It may have been very chilly outdoors on Friday, Dec. 13, but inside Park Place, located at 310 N. Rush Street in Pentwater, a very cozy atmosphere permeated the Pentwater Women’s Club Christmas Party. More than 40 women gathered to enjoy the festive spirit, the fun presentations, and the great food. The audience heard a presentation planned by club member Claudia Ressel-Hodan and club President Kathy O’Connor on making holiday mocktails/cocktails, and guests were offered small samples of the beverages. Following lunch, the group witnessed Mary Ann Bush from “Flowers by Mary Ann” create a beautiful holiday table centerpiece and learned some helpful tips about preserving flowers and making floral arrangements.
In the past the club members have had a gift exchange and donated funds to a local charity. O’Connor reported, “This year instead of a gift exchange, the members decided to focus both gifts and funds on the Oceana Medical Care Facility. After discussing ideas with the activity directors at the facility, we reached a decision to donate materials for craft projects in the activity center and to donate items to the 2-bit store where residents can purchase any items for 25 cents.”
That created many possibilities for gifts to donate for a wide range of ages, since residents buy items at the store not only for themselves but also for their grandchildren or other family members at Christmas. Club members received a long list of suggestions from which to choose. At the event, a table with two baskets (one for craft activity materials and one for the resident store) was filled with the items purchased and donated, and a designated receptacle was available for cash gifts. O’Connor said, “The board was thrilled to learn from the treasurer that we would be delivering $606 along with all the items donated.”
The club is grateful to member Vicki Poplstein for the many years she hosted the Christmas party in her home. The changes in location and format this year required many hours of planning and work by the club’s Program Committee, who rose to the occasion. In response to the many positive comments received, committee member Sandy Werner remarked, “I’m very pleased, and we made an awesome team.” Other committee members were Jenny Lynn Girvan, Jodee Melse and AnnaMae Bush.
The Pentwater Women’s Club meets on the second Friday of each month from 1:30-3 p.m. at Park Place for a program, business meeting, and fellowship over refreshments. New members are welcome to come to any meeting. January’s program will be a presentation featuring Michigan authors by Mary Barker, director of the Pentwater Township Library. February’s program will be a presentation and activity related to Valentine’s Day by Roxanne Frame, owner of the local bakery Homebaked by Roxanne.
