When we’re older and more cynical, it’s easy to make light of one of the sweetest and most simple of childhood rituals: the tea party.
The tendency, unfortunately, is to call it a silly or outmoded tradition, insisting that today’s woman should never don pearls and white gloves — much less a frilly dress — to extend a well-manicured pinky while sipping a cup of tea.
Which is a shame, because little girls serving pretend beverages to real or imaginary friends can have a profound effect on one’s life, the least of which is the wonderful memories that are made.
But what becomes a treasured memory for some isn’t even a possibility for way too many others, as Lyn Woods of the Tennyson Center staff points out.
“The young ladies living at Tennyson Center have had very limited opportunities in life to learn social skills,” Woods says. “However, they have made great strides just by the fact that they have survived some pretty rough situations including abuse and neglect.”
Enter longtime Tennyson Center supporters Carol Moore and LaFawn Biddle. Knowing that happy memories are the foundation for a well-adjusted life, they devote several weeks each year to teaching basic etiquette skills in a relaxed and nonthreatening way. The lessons end with a tea party that the girls themselves plan.
Moore and Biddle are in charge of the guest list, keeping the number of invitees small so that the 14 girls aren’t overwhelmed as they extend personal greetings to each arrival. Moore, who opens her Cherry Hills Village home for the tea, also treats each girl to a new dress and shoes for the occasion.
The 50 guests this year included former Colorado first lady Frances Owens, who also spoke about tea-time rituals; breast cancer survivor Keri Christiansen, whose sister, Kim, is a 9News anchor; Anne Hackstock; Jane Rainbolt; Linda Goto; Mary Moore; Diana Haggar; and Kathy Clark.
“Needless to say,” Woods adds, “it’s an afternoon that creates sweet childhood memories for these youngsters.”
Tennyson Center for Children at Colorado Christian Home has been a haven for severely abused and neglected children from throughout the Rocky Mountain region for more than 100 years. It offers residential and day programs along with school- and home-based services that involve the entire family.
On the horizon
Instead of taking up precious time with a live auction, Buck Hutchison and other organizers of the Sept. 11 Hide Party have decided to do away with a live auction in order to keep the focus on the individuals and businesses that made major purchases at the 2008 National Western Stock Show Auction of Junior Livestock Champions. Guests with money to spend are invited to take part in the Hide Party’s silent auction that precedes a buffet supper and entertainment by Lloyd Morris in the National Western Stadium Arena. . . . The Colorado Symphony’s Season Opening Gala will have a slightly different look too. It begins with a concert featuring soprano Dawn Upshaw and music director Jeffrey Kahane conducting the CSO at a 7:30 p.m. concert in Boettcher Hall, followed by dinner in the nearby Kevin Taylor’s at the Opera House. Host couples are Kevin and Leanne Duncan, Rick and Karyn Bailey, John and Carolee Hayes and Gordon and Pamela Parker; ticket info is at .
Society editor Joanne Davidson: 303-809-1314 or jdavidson@ .; also, . davidson
