2024 Meeting Highlights
JANUARY 2024
Member Appreciation Day and an Accessory Swap
Decorating Designing Women’s first Bling it on Accessory Swap.
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Member Appreciation Lunch with club provided finger sandwiches, salad, coffee, tea, and water.
To participate in the swap members brought up to 5 accessories to swap. For every item you bring, you will have the opportunity to select another item. For example, if you bring 5, you will go home with 5 different accessories. An accessory is a piece of jewelry, a purse, a scarf, a shawl, a wallet, a hat, etc. All items must be clean and in good wearable/usable condition. Any items left will be donated to The Haven House.
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We also held a “Pick a Prize” raffle tickets with tickets $5.00 for 6 or $10 for 15 so bring your cash. All proceeds from this raffle went to The Haven House.
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We also collected donations for The Haven House.
FEBRUARY 2024
World–renowned Fine Artist and Interior Designer - Arrachme
Arrachme, a famous professional artist and interior design presented how art relates to interior design and how to predict interior design trends. Perfect for Villagers wanting to refresh or design their homes. We are so lucky to have her in the Villages!
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The DDW team was super excited to have Arrachme, to conduct a presentation at our meeting this month!
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Arrachme is an artist whose traditional visual arts education and experience span forty years and then took an unusual positive turn. Her art is as unique as her history, from teaching with a master painter and sculptor, a philosopher from the Caucasus Mountains to a client who held the title of the most powerful man in the world. In her early career, Arrachme studied and practiced as a professional interior designer, A.S.I.D. , I.D.S., used her skills, successfully brokering art for her celebrity clients.
Arrachme has been exhibited throughout the world and featured in many publications including Tatler, Southwest, Artist Network, Circle Arts Foundation, Artsy, and Artnet. In addition, she is Vice President of Outstanding Art Inc., Owner of Arrachme Art Gallery, a past Board member of The Leesburg Center For The Arts, and is an art educator with The Villages Enrichment Academy, and regularly speaks on the arts to groups.
Arrachme's firm and school were located in Tampa in the 90s. She is a past member of ASID (American Society of Interior Design) and also IIDA, (International Interior Design Association).
MARCH 2024
Ethan Allen Design Studio of The Villages
Ethan Allen team will be coveried -- 2024 interior design trends, proper scale and fit, rug sizing and color or the year.
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Ethan Allen is the New Premier Interior Design Destination located in The Villages at 643 Kristine Way, The Villages, FL 32163. They are a team of all interior designers who offers complimentary interior design services such as house calls, in-store constultations, and design presentations. The Design Studio showcases everyting for our home needs.
They utilize 3D rendering software to recreate your exact home true to scale, size and fit.
Ethan Allen innovates with technology matched with distinctive quality. 75% of our furniture is North American made while sustainablity factors into how we make our furniture.
After the meeting they will be available to book your complimentary design session with one of their interior designers!
Ethan Allen Web site: https://www.ethanallen.com
APRIL 2024
The Floor Shoppe
Angela from the The Floor Shoppe will presented information on choosing the right products for your home. She discussed different aspects of remodeling and what The Floor Shoppe has to offer. Education is very important when choosing the right products for your home and she will be elaborating on that informative detail. A variety of products will also be shown during to presentation for ladies to view.
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MAY 2024
Custom Ram Design - Artistic Custom Driveway & concrete coating company.
Our Speaker from Custom Ram Design presented options to make driveways and walkways an integral part of the home and a reflection of those who live there.
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Custom Ram Design started a little over 24 years ago with the desire to create a work environment to treat employees as more than just tools and to create products using creativity, color and composition in a concrete coating company. Our customers are our top priority. We advertise mostly word-of-mouth to promote the business and we are grateful for the many customers and so grateful to be part of the Villages. Carlos believes that architectural modifications are what transform a house into a home. He will be discussing options to make driveways and walkways an integral part of the home and a reflection of those who live there.
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JUNE 2024
Chicos - Fashion Show
Join us for our Chico's fashion show! Several of our members modeled 2 outfits each from Chico's. The retailer offers fashion for all sizes, and body types.
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This was such a fun event!
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https://www.chicos.com/locations/us/fl/the-villages/992-del-mar-dr/
JULY 2024
Summer Bash Entertainment Ideas
Summer Bash Entertainment Ideas - presented by Pattie Detwiler - Get Inspiration for hosting parties, Easy to do ideas, Tips and tricks. Let your creativity play.
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It’s all about the details when it comes to creating the perfect Summer Bash. Pattie shared some of the essential details to help you create your own Summer Bash from creating a theme to a fun, entertaining memorable end to your Bash where everyone goes home happy!
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Donations were collected for 2024 Sumter County Public School Supply Drive!
AUGUST 2024
Time To Update Your Old Furniture With Paint
Furniture artist Linda Sagar will explain the process of furniture painting with chalk paint and also All in One paint.
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​She demonstrated how easy it is to update your furniture by painting and give you the tips and tricks to make it easy and fun! While refinishing furniture can sometimes be time consuming, Linda will show you less complicated options for beautiful pieces. Painted furniture is well worth it when you see the outcome and know that you have created a custom piece of furniture that is updated in your home.
The door prize was a completed piece Linda has painted!​
SEPTEMBER 2024
Southern Hospitality Furniture & Decor - Plant City, FL
A field trip to Southern Hospitality in Plant City is a must for everyone with a new home or if you want to update your interior! Furniture, Home Decor, Framing, Pottery, etc... at great prices. We had individually Car Pool, shop and have lunch at one of the iconic restaurants in Plant City.
OCTOBER 2024
Jill's Unique Creations
Jill Goden,Owner of Jill's Unique Creations, showed and discussed unique pieces of handmade Live edge exotic wood furniture and art and will how they can be integrated into our homes.
Jill's Unique Creations is an amazing art co-op store and customers are part of the process of creating the art. Jill designs and builds all her furntiure by hand and also has many talented artists show their work in the co-op with her. She brought several artists with her who will tell their stories and show their work. Her art is unique and amazing. She also has classes and commission work.
Jill's store recently moved and the new location is:
Jill's Unique Creations
Phone: (321) 304-7314
500 E Gulf Atlantic Highway (on 44 right before 301- south side of road)
Wildwood, Florida 34785
https://maps.app.goo.gl/UnLitwtBntdFnrmZ6
https://www.facebook.com/p/Jills-Unique-Creations-100063565773308/
NOVEMBER 2024
​Peacock Cottage - House plants how to care for them.
Peacock Cottage
House plants, mini garden, African violet plants.
Learn about how to integrate house plants into your home as well as the care required to keep them happy and healthy.
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The Peacock Cottage specializes in African Violets, Dandy Pots(self watering), Unique House plants, Garden gifts, stones, local art, as well as make and take fairy garden classes.
DECEMBER 2024
​St. Augustine & Trolley Tour of Lights - BUS TRIP!
Known for one of the country’s most spectacular Christmas light displays, St. Augustine is a must see! Upon arrival, you will have time on your own to enjoy a late lunch/early dinner and explore the downtown area which features eclectic shops, museums and more. Then we will hop on the trolley and experience the glow of the season More than 3 million sparkling white lights adorning every corner of the city, stretching for nearly 20 blocks!
St Augustine & Trolley Tour of Lights.
Includes: R/T transportation, guided mini-tour of St Augustine, guided Trolley Tour of Lights pre paid ticket, and bus driver's gratuity.. Lunch/shopping/exploring time is on your own.​
Depart Brownwood - West Parking Lot 10:30am sharp- behind the Brownwood Hotel and The Center for Advanced Healthcare (click here for map)
Return approximate 9:30pm
