCountyPA in June 2010, just months prior to Jim's passing; a timely tribute to all that the couple accomplished to promote tourism in Mercer County. They were also the recipients of the Pennsylvania Tourism and Lodging Association's Innkeepers of the Year Award in 2007 and in 2008 they were handpicked by Governor Rendell and inducted into the inaugural class of the Keystone Society for Tourism to honor visionaries in destination leadership and community development.

Tickets are still available for the gala dinner-dance on Saturday, June 4 starting at 6 p.m. The price is $100 per person (includes tax and gratuity) and includes a poolside cocktail reception hosted by Donna Winner, dinner, wine and dancing. Special overnight packages start at $325 and include two tickets to the gala dinner, luxury guestroom with whirlpool tub, fireplace, bottle of champagne, welcome tray and breakfast the next morning. A portion of the proceeds will be given to the Winner family's "Shoe Our Children" fund.

For more information, please visit www.Tara-Inn.com or call 724-962-3535.

About VisitMercerCountyPA:
Located in Northwestern Pennsylvania, along the Ohio border, Mercer County is home to name-brand outlets, boutiques and unique specialty stores for shoppers. The area is also known for its challenging golf courses of inspired design. Golf Digest ranked Mercer County as one of its top golf destinations. Visitors can dine on mouthwatering cuisine in Mercer County's array of fine restaurants and then stay overnight in a well-appointed hotel, a luxurious bed and breakfast or a cozy country inn. Close to Pittsburgh, Erie, Cleveland and other major markets, Mercer County is easily accessible via I-80 and I-79. The County offers the perfect escape.  For more information, visit www.VisitMercerCountyPa.com