By Lanier Laney
The 9th Annual FRIENDS Fashion Show was held Wednesday, April 25, at The Shed in Port Royal. It was a huge success with participation from 13 local merchants including Amazing Event Rentals, Bay Street Jewelers, Bay Street Outfitters, Beaufort Clothing Company, Carolina Wiggle Wear, Divine Shoes, 
Her Favorite Store, Higher Ground, LuLu Burgess, Modern Jewelers, Nuances, Rossignol’s and the Red Door Thrift Store.
The show also featured two local designers, Diane Huotari of Coastal Tailoring and Maude Couture by Caroline Baker. More than 300 people enjoyed the wonderful luncheon from Catering by Debbi Covington along with the glorious spring fashion collections. The event also showcased an amazing silent and live auction segment with the assistance of dynamic auctioneer Deanna Bowdish. “Music to Go” by Ed & Kris Robertson kept the event rocking. The fabulous outgoing FRIENDS Executive Director Beverly Porter came dancing out with a tambourine to ABBA’s “Dancing Queen,” bringing everyone in the room immediately to their feet to dance along and cheer throughout the entire song for what a great job she has done these past 18 years for FRIENDS.
Special thanks belong to the talents of the army of hard working volunteers and 2012 FRIENDS Fashion Show co-chairs Sharon Dwyer and Janet Thompson. Also big thanks to the Fashion Show Committee: Katrina Billig, Deanna Bowdish, Cheryl Comes, Kathy Henry, Joy Rivers and Penny Williams.
Once again the Beaufort community came out in droves to support FRIENDS of Caroline Hospice through sponsorships, donations in-kind and participation in this amazing event. FRIENDS was the first hospice in the state of South Carolina and has proudly been providing completely free loving and supportive care to Beaufortonians for more than 32 years. This is only possible due to the continuous support of big-hearted Beaufortonians like you. Here are some pics from the fun event from photographer Susan Deloach.
