“The Girls’ Night Out Committee would like to extend their sincere appreciation to Dixie Vegter and staff of Cross Creek for their delicious food and great service!” stated Corinne Bender, Morrison Chamber of Commerce Administrator.
Bender, left, and participant Michelle Neelans especially enjoyed the evening, as each was celebrating her birthday. Neelans won one of several appealing door prizes courtesy of the 19 vendors.
The 2nd Annual Morrison Chamber of Commerce Girls’ Night Out was held at Cross Creek Golf Course, 15523 Henry Road, Morrison, IL, on Thursday, October 17, 2013, from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m.
Bender explained, “The event pampered the ladies with special shopping deals, great samples, delicious food, and adult beverages. Admission was $5, which included food and a chance to win numerous door prizes provided by the vendors. The first 100 ladies received bright pink bags, donated by Morrison Community Hospital, filled with treats from Hardees; DQ Grill & Chill; Thirty-One Consultant Michelle Taylor; Nelson, Kilgus, Richey Huffman and Buckwalter-Schurman, Attorneys at Law”
Vegter’s appetizer buffet was actually a light meal of sweet and sour and Swedish meatballs; two sliced, tortilla pinwheel rollups; crudites (vegetables and dip); cheese and sausage plates; potato chips. Various sandwiches–on three types of bread–added to the enjoyment: ham, egg, and chicken salad; garden vegetable with cream cheese; Dixie’s special pastrami with sun-dried tomatoes.
Bartender Carol Folkers offered two “seasonal drinks, due to the cool weather. Different shots and colors were researched” by Folkers and Vegter. The women chose
- homemade hot cocoa with Butterscotch schnapps
- wassail made with apple cider, Captain Morgan Spiced Rum, and DeKuyper Hot Damn! Cinnamon schnapps.
Interviewed vendors are listed below.
Left-to-right are, Barbara Briggs, Shannon, IL, and Debbie Greenfield, Lanark, IL, Nerium (skin care.) These day and night treatments have given Greenfield, her mother, and others dramatic results, from face to feet. Her whimsical sign says it all. Lindsay Kuehl, Morrison, Scentsy (wickless wax and warmers), talked with Chamber Board member Jan Roggy, far right, about her fragrant offerings and containers.
Tina Oszfolk, Grace Adele (design-a-handbag and accessories), at left, was recently on the Paula Sands Live television program and discussed handbags designed to accomodate women who carry a concealed weapon. Sands asked her, “Are you packing?” to start the dialogue! Oszfolk models a faux leather bag with zip side pockets (for the left- or right-handed woman) which could hold a pistol. One could shoot through the bag if threatened. It sells for $120 and includes the studded, removable clutch. At right, Michelle Taylor, Thirty-One Gifts (bags and totes), displayed a different collection of bags. The wide variety of cloth bags offers something for any occasion. They can be monogrammed for more appeal or gift-giving.
Tami Vandyke, far left, displayed several examples of her Bad Squirrel Designs (hand-painted wall art.) Choose text, colors, fonts, and sizes for these items; personalize them for yourself or as a gift. Daughter Gabrielle assisted. At right, Angie Jacobs, South Hill Designs (lockets and charms), was pleased to personalize a selection of miniature charms for Kelly Smith, far right, to wear in the locket that Smith won as a door prize. Jacobs sells design-it-yourself jewelry. Choose a locket; background coin or pierced screen; charms; chain; optional droplet or accessory. There are bracelets and earrings available.
Constance Marney of Forreston, IL, Mary Kay (skin care/cosmetics), gave free hand-softening treatments to demonstrate the Mary Kay products.
Lisa Zaagman accompanied daughter Bridget Maupin, Tastefully Simple (food products), the the event. The yummy catalog includes four gluten-free baked items that Maupin and a family member declare to be delicious. Mick Welding, Kim Feary, Carol Hill, and Sarah Lutyens represented Morrison Community Hospital and their “My Complete Health, Ideal Protein” weight loss program. Lutyens and Feary brought ten pounds of rubberized fat to demonstrate how that would look on the body–and how it looks better off the body.
Additional vendors were
Dana Conkrite, V-3 (diet supplement)
Laura Burkholder, Premier Designs (jewelry)
Andrea Zinanni, Touchstone Crystal (jewelry)
Kelly Jo Howick Severing, Party Lite (candles)
Ariel Pontnack, Young Living Essential Oils
Paul Beck, PRB Designs (hand-crafted jewelry)
Jennifer Young, Avon (skin care/cosmetics)
Donna Althoff, Pampered Chef (kitchen utensils)
Weston Burkholder, B-Fit (fitness center)
and one businesswoman who chose to remain unpublished.