Bringing women together
By KATE THAYER

ST. CHARLES – When passing the salt, pass the pepper.

A thank-you note must contain at least four sentences.

Although it is impolite to rest elbows on the table when dining, it’s OK to do so in between courses.

A group of women learned these tips and others Sunday during an etiquette refresher seminar at Eliza Jane in St. Charles.

The event brought the fourth annual Sisters Weekend to a close.

Rose Platis of St. Charles participated in the weekend fun, which also included a pajama party – complete with spa treatments – a champagne brunch, and shopping.

Platis’ sister, niece and daughters joined her from out of town. All attended Sunday’s seminar.

“They should teach this in schools,” Platis said after hearing many etiquette dos and don’ts during the seminar.

Fran Strykowski of Clearwater, Fla., Platis’ sister, joked that they should teach a course for men.

Paige Mucha was the etiquette teacher for Sunday’s class.

She started the class by entering the room while chewing a wad of gum, sitting atop a table and answering her cell phone loudly.

The women laughed as Mucha demonstrated what not to do before beginning the class.

She said learning etiquette was important so people could relax and know they were doing the right things in public.

Mucha added that spending time with other women and the Sisters Weekend events were “fantastic.”

“It’s a beautiful, graceful thing,” she said.

Micki Dobrowski is director of room operators at the Hotel Baker. She said this year’s weekend had more participants than ever – about 300.

This year, there were guests from as far as Hawaii and Canada, she said.

Throughout the weekend, the women descended on businesses in downtown St. Charles, where events included a self-defense seminar and a concert at the Arcada Theatre.

Dobrowski said the weekend isn’t just for blood sisters, but also for friends or any woman who can be called a “sister.”

“Women need time to themselves,” she said.

Platis, Strykowski and their daughters said it was a great way to spend time with each other.

“I like to do things with my sister,” Platis said.

Published in the Kane County Chronicle - May 02, 2007
© 2007 Kane County Chronicle. All rights reserved.