SYLVANIA - The annual Sylvania Sampler hosted by Sylvania Junior Woman's Club last week, where celebrating the arts has been a tradition for 30 years.
      Sylvania Mayor Margaret Evans opened the event welcoming folks of all ages where they gathered on the Court House lawn to enjoy the day's events, including live entertainment by local artists, a dog show, and the first official appearance of the Miss Sampler pageant winners.
      "The Sampler is mostly about getting the community out to support the arts and having a good time," said Sharon Blank, Arts Committee Chairwoman.
      Entertainers for the day included Jessica Hall, Community Christian School, Alexis Rhythm Stompers, Grace Bible Baptist Church/Joyful Noise Kids Choir, Glen Walden, Vicky Bragg, Patsy Finch, Pam Mills, Kirk Joiner, Shades of Art dancers, and Connie Pitts.
       "We host this event to provide a venue for artists, crafters, and performers to share their skills with the community," Blank said.
      "The event also fosters a sense of community and gives people a chance to do something fun right here in our little town," she said.
      The Sampler featured a photography contest in which three winners were named. Brett Dickerson won for his entry in the "places" category, Deborah Boddiford won in the "human interest" category, and Evelyn Hubbard won for the "people" category.
      Sylvania Jr. Woman's Club is a member of the Georgia Federation of Women's Clubs and the General Federation of Women's Clubs, Blank said, one of the largest and oldest nonpartisan, nondenominational women's volunteer service organizations in the world.
       In addition to the Sampler, the club holds the Livestock Pageant in the spring in conjunction with Livestock Week, contributes to Relay for Life, participates in the local Soup Kitchen, Blank said, just to name a few.
      The Sampler is just one of the ways the club fulfills its purpose in making the world and our community a better place, she said.