Hope Haven of the Low Country Inspire the WOPB at General Meeting and Luncheon

Bring together 60 Women of Palmetto Bluff, a beautiful and inviting home and an inspirational cause and you have one successful and fun luncheon meeting!

The home of Terri Dalton was the perfect venue for this uplifting event to meet the Director of Hope Haven, a women and children's crisis center in Beaufort SC. Shauw Chin Capps gave an informative overview of the work this organization  does for women and children in need in 5 SC counties. While it is a difficult topic, Hope Haven provides counseling, medical services and family support to the victims of violence in our community.  We are delighted to have chosen this worthy- and very effective organization to be the recipient of our major fundraiser, Hope for the Holidays, on December 14th.

Joan Lancaster, President of the WOPB welcomed the group as friends mingled and admired the gorgeous views up the May River at Terri's beautiful home.

Terri Dalton and Nancy Waterhouse Fisher

Nancy MacGregor, Linda Mascetti, Carol Rasmussen, Darlene Stang, Joan Daniel and Darcy Gulbin share a smile.

The Little Red Dog Foundation kindly sent us photos of the children who recieved new adaptive bicycles  as a result of our  Bike and Brunch event last summer. From those smiles I'd say it was a tremendous success!!

The Women of Palmetto Bluff Kick off the Season with a September Social

Our first Social of the year was held Wednesday, Sept. 10th at the lovely home of Marilyn McDonald in Anson Park.

A fun group of  45 women gathered to reconnect after a busy summer, sharing wine, great nibbles and lots of laughter.

Joan Lancaster and Anne McFall briefed the members on upcoming events, most notably our main fundraiser for Hope Haven, a Christmas Home Tour entitled "Hope for the Holidays" on Sunday, December 14th. But, socializing was the main agenda!  All in all a great night for the WOPB.

Marilyn McDonald, our hostess. Amazing Ham Salad, Marilyn!

Susan Tarver, Nancy Thomas and Renee Meighan enjoy catching up.

Cheryl Twillman, a new River Road resident, (and future Jersey Girl member?), getting to know Nancy, Darcy Gulbin and Susan Ketchum

Alana Berger, WOPB President Joan Lancaster and Board Member, Anne McFall are all smiles.

"High Heels and Horseshoes" Come Together at the Bluff

Carol Rasmussen, Debbie Carlucci, Arlene Flick, Kris Kovalcik, Danielle Sullivan, La Creasa Allen and Ann Polhill

     This past Monday was our first ever fashion show and luncheon to benefit Heroes on Horseback.  What a fun event!  I can only say, from my perspective, that it was a lot of fun trying on and selecting outfits from Worth New York at the Tanger Outlets to ensure a wide selection was presented to the members and their guests.  From the perspective of the attendee, my guess is that a couple of glasses of wine in the afternoon mixed with a group of lively women and a lovely lunch created an afternoon of laughter and smiles.  We could see the smiles and hear the laughter waaaaaaaaaay down the hallway :)
     If you were not able to attend, Lorri Hunter and Nancy Waterhouse captured the event with photos behind the scenes to the actual event in grand ballroom.  Sit back and enjoy!  And if you have not given a donation, please feel free to write a check to Heroes on Horseback and mail it to our PO Box which is 3592 in Bluffton, SC  29910.  Thank you to all who attended and to all who donated to such a worthy cause!!!!

Carol Rasmussen with the Chanel representative

Debbie Carlucci getting beautiful

Nancy and Sheila at the reception table

The committee that pulled it all together- Sheila Brown, Angela Gale, Nancy Waterhouse and Linda Mascetti

The first selection of clothing to be modeled for the ladies.

Darcy Gulbin, Renee Meighan and Karen Dale

Ladies who lunch

Our emcee thanking the committee

Who put the "art" in pARTy? We did!!

     There is a lot of brain storming going on at the beginning of our season in an attempt to make our social gatherings and fund raisers, not only innovative, but fun for everyone.  One idea that was presented to us was a party to showcase some of the talent of the women who reside in our beautiful community.  This was not an art exhibit where pieces were marked for sale: instead, it was purely for showcasing talent which, inevitably, creates conversation among members.
     Lee Mohan was gracious to lend us her low country, modern home to create a backdrop for over 65 pieces of creativity.  It was the perfect setting.  Among some of the showcased pieces were photography, watercolors, oils, jewelry, sculpture, needlecraft, and even collages made from collected feathers.  We most certainly have an incredibly talented group of women in our midst.  Please enjoy the following photographs taken by both Nancy Mcgregor and Lorri Hunter.  If you were unable to join us for this social, I believe you will feel as if you were there through this photographic commentary.

