Fashion Show to feature sensational seventies

Woman’s Club member Lyne Hall rocks her 70s costume at the club’s disco themed Fashion Show pre-party. Photo by Donna Ritchie

More than 200 women are expected to fill the lodge next Friday when the Woman’s Club hosts its biggest fundraiser of the year, the annual Fashion Show. Formed 45 years ago, the Woman’s Club is one of the oldest, largest and most active groups in the community. Its annual Fashion Show is a major event that raises a hefty chunk of the $30,000 to $50,000 the club awards annually to local organizations and in the form of scholarships to Canyon Lake students.

The Fashion Show will be held on Friday, Apr. 27, at 10 a.m. in the Holiday Bay Room at the lodge. “Sensational Seventies” is the theme of this year’s show. Costumes are not required but are encouraged. Tickets are $45 and include a catered lunch by the Lighthouse Restaurant. For tickets, contact Jan May at 951-970-8333.

Door prizes will be drawn between the opening of the doors at 10 a.m. to the serving of lunch at 12 p.m. Nine themed baskets with an approximate value of $200 each will be raffled off in an opportunity drawing. There will be a silent auction and five $500 cash prizes will be awarded in a grand prize drawing at the end of the show.

Rose Marie Hand, Bonnie Wade, Karen Wallace and Vicki Young serve as this year’s Fashion Show co-chairs. Entertainment will be provided by local DJ and entertainer Aprile DeAnne.

Members of the club will model fashions provided by Chico’s, Dress Barn, Gypsy Sunset, and Canyon Lake Pro Shop.

The Woman’s Club Fashion Show dates back to the 70s. Originally, the shows were held at monthly meetings with the chairperson doing spoofs on fashion shows. In recent years, it’s evolved into a first-rate affair held annually in the Holiday Bay Room at the lodge on the last Friday in April. There is always a theme and elaborate decorations.

More than modeling clothes, the Fashion Show models friendships and fundraising. Friendships are formed and strengthened through the countless hours the women spend working together to prepare for this grand event. The elements of the show that help the club raise money are the pre-parties leading up the show, ticket sales, silent auction, raffles, door prizes and grand prizes.

Woman’s Club History

Joanie Sundstrom and Bonnie Carnagey dress a genies at the Fashion Show I Dream of Jeannie themed pre-party. Photo by Lyne Hall

The Woman’s Club has hosted a variety of community events in its long history. The Club was founded in 1972 when a group of Canyon Lake women wanted to meet their neighbors. They organized an early morning “Kidnap Breakfast,” allowing those kidnapped to put on two things: a robe and false teeth.

This same group, plus the kidnap victims, met and decided to form a Woman’s Club. Bylaws were written and on November 14, 1972, the first election of officers was held. There were 91 charter members. Their main purpose at that time was to purchase safety equipment and support activities for teens.

A suggestion was also made to contact the Riverside County Libraries to request a bookmobile stop in Canyon Lake. A book exchange table was set up at the club’s monthly meeting. This led to establishing a financial sponsorship program to manage the development and growth of the local library.

Space was rented and the Woman’s Club paid the utility bills. Woman’s Club volunteers staffed the library, which eventually became part of the Riverside County Library System.

One of the first money-making events was a rummage sale held at the Village Center. This evolved into a swap meet, first held at Blue Bird Hall and then moved to the Towne Center. In 2004, the membership voted to no longer hold a swap meet.

The club’s first Home Tour was held on November 24, 1973. This event continues to be held annually in December. It now includes a drawing for decorated Christmas trees and a vendor boutique.

In 2007,  a “Taste of Paradise” cookbook was created from recipes donated by members. It proved to be a successful fundraiser.

In 2011, the board adopted a logo and sold T-shirts and sweatshirts with the glitzy logo. In 2014, vendors were added to the general membership meetings and the meetings were given themes.

All these events continue to be major fundraisers. Members continue to put in countless hours, display their many talents and make new friendships as they raise money to be donated to philanthropic recipients and scholarships.

A footnote at the bottom of the club’s website says, “Life’s Greatest Treasure – Friendship.”

The Woman’s Club meets monthly on the third Wednesday in the Holiday Bay Room at the lodge. Vendor hour is from 9 to 10 a.m.; meeting begins at 10 a.m. Lunch is $14.

For lunch reservations, contact Vicki Young at 951-733-3673 or email Karen Wallace at canyonlakewomansclub@gmail.com. For membership information, contact Kathy Ray at 858-449-7297 or kathyray82@hotmail.com. For more information, visit the club’s website at canyonlakewomansclub.com.




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