Hendel: Garden Club gets Trunk Show preview

Holiday shopping has already begun.

The Country Garden Club First Look Preview Party Celebration for the 39th annual Trunk Show was Sept. 30 at Carranor Hunt and Polo Club where the show had boutique shopping by vendors from across the country with gifts for the home, jewelry, children's clothing, accessories, women's apparel, and edible treats.

Shopping bags filled with flowers centered the tables where guests nibbled hors d'oeuvres and sipped from a cash bar as Bob Skon from Ann Arbor played tunes.

People came to shop.

Angie Thetford and her fiance Doug Clayton just returned from a trip to Europe and were there to get first dibs.

Carole Nooney shopped as her husband Jim Nooney chatted with everyone.

Jane Moore was making the rounds as was CEO of United Way, Kate Sommerfield .

Also shopping were Debbie Peters , Mary Sobecki , Nancy Lehmann , Joni Fought and daughter Michelle (Fought) Blythea and Betty Raker , formerly of Perrysburg, who was visiting from Florida.

Judy Lang , who just returned from San Diego with her husband Fred , caught everyone's eye in her dress she purchased while on their trip.

Gary Murphy and Don Leary had fun visiting as Gary's wife, Connie , shopped.

Also seen were Marty and Kathy Holmes , Jay and Trina Secor , Peter and Colleen Demczuk , Sue and Dave Kienzle , Bill and Pam Davis , John and Yolanda Szuch , Karen Lucas with Les Lipski , and Marsha Molnar who hosted vendors at her home.

Then Oct. 1 was the Girls Just Want to Have Fun affair with artfully displayed and donated charcuterie by Kate French as Chloe and the Steel Strings played tunes.

Many shopped and sipped and shopped some more.

Linda Justen , who is next year's co-chairman, was taking it all in.

Gadding were Erin Palmer Szavuly , Deb Brescol , Weezie Stoddard , Karen Merrels , Deborah Born , Claudia Handwork , Jan Connors , Pat Nowak , and former Toledoan Karen Uebelhart — visiting from Naples. Susan Reams , there with daughter Molly Thompson , just returned from Harbor Springs.

About $68,000 was netted according to event chairmen Pat Todak and Colleen McGoldrick . Thanks go to sponsors, guests, and all of the Country Garden Club volunteers.

EPWORTH Arts & Crafts Bazaar is Nov. 2 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Epworth United Methodist Church, 4855 W. Central Ave. The annual event with free parking and admission includes unique, hand-crafted items from 67 vendors; a silent auction from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. and a pantry of baked goods, candies, jams, and casseroles, and a coffee bar. All of the proceeds support local organizations.

For information call 419.531.4236 or go to www.epworth.com/bazaar.

GiftingXO and principals Michael Hebert and David Foley , with the Boys & Girls Clubs of Toledo has a holiday pop-up on Nov. 13-15 at the W.W. Knight Nature Preserve — 29530 White Rd., Perrysburg for gifts ranging from $10-$1,000. A VIP preview and shopping night with mocktails and appetizers is Nov. 13 from 5-8 p.m. Limited VIP tickets are $50. Call 419-214-6666.

Free admission is Nov. 14 10 a.m-8 p.m. and Nov. 15, 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. There will be shopping, pre-packaged gift boxes for a child this Christmas for sale, raffles and a live auction.

“IT'S Fall Y’All” Community Give Back event is Saturday, 9-10 a.m. at Fairways Restaurant, 8256 Central Ave., Sylvania.

Limited to the first 100 children, each child will receive a pumpkin/gourd and candy. Family members will receive coffee and doughnuts.

For more information, contact: CynthiaChamper@kw.com or 419-350-0477.