Evening in paradise; tropical night

University Park residents Joellen Grossman, Gail Snyder, Dana Balionis and Sheila Cohen found a quiet table outside the main crowd Dec. 3, during the University Park Women’s Club’s annual charity ball themed “Evening in Paradise.”

Armed with glasses of wine, the ladies clearly were enjoying their conversation, despite the fact that Cohen is moving to Osprey.

“They want to help me pack, but instead we’re just going to drink,” Cohen said, smiling after the group erupted in laughter.

More than 100 guests donning tropical-themed attire sipped wine, snacked on hand-passed hors d’oeuvres and socialized with friends on the outside patio of the University Park Country Club, before heading inside for a formal dinner, live music and dancing. 

Event co-chairwomen Jennifer Bauer and Jane Paschke called the event an “informal formal,” a hiatus from the club’s traditional, formal-attire Diamond and Crystal Charity Ball.

“Our husbands didn’t want to get in a tux,” Paschke said with a grin. 

Proceeds from the event and a silent auction benefitted the club’s designated charity, Just for Girls Elementary.