LINDA BENSON

Special to The Jewish News

T

hose parties that mark
life's important milestones
often present special chal-
lenges in decorations. The
venues, synagogue social halls, hotel
banquet rooms, restaurant private
party rooms, country clubs and
sports facilities, are usually too plain,
too big, or located in the basement.
So, how do you go about trans-
forming an indoor tennis court into
a warm, festive setting for a bat mitz-
vah, or a hotel banquet room into
the smoky, sexy 1920s Cotton Club?
How do you bring your own person-

al stamp of elegance, fantasy, nostal-
gia, tradition, or the rustic outdoors
to your special event?
Some area party planners, florists;
and designers divulge their secrets of
successful party decor.
"We have about 40 to 50 party
venues in the greater Detroit area
that we know like the back of our
hands," says veteran party planner
Janice Cherkasky, co-owner of
Gourmet Parties. Cherkasky, who has
been planning parties for 18 years,
estimates that bar and bat mitzvahs
currently make up 2/3 of her busi-
ness.
Many families choose special
themes that represent their child's

Gourmet Parties decorated for the
Gershenson bat mitzvah at Temple Israel.

3/20
1998

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