Night gives ladies chance to play

By Cassie Sylvester
Union Grove United Methodist Church

May 1 was a merry one for women of the community at the second annual Merry Night in May, hosted by Union Grove United Methodist Church, Friendsville. Food tasting, crafting, spa foot treatments, door prizes, baby sitting, refreshments and other complimentary services were provided to give the women a fun and relaxing night out.

"We host Merry Night around the first of May, which allows women a special evening out in the month of Mother's Day," explained event chairman, Kathy Swartz. "This year was expanded to 11 small businesses offering products and services like carpet and tile cleaning demos by Chem-Dry, foot spa treatment products by Beauty Control, handmade items such as fabric bags, leather goods and jewelry from local crafters and the mission school we support in Lambaré, Paraguay," she said.

Judy Gastenveld, planning team member, said, "Many area businesses donated door prizes and goodie bag items, such as Richard Parker at State Farm, Food City, Food Lion, Kroger, and Aubrey's, Up The Creek, and Friday's restaurants. When we asked area businesses and friends to participate in providing a night of fun and relaxation for ladies that would also benefit outreach and missions, they were happy to step up." As attendees visited the business-hosted tables, they tried on hand-crafted silver jewelry by Margaret Ingraham, sampled food provided by Tastefully Simple representative, Lisa Matta, and helped themselves to Beauty Control foot spa treatments guided by consultant Barbara Phelps.

Guests also registered for door prizes, enjoyed refreshments and joined Bev Hoppenworth for a beading workshop making bracelets, key rings and decorative cell phone bangles.

Joy LaForce, of The Home Place Goat Milk Soap company, said she appreciated the opportunity to return this year and show the natural goat milk soap she makes in many floral scents as well as Scrubby Soap, which is great for gardeners, and Goat Milk Soap for the camper made with citronella to ward off bugs.

Door prizes and items for goody bags were generously donated by Accent on Home, Aubrey's, Food City, Food Lion, Family Discount Books, Friday's, From ME to You, Grass Busters, Home Place Goat Milk Soap Co., Ingraham Jewelers, Kroger, Longaberger, Richard Parker State Farm Insurance, Salon 24, Shannon's Hair Design, Shimmer Hair Spa, Southern Living at Home, Tastefully Simple and Up The Creek. A love offering for the beading workshop and refreshments will benefit United Methodist Women outreach and mission programs.

Event organizers Kathy Swartz, Judy Gastenveld, Jean Eastes, Bev Hoppenworth and Cassie Sylvester all agreed that "Merry Night in May" was a successful outreach event since it had drawn more women from surrounding communities than in the past. "We enjoyed reaching out to ladies and treating them to a night out. And because of the generosity of area businesses, every guest got a door prize, took home a goodie bag and left with a big smile." said Gastenveld.