Donna Schiano Gives Bristol's Exit 7 Curves a Tasty Goodbye

For the ladies who belong to the Curves Fitness Center at Exit 7 in Bristol, today was a day of goodbyes. This Curves is closing on March 31, and these ladies who have been together for as long as 8 years are closing this chapter of their lives. They met today at the beautiful and spacious Italian-style villa home of Donna Schiano for a luncheon.

Well, luncheon is a silly word to describe the culinary presentation that these honored guests received today. The accompanying slide show will give you a glimpse of the occasion. An invitation to Donna Schiano's home just outside Bristol is something that most Tri-Cities residents would love to get!

Click Here for an article about another one of Donna's entertaining masterpieces from last summer.

Another one bites the dust

Curves Fitness at Exit 7 in Bristol is another victim of the sagging economy in combination with the company's aggressive and optimistic franchise strategy. They opened around six locations in the Tri-Cities area in the beginning, not anticipating the recession that lowered membership rosters everywhere. Bristol is still seeing businesses closing doors, despite some signs of economic improvement. (This writer was also surprised to see that the Dollar Tree in the Bristol Mall had recently closed.)

Bittersweet

The Curves Exit 78 ladies enjoyed their time together Thursday exchanging emails, phone numbers, and birthdays. However, the day's festivities were a little sad, too. According to Owner, Jennifer Remine:

"It was definitely bittersweet, but a good time! "

Donna Schiano reflects on the emotions present today at this gathering.

"We never thought about those things before because we knew we would see our friends, who now seem like family, every day at Curves! Now, the road will take us all in different directions....some will go to the Abingdon Curves, some to the Volunteer Parkway Curves and some will find other venues. We hope to meet from time to time at someone's house or a restaurant just to keep in touch."

Some Tips from Donna Schiano, Bristol's Star Hostess

There is not a person in this area who can entertain in a more effortless way than Donna Schiano. Her presentation and food always bowls you over, but she never seems to be tired, stressed, or anything but having a good time.

She says that when you are entertaining more than 15 people that a buffet is always best. The only alternative for Donna would be serving her guests, either by herself or with hired servers because the "Pass it Around" method is never used at her home.

She likes to set up buffets in different rooms, along with dining areas. This allows her guests to float around, mingle, and see the house. They can casually sit where they are comfortable and chat with people with whom they are also comfortable.

The House

Everyone always wants to see the house because it is so unique and enchanting. The very surprising thing is that Donna and her husband did most of the work on the home "DIY!" Tile work that would rival anything you would find in Italy awaits you around the home. Donna's husband, Raymond, is from Italy, and they have retained much of his family's style and culture in their home, family, and lives.

Look at the tower

Be sure and see the photographs in the slide show at the top of this article. You will immediately notice her Fruit Tower. It was filled with huge gourmet strawberries, fresh cut pineapple, and red and white grapes. She always uses a sweet cream cheese fruit dip.

There were enticing glass trays of vegetables and dip set out on white-clothed tables. You would expect this, it seems, since this is a group of fitness-conscious friends. However, one would never feel deprived eating from this smorgasbord of beautiful gourmet fruits and veggies.

Of course, there was also a carrot cake with cream cheese icing and a double chocolate fudge cake encased with shaved chocolate. (Now, that's a diet plan that would work for me.)

Tables of food everywhere you turned

There was a table in another room with carefully placed dishes, crock pots, and bowls of hot food, much of which was Italian. Donna is accomplished in true Italian cuisine, learned from Raymond's mother. There was a beautifully laid beverage table with many choices of all types, along with the delicious Italian coffee that Donna blends herself. She shares her Raspberry Punch recipe in an ornate glass punch bowl. She uses:

"...a raspberry punch that's made with raspberry sherbet, pineapple juice. raspberry soda. and ginger ale."

True Secret of Entertaining

The real secret of being a wonderful hostess is making your guests feel welcome and at ease by creating an atmosphere that is casual and relaxed. Surely visitors are in awe of Donna's overwhelming home, especially when they realize that it was almost completely detailed with their own handwork and ideas. However, Donna would be able to pull off an occasion of this magnitude in any home. She just makes it look so easy. This is the secret to a beautiful and fun get together, and Donna is the authority in the Bristol area.

Final Thoughts

Curves Fitness Center at Exit 7 in Bristol was an important part of these ladies' everyday lives. It will be more than a closed business, but a real adjustment they will have to make.

Donna summed it up well:

"No one wanted to say good-bye today, and most left with teary eyes. Change is hard, but life will go on."