Township Times Article #4

(courtesy photo)

Vow to Wow Wedding Coordinating

If you’re planning a wedding, Vow to Wow Wedding Coordinating will take your dream and turn it into reality. Whatever your vision may be of the perfect wedding, your idea is within reach, as Vow to Wow’s team of coordinators strive to make your wedding desires come true.

Nickie Sovia, owner of the Freeland-based company, has been planning and coordinating weddings since 2006, and is currently studying to become a Certified Wedding Planner. Not only does she have years of experience to her credit, but she is learning more than ever about wedding planning from the Penn Foster Career Institute. Sovia has also accumulated a large collection of useful research material which is updated daily in order to keep up with the latest fashions and hottest trends.

Sovia is Vow to Wow’s Head Coordinator, with Amber and Lisa as her Coordinating Assistants. Together, these natural born planners will be with you every step of the way, guiding you through all your wedding decisions. Their goal is to make the entire process a stress-free experience, whether it is a small, intimate gathering, or an extravagant gala.

Each coordinator is trained to handle sticky situations with the utmost discretion, and can be reached 24/7 by phone or email. Their specialty is to make certain your day has what every couple wants: “The Wow Factor!”

Vow to Wow’s team also knows who the local vendors are, and have done plenty of quality and price comparing. They have made partnerships with several vendors and venues that are willing to offer a discount of up to 20% for Vow to Wow clients.

There are three different packages available which are tailored to fulfill a variety of wedding needs:

The Hourly package retains a wedding coordinator as your event consultant at an hourly rate.

The Golden Package (the day of) is for the couple who has done the planning, but would like to ensure a stress-free day.

The Royal Package (full wedding coordination) is for the couple who would like direction, or may not have enough time, or would really just like to enjoy all the amenities that the Royal Package offers. From Engagement Day, through the day of your wedding, Vow to Wow will be there alongside fulfilling your wedding dreams.

For more information about Vow to Wow Wedding Coordinating and the special packages they have to offer, visit their website at http://www.vowtowow1.com/, email vowtowow1@gmail.com, or call 293-0344.

View my other articles at: www.lorivillarreal.com/articles

Township Times Article #3

(courtesy photo)

The Girls of Grace Dance Ministry prepares for their 6th Annual Worship Concert

St. Lorenz Girls of Grace Dance Ministry will be presenting an afternoon of inspiration and worship. “Remember…Renew…REJOICE!” is a unique Concert of Worship, Dance, and Praise that will be performed at The Temple Theatre in Saginaw on Saturday/Sunday, March 19/20 at 3:00 p.m. Reserved seating tickets are available now at the Temple box office. The cost is $8.00, with children 2 and under free. Call 989-754-7469 to order your tickets. Seats are filling up quickly.

Over 100 joyful dancers and participants will share an uplifting message through narration, song, dance, personal testimonies, and media presentations. This group began nine years ago, and has grown in many ways since.

Linda Nuechterlein, Director of Girls of Grace, is a former teacher from St. Lorenz, and feels that this ministry has allowed her to combine her love for teaching kids, God's Word and dance...all in one ministry. For her, it has been a tremendous blessing to be the director of these great kids.

All leaders are volunteers including the director and instructors, parent helpers, steering committee and sewing ministry. Parents of the dancers make a small monetary donation to the ministry at the beginning of the year, and all other funds come from donations.

The Girls of Grace Christian Dance Ministry seeks to present their dancers as “living sacrifices” to the Lord, through reverent and expressive dance. They also seek to mentor Christian young women by spending time studying God’s Word, discussing godly lifestyles and praying together. They serve their own congregation in worship services and school chapel services. They also desire to intentionally share the message of Christ’s love beyond their own church. These events may be other worship services, weddings, conferences or a variety of community functions. Relying on God’s direction, they humbly offer their worship dance to many, but their focus always remains: “We are ultimately dancing for “An audience of One.” May all we do bring honor and glory to Jesus.

Girls of Grace Dance Ministry is in its ninth year of service. This volunteer ministry is directed by Linda Nuechterlein and a staff of instructors, a Steering Committee and a support sewing ministry, the Gracemakers. Presently, Girls of Grace has 65 dancers, ranging in age from 4th grade through College Students. Girls of Grace also has an apprentice group called Future Girls of Grace (Grades 1-3). All dancers are affiliated with St. Lorenz Church in Frankenmuth.

