Fall 2014 Ladies Night Out in Mountain Lake is that achievement of threes
It was a “hat trick” for area women – and their hats – as they went out on the town on Thursday afternoon and evening, September 25, at this fall’s Ladies Night Out in Mountain Lake. A hat trick is an achievement based on threes – and for this event, that included in-home visits that shared the “behind-the-scenes” stories of a pair of local women, business district specials and vendors – and a dinner featuring a style show program. That positive trio of achievements tells the story of the event.
The theme for the night out was, “Hats Off to You, Girls; Feeling Good, Looking Good and Doing Good!” – and the ladies attending came wearing an eclectic variety of head wear.
At the home of Mary Gohr, ladies out for the night were able to check out Mary’s skill on her embroidery machine, while at Eileen Thiessen’s home, vintage hats popped from every corner, the total amassing 120 collectible types of headgear (a few added to Eileen’s Thiessen courtesy of her mom, Gladys Harder).
Downtown businesses with specials of interest to the ladies included 10th Street Pickers, Mountain Lake Floral with vendors Eileen Adrian and jewelry, Julie Sumner and Nerium products and Wild Tree foods offered by Vicki Rasmussen, tucked in amongst the plants and cards, The Matchless Gift, Mountain Lake Antiques, Peterson Thrifty White Drug and Gifts, Maynard’s Food Center and Care & Share/10,000 Villages.
At 6:30 p.m., dinner was served at Sweet Fields by Norm Englund from Sweet Fields, along with Sue Garloff of Maynard’s Food Center.
A dinner program that played through Sweet Fields from Care & Share/10,000 Villages was an all-female style show. The models walking the runway wore clothing and accessories from Care & Share/10,000 Villages and Peterson Thrifty White Drug and Gifts – along with Wolverine wear from The Matchless Gift – topped off by a pair of Red Hatters.
Following are photos from the event.
HATS GREET THOSE entering the front door to Eileen Thiessen’s home.
A LITTLE RED number sits on a shelf, backed by a black pocketbook and gloves – along with some jewelry bling.
VIGNETTES OF EILEEN’S hat collection fill many of the home’s corners and shelves, accented by era collectors’ treasures.
ANOTHER DISPLAY FEATURES an entire accessories ensemble – from hat and veil to gloves, shoes and clutch purse.
EILEEN THIESSEN WEARS many hats – just not all at one time. Eileen estimates she has close to 100 vintage hats in her collection, and added about 20 more from her mom, Gladys Harder, for her Ladies Night Out display.
MARY GOHR’S BUSY Bernina computerized sewing machine is belting out another project. Bernina is a Swiss company that produces high-end sewing and embroidery systems that feature major advances in sewing machine technology. In the machine’s screen you can see the design being placed on the fabric. Many of these designs come with the machine, can be purchased on software programs or created and saved on the computer by the individual. They are uploaded onto the machine via the memory stick, which is seen at the right of the sewing machine.
A FEW EXAMPLES of Mary’s embroidery work on cloth napkins.
THE COMPUTERIZED EMBROIDERY programs can even get folks in the holiday spirit.
A WIDE ASSORTMENT of embroidery designs that can be used. At back is a photo of Mary and her husband, Marvan. The duo share the work space added onto their town home this past year. In addition to her embroidery work on many project, including quilts, Mary is also a prolific painter, her works framed and on display. Not to be outdone, Marvan keeps busy with a wide array of woodworking projects.
MARY AT HER magic machine.
WENDY MEYER DOES a quick glance up from her meal at Sweet Fields, courtesy of both Sweet Fields and Maynard’s Food Center.
JESSICA MYERS TAKES part in the event by wearing her pin-adorned hat – and enjoys the meal and dessert.
AFTER PLAYING HIS Johnny Cash-style music outside 10th Street Pickers, Ken Schons of New Ulm moves his gear into Sweet Fields to play a little dinner music for the ladies.
NORMA QUIRING’S VINTAGE hat is a perfect matching complement to her striped top and jacket.
THERE IS ALWAYS time for a selfie, even if prepping for a style show. Cheri Hanson, left and Jami Peters, right, snap a shot and the moment is recorded forever in history – twice.
THE STYLE SHOW hostess is Pam Radtke.
THE MAD HATTERS – err – the magnificent models and their hats. Strutting their stuff through the style show are, front, from left, Bonnie Willard, Toni Saelee, Pam Radtke, Aayla Radtke and Marilyn Feil. Back, from left, Eileen Thiessen, Amber Hughes, Vonnie Hildebrandt, Cheryl Dick, Jan Stadtlander, Virginia Karschnik and Jami Peters. Not pictured is Anna Engstrom.
