MaineBusiness.com

PORTLAND – The Portland Press Herald/Maine Sunday Telegram has announced the Top 10 winners in its “Dash of Inspiration … Women Motivating Women” contest. They are: Emily Allen of West Bath; Penny Armstrong of Cape Elizabeth; Beth Birch of New Gloucester; Carlene Griffin of Harpswell; Linda Knights of South Portland; Joan W. Moore of Portland; Kendra Smith of Hollis; Mary Lou Sprague of Cape Elizabeth; Colleen Tobin of Windham; and Sandra Wachholz of Portland.


The Maine women, selected for their ability to motivate women in both extraordinary and ordinary ways, will be honored starting at 5:45 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 29, at the Holiday Inn by the Bay. The presentation is part of the women’s charitable event “Dash of Diva – Girls’ Night Out,” which will run from 4:30-9:30 p.m.


Tickets cost $7 in advance and $10 at the door. They are available by calling 1-800-894-0031 or 791-6000.


A Dash of Diva is designed to bring women together to celebrate life, experience great food, discover a variety of products and services offered by participating vendors and enjoy live entertainment, while contributing to the community. Thanks to a partnership with Hannaford Supermarkets, the event is expected to draw hundreds of Maine women and area business owners. Media partners include WMTW Channel 8, 94.9 WHOM and Q 97.9.


Entertainment for the evening will include:

• A headline performance by Maine’s funniest mom, Karen Morgan
• Folk artist Marie Moreshead
• Dance demonstrations and lessons (belly dancing by Adira and Ayperi, and Zumba by Emma Holder)
• Vicki Monroe, Spirit Messenger
• Beer, wine and vodka tasting
• Fashion show
• Hors d’oeuvres
• More than 70 vendor booths


A portion of proceeds from ticket sales and the proceeds from a silent auction will be donated to the Maine Women’s Fund and the Press for Higher Education Scholarship to be distributed to two non-traditional female students attending the University of Southern Maine.

As an additional charitable endeavor, participants will have an opportunity to bring new or nearly new purses as a donation to Dress for Success Southern Maine, a nonprofit organization that provides clothing and career development services to disadvantaged women.