In the past nine years, these dedicated ladies have offered liturgical dance for approximately 200 worship services at St. Lorenz Church and School, 100 additional functions including community events, conferences, and worship services throughout Michigan, and into Ohio, and the annual worship concert- the highlight of the year.

For the past five years, the annual concert has been held at the Bronner Performing Arts Center. This year, the BPAC was already booked, so a different venue was needed. The Temple Theatre provides a beautiful venue, and an opportunity to share the powerful message with a larger, broader audience.

New this year, The Girls of Grace Dance Ministry is dedicated to reach out to the less fortunate or those in challenging situations. The leaders will be working with social service organizations (Teen Challenge, Underground Railroad, Saginaw Foster Care Program, Caring Tree Ministry from St. Lorenz, etc.) to invite folks to the concert. Those that respond to the invitation will receive free tickets to attend.

This concert is a moving testimony of faith and very inspirational. The desire of this ministry is to fill the seats at The Temple Theatre, with lots of family and friends…plus reach out to those who could benefit from an afternoon of “Good News” presented in an exciting, refreshing way.

To see a sample of last year’s concert in Frankenmuth, Michigan, visit www.youtube.com/watch?v=BPI7dhiQ1WI. For additional information, contact Linda Nuechterlein, Director of Girls of Grace at: linda.nuechterlein@gmail.com, or visit the Girls of Grace Website at http://www.stlorenz.org/ (Link: Girls of Grace).

View my other articles at: www.lorivillarreal.com/articles.html

Township Times Article #2

(photo by Lori Villarreal)

Tiffany’s Unique Boutique celebrates grand opening

Owner Tess Orvis held her grand opening for Tiffany’s Unique Boutique Tuesday, March 1st, in style. Guests were treated to an assortment of desserts, snacks, fruit, wine and champagne, and pizza, compliments of Hungry Howie’s.

Freeland resident, Josh Johnson, was one of the first customers to receive a haircut at the new location. Johnson remembers getting haircuts by Orvis as a kid, and when he recently returned to Freeland from Colorado, decided to return to her. “It’s the most affordable haircut in town at only ten dollars,” Johnson said.

The boutique had been originally located at 135 Washington in Freeland for the past three years, until the owner of the property decided to sell. Orvis then moved the boutique to 143 1st Street (behind the post office) in Freeland, where the special grand opening was held.

Orvis, mother of three children and grandmother of four, began her career as a hairstylist 24 years ago, working out of her home. When her youngest daughter turned 14, she realized she no longer needed to work out of her home, and decided to open her boutique at the Washington location.

A full service salon, Tiffany’s Unique Boutique offers haircuts, perms, color, up-do’s, highlights, nails, manicures, pedicures, facials, makeovers, Hex tanning, airbrush tanning, NuFree hair removal, and ear candling.

Massage Therapist, Jennifer Richter, specializes in deep tissue massage, muscle manipulation, trigger-point release, as well as relaxation. Formerly of Serenity Day Spa in Saginaw, Richter has been practicing massage therapy since 2007, and recently joined the team at Tiffany’s.

Another recent addition to Tiffany’s team is Emily Jaime, a hairstylist for 10 years. Jaime is a Freeland resident, dividing her time between work at Tiffany’s, and raising her two young children, a son, Camryn, 6 months, and daughter, Brynn, 3 ½.

Each week Tiffany’s sponsors a local home-based business by allowing them to showcase their products and services at the boutique. The first business to take advantage of this unique opportunity at the grand opening is Arbonne Skin Care, presented by Sharon Poplawski. Arbonne is not just about skin care, but also specializes in health & wellness and vitamins. According to Poplawski, Arbonne offers the best skin care products she’s ever used. For more information, call Sharon at 860-9657, or email sharonpoplawski@yahoo.com.

Future sponsored businesses include Mary Kay, Party Lights, Scentsy candles, Miche Bags, Pampered Chef, Tupperware, and Kade Jewel. The idea has been so popular that Orvis said she is booked until June.

Tiffany’s will be a participating vendor at the Burt Watson Chevrolet Mom to Mom Sale, being held March 12, April 16, and May 21, from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. The boutique will also be participating in the 5.01 Divas, Working Women’s Day Out, along with 30 other vendors, to be held at Burt Watson Chevrolet in Freeland on March 11, from 5:01 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.

Tiffany’s offers the Healthy Weight Workshop, presented by Hypnosis Delivers, with an NHG Certified Hypnotist and NFPT Certified Fitness Trainer, every 2nd and 4th Sunday of each month. The first workshop is scheduled for March 13, from 2:00 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. For more information, visit www.hypnosisdelivers.com, email mary@hypnosisdelivers.com, or call 810-423-6541.

