The Citizen, 2003-07-30, Page 22PAGE 22. THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, JULY 30, 2003.
Writer enjoys an afternoon of tea with Society
An afternoon of laughter
understanding.
Spending an afternoon with the
Purple Peaches, through
communication and an
understanding, has shown me that
although our ages separate us with
an invisible line, hopes, dreams, and
memories connect us.
I will admit that I didn’t even look
forward to my 20th birthday because
that brought me half-way closer to
my 40th birthday (don’t laugh),
which I dreaded.
With all the anti-aging products
that are out on the market now, how
refreshing it must be to slip on a
purple outfit, put on a red hat and go
for tea with friends. I find it
interesting that these women seem to
be more carefree than young women
I know.
On my drive back to work, an
overwhelming sense of happiness
came over me as I realized that there
is no reason to dread aging. Rather, I
should anticipate and embrace it.
I know that this feeling will
probably disappear when I find my
first grey hair but all I will have to do
is think of the women of The Purple
Peaches and what they embody.
I look forward to the day when I
can “wear purple with a red hat
which doesn’t go, and doesn’t suit
me,” and feel excited about it.
Women from Brussels and Wingham converged last Thursday for the first meeting of The
Purple Peaches, the newest Red Hat Society chapter in the area. Besides greeting middle
age with verve, humour, and elan, the women giggled as they shared stories over muffins,
COffee and tea. (Sarah Mann photo)
By Sarah Mann
Citizen staff
My Thursdays are usually spent
sitting at a computer, writing, re
writing, e-mailing, checking, and
correcting.
When an invitation was sent to
The Citizen, asking if someone
would be interested in attending the
first tea with the newest area Red
Hat Society chapter my curiosity
was sparked.
I have heard so much about the
Red Hat Society lately that I had to
find out for myself what these
women do when they get together.
According to the website. The Red
Hat Society began as a result of a
few women deciding to greet middle
age with verve, humour and elan.
This group of friends was inspired
by a poem about an aging woman
wearing red hats and purple outfits
in public and soon began to do the
same.
Now there are chapters all over the
world, the members of which delight
themselves in being a
“disorganization” that anticipates
aging with excitement rather than
dread.
Last Thursday I went for tea with
PEOPLE AROUND
BELGRAVE
By Linda
Campbell
Call
357-2188
the’ Brussels chapter, named The
Purple Peaches, and spent my
afternoon drinking coffee, listening
to stories, and giggling.
I arrived, note-book in hand, ready
to scribble down what was talked
about, read, and said and the names
of who said what.
Instead, I sat and listened to them.
Writing down what they said would
only cause me to miss what was said
next and I didn’t want to interrupt to
get the correct spelling of a name.
These women were having too much
fun to bother them.
Plus, writing would take laughing
time away.
There is something remarkable
about seeing a group of women
wearing purple outfits and red hats
in public.
Always concerned with how we
look, smell, walk, sit, and sleep, it
must be quite liberating to go out in
public, wearing clothes and a hat that
clash. There are many young women
my age who would not dare to leave
the house without make-up on, never
mind being in mismatched clothes.
Chatter immediately began with
the red hats being a great
conversation starter.
Some had spray-painted hats they
Rev. Ethel Miner Clare
congratulated all the celebrants for
reaching such a milestone in their
lives and offered grace.
Mabel Wheeler and Clare
VanCamp, the newest members in
the Over 80 group, cut a special
cake. A social time was enjoyed by
all.
already owned, some made them,
and others bought theirs from the
Red Hat website.
The fabric for the purple outfits
ranged from comfy cotton to flowing
chiffon, truly proving that now, it’s
about themselves and what they
want.
“Ail my life I have done for you,
now it’s my turn to do for me,” a line
from the Red Hat Society anthem
explains.
But, last Thursday, it wasn’t just
about what they wanted to do for
themselves because all 10 of them
did a great deal for me, even though
it was not on purpose.
It didn’t take long for me, barely
out of my teens, to realize that these
women were no different than
women my age.
When they get together, they just
want to have a good time and laugh.
“I’ve learned that an afternoon of
laughter can be the best medicine in
the world,” Helen Dougherty of
Wingham said.
There seems to be a large gap
separating people of my generation
with older generations.
Partly to blame are the kids, some
of whom do nothing to banish the
stereotype that we are rude and
inconsiderate of elders. But, also
partly to blame are the elders who
don’t want to give young people a
chance because of the stereotype.
These people, however, are few
and therefore it must be something
else that separates my generation
from older generations.
What I believe stands between us
is a lack of communication and
WEDDINGS
WEDDINGS
Performed ■ your location or our
iindoor or ouidoor chapel
(non-denominational)
For brochure call:
REV. CHRIS MORGAN
-L FAITHS PASTORAL CENTF
BENMILLER, 524-5724
You Can Make
a Difference
HUNTINGTON
DISEASE
Huntington Society of Canada ^HUNTINGTON
~ S o c i f t f Huntington du Canada
1-800-998-7398
www.hsc-ca.org
Forthcoming
Hoggart - Nicolai
forthcoming marriage of
Debra Ann Hoggart
Scott Andries Nicolai
son of William and
Kath een Nico ai.
the afternoon at the
Londesboro United
Church. Open reception at
Seaforth and District
Community Centres
at 9 pm.
Marriage
Harvey and Yvonne are
pleased to announce the
their daughter
The ceremony will take
place on Saturday, August
2nd, 2003 at 3:00 p.m. in
Wedding dnno-unc&nwit
Lorna Cook, leader of the Evening
Unit of the Belgrave United Church
Women, welcomed a good number
of Over 80 celebrants and guests to
the special afternoon of
entertainment and celebration on
Wednesday, July 23, in the church
basement. This celebration has
become an annual event to which
many residents and former residents
meet and visit with friends and
relatives.
Muriel Coultes opened the
program with two readings, which
they were followed by musical
numbers by Lome Campbell at the
piano and Ross Anderson with his
mouth organ. Donna Shaw then read
two thought-provoking stones, after
which Don and Mary Vair
entertained.
Lila Procter led in a sing-song of
popular old songs which were
enjoyed by all, and following other
readings by Mrs. Coultes, Ross and
Lome entertained again.
3tappg 25th Wedding ttnniiLetuwg
August 5 &
Time has gone by so fast,
Twenty-five years in the past.
With messages from above,
sending you blessings of true love.
May the happiness that you share,
spread to all for it is rare.
Love your other blessings,
Patty, Jason. Tyler, Julia, Katie & Tim
PASSCHIER - ASKES
On February 22, 2003 Laura Kaye Askes, daughter of Henry and
Bertha Askes of Listowel and Cornelis Charles Passchier, son of
Jim and Sylvia Parish of Blyth were married in Listowel by
Pastor Jack DeVries. The couple resides near Blyth.
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