WB_120618

8 | December 6, 2018 | The wilmette beacon NEWS
wilmettebeacon.com
Ginger, of Wilmette
The Shinners family,
of Wilmette
Meet Ginger, a 2-yearold
Welsh Terrier and
beloved member of the
Shinners family. You can
find Ginger walking around
the neighborhoods of Wilmette, surveilling her
back yard, or checking out the menu options in
“dishwasher diner.” She loves to fetch and play tag.
If there’s a game being played, Ginger wants in. This
means many punctured balls and a few holes in her
brothers’ socks and shorts. At night, Ginger builds
herself a nest with couch cushions and appears
to have the most comfortable bed in the house.
Everyone in the family agrees, it’s good to be Ginger!
To see your pet as Pet of the Week, send information to
eric@wilmettebeacon.com or 60 Revere Drive, Suite 888,
Northbrook, IL 60062.
Sip & Shop kicks off holiday season,
fundraises for St. Francis Xavier School
Alexa Burnell
Freelance Reporter
It’s official. The holiday
season has begun, starting
with St. Francis Xavier
School’s annual Sip &
Shop event, where proceeds
benefit the school,
but wine and unique merchandise
benefit the mom.
Held on Friday, Nov.
29, at a new venue — The
Michigan Shores Club
— the event captured the
spirit of the season with
shopping and an evening
full of fun and festivities.
Chaired this year by
Erica Scully, Elizabeth
Gillespie and Mary Beth
Angelo, dozens of vendors
displayed their goods, for
the good of the school.
“Sip & Shop is one
of many fundraisers the
school hosts each year.
A portion of the proceeds
goes to the home organization
at the school,
distributed as is appropriate
throughout the year.”
Scully said.
As people poured into
the impeccably decorated
facility, holiday music
played in the background,
and servers passed glasses
of wine, lending themselves
to a fun shopping
experience where many
local’s showcased their
goods.
Wilmette’s Kathy Zawacki
was one of the vendors,
telling guest about
her growing Etsy business,
while celebrating the season
among friends.
“I’m always drawn to
this event because it is a
nice opportunity for me to
show friends and neighbors
the new developments
with my Etsy business,”
Zawacki said. “I’ve
recently partnered with a
Kathy Zawacki, of Wilmette, showcases her Etsy creations at St. Francis Xavier
School’s annual Sip & Shop event Friday, Nov. 30, at Michigan Shores Club in
Wilmette. Photos by Alexa Burnell/22nd Century Media
Some of the merchandise on sale is shown on display.
fabric company in Quebec,
who takes my photos and
imprints them on to items
like makeup bags, which
are a perfect gift for the
season. I still offer my own
cards and coasters. This is
my third year here, and I
really enjoy being one of
the vendors.”
Similarly, Virginia
Mather showcased her stationary
and other personalized
gifts. She too has
been part of the event for
several years, enjoying the
environment and chance to
ring in the season.
“This is simply a great
event and very well-organized.
It’s the right environment
for me to sell my
goods and I always meet
such nice people here,”
Mather said.
As Gillespie oversaw
the event, she was reminded
why she continuously
stays involved with Sip &
Shop year after year.
“It’s such a great feeling
to plan and organize
this event, only to see it
bring the community together,
before the start
of the often harried holiday
season,” she said. “I
love that we unite moms
and women around the
neighborhood at a time
while everyone is still
feeling excited about the
holidays, giving them a
chance to enjoy buying
unique gifts.”