Torrington: Benefit at Yankee Pedlar is just for women, to benefit city’s hospital

Torrington’s Dress Barn is joining forces with other area businesses to put on a fabulous fashion show and luncheon on Sunday, May 18 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. This year’s event will benefit the Charlotte Hungerford Cardiac Rehab Program, and will be held at the Yankee Pedlar Inn. Store manager Pauline Maxwell and her staff, will spend hours putting together the best looks that Dress Barn has to offer for this spring season.

Between five and six local fashion shows are orchestrated under Maxwell’s guidance yearly. She says it’s an important part of her business plan as well as a way of keeping in touch with the community.

To Maxwell, it’s not just about dressing a woman that comes to Dress Barn, but providing that woman with a wonderful shopping experience, and to have her leave loving how she looks and feels, no matter what size she wears.

With this in mind, Pauline will dress each of the models in outfits and accessories that will both flatter them and showcase Dress Barns fashions. Before these local models can sashay down the runway, they will all be treated to having their hair styled by Platinum Salon, and have their make up professionally applied by sisters Jennifer Hauck and Melanie Kelley. Platinum Salon, like Dress Barn, often donates professional services to charitable events.

Kim Fazzino, of Fazzino Photography, will on hand to capture all those special moments, that will make this a once in a lifetime event for those attending.

Owner Sanjay Patel will graciously open the doors to the Yankee Pedlar Inn to host the event, with its lovely old world lobby to serve as the backdrop for local vendors to provide some retail therapy and for CHH staff to offer an education station which provides blood pressure and cholesterol checks. Rob Persechino, owner of Bogey’s, will once again serve a lovely luncheon, as well as offer a cash bar.

And yes, ladies — the tortellini salad in on the menu.

The event couldn’t possibly get any more local, nor have a bigger champion of all things local without having our own JoAnn Ryan, President of the NW Chamber of Commerce, as emcee.

Jenna Haley MS from Charlotte Hungerford will also be on hand to speak about the Cardiac Rehab Program.

Local businesses, as well as private citizens have been very generous and have given donations of gift certificates, and gift bags loaded with wonderful prizes for the raffle, of which all proceeds will go to CHH.

Heather Rems Korwin, owner of Sanctuary Power Yoga, was quoted to say, “I think this is pretty awesome — women supporting women!”

I have to agree.

For more information about the CHH Cardiac Program go to: http://www.charlottehungerford.org/services/cardiology/.

Tickets may be purchased for the event at In Sheep’s Clothing Yarn Shop, 10 Water Street, or by calling 860-482-3979. Tickets are $25 and may be purchased at the door.