THE JOURNAL & TOPICS NEWSPAPERS | FRIDAY, MAY 16, 2008

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Spring Fling Blossoms With Fashions, Food, Fun

By DENISE FLEISCHER

Lifestyle Editor

Greetings and hugs were exchanged during Christ Church's "Spring Fling" Luncheon and Fashion Show on Saturday, May 10 at Casa Royale in Des Plaines.

One hundred sixty eight women and three men entered the large dining room to find pink and yellow floral centerpieces topping their tables and tempting flower cookies resting upon their dinner plates. Raffle tickets were quickly sold and guests placed their tickets in colorful spring bags.

According to Alice Barnhart, fashion committee chair, all proceeds were earmarked for Christ Church, located in Des Plaines. What the money will be used for will be determined by the committee and combined women's groups of the church.

"If the church has something in progress, we'll add to the fund," said Barnhart.

As for contributions, Barnhart said Rita Barth, one of the tickets/seating committee members, selected pink, yellow and tangerine iced cookies. Aberdeen's Wedding Flowers donated the centerpieces. Barbara Wraas and Barnhart chose the delicious menu.

After Barnhart's welcome, grace was recited by Rev. Virginia Ericson.

Plans for the event began three months ago. Members came up with nifty raffle prizes and everyone from teens to seniors began expressing interest in attending.

"We had one held at the church so many years ago that my daughter was a baby," said Barnhart.

"We'll probably skip a year," said Holly Schmidt, publicity representative. "You can only approach the same people so much. We'd love to have anyone interested come visit our church."

Then it was time for the arrival of spring fashions by Dress Barn. Toni Vandeburg, Mt. Prospect store manager, introduced each of the outfits chosen by models: Debbie Barnhart, Mary Jean Copeland, Elaine Hudson, Alycia Kosnick, Pat Osborn, Amy Podgor, Gail Tice, Dolores Tomsheck and Barbara Tronvig. Popular this spring are bright citrus colors, bold prints, baby dolls and city shorts. Twenty to 30 outfits, a pleasant mix of casual, career and After Five dresses, in both missy and qomen's sizes, were twirled about on the walkway.

Raffle gifts were presented with applause and the 50/50 winner was beyond happy.