Over 125 women and a half dozen darling girls donned decorated hats and festive fastenators to gather at the Black Swan Country Club in Georgetown on May 4 for St. Mary’s Women’s Club Annual Luncheon and Tea. The fashion parade paid tribute to the day’s themes, the Kentucky Derby and the beloved American musical film Easter Parade starring Judy Garland and Fred Astaire.
The event, which followed Mass, was chaired by Barbara Miller and Carol Fisher and attended by members of the St. Mary’s Women’s Club and friends from the parish’s towns of Georgetown, Rowley, Byfield, and Boxfield. Pat Sedler, whose magnificent award-winning topper framed her smiling face, has been a member of St. Mary’s Women’s Club for 50 years, says she always enjoys the luncheon—exclaiming the group is “down to earth and just the best!”
“The St. Mary’s Women’s Club Luncheon celebrates friendship and fun,” says Luncheon chairwoman Joyce Sartorelli. Sartorelli, who utlizied her talents from running a dance school says she is grateful to have a little piece of her old life back when organizing the event. “It is always an interesting presentation and it’s so much fun to look at the vintage hats and how styles have changed,” says Mel Gray of Winthrop who heavenly headpiece came from London.
Twelve-year-old P ortia DeSimone of Beverly, whose pretty pink fastenator came from Paris, says she liked attending the luncheon with her mother Vicki and “getting to talk with everyone.”
“I love reconnecting with everyone. The camaraderie and outfits are great. The fact that is spring and beautiful makes it very special,” says Liz Pettis of Merrimac. The lovely afternoon featured, along with a buffet luncheon and tea, a fashion show with a colorful parade of hats, musical numbers paying tribute to famous scenes from Easter Parade, a playful rendition of the Kentucky Derby race and the presentation of hat awards and numerous raffle prizes.
Sartorelli, who named the tables for Hollywood hunks, thought it was apropos that Priest Richard Burton attended the luncheon. “From God’s lips to Cardinal Sean O’Malley’s ears, he sent us Richard Burton,” says Sartorelli. Stay tuned next year when the theme will be “Downton Abbey Meets Thoroughly Modern Millie!”