STYLE SHOW — The 23rd-annual Holiday Splendor Luncheon and Style Show was held by the Wintersville Women’s Club Dec. 7 at St. Florian Hall. The style show featured members of the club and relatives of members serving as models for some of the more popular fashions sold at Chico’s in Cranberry Township. Those who took time to model the various outfits included, from left, Connie Cimaglia, Marjean Sizemore, Judy Galbraith, Mila Timmons, Mary Beth Allen and Cathy Thoburn. -- Julie Stenger

WINTERSVILLE — Christmas.

It is the season of giving.

It is the time when people express their love for one another.

And perhaps no one knows more about giving than those involved in the Wintersville Women’s Club.

While the club’s members give back to the community throughout the entire year, there is one annual fundraiser that stands as a beacon of their dedication.

GRAND PRIZE WINNER — Elaine Underwood of Weirton, left, was named the grand prize winner in the holiday drawing for a pair of gold earrings donated by Discovery Jewelers in Wintersville during the 23rd-annual Holiday Splendor event. Mary Beth Allen presented the jewelry to Underwood following her name being drawn from those entered into the contest. -- Julie Stenger

It is a tradition that has continued for the past 23 years.

Its name speaks for itself … Holiday Splendor.

On Dec. 7, the club once again welcomed the community to its highly-anticipated and cherished event, held at St. Florian Hall in Wintersville.

The Holiday Splendor Luncheon and Style Show was an afternoon filled with warmth, fellowship and that unmistakable spirit of the season.

From the moment the 193 guests arrived, they were greeted by the club’s treasurer, Karen Hill, and ushered into the event center where tables were adorned with festive linens.

BROWSING PRIZES — Those attending the Dec. 7 Holiday Splendor event at St. Florian Hall in Wintersville browsed the large assortment of items that were available to win in a Chinese auction. Prizes featured themed baskets, including a relaxation package, a Fourth of July package and an Ohio State basket. -- Julie Stenger

Centerpieces graced each seating arrangement, while evergreens and ribbon adorned the stage.

Each detail had been carefully arranged to create a winter wonderland sparkling with anticipation.

Those arriving early were able to shop the many booths and tables of area vendors who had set up their wares toward the back of the hall.

Tickets were sold at various tables throughout the center for the many drawings that would take place throughout the afternoon.

Joyce Palmer served as mistress of ceremonies for the event, which included a meal catered by Undo’s restaurant consisting of chicken, a stuffed shell and green beans.

Prior to the meal, honorary club member Janice Kiaski, former community editor of the Herald-Star and The Weirton Daily Times, gave the invocation.

Kiaski commented on how Holiday Splendor is one of the best events in the area, noting that year after year, the event is a “gift” where this special group of women can come together and share time with one another.

She added it is a blessing to be in the presence of the woman’s club and thanked those in attendance for coming to support the Wintersville club in its largest fundraiser of the year.

The success of the event is no accident, of course. Members begin preparing as early as May, according to club President Cheryl Taylor.

Each year, they get an early start in order to obtain an assortment of merchandise and products from local businesses and individuals willing to donate what they can.

Members set aside time to arrange all of the items and place them into themed baskets, which are offered as prizes in a Chinese auction — always one of the highlights of the day.

Some members even signed up early to obtain basket items that were seasonal and available only during the summer months, including supplies incorporated into a themed Fourth of July basket.

This year, guests received the opportunity to win one of 26 themed baskets available.

Baskets ranged from Ohio State and Pittsburgh Steelers to All About Chocolate, A Day at the Beach and a Stationary Basket, as well as gift cards for local businesses.

In addition to the Chinese auction, tickets were sold to win the day’s grand prize — gold earrings donated by Discovery Jewelers in Wintersville.

New this year was a Chef’s Table drawing, donated by Chef Giuseppe DiGristina of Pastaio Restaurant in Wintersville.

The prize offered the winner and three of their guests to a private meal prepared at the restaurant.

Gifts were created as centerpieces for each table, as well, with the winner being the individual whose program carried a special sticker inside.

The generosity of attendees was reflected not only in spirit, but in the numbers. There were 33 door prizes collected by members.

The 50/50 drawing alone raised $587. The basket drawing brought in $2,701.

The Chef’s Table drawing at Pastaio’s added $520 to the club’s total, while vendor tables contributed $675.

Ads, which members worked to secure for the event’s program, brought in $1,125; and the television and wreath auction raised $555.

Together, these efforts resulted in a profit — after expenses — of $7,081.27 for the Wintersville club.

“It is a large undertaking by members, but one that brings joy year after year,” Taylor said of the event.

These funds will be placed into the club’s account to support scholarships and community contributions given throughout the year.

Profits from Holiday Splendor allow the club to award the $1,000 Glenda Dunlope Scholarship and the $1,000 Wintersville Woman’s Club Scholarship to an Indian Creek senior; a $500 matching scholarship to a Franciscan University student; and a $500 scholarship previously designated for Eastern Gateway Community College.

Taylor explained the club hopes to continue that EGCC scholarship with Youngstown State University once it establishes its campus in Steubenville.

Beyond scholarships, the club gifts donations to help better the village.

It has donated in support of area nonprofits and organizations.

Local donations have included Wintersville Fire and Rescue, the Blessing Box at Wintersville Methodist Church, the Urban Mission, Trinity Health System’s Teramana Cancer Center, the United Way of Jefferson County, the United Way Meals of Hope program, Wreaths Across America and the Mohican Memorial Shrine.

The club even extends its reach to those who are experiencing extreme loss, such as those in Wheeling affected by the devastating

Amidst the fundraising, the event featured entertainment in the form of a style show, showcasing a collection of casual and holiday wear from Chico’s in Cranberry, Pa.

Club members, along with their relatives, served as the show’s models.

Returning this year was Mila Timmons, granddaughter of club member Tyra Timmons, who charmed the audience modeling a festive holiday dress along with a set of plaid Christmas pajamas.

Other models included Connie Cimaglia, Marjean Sizemore, Judy Galbraith, Mary Beth Allen and Cathy Thoburn.

Holiday Splendor is a day in which club members from across Ohio and West Virginia can celebrate the holidays with one another, while raising money for an important cause.

Those in attendance included club members from the Woman’s Club of Steubenville, East Springfield, Boardman, Poland, Warren, Wheeling and Weirton, as well as GFWC state leaders, including Treasurer Deidra Devore, First Vice President Barbara Davarin, President Esther Gartland and Past President Yvonne Ford.

As the afternoon drew to a close a little earlier than usual due to the village holding its Christmas parade that day, some guests lingered a little longer.

They seemed reluctant to leave this special day of fellowship.

While the December chill pressed against the windows, inside, a warmth remained.

The kind of warmth that comes not from decorations or music alone, but from the simple acts of kindness and connection lighting the way through winter’s dark.

Once again, the Wintersville Women’s Club has shown that splendor is not found in glitter or in grandeur.

Rather, it is found in the enduring spirit of generosity and love that makes the Wintersville community continue to shine throughout the entire year.