November Social: Giving Thanks

Carol's lovely welcoming entry

Wednesday evening presented us with a wonderful opportunity to present Lili Coleman, the Executive Director of Bluffton Self Help, with the proceeds from the Cookbook and to also learn a little about the organization.  Please consider accepting Lili's invitation to join their board of directors and strengthening our tie with the organization.  Remember, she needs the leadership of women!

Joan and Margie presenting Lili the check for Bluffton Self-Help.

Lili was very appreciative of the evening and sent us all a lovely note…

"Thank you so much for the beautiful reception at the Women of Palmetto Bluff gathering!  I felt so welcomed and I have received a call from Autumn to volunteer…"  

In 2014 we will be hosting private parties in each of the plantation.  If you or anyone you know would be interested in hosting a "ask" party in an intimate setting let me know.  We could even try to recruit a chef to prepare the meal.  If there is any interest, contact me. 

Again, I will let you know as soon as I receive more cookbooks.  Thank you again for being such a gracious person!  Please share my thank you with all the women who were so welcoming and interested in Bluffton Self Help.

Beautiful display of wine glasses

Not only gorgeous but delicious as well

A fantastic picture of everyone who attended

Darcy Gulbin, Laura Lemenze and Rosemary Gillet

Thank you also to Nancy McGregor for the lovely photos of the event - Island Packet, WSav and Bluffton Sun have all requested copy for print in their publications.  What a difference when a professional takes the pictures!!

The Little Red Dog Foundation Joins our Luncheon

It was a stellar day outside the stables where we had our first luncheon for the season.  Two Tomatoes catered our box lunches and our guest speaker was Debbie LiBaire from the Little Red Dog Foundation. Thank you to all of our amazing members too.  We thought it would be fun to bring a little cash to give Debbie a check after her presentation and, WOW, we raised $532 which allowed her to buy one bike.  A little birdie also told me that we had some more checks in our PO box so THANK YOU!!!!!!!   I always knew our community was filled with generous (and fun) women.

If you are unaware of the Little Red Dog Foundation located in Beaufort, please read a little history below:

     The Little Red Dog Foundation was founded in 2005 by Anne Guthrie. Anne understands first hand the difficulties faced by those who are mobility challenged because of a traumatic automobile accident she suffered years ago. For many years Anne was unable to enjoy the pleasure and freedom of mobility. But when her husband, Louis gave Anne an adult tricycle in 2003, it changed her life. From this experience was born the idea to help others gain the freedom of mobility.

In the Guthrie's 2005 Christmas card they asked their friends and family on their Christmas card list if they would like to make a donation to help purchase therapeutic tricycles which would be offered to children who suffered from balance and mobility problems. The response was overwhelming and thus began the Little Red Dog Foundation which by the way is named after the Guthrie's little red dachshund, Stephanie.

It's October so....have you????

New Member Betina with Renee and Charlotte

How can you not love a greeter like Nancy?

Angela Gale and new board member, Sheila Brown against a sea of colorful women.

Welcome to Linda Johnson and JB Wall (new members).

And a shout out to Valerie Santerian!

Get ready for our Holiday Art Spectacular as told by Nancy.

Welcome Back Ladies!

Thank you to both Alison Fargione and Alanna Berger for hosting our first 2013 Social.

      And so a new season begins at the Bluff!  Our first social brought together a new and exciting group of women.  In fact, I even overheard a few "Blufftonians" state, "Wow..there are so many women that I don't know here."  Well, ladies, that is the point of this group.  As our little community grows, this group not only focuses on doing good for the community but it offers us all an opportunity to meet and get to know one another.  Remember......our mission statement is "Connect and give back." and we get better each year by focusing on social and philanthropic get-togethers.
      Our first meeting was purely social but Alison Fargione ( a lot owner in Palmetto Bluff) gave a 15 minute presentation on her company in Old Town Bluffton.  Her shop, Al-Harry Designs, is located right on Calhoun Street and she specializes in custom furniture.  In fact, she is currently making a piece for my own home that both she and I designed together.  I am excited to see the finished product.  Below is a vignette that she arranged in Alanna's home that showcases her work.  It is always nice to support fellow "Blufftonians'.

Anne McFall and Kim Judge

      We welcomed quite a few new members as well but, keep in mind, I am not the best photographer so bear with me as we welcome some new faces to our group.

LaCreasa Allen and Sheila Brown

Kim Judge, Claudia Rogers, Carol Rasmussen (standing), Linda Mascetti and Simone MacLellan

Pat Cole, Darlene Stang, Bettina Guenther and Nancy Waterhouse