The Purple Hat Ladies Tea Society
By Joan Cripps

It was in 2001 with lots of time on my hands, and always looking for new and fun things to do, I came upon a poem while browsing the Internet called The Purple Hat. This poem describes what a woman sees when she looks in the mirror at different stages of her life, ages 3 through 80.

At 80, she decides life is too short to worry about what people think, dons her Purple Hat and goes out to have fun. The Purple Hat signifies her freedom to be herself.

An idea was born . . . a challenge! Why wait till we are 80 to wear a Purple Hat and have fun?

I started calling women I thought would like to form a Purple Hat Ladies Tea Society. Without any problem I soon had 12 ladies interested in the idea.
With Joan Searle's help arrangements were made to meet at the Loggie Cultural Centre on July 4th wearing our Purple Hats. The Purple Hat was our statement of Freedom to have Fun.

After years of taking care of families, working outside the home and doing volunteer work it was OUR TIME. We were now free to meet every second or third month at Bed & Breakfasts for afternoon tea, read poetry, pay tribute to other wonderful ladies, have skits and sing our theme song, My Purple Hat written by Wilma Cook and put to music by my son-in-law Percy Aube.

At our first gathering our table was beautifully arranged with tablecloths, lace napkins, napkin holders, flowers, candles, china, silver, our wineglasses even had slippers, and pretty place cards indicating our place at the table. Our menu included sandwiches, strawberry shortcake, scones, clotted cream and jams, a favourite by all, our speciality. Karen Stymiest and Kim Cripps served our tea. We gave ourselves the royal treatment. The Purple Hat Ladies Tea Society was officially launched, as we raised our glasses and toasted, "The Purple Hat Ladies are on the go! So look out Miramichi, here we come wearing our Purple Hats!"

Also, one of the aims of our group is to honour great Ladies. To date we have honoured our Lieutenant Governor, Marilyn Trenholme, and Matilda Murdoch, our New Brunswick Fiddling Champion. She is 83, still composes her own music, and won the Stompin' Tom Award at the East Coast Music Awards in February 2002. Both ladies are honorary members and came to tea with us wearing purple hats.

But most of all we look for nice Cultural Centres, Bed and Breakfasts, Hotels, etc. and ask for the afternoon. They cater to us. When we go to places like senior homes we bring the food. They get out the china and silver.

Last Valentines was especially funny. We had a heart on a string and when the ladies turn came to put it on they had to tell about their first kiss . . . and tell they did . . . ladies aged 50 to 83 . . . and when they finished telling, they pulled on a little string and relived the thrill of their first kiss . . . Hilarious!

We celebrated New Brunswick Day at Castle Manor. The Regeant was also a beautiful place to have tea.

Tid Bits
We call our Hubby's Angels as they do all the lugging for us.

We have been interviewed on the radio, and sang our Purple Hat song.

We have a big doll dressed all in purple for our mascot, thanks to Wilma Cook.

Bobbie Cross crochets little purple hats we pin on our outfits.

We have some really crafty ladies. When they get their thinking caps on, they come up with some great ideas for skits, novelties and other fun things.

At our next gathering we will have a Show & Tell. Bring something of your mother or grandmother and tell a little about it. Or maybe bring your baby picture. We'll number them and see who can get the most guesses as to who is in the picture.

Suggestions for Entertaining and Topics for Tea

• Poetry Reading
• Short Skits
• Stories of Great Women (Other than ourselves)
• Honour a Great Lady
• Share quotes from your parents that have stayed with you. Or ones you said to your children that you now hear them say to their children.
• Share your favourite poem, your most embarrassing moment, your best Christmas or the best party you ever had.
• Your favourite song & why?
• The funniest thing someone ever said to you.
• The person who helped you most with your outlook on life. What lesson was taught?
• The craziest thing you ever did.
• Your most precious time alone.
• Your fondest memory.
• The most fun you ever had.
• Share a piece of poetry you have written.
• Maybe you wrote a little story you could share.
• If you have kept a journal over the years, tell about it.
• Tell a little about yourselves . . . just nice things :-)
• Your most prized accomplishment.
• Why you enjoy being part of the group?

Click here for Poetry & Laughter from the Purple Hat Ladies

Joan Cripps is a Domestic Engineer from Chatham. She says, "Domestic Engineers are JUST stay at home moms, no pay, no retirement parties." She founded the Purple Hat Ladies Tea Society in 2001. They meet for tea every two months or so, wearing their purple hats. Most of the ladies in the group are retired teachers and nurses. To find out more about the Purple Hat Ladies e-mail Joan at rayjoanc@nbnet.nb.ca