River Strand residents hit the runway for the first time

By Liz Ramos
| 6:45 p.m. March 23, 2024

River Strand's Patty Horak and Gayle Mutechnik look forward to seeing their friends model the latest fashion.

East County
Neighbors

River Strand's Nancy Sacarakis has seen each of River Strand Golf and Country Club's past four fashion shows.

But this time, rather than sitting at the table watching the models go by, Sacarakis was the one hitting the runway.

She showed outfits from Wish Boutique during River Strand's fifth annual fashion show March 23. The fashion show benefited the Food Bank of Manatee.

Sacarakis said after years of seeing the fashion show, it was an honor to be chosen to participate as a model.

Eloise Eckler, the coordinator of the fashion show, said residents only are able to serve as models once to ensure more residents are able to participate in the show.

River Strand's Robbie Phaneuf said she loved going to Wish Boutique and picking out her outfits for the runway. She said it took her about 15 minutes to select three outfits she loved and fit her well.

As she strut down the runway, guests were giving her positive feedback about her outfits.

"You need to get that one for yourself," one guest yelled as Phaneuf finished her walk.

River Strand's Sheri Adams, Vicky Small, Joan Jenard and Josie Collins look forward to seeing what styles are available from Wish Boutique.

River Strand's (back) Irene Rivera, Sue Harbaugh, Jean Scheuer, (front) Mary Ann Cardillo, Nancy Sacarakis, Robbie Phaneuf and Peggy O'Shaghnessy will serve as the fashion show's models.

The River Strand Fashion Team of Lil Vivona, Eloise Eckler and Christine Levine work with Jan Nicolson, the owner of Wish Boutique, to coordinate a fashion show to raise money for the Food Bank of Manatee.

River Strand's Marie Larsen, Cecelia Hunsberger and Helen Macdonald are ready for the fashion show.

River Strand fashion show guests are ready for lunch and to see the latest fashion available from Wish Boutique.

River Strand's Robbie Phaneuf waves to her friends as she makes her way down the runway for the first time.

River Strand's Irene Rivera strikes a pose.

River Strand's Nancy Sacarakis' second outfit of the show receives plenty of positive feedback from the guests.

River Strand's Jean Scheuer participates in the annual fashion show for the first time. Residents only are allowed to be models once so more residents can participate.

River Strand's Peggy O'Shaughnessy's biggest fear when hitting the runway is that she'd trip, but it was smooth sailing as she made her way down the runway and back.

River Strand's Sue Harbaugh shows off every aspect of her outfit including the purse.

River Strand's Mary Ann Cardillo finishes her second go on the runway.

River Strand's Jean Scheuer adjusts her necklace so it's perfect for the runway.

River Strand's Irene Rivera, Jean Scheuer and Robbie Phaneuf are ready to strut down the runway in their first outfits.

River Strand's Peggy O'Shaughnessy takes a final look in the mirror to make sure she's runway ready.

author

Liz Ramos

Managing Editor Liz Ramos previously covered education and community for the East County Observer. Before moving to Florida, Liz was an education reporter for the Lynchburg News & Advance in Virginia for two years after graduating from the Missouri School of Journalism.