Women Power

Women Power

It’s truly amazing, maybe even a bit scary, what a group of women can do when they put their heads together! The Lady’s Room Consignment Boutique is a great example. Located on the corner of route 27 and River Road in Boothbay, The Lady’s Room is the brainstorm of Pam Olson of Boothbay. Armed with the knowledge that about 80% of all new business fail, Pam set her goals on being in the 20% success group. To ensure that this goal was met, Pam applied and was accepted in to the New Ventures program, which is sponsored by Women, Work, and Community. The course covers all the nuts and bolts of owning and operating your own business. Eola Ball of Newcastle is the instructor and positive energy of the class.

Pam, along with 14 other students of New Venture looking to be successful in their new businesses, began the tedious process of writing their business plans, doing market research, and gaining great networking opportunity. It wasn’t long before Pam and her fellow classmates realized how their different disciplines could be of service to one another. It first started with fellow classmate Lori White of InEx Interior Design volunteering to help create the store atmosphere and working out the spatial planning of the boutique. From there Artist/Muralist Carole MacDonald was asked if she could assist with some faux finishes to give the space a fresh new look. Sarah Szwajkos of Damn Rabbit Studios specializing in interior photography photographed the boutique’s interior. On opening day Alice Merry of Alice’s Sleep Ezzzzz Pillow Covers came armed with coffee and donuts along with pillows for a seating arrangement. This group of New Venture women, along with several close friends of Pam’s from the Boothbay region who assisted with lots of moral support, curtains, flowers, pricing, and tagging of women’s clothing, created an awesome team of “Women Power”.

The shop officially opened on April 24th . The boutique offers new and “gentle used” unique women’s clothing, jewelry, shoes, handbags, and accessories. Pam offers free consultation of wardrobe assembly for anyone wanting assistance and new consignors are welcome. It’s sure to be a great asset to the Boothbay region. A grand opening is planned for Friday May 9th from 4 to 7 pm, featuring “The Art of Dressing” with local women showcasing the unique apparel that makes up the The Lady’s Room. All are invited to experience this collaborative work of local women.

The contact information for the The Lady’s Room and Pam is 207-633-4555, for Interior Designer Lori White is 207-215-7872. Artist/Muralist Carole MacDonald 207-832-7857, Sarah Szwajkos photographer 207-232-8541, Alice Merry 207-882-7733. Additional information on the New Ventures program can be found online at http://www.womenworkandcommunity.org/

Blooming Color!

The joys of spring are here, the days are longer, the temperature is rising and Mainers are moving out of their winter hibernation. It's time to get out in the yard and do a little work. There is nothing more rewarding than watching a garden slowly peek out of the earths thawing surface. Little by little the snowdrops and crocus appear with a burst of color, signs that more is to come. Soon after the sunny warmth of the daffodil pop their little heads out and the rainbow of color from tulips, phlox and other spring plants splatter our landscapes. All the while the green of summer and fall perennials fill in the vacant gaps with texture, color and dimension to bring a more mature appearance to our gardens. Our gardens will be enjoyed throughout the remainder of our short growing season. But why is it so many of us plant our garden for the neighbor to see and we have minimal views of them for ourselves? Lovely border gardens that surround our homes are so often hidden from our view within the home. Seeing our gardens requires us to leave the security of our air conditioned home to remove those unwanted weed that seem to go on a rampage as we hide from the heat or worst yet the black fly! Some who live for their gardens have figured out that those charming gardens around the foundation may hide the undesirable concrete strip between the ground and the siding, can not enjoy it from with in their home.

Maybe this is the summer to add a new garden where you can enjoy its blooming color in all it’s glory. Or maybe its time to create an outdoor living space that will get you outside enjoying the fresh sweet scent of spring & summer! A screen room addition will bring you out into the fresh air and protect you from the herds of the black flies that many of us are raising in our backyards.

While you’re adding your new garden, keep in mind its winter design. There are many plants that create great shapes and forms to add interest to your back yard during those snowy months of the year, making your newly designed garden a year round treat! I know you don’t want to think about winter so early in the spring, but now’s the time to plan ahead.

For now start by creating a space you can enjoy during our wonderful Maine summer and enjoy your existing garden as the process of spring sets those lovely little gems in motion for burst of color! Happy Gardening!

Winter Garden