Tiffany’s also took 2nd place in the 2010 Best of the Best Community Event for its participation in America’s Cover Miss & Cover Boy Pageant, with the Greek Festival being the 1st place winners that year.

Tiffany’s Unique Boutique, 143 1st Street, Freeland. Phone: 695-9797, website: http://www.freelandsalon.com/. Walk-ins welcome. Open Monday – Friday 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. and later, Saturday 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Sunday 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

View my other articles at: www.lorivillarreal.com/articles.html

Township Times Article #1

(photo by Lori Villarreal)

The Rainbow Connection: Goodbye Snow, Hello Sunshine!

As we scrape the snow off of our windows next week in Michigan, 8 year old Kaitlyn of Midland will be waking up to sun and fun in Florida and a promise of visiting Mickey Mouse later in the day. Kaitlyn and her family will be living Kaitlyn’s dream as they experience all seven theme parks at Disney World. The Rainbow Connection, a Michigan charity that grants wishes to children with life-threatening illnesses will make Kaitlyn’s dream come true!

Kaitlyn was diagnosed with Osteosarcoma (bone cancer) in August 2009. After extensive treatment Kaitlyn was referred to The Rainbow Connection and then the magic of her wish to go to Disney World began! Through all of the doctor’s visits, hospital stays and treatment plans, knowing that she was going to Disney World gave Kaitlyn the encouragement she needed to fight each day. The thought of spending a week with all of her favorite Disney characters and eat ice cream for breakfast if she chose to, got her through some of her roughest days.

Her dream trip will start when a limousine picks up the family at their home in Midland and takes them to the airport. Upon arriving in Florida, Kaitlyn and her family will get the royal treatment with special attention throughout the parks, first in line for everything and some very special surprises.

Thanks to the big hearted folks at Sam’s Club in Saginaw this little girl’s dream will come true. The employees and management at Sam’s Club pulled together knowing what a difference they could make in the life of sick child. Sam’s Club raised the money to sponsor Kaitlyn’s through various fundraisers and local grants. “Sam’s Club is making a real difference in our community,” says The Rainbow Connection Director, Mary Grace McCarter. “It is truly heartwarming to work with them as they make dreams come true for these brave children.”

The Rainbow Connection is a local organization that focuses its efforts exclusively on Michigan children and their families, offering support services, help with utility bills, funeral expenses, information and referral, special holiday get-togethers and picnics, and college scholarships in addition to granting a wish. The Rainbow Connection receives no federal funds and depends exclusively on the kind generosity of our supporters. Eighty-nine cents of every dollar goes to granting Michigan children a wish.

For more information about The Rainbow Connection, visit their website at http://www.rainbowconnection.org/.

View my other articles at: www.lorivillarreal.com/articles.html

eBook Sales

I'm excited to say that I've already had some sales for Whispers in Time on both Kindle and NOOK, which is very encouraging.

As soon as I finish the re-write for The Devil Rogue, and design covers for Kissing Mr. Bellamy and Twelfth Moon, I'll publish those as well.

Publishing my first eBook

It's official! I just published my first novel, Whispers in Time, on Amazon's Kindle and Barnes & Noble's NOOKbook.

I also plan on publishing my other two historical romances, The Devil Rogue and Kissing Mr. Bellamy, as well as the first of a 3-book paranormal series, Twelfth Moon: Legend of the Pantera, as eBooks.

For more information about any of these books, go to my author's website, http://www.lorivillarreal.com/, and read the first chapters of each.

Liking those critiques

Wow! It's been a long time since I last posted, but I've been so freakin' busy. Between writing and reporting for our local weekly newspaper, The Township Times, working on website design projects, and trying to finish Twelfth Moon, Legend of the Pantera, the first of a three-book, paranormal/shape-shifter romance series, I haven't had time for much else.

--But I just had to mention that I'm a "Forties Club Finalist" (ranking #37) in The Clarity of Night "Uncovered" Short Fiction contest. This is pretty exciting for me (believe it or not) to have been chosen, and actually get some feedback on my writing.

I'm sure I'm not the only writer who suffers from an occassional lack of confidence when it comes to my writing...am I? I do try to learn from my mistakes, read about writing techniques, and read as many novels (by my favorite authors) as I can get my hands on, so any kind of feedback is well-received, and greatly appreciated.