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Hats off to NWC/F’s canned food drive
Joan Tierney, a 35-year Northbrook Woman's Club & Foundation member, in her festive pink hat at Indian Hill Club in Winnetka. | Karie Angell Luc~For Sun-Times Media
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Updated: July 1, 2012 11:29AM
While the May 3 luncheon platter featured a raspberry garni-marinated chicken breast over fresh greens, canned goods became food for thought at the Indian Hill Club in Winnetka.
“I brought mushroom soup, vegetables, cans of tomatoes,” said Cathy Gregory, a Northbrook Woman’s Club & Foundation member during the year-end members-only luncheon.
Many wore hats at the gentle suggestion of Buffy Ervin, NWC/F president, whose white chapeau complemented the royal sapphire suit that matched her blue eyes.
Gregory, in a copper-sequined floral hair band, discussed the Glenview-based Northfield Township Food Pantry.
Canned items are hot list items, especially when the pantry runs low during August.
Gregory’s hair band, which she called her “hatlet,” held symbolic value.
“I got it at Van Maur and this cute little sales woman helped me,” Gregory said.
“They had all sort of headbands and so for $12 I got an embellished headband. You don’t have to go buy a $200 dress for that,” said Gregory of women feeling good on any budget.
Mary Otis, an NWC/F member of eight years and a 22-year Northbrook resident, told her story of a 1930s Italian black floral bell hat.
“I have a collection of hat boxes on my soffit in my great room from my Great-Aunt Helen,” Otis said, “and it dawned on me when I was trying to figure out where to get a hat that there might be something in these boxes that might be priceless. So my husband, Dave, got the hat boxes down, and lo and behold, there were six hats, a mink one, this beautiful flower arrangement.
“My Great-Aunt Helen, we were very close and she happened to share the same birthday 60 years apart,” Otis said. “She’s probably smiling down, knowing that I am wearing this hat at the luncheon today.”
Ervin and Kathy Patelski welcomed new members, including Tensley Garris, Northbrook Chamber of Commerce president.
Guests heeded the call — there were filled paper bags with canned food destined to help others.
Learn more about the club by calling Cathy Gregory at (847) 559-8997.
