Open Hands held its First Annual Lady’s Night on Friday, Nov. 4 at the Best Western Hotel.
The highlight of the evening event was the themed tables, which rented at $25 apiece. Each table decided on their theme, which was incorporated into the table decorations, costumes and food.
Organizer Christine Ouderkirk explained the $25 per table went directly to the agency. Cornwall Open Hands operates residences and programs for developmentally handicapped children and adults. It is a division of Ottawa-Carleton Association for Persons with Developmental Disabilities (OCAPDD).
The tables were a wide range of themes included Ugly Christmas, Cottage Life, Slumber Party, Women in History, Hollywood, Autumn Fall, Hula Party, Commando, Party Animals, Bubble Bath Party and Wine Fairies.
Ouderkirk said, “I figured it would be an “Open Theme” to give us ideas for next year.” Ouderkirk was happy with the turnout for the event. She said, “We got 10 tables of eight this year. My goal for next year is 20.”
The Slumber Party actually gathered enough team members to require two tables.
The team captain Ashley Foreman, who works for Open Hands, said, “Christine dared me to make a double.”
Ouderkirk later said, “It’s great to see a lot of people from the community coming out to help us.”
Judges Pam MacDonald and Barb Armstrong walked throughout the lively crowd accessing the tables to determine the winners in each category. Commando Table got the Most Creative, Women in History won Best Costumes, Best Table Decoration went to Hula Party, and Most Original was Party Animals. The winners of The Best of the Best went to Women in History.
After the live auction and judging of the tables, David James of Crazy Dave’s D.J. Service provided the music that had the women up dancing.
