The Women’s Civic Club of Bethany Beach will host its annual fashion show and luncheon on November 10th. The money raised goes to the needs of the community.
The Women’s Civic Club of Bethany Beach is gearing up for its annual fashion show and luncheon on November 10th to benefit the local community.
The event will be held at the Bayside Magnolia Room & Cocktail Lounge. This is the new location for our annual fundraiser, the 97-year-old club’s biggest fundraiser of the year.
According to club president Brenda Thompson, “a masquerade ball for a cause” is the theme of the event. Thompson said members of the club will model clothes for Chico’s, White House, Her Black, Her Market and Soma. For lunch, choose between Grilled Salmon Nicoise, Grilled Chicken Focaccia, or Roast Beef and Boursin Wrap. Dessert is New York cheesecake with strawberry or raspberry sauce. Tickets are $40 each.
Open to residents of Bethany Beach and the surrounding area, the club was founded on August 3, 1925 by a group of 18 women. Their stated purpose, Thompson said, is to “carry out civic improvements in Bethany Beach,” so the club’s first donation was a tribute to the town’s boardwalk, which was about 20 years old at the time. were his three benches.
Over the years, the club has grown into an organization that provides more financial support for lifeguards and first aid equipment, Thompson said.
In the 1970s, the club began a beautification project under the direction of Martha Jean Addy (whose family owned the landmark Addy See Inn). The club has planted hundreds of flowers along the Garfield Parkway median and Route 1. Today, the Martha Jean Addy Flower Garden, managed by the town of Bethany Beach, remains a familiar landmark in Bethany Beach.
Today, Bethany Beach’s Women’s Civic Club supports a movement that stretches beyond town boundaries. For example, last year donations were made to both the Bethany Beach Volunteer Fire Company and the Millville Volunteer Fire Company, as well as Milford Homes for the Brave, Meals on Wheels, Warrior Weekend Corp., People’s Place and Sussex County Habitat. was done. for humanity. Additionally, the club donated to the children’s section of the South Coastal Library and the town of Bethany Beach.
Local projects include sewing backpacks for local adoptees, participating in the Adopt-a-Highway program, collecting supplies for the military, and volunteering at the Bethany Beach farmers market. was included.
The club invites the community to participate in the fashion show each year, Thompson said, allowing the club to continue serving the community. She added that the club is delighted to be returning to its pre-pandemic range.The larger Bayside venue this year speaks to the club’s desire to expand its range even further. .
“Grand raffle prizes” will be awarded during the luncheon and fashion show, Thompson said. Gift cards for local spots like the Delaware Botanical Gardens, handcrafted charcuterie boards, and a ‘spa basket’ filled with indulgent ingredients. Sweets and a gift card to a local spa, she said.
According to Thompson, the list of raffle items is “long and interesting.”
The link to the club and its history remains strong. In fact, Thompson said the silver bowl used in the raffle was a gift for the 50th anniversary. In addition to serving the community, regular club meetings often include educational and topical speakers. His one such recent speaker was Ralph Begleiter, former CNN world affairs correspondent and local resident journalism professor at the University of Delaware.
Music for the fashion show and lunch will be provided by Milton musician Vincent Valassi.
Thompson said the fashion show was a highlight of the year for the members, especially those who volunteered as models. .
“They do a really great job,” she says of the salon offering time for the event, and the models are delighted with the opportunity to get a little extra attention.
The November 10th luncheon will begin at 11:00 am with social time. Lunch is served at noon. Tickets for $40 per person are available by sending a check issued to WCCBB, along with your menu selections, to Gerry Arendall 34055 Beaufort Lane, Dagsboro DE 19939. For more information, call (302) 563-5223.
The Magnolia Room is located at 12021 North Haven Drive in Selbyville.
