Beneficiaries This year, we’ve taken on a mission to give back to the community by working with two local charitable organizations: Safe Harbor, a domestic abuse shelter for women in the Upstate, and Harvest Hope Food Bank, whose task is to feed as many local hungry families as possible. Due to the economy, both charities’ needs have expanded, while their funds have lessened.
Safe Harbor is a 24-hour emergency shelter and crisis line for victims of domestic violence. This organization provides a safe place for victims to find acceptance, peace and support in rebuilding shattered lives. My Girlfriend’s Closet, an accessory swap, will be an area of the Show created in partnership with Safe Harbor to help support their cause. www.SafeHarborSC.org.
Each week, Harvest Hope Food Bank provides assistance to thousands of hungry people throughout South Carolina. Our goal at the Show is to help this wonderful cause by offering attendees $2 off Show admission (regularly $8 for adults) if they bring 5 cans to donate to Harvest Hope. Also, the chefs on the cooking stage will be incorporating boxes of food that Harvest Hope distributes to families into their cooking demonstrations. www.HarvestHope.org.
My Girlfriend's Closet
My Girlfriend’s Closet is an accessory swap where you can bring hats, purses, jewelry, scarves and other accessories, donate them, and pick new accessories out of other “girlfriends’” donated items. ALL proceeds go directly to benefit Safe Harbor. Safe Harbor is a 24-hour emergency shelter and crisis line for victims of domestic violence. They provide a safe place for women to find acceptance, peace and support in rehabilitating shattered lives. Find more information by visiting www.SafeHarborSC.org. You can either bring your accessories to the Safe Harbor retail store located at 2111J N. Pleasantburg Road (open Monday-Saturday from 9am-7pm) before August 25, or bring them directly to the Upstate Women’s Show anytime between August 27th and 29th!
Dream Date Bachelor Auction
Thursday 6:30-8pm - Entertainment Stage
Thursday, August 27th, we will kick off the Show with the perfect excuse for a girl’s night out – a Bachelor Auction! Come on out and bid on any one of our eligible bachelors and corresponding date packages, and all of the proceeds will go to benefit Safe Harbor and Harvest Hope Food Bank. Stay tuned to see photos and bios of all of our dream dates!
Special Guest "TOP CHEF" Finalist Chef Richard Blais
Saturday 3pm - Cooking Stage
Chef Richard Blais has worked with the world’s most respected chefs, including Thomas Keller, Ferran Adria and Daniel Boulud, and has studied in world-class restaurants like Chez Panisse and El Bulli.
In 2001, Blais earned the position as Executive Chef at Fishbone in Atlanta, and in 2003, he opened BLAIS, where his menu focused on creative, boundary-pushing preparations of taste, temperature and texture. In 2005, he led One Midtown Kitchen to a four-star review in the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
Trail-Blais, Richard’s creative consulting company, focuses on concept and product development and ideation. A current Trail-Blais project is developing a modern hamburger concept called ‘Flip’ which has opened in midtown Atlanta to stellar reviews as well as creating such diverse concepts as Piebar, Bazzaar and Element Gastro Lounge all in the metro Atlanta area. Blais is also actively involved in innovative ideation, product sponsorship and team motivation for major companies in New York and Miami.
Blais, a recipient of Gayot Guide’s Top Five Rising Chefs of 2005, has appeared on Bravo’s Top Chef: Chicago, and the Food Network’s Iron Chef America and Food Detectives with Ted Allen. He has been featured in Sports Illustrated, The New York Times, and Food & Wine Magazine.
Reality TV Panel
Saturday 4pm - Entertainment Stage
This panel will be made up of local Reality TV stars from popular shows such as Top Chef, Survivor,
The Biggest Loser, The Amazing Race, and more to come!
Chef Richard Blais – Top Chef: Chicago
Chef Richard Blais is based out of Atlanta and has appeared on Bravo’s Top Chef: Chicago, and the Food Network’s Iron Chef America and Food Detectives with Ted Allen. He has been featured in Sports Illustrated, The New York Times, and Food & Wine Magazine.
Erik Huffman & Jaime Dugan – Survivor: China
This couple met and fell in love while on Survivor: China, but they are both originally from the Upstate and actually grew up within 25 miles of each other. Huffman is also in the band Florez which started at Furman University where he attended college. Erik and Jaime were married in Charleston, SC just this past April.
Kelly McCorckle Parkison – The Amazing Race 7
Kelly is originally from Greer, SC and was Miss South Carolina in 2001. She competed in The Amazing Race (season 7), and currently lives in North Carolina with her husband Scott and two sons, Seth and Levi.
Phil & Amy Parham – The Biggest Loser
Phil and Amy Parham were contestants on the 2008 Couples Biggest Loser series. They set record breaking weight losses at the finale and continue to be an inspiration to others across the country. The Parhams live right here in Greenville, SC.
Lindsay King – The Bachelor
Lindsay was on the 4th Season of ABC’s The Bachelor in 2003 competing for the love of Bob Guiney, who was previously on The Bachelorette with Trista Rehn (now Trista Sutter). Lindsay was one of 25 contestants chosen from over 100,000 applicants, and she appeared in 3 episodes of the season.
