A wonderful celebration of women

March 31, 2023 Headline News

BY KIM LANGEN

A wonderful evening of glitter and gala was held last weekend, along with a special award given to a top woman of the town.

It was the first ‘A Celebration of Women’ event, sponsored by the Killarney Turtle Mountain Arts Council (KTMAC) and The Oak and Owl Café, and organizers plan on making it an annual event.

“This was first a fundraising event for the Heritage Home for the Arts, and it was a chance to put on your best evening wear, explore our incredible women-based businesses in the town, sample the new tasting menu for the Oak and Owl, and just kick back and enjoy the company of other women,” said arts administrator Jane Ireland, who emceed the evening event.

The sold-out evening ran from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m., with food and drink served in the café side, and a multitude of vendors and services set up on the other side, which will become the new Ty Gwyn Gallery and Framing.

And big applause went out to Gwen Tripp, who operates Gwen’s Trends in the Killarney Place mall, and who spent many years as a town councillor, on being honoured with the Woman of Distinction Award. She was presented with a fabulous crystal vase full of spring flowers, a framed certificate,, and a plethora of praise from supporters.

There was also a Parade of Flowers Show, Flirting With Fashion Show, and a Trivia Challenge that focused on women’s achievements. Vendors on display included Sweetpea and Willow, The Crafty Chick, Permanent Fused Jewellery, Inkdrinkers Boutique, Gwen’s Trends, Woodland Sprite, Jessica Solomon, Brenda Mitchell, Mary Ann Moore Wellness Centre, Jamie Knight Photography, Nicole Keifer Designs, Tranquil Therapies for Health, Sole Divine Reflexology with Angie Pohl, and Tarot Readings.

“We are thrilled with the success of the evening, and we plan to hold this important event, that celebrates all our women in the area, every year,” said Ireland. “We have so many wonderful women-owned and operated businesses in this community, and it was a chance to meet them, and see the amazing things they all do. We also received so many generous prize donations from a number of women in this community.”

KILLARNEY’S FIRST WOMAN OF DISTINCTION – Gwen Tripp was awarded and applauded at being named this year’s Woman of Distinction 2023 in Killarney, during the first annual Celebration of Women event held at the Oak and Owl Café on Saturday. Presented with a crystal vase of gorgeous spring flowers, along with a framed certificate, Tripp is the first recipient of this prestigious award.

WOMEN IN BUSINESS – Killarney has an incredible number of businesses owned and operated by women. The Celebration of Women event, held at the Oak and Owl Café, hosted two dozen of them inside the colourful vendor section of the Broadway building on Saturday evening, March 25 – all part of Women’s Month in Killarney.

BEAUTY, BRAINS, AND STYLE – There was something for everyone at the Celebrating Women event on Saturday. Above (from left): Mila Balaban, Shari Lee, Jacqueline Dickson, and Giselle Beaupre, in front of the beautiful illuminated wedding screen. Below: A very stylish Colin Schalla, strolling the catwalk, with MC Jane Ireland reading aloud the fashion show script.