She's the food editor! My friend Mary Constantine does her job - with gusto!
You can always count on seeing fun, quirky items and opportunities at the News Sentinel’s Women Today Expo. Normally, this is experienced in a frenetic crowd of laughing, noisy women of all ages. Which is nice, if exhausting.
But this year, the News Sentinel added a new annual event to the popular women’s show: “Women’s Wine Down.” This is a much more relaxed, quiet way to experience the Women Today Expo – and proceeds from the $40 ticket sale benefit the Empty Stocking Fund, the paper’s charity that provides food and toys to the needy during the holidays.
The wine event is the opening night of the Expo, which was last night, at the Knoxville Convention Center. Six wines and a variety of foods from area eateries were available and the whole experience was a low-key way to end the week and see the show at the same time. (I was too afraid to try the NUVO L’Esprit de Paris Sparkling Liqueur that was offered. It was hot pink!) I saw tons of friends there and plan to make this an annual activity.
Here are some highlights. Women Today Expo runs through the weekend, so try to catch it.
Lisa Duncan of the Dogwood Arts Festival tries on sunglasses. She bought two pair. "Great prices," she said.
It was a sea of sunglasses on display from "Endless Summer," a vendor from Atlanta
Kathy Slocum of Avanti Savoia offers parmigiano reggiano for tasting. It was salty and delicious.
Ted Prater, executive chef of the Crown and Goose, shucks oysters. He offered two kinds and lots of condiments. You could taste the ocean!
Marty Townsend plays a quiz game at the East Tennessee Clean Fuels Coalition booth. She won a travel mug!
Angela Chaffin holds up a cute little dress from Cocobears in Lenoir City
These are individual hairpins. So pretty. Also at the Cocobears booth.
At the U.S. Cellular both, Jon Dziurzynski takes a photo and then prints it out and also sends it to the cell phone of attendees. The models here are Tom and Deanene Catani. Loads of props were available, but the boas were the most popular.
Wende White admires "The Pink Lady" bike at the Smoky Mountain Harley Davidson Buell booth
Yes, that's WATE's Lori Tucker, right, and her friend Melissa May sitting in the WVLT booth! Well, it was near the music and her feet were tired!
At the big Belk booth, Mary Miller applies makeup to Cheryl Sweat.
Mary Fran Darwin checks out the festive cat beds at the Siamese Cat Rescue Center booth. She has two cats of her own.
Amy Styles, who has five cats, considers some very big cat toys.
The bright purses at the Beijo booth caught the attention of Shelba Murphy
Hahaha! These glasses were so happy! They are from "Mix it Up" from Mobile, Ala. They also sold cocktail mixes - and gave samples!
Some things were serious. This was a demonstration of how to find a lump in your breast. I was surprised by how hard it was to find the lump in this model. Sobering. Courtesy of Befitting You Mastectomy Boutique
The brave fellows from the Boling Brown Hollaway Trio provided a mellow mood to the evening - and were among only a few men in attendance!
This picture kind of shows the overall relaxed atmosphere
It's spring! The News Sentinel booth was decorated with loads of cut daffodils. Now quit reading this blog and get over to that show!
These people have had their picture made before!