San Marcos celebrates Mother's Day early with tea

By: NOELLE IBRAHIM - Staff Writer | Sunday, May 13, 2007 1:02 AM PDT ∞

SAN MARCOS -- As they listened to the calming sounds of a harp, multiple generations of women sipped hot tea, snacked on cucumber sandwiches and enjoyed each other's company Saturday afternoon during a Mother's Day Tea outside the historic Wood House in Woodland Park.

Sponsored by the nonprofit Contemporary Women of North County, the seventh annual Victorian-style tea drew more than 80 mothers, daughters, granddaughters and friends, who were decked out in spring dresses and pants suits for the occasion.

About 30 members of the Red Hat Society, a social organization for women over 50, wore their signature wide-brimmed red hats and purple outfits to the event, where they socialized under the shade of white umbrellas and towering pepper trees.

"Look at the atmosphere," said 67-year-old Joan Thom, queen of the Oceanside "Red Hot Hatters," as she surveyed the lawn in front of the yellow and seafoam green Wood House, a San Marcos landmark built in 1885.

Thom's eyes darted from the house to a meandering row of lattice fences adorned with clusters of white roses. Birds chirped overhead.

"It's beautiful, and gorgeous weather to boot," she said. "What more could you want?"

Women's club treasurer Linda Bridges encouraged guests to sit back, have a cup of tea and enjoy the day.

"It's a chance to dress up and go back to another time of niceties," said Bridges, describing why she thought the event was such a popular way to celebrate the holiday. "It's keeping that tradition alive."

The annual event is a big fundraiser for the San Marcos-based women's service and social organization, said Bridges. Proceeds from the tea will be used to help fund two scholarships for girls graduating from local high schools who are moving on to community colleges, and the "Just Girls" mentoring program, which provides leadership, friendship and encouragement to middle school-aged girls.

"We appreciate the support our community gives us," she said.

For San Marcos resident Sandra Barker, the annual tea has become a family tradition. Accompanied by her mother, daughter, college roommate and her mother, Barker said the tea is a wonderful opportunity for mothers to celebrate their day locally.

"It's just an enjoyable time, and the food is lovely," said Barker, as she pointed to a tray that contained what she called "yummy yummies" -- a chicken salad sandwich, scone, fruit salad, egg salad and dainty deserts.

Barker's 15-year-old daughter, Kate, said she liked being able to spend time with her mom.

"It's a classic girls day out," she said.

Across the lawn, 7-year-old twins Madisen and Olivia Elliott, who wore pink and white dresses, traded in their tea and sipped on refreshing lemonade instead.

"It's awesome," said Madisen.

The girls have been coming to the tea for four years and look forward to it each time, said their mother, Karen Elliott of Rancho Penasquitos.

"It's fun just to get the girls together and leave the boys at home," said Elliott, who also wore a pink and white ensemble. "We get to socialize, meet new people and enjoy other female companions."

-- Contact staff writer Noelle Ibrahim at (760) 761-4404 or nibrahim@nctimes.com.

First name only. Comments including last names, contact addresses, e-mail addresses or phone numbers will be deleted. Attempts to misrepresent your identity or impersonate any person will not be approved. All comments are screened before they appear online, so please keep them brief. Comments reflect the views of those commenting and not necessarily those of the North County Times or its staff writers. Click here to view additional comment policies.