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FRIDAY,MARCH:8,1996 3S Despite a fewhedgers, Pricds singles clubseems to betaking off. Atlast count, the clubhad60 members, with 100 expected at this month's meeting. "If,s not just a dating forum.It's a place where you can make close friendsanderljoy differentactivities in the groupi" said Price. Singles in their late 20s to late 40s meetfrom ?-9 p.m. onthe third Saturday of themonth at the Community Boom at Westgate Mall. Meetings givethe groupa chance to go over'r,he clult's activity calender, getto hnotrnew members, and heara guest speaker. Thefirst meeting is free andis follovedby an informal get-together at a local restaurant "There's a $S fee for a six month membership and a nominal feefor some of the activities," said Priee. "IMe're differeotfi'on the othersingles eluh in townin thatwehave activities atleast twoto three times a week ,..everything from ski h"ips to contra dances to lelationship seminars'" Pricembved to the arrea two anda halfyears4go lrom Flolida As a single mother of a l-year-old son' she decided l,o open a day-care facility in orderto stay athome. She also supports herseHby eleaning homes, takingin laundta, writing fre+lanee parenting artieles and sEling herbs, vitamins and long distance phone ATTERNATNru LOAFING rewarding. She has already started datinga member of the clubherself and has made severzl good friends. "Because there's a membership feg wehave attracted a lot ofprofessional people ...doctors, teaehers, nurs'es andengineerc,'said Price. "If,s a greatwayto networkyow business. It's also a great way!o get to know people before yougooutwith them." Clubmembership ineludes discounts at area businesses, ineluding a 35pereent discount on membership at Gold's Gyn. Childcare is also pmvided to member:s for a nominal fee with advance registration. h'ice urges singles who wantmore information to attend the elub's nextmeeting onMarch 16.'You never knowwhotl s-oins tc trc there." It's hard work thatmakes new singles club happen ancy Pricg founder ofthe new Asheville Singles Club, has nrn up against whatshe ealls the Catch-22 of starting a fr{endship club. e foundthat a lot ofpeople want to window shop meeting, andif they do,tt'J see anyone they'reattracted to, theydon't signup or show up for the nextmeeting' That'b forstrating becauqe ev€tryone wants t'osee a full club." ol've foundthat a lot before they actually join," baid Price."They'll come to a "Because I wor* out ofmy home, it's almost impo'ssible to meet people," said Fric€.,"And also people see that youhave a childand assume that you.'re attached." The lar scene didnlt appeal to Price, so she decided to check outsome of the loeal singles clubs, "But they dl seerned to caterto the oldercrowd.ff Frici said she also felt out of place asa single mother, "Even in Parents WithoutPartners, everyone had30or 4O-yeu.old children," she said. Thesituation prompted this entrepreneur to started her own clubtlu'ee months ago, She now spends anaverage of20 hours a week organizing, advertising and recnriting. "I check everything becaffle wewantthis to bea safe, clean-cut club," saidPrice. "I weed out thepeople whogive false lumbert ontheir application. Itusually means they're man'ied." Price's hardwork has been Heather Rayburn