Ruth Marie Milliman – Survivor: Panama - Exile Island
Ruth Marie Milliman – Survivor: Panama - Exile Island Betrayed by an existing alliance that she had joined only a couple of days earlier, Ruth Marie Milliman, a 48-year-old director of retail leasing from Greenville, SC, became the fourth Survivor: Panama -- Exile Island castaway to be eliminated from the game.
Queen of the Penny Pinchers - Brandy Long
Friday 3pm & Saturday 11am
Entertainment Stage
The topics that “Savvy Shopper” Brandy will address are" 10 Secrets of Coupon Queens" and "20 Ways to Save Instantly on Groceries and Frivolous Frugal Fun - Extending the Life Of Your Products". Brandy guarantees that she will teach money saving tips that will more than cover the price of your admission ticket and potentially save you hundreds of dollars on your grocery bill!
Frankie Sherman: Christian Speaker & Comedian
Friday at 2 pm
Entertainment Stage
Frankie Sherman, of Perfect Timing Ministries, has delighted audiences across the country with talks and comedy acts based on her new Bible Study book, “Why We Need Girlfriends.” Frankie’s mission is to combine the Bible and her own real life experiences to spread a message of encouragement to women everywhere. So, grab a girlfriend and come on over to the Entertainment Stage to see what she’s all about!
Fashion Shows Sponsored by:
All Fashion shows located on the Entertainment Stage
Kids to Teens and In-Betweens Thursday 4:30 - 5pm
This fashion show will highlight all the fun fashions for the little ones. Come see kids of all ages model the latest looks on the Entertainment Stage.
Livin' Life on the Wild Side by Harley Davidson Thursday 6-6:30pm
Come on Ladies, see how you can live life on the wild side with these inspiring fashions by Harley Davidson!
Local Looks: Real Women, Real Transformations! Saturday 12pm
Some of our many wonderful exhibitors will showcase their items on the Entertainment Stage during this special vendor fashion show. They will use “real” women of all shapes and sizes as their models, and the best part – they’ll tell you where all their booths are located in the Show so you can go pick out your very own fashion show outfit right away!
Dress to Impress at All Ages Saturday 2pm
Whether you are in your 20’s, 30’s, 40’s, 50’s, or 60’s, this fashion show will help you see how to dress appropriately (and look good!) for your age.
Comedy with Dot & Norma Jean from Café and Then Some
Friday 5pm & Saturday 1pm
Dot and Norma Jean were such a hit last year; we are thrilled they are joining us again. Come see Norma Jean and Dot Philpot from Cafe and Then Some perform, and be ready for some side-aches because they are sure to keep you laughing the whole time!
Music
FLOREZ Saturday 5pm
Alex Florez and Erik Huffman met in 1999 as students at Greenville’s own Furman University. Since that time, the band has produced three full-length albums and three EPs. They have consistently performed engaging and heartfelt performances and earned a myriad of fiercely loyal fans at venues all along the East coast and Midwest. They recently added a new drummer, Justin Kitchen; and the three of them will be ending our Show with a bang performing on the Entertainment Stage Saturday night!
Matt Stokes & Friends Thursday 5pm & Friday 6pm
Local favorite Matt Stokes will entertain us with his mellow tunes during the wine tasting on Thursday and Friday.
Dancing
Belly Dancers Thursday 1pm & Friday 4:30pm - Entertainment Stage
Layali Layla Dance Co. is Greenville's central point for oriental dance classes and workshops for women of all ages and backgrounds. Layali Layla belly dance classes, exclusively for women, are an excellent blend of an ancient oriental dance art form and a progressive fitness workout. Come watch these dancers demonstrate this unique combination on the Entertainment Stage!
CARDIO TAP Friday 1pm & Saturday 10:30am
The cardio tap dancers return this year to shake up the stage and demonstrate a different blend of dance and exercise!
Writer's Block
Bob Polomski - Month-by-Month Gardening in the Carolinas Friday Noon – 4pm; Saturday 10am – 2pm
As a former native of New Jersey (the "Garden State"), Bob Polomski has gardened in the south for more than two decades where he is widely known and respected for both his down-to-earth gardening expertise and knowledge of the latest technical information. As Clemson Extension Horticulturist at Clemson University, he shares his gardening know-how with residents through numerous print and electronic articles, radio broadcasts, and television appearances. He has also published articles in Carolina Gardener, Fine Gardening, and American Rose. He appears on television programs devoted to gardening and hosts a public radio program that's broadcast statewide with listeners in portions of North Carolina and Georgia. He has also conducted garden study tours in England and France.
Polomski is the author of three regional Month-by-Month Gardening books for the Carolinas, Mississippi, and Alabama. He was a contributing writer for the Better Homes and Gardens New Garden Book (Meredith Corp., Des Moines, IA) and the Southern Living® Garden Problem Solver (Oxmoor House, Inc., Birmingham, AL). He was technical editor of several books, including the Miracle-Gro Guides (Meredith Books, Des Moines, IA), the Yard and Garden Owner’s Manual, Meredith Books), The Complete Perennials Book, (Meredith Books), and The Carolinas Gardener's Guide (Cool Springs Press, Nashville,TN). He recently earned a Ph.D. in Plant & Environmental Sciences from Clemson University.
