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© St. Petersburg Times, published September 24, 2002
CLEARWATER -- Westfield Shoppingtown Countryside is getting ready for a royal visit.
Best known in the United States for her Weight Watchers commercials, turbulent relationship with British Prince Andrew and jet-setting world travels, Sarah Ferguson, Duchess of York, will visit the former Countryside Mall in Clearwater on Thursday.
The duchess, spokeswoman for the Australian-owned Westfield Group, will speak to shoppers about the company's annual charity event, Westfield Works Wonders.
Local nonprofit organizations can raise money for their causes by selling tickets for the evening, which will signal the kickoff of the holiday shopping season. Shoppers will be offered discounts on selected items as well as door prizes.
The duchess will begin her speech at 9:30 a.m. and meet with selected guests at a private reception following her talk, said Rachel Nelson, a representative from PCI Communications, the public relations firm handling the visit.
Shoppers can sign up for a chance to meet the duchess by registering at the customer service desk at any of the area Westfield locations. Ten people will be chosen by raffle to attend the reception.
Lynn Peterson, senior marketing director for Westfield's malls in Tampa and Brandon, where the duchess also will appear Thursday, said she hopes Ferguson's visit will generate community interest for the charity event.
"Her visit is very exciting because Sarah really embraces Westfield Works Wonders," Peterson said.
Westfield Works Wonders will be held from 6 to 9 p.m. Nov. 10 at the Westfield malls in Countryside, Brandon and Citrus Park, as well as other Westfield Group malls nationwide.
This is the fifth year Westfield has hosted the holiday festival, but this year marks the first time for the event at the Clearwater shopping center.
-- Abbie VanSickle can be reached at 445-4224 or at vansickle@sptimes.com.
Sarah Ferguson, Duchess of York, will speak about Westfield Shoppingtown's charity, Westfield Works Wonders, Thursday at Countryside Shoppingtown at 2601 U.S. 19. She will address shoppers at 9:30 a.m. A private VIP reception will follow her address.