Photo by Julie Stenger The 23rd-annual Holiday Splendor Luncheon and Style Show was held by the Wintersville Women’s Club Dec. 7 at St. Florian Hall. The style show featured members of the club and relatives of members serving as models for some of the more popular fashions sold at Chico’s in Cranberry Township. Those who took time to model the various outfits included, from left, Connie Cimaglia, Marjean Sizemore, Judy Galbraith, Mila Timmons, Mary Beth Allen and Cathy Thoburn.

WINTERSVILLE — Christmas.

It is the season of giving.

It is the time when people express their love for one another.

And perhaps no one knows more about giving than those involved in the Wintersville Women’s Club.

While the club’s members give back to the community throughout the entire year, there is one annual fundraiser that stands as a beacon of their dedication.

It is a tradition that has continued for the past 23 years.

Its name speaks for itself … Holiday Splendor.

On Dec. 7, the club once again welcomed the community to its highly-anticipated and cherished event, held at St. Florian Hall in Wintersville.

The Holiday Splendor Luncheon and Style Show was an afternoon filled with warmth, fellowship and that unmistakable spirit of the season.

From the moment the 193 guests arrived, they were greeted by the club’s treasurer, Karen Hill, and ushered into the event center where tables were adorned with festive linens.

Joyce Palmer served as mistress of ceremonies for the event, which included a meal catered by Undo’s restaurant consisting of chicken, a stuffed shell and green beans.

Prior to the meal, honorary club member Janice Kiaski, former community editor of the Herald-Star and The Weirton Daily Times, gave the invocation.

This year, guests received the opportunity to win one of 26 themed baskets available.

Baskets ranged from Ohio State and Pittsburgh Steelers to All About Chocolate, A Day at the Beach and a Stationary Basket, as well as gift cards for local businesses.

In addition to the Chinese auction, tickets were sold to win the day’s grand prize — gold earrings donated by Discovery Jewelers in Wintersville.

New this year was a Chef’s Table drawing, donated by Chef Giuseppe DiGristina of Pastaio Restaurant in Wintersville.

Together, these efforts resulted in a profit — after expenses — of $7,081.27 for the Wintersville club.

These funds will be placed into the club’s account to support scholarships and community contributions given throughout the year.

Profits from Holiday Splendor allow the club to award the $1,000 Glenda Dunlope Scholarship and the $1,000 Wintersville Woman’s Club Scholarship to an Indian Creek senior; a $500 matching scholarship to a Franciscan University student; and a $500 scholarship previously designated for Eastern Gateway Community College.

Taylor explained the club hopes to continue that EGCC scholarship with Youngstown State University once it establishes its campus in Steubenville.

Beyond scholarships, the club gifts donations to help better the village.

It has donated in support of area nonprofits and organizations.

Local donations have included Wintersville Fire and Rescue, the Blessing Box at Wintersville Methodist Church, the Urban Mission, Trinity Health System’s Teramana Cancer Center, the United Way of Jefferson County, the United Way Meals of Hope program, Wreaths Across America and the Mohican Memorial Shrine.

The club even extends its reach to those who are experiencing extreme loss, such as those in Wheeling affected by the devastatingflooding which occurred in June.