Bobbie Mercer - We Weren’t Finished Being Parents Thursday & Friday 12 – 2pm; Saturday 11am – 1pm
We Werent Finished Being Parents is a dedication to my son Daniel Mercer. The purpose that drove me to write this book was pure and simple desperation to share my loss and educate others in some of the feelings that we have experienced. My hope for this site is that it can provide a place for solace, a place to express emotions with no judgment and offer understanding and hope from parents who are living this new life. I thought that once I hit rock bottom and started climbing out I wouldn’t experience that much emptiness again, however, I know now, that there may not be a bottom and climbing to Faith and God is what will lead me the rest of my life. Years will certainly tell. If you are experiencing or have experienced a similar loss, my prayers go out to you. If you know someone with this sort of loss, please be patient, they can be a different person every day.
Barbara B. Mercer (known to friends as Bobbie) grew up in Greenville, South Carolina and is the youngest of 6 children. Currently she resides in Mauldin, South Carolina, a suburb of Greenville, with her husband, Mark Mercer, 3 dogs and 2 cats.
If you wish to contact me you can at bobbiemercer@bellsouth.net.
Website: www.barbaramercer.com
Frankie Sherman - Why We Need Girlfriends Thursday 2 – 4pm; Friday 1 – 3pm
There’s a real hunger for meaningful friendship in this hurry-up-see-you-later world. Friendship adds depth, richness, and meaning to life. God understands that, because friendship is His idea. If there were any doubt, one would only need to look at the lives of Mary and Elizabeth - two incredible women brought together by their circumstances. Both were carrying a miracle child that would impact the future of the world, and both needed someone to share the experience with. God provided by giving them each other.
John Jeter - The Plunder Room Thursday, Friday & Saturday Noon – 4pm
John Jeter, co-owner of The Handlebar, an award-winning concert venue he started with his wife, Kathy Laughlin, in 1994 in Greenville, SC, had his first novel, THE PLUNDER ROOM, published in January by Thomas Dunne Books (St. Martin’s Press). He sold the novel without an agent – and still doesn’t have one. During his career as a newspaperman – reporter, editor and rewriteman for the Chicago Sun-Times, St. Petersburg Times and San Antonio Express-News – Jeter: appeared on Oprah!; earned a master’s degree from Columbia University’s Graduate School of Journalism; traveled widely, from Hong Kong and China and to Vietnam, southern Africa, throughout the Caribbean, Central America and Cuba, Europe and more -- all the places in his novel. For the last 15 years, The Handlebar has promoted some 2,500 concerts, performed by the likes of John Mayer, Joan Baez, John Hiatt, Janis Ian, David Sanborn, Dr. John, Bela Fleck, Richie Havens – more than three dozen Grammy Award winners, countless Grammy nominees and a half-dozen Rock ‘n’ Roll Hall of Fame inductees. Jeter also contributed an essay to MAKING NOTES: MUSIC OF THE CAROLINAS, published by Novello Press.
Mindy Friddle's novel, "The Garden Angel" (St.Martin’s Press/Picador), was a Barnes & Noble "Discover Great New Writers" selection. Her second novel "Secret Keepers" was published by St. Martin's Press in May 2009. A Greenville native, she is founder and director of the Writing Room, a community-based writing program for Upstate writers. http://www.mindyfriddle.com
Patt Fero is a native South Carolinian who still resides in the mountains of Upstate South Carolina. She and her husband have three grown children and one granddaughter. Patt has spent over 25 years in the private club and hospitality industry. She enjoys the beach, reading, walking and golf. This novel is her first, but she has several sequels planned.
In www.QueenMotorHome.com, Patt has created two delightful female baby boomer characters who experience a mid-life crisis and loads of adventure. Readers will enjoy following the escapades of Leslie and Liz involving their marriages, careers, and travels. Patt’s writings are fun and fast-paced, and readers will identify with her characters and relate to the stories in their own lives.
Rebecca Ramsey - French by Heart Friday Noon – 4pm
French By Heart is the story of an all-American family pulling up stakes and finding a new home in Clermont-Ferrand, a city four hours south of Paris known more for its smoke-spitting factories and car dealerships than for its location in the Auvergne, the lush heartland of France dotted with crumbling castles and sunflower fields. The Ramseys are not jet-setters; they’re a regular family with big-hearted and rambunctious kids. Quickly their lives go from covered-dish suppers to smoky dinner parties with heated polemics, from being surrounded by Southern hospitality to receiving funny looks if the children play in the yard without shoes. A charming tale with world-class characters, French By Heart reads like letters from your funniest friend. More than just a slice of life in France, it’s a heartwarming account of a family coming of age and learning what “home sweet home” really means.
Becky now lives with her family in Greer, South Carolina, where she spends her days writing and running all over creation taking her children places.
