We'll update the site soon with wrap-ups, thank yous, and photos, but I want to give a same-day thanks to all of the members, guests, volunteers, patrons, and vendors who helped to make the day such as success--we appreciate all of you!  Also, if you took any photos and/or videos of the day, please send them our way!
       I also want to give you all a heads-up about the Macy's coupon from your goody bags:  They are giving that 15 percent discount on top of any sale and other coupon price, so it's a great deal!!  I bought one of the dresses Hannah wore in the fashion show, and got the Blackridge Garden Club discount on top of my Macy's twenty percent off coupon.  :)  I love it when that happens.

We hope to see you all at the Bloomin' Corners benefit at Longue Vue Club on March 19.  LVC typically works with us to concoct a signature cocktail, to be available at the cash bar, along with their other offerings, and this year, we are featuring this delicious libation to compliment our special entrée choices of Mediterranean Stuffed Pork, Salmon with Fruit Salsa, or Vegetable Paella. 

Hasta la Vista

2 oz. orange juice
2 oz. cranberry juice 
1 splash grenadine 
4 oz. Absolut Mandarin Vodka
1 oz. 7-Up, chilled

Shake vodka, orange juice, cranberry juice and grenadine with ice, and strain into a highball glass. Add 7-Up. Stir lightly and serve with a fruit garnish.  Enjoy!

       Greetings, Garden Club Members: This is your invitation to bring your favorite baked goods specialties to our spring event and sell them to benefit the Bloomin' Corners!

       We need everyone who can to participate.  The following are suggestions of baked goods you might contribute: Cakes (loaf), cupcakes, pies, tarts, cookies, breads, muffins, coffee cakes, nuts, candies, pretzels, treats for pets (it's a bakery/barkery).

        Everything you bring will help; we will wrap it in event theme for sale.  Please bring your items to: Lil & Neal Huguley-1036 Old Gate Road-412-731-6441 on Friday, March 18 between 3:00 & 7:00 p.m.

       Donations for the Basket of Cheer raffle prize for the Bloomin' Corners benefit will be gratefully received by Adrienne O'Toole.
       Please call or email Adrienne (412-244-1864 or adrienneot@aol.com) if you are able to contribute.  Thank you!

       Verona’s beautiful Longue Vue Club will be the site of the BGC’s spring benefit on Saturday, March 19, 2011, starting at 11:30 AM.  Our annual event, this year themed to celebrate the hosta, will feature a luncheon, bake sale, chance auction with unbeatable baskets, family fashion show by Macy’s of Monroeville, and our “big” raffle.  Even if you don’t attend the luncheon, we hope that everyone in Blackridge will support the raffle.  (But, ask anyone--the luncheon is more fun than a barrel of monkeys, so join us!)   
       One hundred percent of the profits from Bloomin’ Corners is returned to the community, and enables the BGC to maintain Blackridge’s signature corner plantings, and to support the BCA, the BSC, and local community service projects.  For more information or if you a Blackridge area businessperson, crafter, musician, writer, teacher, artist, or generous person, who would like to donate items or services (of any value—large or small!) to be auctioned at the Bloomin’ Corners benefit, contact Nancy Del Presto at 412-247-4129.

The benefit committee spent some time today folding, stuffing, and labeling invitations to our 2011 Bloomin' Corners Benefit.  All BGC members and all Blackridge residents will receive an invitation and raffle tickets in the mail.  If you are a friend of the club, but not in one of those two categories, and you'd like to receive an invitation or further details, please post here.  We welcome everyone to the event on March 19 at Longue Vue Club in Verona.  It is always a lot of fun!